Top 13 Scream Queens

Scream Queen Scout Taylor-Compton

Women in the Horror genre has been a key element to most if not all relevant Horror films of today.  The film that started the "female protagonist trend" to the masses was John Carpenter's "Halloween" in 1978.  Jamie Lee Curtis, the protagonist of the film, is often credited as being the first Scream Queen.  What is a Scream Queen you ask? A Scream Queen is an actress in a Horror film who is the main female protagonist, or has appeared in frequent Horror movies and has embraced the genre as an actress.  A Scream Queen by definition, is similar to "The Final Girl".  The Final Girl is the last woman alive to confront the killer.  More often than not, The Final Girl is typically referred to as the Scream Queen of the movie.

The main female protagonist must possess two certain characteristics in order to be given the title of a Scream Queen.  A Scream Queen is strong.  She will typically have a transformation from a "the girl next door" to one bad ass chick.  During the process she will have felt fear, pain, and loss.  Typically by the end of the film she will have defeated or escaped from the killer.  The second trait is what truly separates Scream Queen heroins from their dead counterparts.  While running, screaming, and hacking up the killer to shreds, she must always look sexy.  Looking sexy while kicking some major butt isn't easy to do, but the Scream Queen makes it look ever so glamorous.  So, here is my Top 13 Scream Queens of Horror all of whom are well deserving of their titles.

13. Sheri Moon Zombie

The wife of legendary Metal rocker and Horror director Rob Zombie, Sheri Moon has made quite the name for herself in the Horror community by starring in all of Rob's films.  Just recently starring in her first lead role in  "The Lords of Salem" Sheri Moon proves herself worthy of Scream Queen status.

Notable Roles: House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects, Halloween, The Lords of Salem

12. Danielle Panabaker

One of the most underrated actresses of modern cinema, there is no denying that Danielle Panabaker has some major talent.  I'm anxiously awaiting for her breakout role as Horror's newest Final Girl.  This girl is the future of Horror.

Notable Roles: Friday the 13th, The Crazies, The Ward, Girls Against Boys, Piranha 3DD

11. Kate Beckinsale

It's great to see an A list actress still branch off into Horror films even after stardom. Whether it's hunting down Lycans in shiny latex with guns blazing, or avoid being the next victim to a snuff film, we can count on Kate to hold a special place in her heart for Horror.

Notable Roles: Underworld series, Vacancy

10. Mary Elizabeth Winstead

A genre favorite with fans, Mary Elizabeth keeps dishing out some great scare flicks.  About every other year we wait for Winstead to scream her way into some big hollywood blockbusters, and they never disappoint.

Notable Roles: Final Destination 3, Death Proof, Black Christmas, The Thing, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

9. Milla Jovovich

Possibly every fan boys dream girl, Milla Jovovich has quite the resume.  Being the leading lady of kick butt in the Resident Evil franchise, she has killed the undead in just about every way.  Jovovich, being another A list actress on the list has branched off into the Thriller ans Sci-Fi genres as well.

Notable Roles: Resident Evil series, A Perfect Getaway, Faces in the Crowd

8. Shauna Macdonald

Being trapped in a cave? Check. Being chased by subterranean flesh-eating humanoids? You got it. Major props goes to Shauna Macdonald for surviving what I consider one of the scariest Horror movies of all time.  Being extremely claustrophobic myself, I could only imagine how Shauna felt....all while being chased by humanoids.

Notable Roles: The Descent, The Descent: Part 2

7. Neve Campbell

Perhaps the most recognizable Scream Queen from my youth, Neve Campbell earns her keep as the lead in the Scream franchise.  Mother killed, losing her virginity to a psycho, and almost stabbed to death from her own cousin, its easy to sympathize for poor ole' Neve.  But she has always remained a strong character, always staying one step ahead of the Ghostface killer.

Notable Roles: Scream series

6. Ashley Laurence

Defeating demons known as Cenobites who subject their victims to extreme forms of sadomasochism is no walk in the park.  Ashley Laurence gives one of the best Final Girl portrayals in 80's Horror cinema.  She is a likable character the moment she is on screen.  Her acting is so compelling, it's a shame she wasn't in many other Horror films outside of the Hellraiser movies.  Ashley Laurence is easily one of the best heroins to come out of the 80's.

Notable Roles: Hellraiser series

5. Jaime King

Jaime King was the first Scream Queen I ever saw on the big screen.  Running from miners who throw pick axes at you in 3D was a great way for me to get a taste of the talented Miss King.  Jaime King has had a tendency to get cast as the motherly care giver who will surprise you in Act II of how tough and resourceful she is.

Notable Roles: My Bloody Valentine 3D, Mother's Day, Silent Night

4. Briana Evigan

Starting out her career in dancing, being the lead in the second "Step Up" movie, Briana found her niche in being one of today's profound Scream Queens.  Briana seems to be the all around actress.  She can sing in a Horror movie (The Devil's Carnival), be a sassy punk chick, and a hot sorority girl who will still kick butt.  Briana, keep the good scare flicks comin.

Notable Roles: Sorority Row, Burning Bright, Mother's Day, The Devil's Carnival

3. Sharni Vinson

Having just watched her on screen for the first time this year in "You're Next", you might be surprised that she is on the number 3 spot.  Her performance in "You're Next" absolutely blew me out of my seat.  She was a likable character, felt pain, but most of all she was kick ass.  I have never seen a character take charge and take down the baddies like she did.  I look forward to seeing her in more Horror roles.

 


2. Scout Taylor-Compton

Scout is your girl next door.  She's cute, sassy, and you know, she'll blow Michael Myers head off.  Scout's acting range is quite talented.  Every film I have seen her in, her acting has remained solid and consistent.  Her performance in Rob Zombie's Halloween was undeniably bone rattling.  She is without a doubt, my favorite "Final Girl" from the Halloween franchise.

Notable Roles: Halloween, Halloween II, 247°F

1. Danielle Harris

We were first introduced to Danielle when she was only 10 years old in "Halloween 4" back in 1988.  With her role reprising in "Halloween 5", audience members knew that this girl had potential for the future of Horror.  The Horror genre has consumed just about every aspect of Harris's career.  Being featured in many Slasher classics, to going to annual Horror conventions.  Now at the age of 36, she just directed her first Horror movie, "Among Friends".  Danielle Harris is Horror's reining Scream Queen and she will always keep us screaming for more.

Notable Roles: Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Halloween, Halloween II, Hatchet II, Hatchet III, Stake Land, Among Friends

-Johnny Fright