Famous Stars Who Got Their Start in Horror Films

From Frights to Fame

Before they were well-known, many of today’s top performers began their careers in the horror film industry. In their early careers, these celebrities played the scariest parts, from spooky murderers to haunting houses.

For instance, Jenna Ortega was already influencing the genre with her notable performances in Scream and Insidious: Chapter 2 before she became Wednesday’s breakout star.

Explore the spooky opening roles of 18 famous people who played horror film stars long before they became Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Mckenna Grace

McKenna Grace may be best known for her roles in family-friendly films and TV shows, but she also started in thrillers.

As a young actress, Mckenna Grace’s roles in thrillers and horror films had a big impact. She played a younger Theo Crain in The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and Judy Warren, the daughter of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, in Annabelle Comes Home (2019).

Adam Scott

Adam Scott’s acting debut was in the horror genre, and he appeared in Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996), the fourth film in the Hellraiser series. The role helped launch his career in Hollywood.

Over the years, he moved into more prominent comedy and drama roles, eventually earning recognition for his work in Parks and Recreation and movies like Step Brothers.

Finn Wolfhard

Before Finn Wolfhard became known for his role in Stranger Things as Mike, he had already established himself in horror and thrillers with a standout role as the smart and bold Richie Tozier in the film “IT” (2017).

The movie, based on Stephen King’s novel, was a massive hit that launched Wolfhard’s career into the spotlight.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Because she launched her career in the genre, Jamie Lee Curtis is referred to as the “Queen of Horror” for good reason. She played the iconic Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s 1978 film Halloween, which was her first major role.

She later played Laurie throughout several follow-ups. As Curtis defined herself as an essential actor in horror movies, especially slasher movies, she gained popularity and eventually became well-known in other genres.

Bruce Campbell

In the horror genre, Bruce Campbell is a legendary figure. The role as Ash Williams in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead series made him an icon known for his work.

He then starred in Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness, as well as numerous other horror films and television series. He gained a special place in the hearts of horror fans for his work, especially for the Evil Dead franchise.

Sophia Lillis

Sophia Lillis is another up-and-coming talent who established herself early in the horror genre. Known for her major role in the 2017 film IT, as Beverly Marsh, she faced scary, otherworldly forces early in life.

Lillis’s mesmerizing performance highlighted her ability to handle the thrills and chills of horror, surpassing her years of experience. Her period in the horror genre continues to be a crucial point in her journey to fame, even if she continues to grow her career with a variety of roles.

Christina Ricci

One of the best examples of a celebrity who began their career in spooky movies is Christina Ricci, who gained popularity for her classic performance as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and its sequel, gained popularity in the horror genre for her unsettling and unusual characters.

She became even more of a queen of scary movies thanks to her role in Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp, which set the stage for her excellent career combining dark roles with respected performances.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy kicked off her career in horror by making a major impact on her breakout role in the movie “The Witch (2015)”. In this movie, she portrayed a young named Thomasin, who got caught in terrifying accusations of witchcraft.

This role showed her performance and blew her career. This led to more prominent roles in thrillers like Split (2016) and Glass (2019), solidifying her status as a rising star in the genre.

Millie Bobby Brown

Although her portrayal as Eleven in Stranger Things may have played a major part in Millie Bobby Brown’s ascent to fame, she dabbled with the horror genre before becoming well-known.

She made her acting debut at the age of 12 in the spooky supernatural thriller Intruders, showcasing her ability to act out complicated, compelling characters.

Her remarkable career began with an early horror encounter, showcasing that Millie was already succeeding in the genre before she rose to recognition as one of Netflix’s biggest stars.

Skeet Ulrich

Skeet Ulrich started his thrilling career and he made a name for himself because he played the role of Billy Loomis in the 1996 classic hit movie Scream. The movie was directed by Wes Craven and it was a huge success and this gamed up his career in horror and placed Ulrich in the spotlight.

He also had a smaller role in the 1994 film The Craft, which further connected him to the world of thriller films.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth identified herself with her debut role in the movie Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011, with excellent performance she also starred in Silent House the same year.

These early roles helped her get noticed for the portrayal and amazing acting, eventually leading to her iconic role as Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp made his name in the horror genre before improving to fame as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. His first part was that of Glen in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), which led to a dramatic and unforgettable death scene.

Depp’s career was shaped by this early horror encounter, which opened the door for his following roles in oddball and extraordinary movies. Depp, who is well-known for his acting, discusses how the horror genre may serve as the ideal launching ground for performers who are destined to become superstars.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Critters 3 and Critters 4 defined Leonardo DiCaprio’s debut in the horror genre. His journey to fame came with these movies, even if they helped him improve the skills he needed to act.

Although not as famous as his later hits, these films gave DiCaprio a unique starting point in the industry and showcased his ability to work in any genre before his standout roles in Titanic and The Revenant.

Abigail Breslin

At an early age, Abigail Breslin, who gained recognition for her turnaround performance in Little Miss Sunshine, started her career in horror by starring in Signs (2002). Her versatility beyond family drama was shown once more when she featured in Zombieland as the skillful, zombie-slaying young survivor.

In Scream Queens, she played an intellectual character in a campy yet horrifying atmosphere. Later, she took on more difficult parts.

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon actually got his start in horror, his big break came in the 1980 slasher classic “Friday the 13th”, where he played Jack who was one of the camp counselors.

It was that role that helped kick off his career, and even though he’s done a ton of different roles in drama and comedy since then, horror was where it all began for him.

Jennifer Aniston

Before becoming famous for Friends, Jennifer Aniston had a starter role in the 1993 horror-comedy Leprechaun. While not a huge hit, it marked her first big Hollywood break.

She combined humor and tension, which later defined her beloved portrayal of Rachel Green.

Talking about horror, check out Gal Gadot Brings Thrills in The Runner, an upcoming thrilling film you won’t want to miss, packed with suspense and intense moments.

Chloe Grace Moretz

At an early age, Chloë Grace Moretz started working in the horror genre and concentrating on her skills in movies that both horrified and inspired viewers.

She became well-known for her role in The Amityville Horror (2005) and her terrifying interpretation of the legendary girl with telekinetic abilities in the 2013 Carrie remake before acting in popular films like Kick-Ass and The 5th Wave.

Be sure to check out Netflix Sets Release for Harlan Coben’s Thriller Missing You, a horror story full of twists that will leave you wanting more.