10 Modern Scream Queens and Kings Taking Over Horror Right Now

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As a passionate horror movie enthusiast, I used to associate the term “Scream Queen” with the brave actress who, in traditional horror films, emerged victorious as the last woman standing – the seemingly innocent girl who discovered her inner strength to survive against all odds. Pioneering scream queens like Jamie Lee Curtis (in Halloween), Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), and Neve Campbell (Scream) come to mind.

However, in recent years, the role of a “Scream Queen” has expanded. Now, it’s not just about the final girl; it encompasses actors who consistently appear in horror movies throughout their careers, often taking on roles that embody heroism, though not always as the protagonist. The term “Scream King” has also been created for male counterparts.

Currently, we have several outstanding modern-day horror stars stepping into the spotlight. The fascination with horror continues to thrive, boasting an abundance of titles that cater to every preference. Whether you’re keen on tracking a particular horror star’s journey or discovering fresh talent, there is no shortage of emerging horror celebrities ruling the cinema world.

Here are the best scream queens and kings working in horror today.

10
Kyle Gallner

As a fan following the horror genre, I can confidently say that Kyle Gallner has undeniably claimed the title of Scream King among millennials. At 38 years old, this versatile actor has left an indelible mark on over a dozen chilling films throughout his career. He first caught my eye in movies like “Red Eye” and “The Haunting in Connecticut,” but it was his work in “Jennifer’s Body” and the “Smile” series that truly captivated me. Most recently, Gallner shared the screen with Willa Fitzgerald (from “Reacher”) in “Strange Darling.

The ‘Modern Scream King’

As a true cinema enthusiast, I must say that what truly sets Gallner apart is his unwavering commitment to the horror genre. Though he’s dabbled in other film styles, he always finds his way back to terror-filled lands. At times, he dons the cape of the hero, and at others, he embodies the villain, but there’s no denying that when it comes to horror, Gallner is undeniably the master. Over the past few years, his exceptional talent has been given ample room to shine through compelling leading roles that highlight his versatility. Across various online forums, threads abound in praise of Gallner’s contributions to the horror genre, and in 2024, Shawn Van Horn at Collider hailed him as “our contemporary scream king.

9
Samara Weaving

Any aficionado of horror movies is familiar with Samara Weaving smoking a cigarette while clad in a gore-splattered wedding dress – an image that has since become synonymous with the genre. While Ready or Not wasn’t her debut in the horror realm, nor was it her swan song, for numerous fans, it remains their preferred pick. To date, Weaving has graced nearly a dozen horror productions, counting The Babysitter and Ash vs. Evil Dead among them. She even made a brief appearance in the highly anticipated Scream VI, a role typically reserved for esteemed celebrities. In her most recent project, Borderline, Weaving takes on the role of a pop star battling an overzealous fan (Ray Nicholson), veering slightly from her usual horror roles.

The “Vibe” of Horror

Samara Weaving’s resume showcases a unique blend of character portrayals that jump between various genres, adding an element of surprise and intrigue to her performances. Her roles in “The Babysitter” and “Ready or Not” deviate from the typical, making Bee and Grace stand out as unconventional babysitters and brides respectively. These characters not only catch their on-screen peers off guard but also leave audiences in awe with their unexpected actions. With her continued involvement in the horror genre, Weaving demonstrates no signs of departing from this community, expressing her admiration for it by stating, “Horror people are just cool. You guys have a different vibe; it’s a different breed. And I love that tone; I love horror.

8
Maika Monroe

In recent times, many horror film enthusiasts would have pointed to “It Follows” as Maika Monroe’s most recognized horror movie. However, in 2024, the release of “Longlegs” demonstrated that her horror film prowess remains unwavering even after a decade. Throughout this period, she has consistently acted in the genre, gracing films like “Significant Other”, “Watcher”, and “Villains” (where she shared the screen with another notable horror actor, Bill Skarsgård).

Returning to Her Roots

In her upcoming ventures, actress Monroe will be reviving the 1992 chiller “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” as a remake. Additionally, she looks forward to stepping back into her role for the forthcoming sequel of “It Follows,” titled “They Follow.” This is the first instance where Monroe has been granted the chance to reprise a character. Director David Robert Mitchell continues to be one of Monroe’s preferred filmmakers, and she’s thrilled about collaborating with him once more on these projects.

7
Mia Goth

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve always admired Mia Goth’s chilling portrayals long before she graced the silver screen in the X movies. However, it was her spellbinding roles as Maxine and Pearl in Ti West’s trilogy that truly etched her name in horror cinema lore. This work has been the most artistically rewarding of Goth’s career, a sentiment clearly reflected in her captivating onscreen presence. Esquire even hailed Pearl as one of the greatest horror characters ever conceived, and I wholeheartedly agree after witnessing Goth’s electrifying performances in these films.

Taking On a Mary Shelley Classic

It’s not surprising that Goth will join Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi in Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” given her iconic status in the horror genre. In this rendition, she portrays Victor Frankenstein’s fiancée, Elizabeth Lavenza. The combination of director and cast has generated significant anticipation within the horror community for this project. Filming concluded in September, with a planned release date in November 2025.

6
Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård has firmly established himself within Stephen King’s literary world. Initially, he played Pennywise the Clown in the modern retelling of the cherished novel, “It.” Subsequently, this Swedish actor delved further into King’s mythos, portraying the enigmatic, unnamed prisoner on the TV series inspired by King, titled “Castle Rock.” Beyond his association with Stephen King, Skarsgård has a rich history in horror films. His resume includes “Nosferatu,” “The Crow,” “Barbarian,” “Villains,” and the Netflix series “Hemlock Grove.

