10 Best Horror Movies Starring Actors From The Scream Franchise

When Scream came out in 1996, it reinvigorated the horror genre, which was feeling past its prime, and for the most part, relegated to B-movie status and straight-to-video releases. There were still some franchises going, mostly those established in the 1970s and '80s, but any new, original releases were few and far between. Wes Craven's cult classic changed the way horror movies were made, making the characters much more self-aware and savvy, acknowledging all that came before, and bringing audiences right into the action. His casting was also considered, and very deliberate.

Killing Drew Barrymore's character in the first scene was a stroke of genius that left audiences in shock and questioning everything they thought they knew. Over the years, with every new movie of the franchise, the stories relied on a spot-on cast to make each one work as best as it could. Each victim, killer, and suspect has left their mark on every single installment. Some have also had the opportunity to star in other horror films that allowed them to either meet a different fate than their Scream character, or step into a completely new role altogether.

10 Urban Legend (1998)

Starring Joshua Jackson and Rebecca Gayheart

This film came out only a year after Scream 2, which featured Joshua Jackson as a film student in class with Randy and Rebecca Gayheart as Sorority Sister Lois. While they didn't share any scenes together in Craven's film, they were part of the same friend group in Urban Legend. While Gayheart's role is substantially different in both, Jackson plays a similar character.

In fact, it seems as if Film Class Guy #1 was expanded into Damon, as even his introduction is very similar. Both characters are seen discussing what turns out to be the premise of their respective movies. Part of the slasher film resurgence of the '90s, Urban Legend's premise is all in the title.

It follows a serial killer who bases their murders on various well-known urban legends. It also starred a lot of other up-and-coming young actors, like Jared Leto and Tara Reid, and has built a cult following among fans of the genre. Some of the kill scenes are elaborate and very memorable, and the big murderer reveal still stands the test of time.

9 Piranha 3D (2010)

Starring Jerry O’Connell

As Derek, Sidney's pre-med boyfriend in Scream 2, Jerry O'Connell has a standout scene as he sings "I Think I Love You" in the cafeteria, and a very sad and memorable face-off with the killer while tied to a cross-shaped prop on a theater stage. In a possible homage to his horror movie past, his character in Piranha 3D is called Derrick, but is a very different personality.

As an arrogant and wildly obnoxious adult film director, he was clearly being set up to meet the grisly end he ultimately did. A campy play on the 1970s classic, Piranha 3D is very self-aware and does not take itself too seriously. It mixes gore with a lot of dark humor, as it features a lake filled with hungry prehistoric piranha fish and a lot of scantily clad people.

A cameo from Christopher Lloyd made maximum use of his time, and there are a lot of very funny lines to ease the tension. While the film is very colorful and lighthearted in tone, the gore comes in droves, so it's not for the faint of heart.

8 The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015)

Starring Emma Roberts

The eerie and moody directorial debut of Oz Perkins, stars Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, and Lucy Boynton. The story is told in a non-linear way, as mystery and tension build over time. Much like her role in Scream 4, she plays the film's lead, and many frightening and unexpected things happen around her.

Whether taking on the Ghost Face killer, or grappling with dark and mystifying forces, Emma Roberts fits into the horror genre very well, as seen in her various American Horror Story roles as well. Joan (Roberts) has her very solitary storyline, as she travels towards the school where the two younger girls had been left on their own.

Set in the dead of winter, the icy background and palpable chill only add to the atmosphere. As The Blackcoat’s Daughter progresses and the two separate stories begin to merge, and viewers get to slowly piece the puzzle together. This makes the movie a prime candidate for a rewatch to see what clues may have been missed along the way.

7 Planet Terror (2007)

Starring Rose McGowan

One of the biggest scene-stealers in the original Scream as Tatum, Rose McGowan stood out in every way. From her clothing, iconic one-liners, and extremely memorable death scene, Sidney's sassy friend was more than just a sidekick. It's no wonder she went on to star in more projects connected to the horror genre.

She played a witch in Charmed, a manipulative mean girl in Jawbreaker, and a zombie-slaying exotic dancer in Planet Terror. Her innate charisma and strength shined through as she battled a dystopian hellscape with a band of rag-tag survivors. Part of the Grindhouse double feature with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, this section is directed by Robert Rodriguez.

A splatter horror with zombies, and a lot of dark humor at the center, Planet Terror is a high-octane ride from start to finish. Dealing with well-known tropes, including a viral outbreak that turns people into flesh-eating monsters, there is a very Rodriquez-esque twist to the film that makes it stand out. Another thing that makes it stand out is Rose McGowan's machine gun leg, which makes her character one of the most visually recognizable ones in cinema history.

6 Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Starring Adam Brody

Scream 4 was an attempt to reboot the franchise, and the last one directed by Wes Craven. It featured a host of new characters, and one of them included doomed police officer, Deputy Hoss (Adam Brody). While his role wasn't particularly large, he made it memorable by putting his signature charm and wit on display.

His role in Jennifer's Body also leaned into his natural magnetism, but with a much more sinister twist. He plays the enigmatic lead singer of a band that dabbles in some very questionable extracurricular activities. Megan Fox is the very strong anti-hero lead in this horror comedy written by Diablo Cody.

