The Best Scream Queens of the 21st Century
Horror films and TV shows thrive on talented actresses who can scream, fight, and bring chilling stories to life. These women, known as scream queens, dominate the genre with their ability to convey fear, resilience, and intensity, captivating audiences worldwide.
In the 21st century, a new wave of scream queens has emerged, starring in iconic horror projects and redefining the genre. From indie gems to blockbuster franchises, here are some of the best scream queens making waves in modern horror.
Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega has become a standout scream queen with her fearless performances in horror. Her roles in ‘Wednesday’, ‘Scream’, and ‘X’ showcase her ability to balance vulnerability and strength, making her a fan favorite in the genre.
She brings a fresh energy to every project, whether playing a clever teen in ‘Scream VI’ or a quirky outcast in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’. Ortega’s natural charisma and knack for intense roles cement her as a modern horror icon.
Mia Goth
Mia Goth delivers haunting performances that linger long after the credits roll. Her work in ‘X’, ‘Pearl’, and ‘MaXXXine’ shows her range, from terrified victim to unhinged villain.
Goth’s ability to dive deep into complex, unsettling characters sets her apart. Her raw intensity in ‘Suspiria’ and ‘A Cure for Wellness’ proves she’s a force in horror, pushing boundaries with every role.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy burst onto the horror scene with her chilling debut in ‘The Witch’. Her performances in ‘Split’ and ‘The Menu’ highlight her ability to blend fear with fierce determination.
Her wide-eyed expressiveness and commanding presence make her a natural fit for the genre. Taylor-Joy’s roles in ‘Last Night in Soho’ and ‘The New Mutants’ show her versatility, keeping audiences on edge.
Maika Monroe
Maika Monroe’s breakout role in ‘It Follows’ made her a horror staple. Her performances in ‘The Guest’ and ‘Longlegs’ showcase her knack for portraying characters who face terror head-on.
Monroe’s cool, understated style brings a unique edge to her roles. In films like ‘Watcher’ and ‘Significant Other’, she captures the tension of being hunted, making her a go-to scream queen.
Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney’s horror roles combine charm with chilling intensity. Her performances in ‘Immaculate’ and ‘Nocturne’ highlight her ability to portray characters grappling with supernatural and psychological horror.
From her early work in ‘The Ward’ to her standout role in ‘ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction’, Sweeney’s versatility shines. Her growing presence in the genre marks her as a rising star.
Kathryn Newton
Kathryn Newton brings youthful energy to her horror roles. In ‘Freaky’ and ‘Abigail’, she blends humor and horror, playing characters who are both relatable and fearless.
Her work in ‘Paranormal Activity 4’ and ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ shows her range, from terrified teen to quirky lead. Newton’s ability to balance scares with personality makes her a standout in modern horror.
Kiernan Shipka
Kiernan Shipka’s horror roles are marked by eerie poise and intensity. Her performances in ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ and ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ showcase her ability to embody unsettling characters.
In ‘Longlegs’ and ‘Totally Killer’, Shipka proves she can handle both supernatural and slasher horror. Her knack for portraying complex, haunted characters makes her a genre favorite.
Kate Siegel
Kate Siegel’s horror performances are gripping and unforgettable. Her roles in ‘Hush’ and ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ highlight her ability to convey terror and resilience in equal measure.
Siegel’s work in ‘Midnight Mass’ and ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ shows her depth as an actress. Her ability to carry intense, emotional scenes makes her a scream queen to watch.
Taissa Farmiga
Taissa Farmiga’s horror career spans TV and film with standout roles in ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘The Nun’. Her performances capture fear and determination, making her a genre staple.
In ‘The Final Girls’ and ‘The Nun II’, Farmiga brings emotional depth to her characters. Her ability to navigate horror’s emotional and supernatural elements keeps her in demand.
Alexandra Essoe
Alexandra Essoe delivers raw, intense performances in horror. Her breakout role in ‘Starry Eyes’ and later work in ‘Doctor Sleep’ showcase her ability to portray characters unraveling under pressure.
Essoe’s roles in ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ and ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ highlight her versatility. Her willingness to tackle gritty, unsettling projects makes her a scream queen to remember.
