3 Great Horror Movies Starring Wrestlers

by

It’s often assumed wrestlers transitioning to acting would primarily succeed in action films. Surprisingly, many find more success in horror. While stars like Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena initially gained recognition in action movies – with roles in films like *The Mummy Returns*, *The Man with the Iron Fist*, and *The Marine* – they’ve all expanded into comedies, animation, and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, for some wrestlers, horror truly showcased their acting talent, and three films particularly stand out as excellent examples of their work.

This list only includes movies that are genuinely horror films, so you won’t find comedies with horror elements like *Grown Ups 2*. Some scary movies that narrowly missed making the cut were *Plan 9 from Outer Space*, *Terrifier 2*, *Terrifier 3* (featuring Chris Jericho), and M. Night Shyamalan’s *Knock at the Cabin* (with Dave Bautista).

3) The Devil’s Rejects Starring Diamond Dallas Page

Rob Zombie’s first film as a director, *House of 1000 Corpses*, is more strange and unsettling than truly frightening. The movie sometimes feels slow and disjointed, jumping between scenes without a strong storyline. Despite its flaws, it successfully introduced audiences to the memorable Firefly family – including Captain Spaulding (played by Sid Haig), Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie).

Two years after its release, *The Devil’s Rejects* is a much better-made film. It perfectly showcases how Rob Zombie’s unique blend of horror and Southern rock can be brought to life on screen. The movie follows the Firefly family on a violent road trip, creating a constant sense of danger for everyone involved—except for bounty hunter Billy Ray Snapper, played by Diamond Dallas Page, who manages to survive.

Stream The Devil’s Rejects on Plex.

2) They Live Starring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

Overall, *They Live* is a fantastic movie and ranks second among those we’ve reviewed. But if we were specifically judging the acting of wrestlers in horror films, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s performance in *They Live* would easily be the best.

John Carpenter’s *They Live* is a standout film from his later work, notable for its stylish visuals, fast pace, and surprisingly insightful commentary that feels remarkably modern. Keith David, as the protagonist ‘Nada,’ delivers a compelling performance, convincingly portraying both disbelief and determined action.

Stream They Live on AMC+.

1) Predator Starring Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura, known as “The Body,” wrestled professionally from 1984 to 1990. During this time, he also achieved his most memorable film role as Blain Cooper, the character wielding the minigun in *Predator*. Surprisingly, *Predator* was actually his first movie, and it was a perfect fit. He also appeared in another major supporting role in the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, *The Running Man*, which suited him just as well.

The movie, featuring tough soldiers hunted by an invisible alien, was a great way to showcase a wrestler’s acting ability, and Jesse Ventura delivered – as did the film itself. Sadly, his acting career didn’t last, and his starring role in *Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe* didn’t attract much attention.

Stream Predator on Hulu.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-predator-movie-mistakes-youll-never-be-able-to-unsee/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-08 00:40