The witty script elevated the story with its one-liners and elaborate slang terminology that resonated with a whole generation. With lots of dark themes and gory supernatural effects, it's a clever twist on a typical teen movie. Evoking a zombie Mean Girls of sorts, it's fitting that Amanda Seyfried has a big part in a much more cerebral capacity as Needy. There is also a welcome thread of feminism that pops up towards the end that feels very satisfying.

5 Abigail (2024)

Starring Melissa Barrera

Brought in as the new lead of the franchise's reboot, Melissa Barrera starred as Sam Carpenter in the last two Scream films. As she took on the role of the new Sidney Prescott of sorts, she brought strength, determination, and compassion to her role. Her fresh energy was part of the reboot's success, and here's hoping both she and her character might get some closure at some point in the future.

Her role in Abigail mixes the confidence and resoluteness she displayed in the Scream films, but the threat she takes on is rather different.

Her role in Abigail mixes the confidence and resoluteness she displayed in the Scream films, but the threat she takes on is rather different. Horror films involving creepy children can be a particularly divisive genre. Some viewers specifically avoid them because of how unsettling these seemingly innocent beings can have such a sinister aura.

Others embrace this threat that feels hidden in plain sight, and Abigail does not disappoint on that front. The bloodthirsty 12-year-old terrorizes her kidnappers in a shocking reversal of fortunes, as the hunters become the hunted. The film has 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and features Angus Cloud's final screen appearance.

4 Ready or Not (2019)

Starring Samara Weaving and Adam Brody

Samara Weaving's role in Scream VI honors her horror movie legacy, which includes a few very successful scary movies. The Babysitter and its sequel were big hits for Netflix, and Ready or Not is a great addition to the horror comedy genre. As Grace is on the cusp of joining a very affluent and eccentric family when she's due to marry their son, it turns out demonic forces might be at play as a deadly game of "Hide and Seek" begins. Adam Brody co-stars as her soon-to-be-brother-in-law.

Unlike his role in Scream 4, his moral compass is not quite as straightforward in this film. As a very privileged man, he feels loyalty towards his family and their rituals, but struggles with some of the more gory details. Ready or Not tackles issues of class and privilege in a sharp and witty way, and has a very inventive premise that would appeal to anyone who enjoys board games. It scored 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and made nearly $60 million against a relatively modest budget of about $6 million.

3 I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar

Released in the same year as Scream 2 which also featured Sarah Michelle Gellar, I Know What You Did Last Summer was another slasher film under the actor's belt. Both the characters she played met a very similar end, which was a big departure from Gellar's TV role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who undoubtedly would have handled herself very differently in those situations.

Instead, both Cici and Helen Shivers were tragic victims who went up the stairs and slowed down to take one final look, trying to do the best they could in the most horrifying situation. The four teens have excellent chemistry, with all of them leaning into their respective character tropes really well.

Ryan Phillippe is convincing as the arrogant yet charming Barry, Jennifer Love Hewitt does a good job as the innocent yet brave Julie, and Freddie Prinze Jr. rounds off the cast as the suspicious but ultimately heroic Ray. They were some of the most exciting teen stars of the time, so having them together contributed to the success of the film. It made over $125 million and remains one of the most beloved films in the slasher genre.

2 X (2022)

Starring Jenna Ortega

As one of the reigning scream queens of the 2020s, Jenna Ortega has already starred in some highly-rated and very successful horror projects. These include Wednesday, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, and the two most recent Scream installments. While her future with the franchise is uncertain, she has shown her range within the genre, which is sure to guarantee her a permanent place in the horror cinematic universe.

X sees her character go from a shy "Church Mouse" to someone who eventually participates in an adult film, and finally stands up to her friends. Another prolific horror star, Mia Goth, leads this film, which launched the trilogy that would eventually include Pearl and MaXXXine. The film is understated in its suspense, as it lets it build naturally while a very layered and gripping story develops around it.

The cast is very committed and many of the characters have fully formed arcs, so the audience has time to connect with them before they face their fate. The threat is fittingly chilling, and it's one of the most exciting horror films of the last decade, holding an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

1 The Craft (1996)

Starring Neve Campbell and Skeet Ulrich

The Craft came out the same year as Scream, and features not one but two of its stars in significant roles. Neve Campbell plays the shy and reserved Bonnie, who is ashamed of the scars that cover her body. She also practices witchcraft with her coven, which includes Nancy (Fairuza Bulk), Rochelle (Rachel True), and, new addition Sarah (Robin Tunney).

With one of the best slow motion crowd sequences of any teen film, and some genuinely terrifying moments, The Craft holds up on many fronts.

Over the course of the film, her character develops into a much more confident, even cocky character, with an antagonistic edge. Skeet Ulrich's character is very similar and an example of the typecasting he must have experienced at the time. The movie resonated with a generation of magic enthusiasts and has maintained its cult status ever since.

From its impact on fashion, beauty, and Halloween, there are few places in the realm of pop culture that it hasn't touched since its release. With one of the best slow motion crowd sequences of any teen film, and some genuinely terrifying moments, The Craft holds up on many fronts. Fairuza Bulk's performance is the standout of the film, and will send shivers down the spine of any viewer who presses play on this witchy horror classic.

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