“One in a Million” Casting

It could be stated that Skarsgård’s talent for horror roles seems almost predestined. Intriguingly, when Skarsgård auditioned for the role of Pennywise, director Andy Muschietti initially planned to use CGI to make the clown’s eyes point in different directions. However, it was found that Skarsgård naturally possessed this unusual ability, making the CGI unnecessary. Muschietti deemed this coincidence as incredibly rare, referring to it as “one in a million.

5
Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega, despite being young, exudes an unique aura that’s reminiscent of a ‘scream queen’. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she shared that she feels most authentic when dressed in all black, echoing her character’s wardrobe from the popular Netflix series ‘Wednesday‘. Ortega doesn’t merely embody the style of a horror actress; her acting roles in productions like ‘X‘ and the ‘Scream‘ franchise have solidified her as a formidable presence in the realm of ‘scream queens’.

From Disney to Deetz

Ortega deliberately avoids being stereotyped as an actor, as shown by the diverse roles she selects. Originally rising to fame on the Disney Channel, she effortlessly transitioned into mature characters spanning various genres. In 2024, she featured in a sultry thriller, a heartwarming coming-of-age tale, and secured the much-desired role of Lydia Deetz’s daughter in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Her upcoming film is a horror-comedy, teaming up with Paul Rudd, titled Death of a Unicorn.

4
Kathryn Newton

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge that Kathryn Newton seamlessly fits into horror scenes. Interestingly enough, the star of ‘Paranormal Activity 4’ snagged the recurring role of Claire Novak on the highly successful series ‘Supernatural’ at just 15 years old. Since then, she’s graced our screens in numerous acclaimed horror-comedies such as ‘Freaky’, ‘Lisa Frankenstein’, and ‘Abigail’. Her unique ability to infuse a performance with an exquisite balance of drama and comedy sets her apart as a fresh talent to watch out for in the horror genre. Upcoming projects include the psychological thriller, ‘DreamQuil’, alongside John C. Reilly, Elizabeth Banks, and Juliette Lewis, as well as a ‘Ready or Not’ sequel featuring Samara Weaving.

The Spin-Off That Almost Happened

Initially, Newton was nearly set to star in her own spin-off series based on Supernatural titled Wayward Sisters. A trial episode, known as a backdoor pilot, was broadcast in 2018 during the 13th season of Supernatural. Regrettably, The CW declined the proposal. However, things turned out favorably for Newton in the long run. Known as an exceptional actress in the horror genre, she has been involved with numerous remarkable projects over the past seven years, both horror and non-horror.

3
Jasmin Savoy Brown

Jasmin Savoy Brown is excelling in every aspect of their career. They’re making waves with a fantastic role in the popular series, Yellowjackets, and have gained a lot of attention within the Scream universe, portraying Mindy Meeks-Martin, who is not only a beloved character but also the first queer character in the franchise. If the name ‘Meeks’ sounds familiar, it’s because Mindy is the niece of Randy Meeks, the horror expert from the original films (played by Jamie Kennedy). Randy was adored by horror fans for his cleverness, and Mindy carries on that legacy.

A Reluctant Scream Queen

Initially, Savoy Brown was a theater enthusiast, not aiming to be a horror icon, but that’s the path they took. Their presence in horror films has allowed them to push limits. As they shared with Samuel Maude of Elle, “I wasn’t drawn to horror because it was too straightforward and predominantly white; it didn’t hold my attention.” Characters like Mindy in Scream and Taissa on Yellowjackets have boosted queer representation in the horror genre. Savoy Brown is also the creator of a 2020 podcast titled Queer for Fear: The Evolution of Queer Horror.

2
Sophie Thatcher

Sophie Thatcher may not have a long list of horror roles under her belt as of now, but her rapid rise in the genre over the past year is quite evident. Since 2021, she has shared screen space with Savoy Brown in the series “Yellowjackets” portraying Natalie, a character who is both tough and vulnerable. Furthermore, she has appeared in three horror movies: “The Boogeyman”, “Heretic”, and “Companion”. With the latter two premiering almost simultaneously, it seems like Thatcher is making a significant impact in the horror genre currently, leaving fans quite thrilled about her future projects.

Heretic Closing Credits

Thatcher is not only a remarkable actor, she’s also a skilled musician with her own unique talent. She gives a chilling performance of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” for the end credits in the film ‘Heretic’, and released her first EP, titled ‘Pivot & Scrape’, in October 2024. The music video for this brooding yet heavenly track has amassed over 5,000 likes on YouTube.

1
Jack Quaid

In the year 2017, Jack Quaid shared the screen in the movie “Tragedy Girls”. However, he might be more famously recognized as the charming character Hughie from Amazon’s profanely entertaining superhero series, “The Boys“. This show isn’t afraid to show violence, which could have helped prepare Quaid for his role in the 2022 “Scream” film alongside Jasmin Savoy Brown. In this current year, he starred in “Companion” along with Sophie Thatcher.

A Really Good Bad Guy

Quaid’s title as the “Horror Monarch” signifies the evolving perspective on who qualifies as a horror icon. His portrayal in “Companion” is merciless, and while Josh may not be considered sympathetic by others (apart from Josh himself), that performance is a significant factor behind his popularity within the horror scene. Quaid isn’t limited to playing heroic roles; he’s equally comfortable tackling villainous characters. Such bold choices have proven successful for him.

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2025-05-05 02:37