Sophie Thatcher
Sophie Thatcher’s horror roles are marked by raw emotion and intensity. Her performances in ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘The Boogeyman’ show her ability to portray characters facing unimaginable terror.
In ‘MaXXXine’ and ‘Heretic’, Thatcher brings a fierce edge to her roles. Her rising star power and fearless performances make her a standout in the genre.
Shawnee Smith
Shawnee Smith’s iconic role in the ‘Saw’ franchise defines her as a scream queen legend. Her performances in ‘Saw X’ and ‘The Grudge 3’ showcase her ability to embody fear and survival.
Smith’s work in ‘Bloodline Killer’ and ‘Psychopomp’ proves she’s still a force in horror. Her enduring presence in the genre keeps fans coming back for more.
Jasmin Savoy Brown
Jasmin Savoy Brown shines in horror with her roles in ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Scream’. Her performances blend wit and terror, making her a relatable and compelling scream queen.
In ‘Scream VI’ and ‘Conductor’, Brown brings strength to her characters. Her ability to balance humor and horror makes her a rising star in the genre.
Georgina Campbell
Georgina Campbell’s horror roles are gripping and intense. Her performance in ‘Barbarian’ and ‘The Watchers’ showcases her ability to convey raw fear and resilience.
Campbell’s work in ‘Bird Box: Barcelona’ and ‘Lovely, Dark, and Deep’ highlights her versatility. Her commanding presence makes her a standout in modern horror.
Odessa A’zion
Odessa A’zion brings bold energy to her horror roles. Her performances in ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘The Inhabitant’ show her ability to tackle gruesome and psychological horror.
In ‘Let’s Scare Julie’ and ‘For the Night’, A’zion proves she can handle intense, high-stakes roles. Her fearless approach marks her as a rising scream queen.
Toni Collette
Toni Collette’s horror performances are unforgettable, especially in ‘Hereditary’. Her ability to portray raw grief and terror makes her a standout in the genre.
Collette’s roles in ‘Krampus’ and ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ show her range, from supernatural horror to dark satire. Her emotional depth keeps audiences hooked.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis is a scream queen legend, continuing her iconic role in the ‘Halloween’ franchise. Her performances in ‘Halloween Kills’ and ‘Halloween Ends’ show her enduring strength in horror.
Curtis’s work in ‘Scream Queens’ blends humor and terror, proving her versatility. Her legacy as Laurie Strode cements her as a horror icon.
Andrea Riseborough
Andrea Riseborough delivers chilling performances in horror. Her roles in ‘Mandy’ and ‘Possessor’ showcase her ability to portray complex, unsettling characters.
In ‘The Grudge’ and ‘Hidden’, Riseborough brings intensity to every scene. Her unique presence makes her a standout in the genre.
Annabelle Wallis
Annabelle Wallis shines in horror with roles in ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Malignant’. Her performances blend fear and strength, making her a compelling scream queen.
Wallis’s work in ‘Annabelle: Creation’ and ‘Silent Night’ shows her versatility. Her ability to carry intense horror scenes keeps her in the spotlight.
Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss delivers gripping horror performances in ‘Us’ and ‘The Invisible Man’. Her ability to convey terror and resilience makes her a genre standout.
Moss’s roles in ‘The Attic’ and ‘Invasion’ highlight her early horror work. Her commanding presence continues to captivate audiences.
Samara Weaving
Samara Weaving’s horror roles are bold and dynamic. Her performances in ‘Ready or Not’ and ‘The Babysitter’ showcase her ability to blend humor and horror.
In ‘Scream VI’ and ‘Azrael’, Weaving proves she can handle intense, high-stakes roles. Her charisma makes her a fan favorite in the genre.
Imogen Poots
Imogen Poots brings intensity to her horror roles. Her performances in ‘Green Room’ and ‘28 Weeks Later’ highlight her ability to portray characters in dire situations.
Poots’s work in ‘Vivarium’ and ‘Black Christmas’ shows her range, from psychological horror to slasher thrills. Her fearless performances make her a scream queen to watch.
Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga is a horror powerhouse with roles in ‘The Conjuring’ and ‘Bates Motel’. Her performances blend emotional depth with chilling intensity.
