Top 20 Most Iconic Horror Actresses Of All Time

About this gallery:

To create this list, we took a look at the most iconic actresses and roles in the history of horror cinema, even if they’re not necessarily the best performances of all time. Think popularity over quality.

Remember, this is a subjective list! If you have a scream queen we forgot to include, why not mention her in the comments? | © Paramount Pictures

20. Chloe Grace Moretz

Chloe Grace Moretz brought a new level of nuance to horror with her roles in Let Me In and Carrie. As the vampire child in Let Me In, Moretz delivered a haunting yet sympathetic performance that added emotional depth to the chilling atmosphere. Her portrayal of Carrie in the 2013 remake also showcased her talent for bringing complex horror characters to life. | © Hammer Films

19. Karen Black

Karen Black’s performances in Trilogy of Terror are legendary, especially her battle with the creepy Zuni doll in the final segment. Black’s ability to shift between fear and control made her one of the most versatile actresses in horror. She also left her mark in Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses, proving her enduring legacy as a horror icon. | © ABC Circle Films

18. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore’s short but iconic role in Scream shocked audiences with its unexpected brutality. Her character, Casey, was famously killed off in the opening scene, setting the tone for the rest of the movie. Despite her brief appearance, Barrymore’s performance remains one of the most memorable in horror history, and she helped Scream become a genre-defining classic. | © Dimension Films

17. Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly’s tongue-in-cheek role in Seed of Chucky added a campy, comedic twist to the horror genre. Tilly played both herself and the voice of Tiffany, Chucky’s murderous bride, delivering one-liners and laughs alongside the scares. Tilly’s self-aware performance breathed new life into the Chucky franchise and cemented her place as a cult horror favorite. | © Rogue Pictures

16. Danielle Harris

Danielle Harris became a horror icon at a young age with her role as Jamie Lloyd in Halloween 4 and Halloween 5. Harris’s portrayal of Michael Myers’s niece, relentlessly pursued by the masked killer, turned her into a fan-favorite scream queen. Her early performances left a lasting impact on the Halloween series, and she remains a beloved figure in the horror community. | © Galaxy International Releasing

15. Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy made her breakout role as Thomasin in The Witch, an unsettling tale of paranoia and supernatural forces in 17th-century New England. Taylor-Joy’s haunting performance, full of quiet intensity, perfectly captured the terror of living on the edge of both civilization and sanity. Her work in The Witch established her as a rising star in horror and beyond. | © A24

14. Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh’s performance in Midsommar is a slow-burning portrayal of grief, isolation, and terror wrapped in bright daylight. As Dani, Pugh navigates a disturbing, cult-like ritual with increasing dread and despair. Her raw, emotional performance adds layers of complexity to the character, making Midsommar one of the most unsettling horror films of recent years. | © A24

13. Barbara Crampton

Barbara Crampton is a horror icon, thanks to her work in 80s cult classics like Re-Animator and From Beyond. In Re-Animator, she brought a mix of campy charm and scream queen vulnerability to her role, while in From Beyond, she delivered a fearless performance alongside grotesque practical effects. More recently, Crampton returned to the genre with Jacob’s Wife, proving she’s still as captivating as ever in horror. | © Empire International Pictures

Cropped Sarah Michelle Gellar The Grudge

12. Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar, already a supernatural legend thanks to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brought her talents to horror films like The Grudge. Playing an American nurse in Tokyo facing a vengeful spirit, Gellar gave audiences plenty of reasons to fear dark corners and creepy noises. Gellar’s portrayal, combining vulnerability and strength, made her a standout in the world of supernatural horror. | © Columbia Pictures

11. Vera Farmiga

Vera Farmiga’s role as real-life paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring series brought a sense of grounded fear to the supernatural. Farmiga’s calm but intense performance anchored the series, making the chilling events feel all too real. Her on-screen chemistry with Patrick Wilson also helped solidify the Warrens as horror’s favorite ghost-hunting duo. | © Warner Bros.

