Horror movies aren’t all about jump scares and spooky soundtracks—they’re about the iconic people (and sometimes creatures) who leave those chills with us long after the credits have finished rolling. From iconic scream queens and scream kings to the actors who brought terror to life in masks and makeup, these thespians helped shape the genre. Here’s a reverse countdown of 13 of the greatest horror stars ever.
13. Jessica Biel
Jessica Biel started out with a splash of horror before she made it big with Hellbent, demonstrating a combination of vulnerability and strength. This led to the opportunity to work on larger projects, such as her breakout role in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and subsequent television success with The Sinner. Her early work in the horror genre paved the way for her versatility and range as an actress.
12. Kevin Peter Hall
Standing 7’3″ tall, Kevin Peter Hall loomed over co-stars and moviegoers alike, bringing to life some of the most terrifying creatures in cinema. From the Mutated Bear in Prophecy to the Alien Hunter in Predator, Hall established himself as one of the finest creature performers in cinema history. His untimely passing at only 35 left audiences wondering what other indelible monsters he might have become.
11. Sissy Spacek
Splattered with pig’s blood on prom night, Sissy Spacek instantaneously became a horror icon in Carrie. Her acting as Stephen King’s doomed, telekinetic adolescent remains one of the most chilling in the genre. The prom scene is a cultural touchstone and one of the most parodied scenes in horror cinema.
10. Johnny Depp
Before Pirates of the Caribbean turned him into an international superstar, Johnny Depp had a gruesome demise in A Nightmare on Elm Street. His Glen character—and his memorable death scene—propelled him into the Hollywood limelight. That first foray into horror was a stepping stone for his lengthy, quirky career.
9. Jamie Lee Curtis
When you hear the term “scream queen,” Jamie Lee Curtis is the first name that comes to mind. Her portrayal of Laurie Strode in Halloween set the standard for the final girl archetype. Vulnerable but resourceful, Curtis’s Laurie Strode changed horror forever—and decades later, she’s still facing down Michael Myers with just as much grit.
8. Bruce Campbell
Chainsaw arm. Killer one-liners. Chin of steel. Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams in the Evil Dead series is cult royalty. Campbell perfected the mix of horror and slapstick, making Ash one of the genre’s most iconic characters. His horror legend status is solidified with every groovy scene.
7. Boris Karloff
No horror stars list would be complete without Boris Karloff. His acting as Frankenstein’s monster is the iconic face of the creature, and his work throughout the 1930s made him the “King of Horror.” Karloff showed us that real horror isn’t always about blood or gore—sometimes just being there is sufficient.
6. Anthony Perkins
Norman Bates redefined the horror villain. Anthony Perkins brought sensitivity and subtle menace to Hitchcock’s Psycho, developing one of cinema’s most terrifying characters. Perkins’s performance cemented Bates as a cultural icon and established a new benchmark for psychological horror.
5. Peter Cushing
British horror is largely indebted to Peter Cushing, whose appearances in Hammer Studios’ horror films as Van Helsing and Dr. Frankenstein provided class and ferocity to the genre. His performances lent substance to even the most campy scripts, defining the British horror look and feel for decades.
4. Bette Davis
With Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Bette Davis did not just rediscover herself; she also gave birth to a whole subgenre: “Hagsploitation.” Her portrayal of Baby Jane was disturbing, multi-faceted, and strangely sympathetic, and it caused the audience to view horror in a whole new light. Davis established that evil could be as sophisticated as it was frightening.
3. Jamie Lee Curtis (again)
Absolutely, she should have another spot. Jamie Lee Curtis didn’t only leave an impression—she’s continued to be relevant, redefining the scream queen character time and time again. Her return in Halloween more recently demonstrated how deep-seated her love for the genre is, cementing her as horror royalty across generations.
2. Vincent Price
Few actors are more identified with horror than Vincent Price. With his rich voice and ominous charm, he is the embodiment of gothic horror in such movies as House of Wax and The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Price’s influence extended beyond film to Halloween specials and even an episode of The Simpsons.
1. Bela Lugosi
At the top of the list is Bela Lugosi, whose performance in Dracula remains the ultimate vampire blueprint. His accent, his stare, his aura—Lugosi didn’t just play Dracula, he became Dracula. Nearly a century later, his influence still defines how we imagine the vampire mythos on screen.
From blood-soaked prom queens to eternally undead vampires, these actresses have fueled the nightmares and fantasies of horror enthusiasts for decades. Whether it’s camp, humor, or all-out fright, their acting is why horror persists—and why these legends will never be relegated to the background.