February has been designated as Women in Horror Month, so I thought a great way to celebrate this year is by ranking some of the best female characters in horror movie history.
When most people think of women in horror, they may picture the dumb big-haired bimbo running around screaming being absolutely useless as viewers scream at her common-sense tips for surviving the terror she is in. However, with a closer look, you will realize that horror is filled with a variety of female characters from those completely useless damsels in distress to the badass final girls who dish out as much punishment as the big bad that’s chasing them. Strong, smart, and sexy just barely scratch the surface when describing many of these ladies. Also, we have some stone-cold killers that give Jason, Freddy, and Michael a run for their money as they slash, maim and murder their way through their own victims.
Come and celebrate all sorts of female characters with me as we count down the 100 Greatest Female Characters in Horror history!
* Be cautious of spoilers below
30. Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) | The Birds (1963)
As one of the pioneers of the horror genre, much of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies are timeless classics. Among his very best is The Birds, a film that explores the concept of flocks of birds banding together to start murdering humans. Despite its age and simplistic plot, the movie does hold up very well and is quite entertaining. The star of the movie is Tippi Hedren, who portrays the protagonist Melanie Daniels. Her acting is stellar and one of the best qualities of the film. She has a way about her which makes her very likable, and you’re rooting for her to survive this strange occurrence unfold on screen.
29. Amelia (Essie Davis) | The Babadook (2014)
As a widow and a mother, Amelia has a lot on her plate as she tries to grieve the loss of her husband and deal with her troubled son. The more erratic his behavior becomes, the more isolated and tormented Amelia gets. She must decide between going deeper into depression or fighting back in order to save her relationship with her son. Essie Davis gives an all-time performance as an imperfect mother who isn’t willing to give up.
28. Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) | Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Horror fan or not, pretty much everyone knows about Elvira in some capacity. . In the early 80s, actress Cassandra Peterson would create the character to host a new horror TV series. Inspired by The Vampira Show, Peterson as Elvira would host Elvira’s Movie Macabre, a very popular show for horror fans at the time. Elvira’s campy humor and sex appeal would resonate with horror fans so much that her show would spawn a feature film.
Peterson made Elvira all her own in how she walks, talks, and flirts. She grabs every scene by its neck. People absolutely loved both her sexy gothic/punk-inspired fashion and twisted sense of humor. She is gorgeous, voluptuous, sarcastic and funny, with a dark heart.
27. Red (Lupita Nyonga) | Us (2019)
Red is already a pretty solid horror character to begin with but Lupita Nyonga’s performance helps take it to another stratosphere. Pulling double duty as Adelaide and her tethered companion, Nyonga gives each character a distinct personality. Her voice change, the mannerisms and even the look in her eyes, Nyonga gives an exceptional performance that anchors the film. We were given an all-time horror character in Red as she menacingly terrorizes her counterpart.
26. Sadako (Rie Inō and Multiple Others) / Samara (Daveigh Chase and Multiple Others) | Ringu / The Ring franchise
2000s horror pretty much was owned by little dead girls with long black hair covering their faces, but the most famous of those were Sadako (Japanese version) and Samara (American version). Although there are differences between the two versions from a cultural standpoint, both ultimately tell the story of a vengeful ghost seeking retribution. The look of the character would become iconic as well as parodied endlessly. The image of her climbing through the tv screen will forever be etched in the minds of those who watched the first films.
25. Asa Vajda/Katia Vajda (Barbara Steele) | Black Sunday (1960)
Mario Bava’s classic Black Sunday would introduce the world to Britain’s first lady of horror Barbara Steele. She would play Asa Vadja who is tortured and burned at the stake for witchcraft and other nefarious crimes. Most notably she would suffer the pain of enduring the mask of Satan punishment. A spiked metal masked that was hammered onto her gorgeous face. Two centuries after her death we meet Katia Vajda who looks exactly like Asa. Steele’s beauty and fierceness shine in both characters her becoming a classic female horror icon.
24. Angela Baker (Felissa Rose) | Sleepaway Camp (1983)
This ’80s film isn’t as famous as other slashers at the time, but it does have one of the most famous plot twists in horror history. Felissa Rose’s awkward and androgynous portrayal of young summer camper Angela Baker is perfect. Trauma and upbringing as done a horrible number on Angela. This is one of the most complex characters in horror history. For those who haven’t seen the film, I can not express enough going in as blind as possible. And for those who have seen it, you know exactly what I am talking about with the “wtf?” moment.
23. Jess Bradford (Olivia Hussey) | Black Christmas (1974)
Black Christmas still remains to be one of the great holiday horror films of its time. There is so much I love about this movie, with the protagonist Jess being at the top of the list. She’s a very strong female lead for a 1970s slasher, showcasing her heavy stance towards her convictions, and does what is best for her, despite her controlling boyfriend’s input. Her wits are kept about her through the film’s entirety and genuinely cares for her sorority sisters, doing whatever it takes to make sure they are safe from harm.
22. Stevie Wayne (Adrienne Barbeau) | The Fog (1980)
Did Adrienne Barbeau start the sexy, sultry DJ thing or was that around before 1980? Stevie Wayne is a radio host that operates from her lighthouse in John Carpenter’s 1980 atmospheric horror film dealing with swashbuckling and grudge grasping ghosts. She literally and figuratively oversees the entire film. As the story of the plundered ship, The Elizabeth Dane, is pieced together, the mystery of Antonio Bay unravels. Stevie takes charge of her position to warn the bay citizens from the bloodthirsty specters surging from the phantom vessel. Stevie’s sharp eyes and cerebral planning made her The Fog‘s beacon of salvation.
21. Ginny Field (Amy Steel) | Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
One of the series most popular final girls for a reason, Ginny Field demonstrates that often cool intelligence wins out over sheer brawn. Aspiring child psychologist turned camp assistant, Ginny displays tough moxie from the first time we’re introduced to her. It’s furthered as she continues to survive when her fellow camp co-workers fall victim to Jason Voorhees in his first iconic appearance in the series. She’s also the first to figure out how to wield his mommy issues against him, lulling him into a calm stupor before plunging a machete through him.
40-31 | 20-11
What do you think of the selection so far? Who are some of your favorite female horror characters? Maybe they will show up further on the list!