10. Toni Collette

Toni Collette’s harrowing performance in Hereditary redefined modern horror acting. As a mother unraveling in the face of unimaginable grief and supernatural forces, Collette brought an intensity that left audiences breathless. From the dinner table explosion to the film’s shocking finale, her portrayal of a woman losing control is both terrifying and unforgettable. | © A24

Cropped Heather Langenkamp A Nightmare on Elm Street

9. Heather Langenkamp

Heather Langenkamp’s Nancy Thompson is one of horror’s most beloved final girls. As the teenager who takes on Freddy Krueger, Langenkamp delivered a performance that was both smart and relatable. Nancy’s ability to outwit Freddy, using her intelligence and bravery, made her stand out from other horror protagonists of the time. Langenkamp solidified her place as a horror legend by battling Freddy not once, but twice. | © New Line Cinema

8. Neve Campbell

As Sidney Prescott, Neve Campbell defined the modern final girl in Scream. Campbell’s portrayal of the quick-thinking, tough-as-nails Sidney showed that horror heroines don’t have to be helpless. Through multiple sequels, Sidney survives masked killers with a mix of wit and resilience. Campbell’s smart, self-aware performance helped make Scream a genre-defining classic. | © Dimension Films

7. Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is the undisputed scream queen, thanks to her role as Laurie Strode in the Halloween series. Curtis’s portrayal of Laurie – a resourceful babysitter being stalked by Michael Myers – made her an instant horror icon. Curtis has returned to the role over the decades, proving time and again that Laurie Strode is the ultimate final girl, no matter how many times Michael comes back. | © Compass International Pictures

6. Mia Goth

Mia Goth has quickly risen to modern horror stardom with her roles in X and Pearl. In X, she plays two different characters, showcasing her incredible range as both victim and predator. In Pearl, she dives into a disturbing descent into madness that is as unsettling as it is captivating. Goth's haunting performances in these films are already making her a name to watch in the horror genre. | © A24

5. Janet Leigh

Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane may not have lasted long in Psycho, but her infamous shower scene remains one of the most iconic moments in cinema. Leigh’s performance helped set the tone for the entire slasher genre, and her sudden, shocking death was a twist no one saw coming. Her role in Psycho turned her into a horror legend, even though she only spent a short time on screen. | © Paramount Pictures

4. Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek’s performance as the troubled, telekinetic Carrie White in Carrie is a perfect mix of heartbreaking and terrifying. The prom scene remains one of the most iconic moments in horror, and Spacek’s ability to turn from meek outsider to a force of supernatural fury still haunts viewers today. Spacek embodied the tragic horror of a girl pushed too far, forever etching her name in horror movie history. | © United Artists

3. Sigourney Weaver

As Ellen Ripley in the Alien series, Sigourney Weaver didn’t just survive space monsters – she made battling them iconic. Her transformation from a terrified crew member in Alien to the badass warrior of Aliens is the stuff of cinematic legend. Weaver’s performance helped redefine the female action hero, blending intelligence, toughness, and vulnerability like no one else. Who knew battling xenomorphs could look so cool? | © 20th Century Fox

2. Linda Blair

Linda Blair’s unforgettable performance as Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist made heads spin – literally. Playing a possessed child tormented by demonic forces, Blair delivered a bone-chilling performance that scarred audiences for life. Her horrifying transformation, from sweet girl to a terrifying, demonic entity, still ranks as one of the most shocking and unsettling portrayals in horror cinema. | © Warner Bros.

1. Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall’s portrayal of Wendy Torrance in The Shining is one of the most raw depictions of terror ever seen on screen. Watching her desperately try to survive Jack Nicholson’s unraveling madness is both exhausting and unforgettable. Her wide-eyed panic during the infamous “Here’s Johnny!” scene is forever etched into horror history. Duvall’s performance still stands as a masterclass in conveying pure fear and helplessness. | © Warner Bros.