Farmiga’s work in ‘The Nun’ and ‘Orphan’ showcases her ability to tackle supernatural and psychological horror. Her commanding presence keeps her at the top of the genre.
Kristen Connolly
Kristen Connolly shines in horror with her role in ‘The Cabin in the Woods’. Her performances in ‘The Bay’ and ‘Evil’ show her ability to handle diverse horror subgenres.
Connolly’s work in ‘The Whispers’ highlights her knack for portraying fear and resilience. Her understated intensity makes her a standout scream queen.
Sharni Vinson
Sharni Vinson delivers fierce performances in horror. Her role in ‘You’re Next’ showcases her as a tough, resourceful scream queen.
Vinson’s work in ‘Bait’ and ‘From a House on Willow Street’ proves her versatility in action-packed horror. Her strength and charisma keep audiences engaged.
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson’s horror roles in ‘American Horror Story’ are iconic. Her performances in ‘Bird Box’ and ‘Run’ highlight her ability to convey raw fear and determination.
Paulson’s work in ‘Glass’ shows her range in psychological horror. Her emotional intensity makes her a standout in the genre.
Victoria Pedretti
Victoria Pedretti shines in horror with roles in ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘You’. Her performances capture vulnerability and strength, making her a compelling scream queen.
Pedretti’s work in ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ showcases her ability to handle haunting, emotional roles. Her rising star power keeps her in demand.
Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace Moretz has a long history in horror, starting with ‘The Amityville Horror’. Her roles in ‘Carrie’ and ‘Let Me In’ show her ability to tackle intense, emotional characters.
Moretz’s work in ‘Suspiria’ and ‘Shadow in the Cloud’ highlights her versatility. Her fearless performances make her a standout scream queen.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried brings emotional depth to her horror roles. Her performances in ‘Jennifer’s Body’ and ‘You Should Have Left’ showcase her ability to handle dark, unsettling stories.
Seyfried’s work in ‘Things Heard & Seen’ and ‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ proves her range. Her captivating presence keeps audiences hooked.
Jocelin Donahue
Jocelin Donahue delivers chilling performances in indie horror. Her role in ‘The House of the Devil’ and ‘Doctor Sleep’ showcases her ability to portray characters facing supernatural terror.
Donahue’s work in ‘I Trapped the Devil’ and ‘Offseason’ highlights her knack for gritty, atmospheric horror. Her understated intensity makes her a genre gem.
Kelly Reilly
Kelly Reilly shines in horror with her role in ‘Eden Lake’. Her performances in ‘Eight for Silver’ and ‘A Haunting in Venice’ show her ability to handle intense, suspenseful roles.
Reilly’s work in ‘Puffball’ and ‘Innocence’ highlights her versatility in psychological horror. Her commanding presence makes her a scream queen to watch.
Shauna Macdonald
Shauna Macdonald’s iconic role in ‘The Descent’ defines her as a scream queen. Her performances in ‘The Descent: Part 2’ and ‘Nails’ showcase her ability to convey raw fear and survival.
Macdonald’s work in ‘Howl’ and ‘White Chamber’ proves her strength in intense horror. Her enduring presence keeps her a genre favorite.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts delivers unforgettable horror performances in ‘The Ring’. Her roles in ‘The Ring Two’ and ‘Goodnight Mommy’ show her ability to portray characters facing supernatural terror.
Watts’s work in ‘The Watcher’ and ‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ highlights her versatility. Her emotional depth makes her a scream queen legend.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar shines in horror with her roles in ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Grudge 2’. Her performances blend fear and resilience, making her a genre icon.
Gellar’s work in ‘The Return’ and ‘Wolf Pack’ shows her enduring presence in horror. Her charisma keeps audiences coming back for more.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Mary Elizabeth Winstead delivers gripping horror performances in ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’. Her roles in ‘Final Destination 3’ and ‘The Thing’ showcase her ability to handle high-stakes terror.
Winstead’s work in ‘Black Christmas’ and ‘The Returned’ highlights her versatility. Her fierce energy makes her a standout scream queen.
Who’s your favorite scream queen, and which of their horror roles left you speechless? Share your thoughts in the comments!