18 Actors You Totally Forgot Starred in Horror Movies

Mar. 15, 2025

01of 18

2012: Jennifer Lawrence inHouse at the End of the Street

Rogue Pictures/Everett

02of 182005: Ryan Reynolds inThe Amityville HorrorReynoldsplayed the unfortunate new owner of the famously haunted house in this remake.Chloë Grace Moretzappeared as the actor’s daughter; she was only 6 years old at the time of filming.

02of 18

2005: Ryan Reynolds inThe Amityville Horror

Reynoldsplayed the unfortunate new owner of the famously haunted house in this remake.Chloë Grace Moretzappeared as the actor’s daughter; she was only 6 years old at the time of filming.

03of 18

2002: Scarlett Johansson inEight Legged Freaks

04of 181998: Ben Affleck inPhantomsEverettPost-Good Will Hunting,Affleckplayed Sheriff Bryce Hammond in this adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel about a small town where almost all the inhabitants mysteriously die or go missing.

04of 18

1998: Ben Affleck inPhantoms

Everett

Post-Good Will Hunting,Affleckplayed Sheriff Bryce Hammond in this adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel about a small town where almost all the inhabitants mysteriously die or go missing.

05of 182005: Paris Hilton inHouse of WaxWarner Brothers/Courtesy Everett CollectionHiltonportrayed bratty teen Paige — and suffered a brutal death — in the mid-aughts remake of the eerie 1953 original.

05of 18

2005: Paris Hilton inHouse of Wax

Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection

Hiltonportrayed bratty teen Paige — and suffered a brutal death — in the mid-aughts remake of the eerie 1953 original.

06of 18

1994: Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey inTexas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

07of 18

1998: Josh Hartnett and Michelle Williams inHalloween H20: 20 Years Later

08of 18

1998: Katherine Heigl inBride of Chucky

09of 181984: Johnny Depp inA Nightmare on Elm StreetEverettWe’ll never forgetDepp’s epic bloody death scene.

09of 18

1984: Johnny Depp inA Nightmare on Elm Street

We’ll never forgetDepp’s epic bloody death scene.

10of 181980: Kevin Bacon inFriday the 13thEverettAmong Crystal Lake’s newest group of camp counselors was a fresh-facedBacon, who joined the chaos that came about once the assumed Jason Voorhees began to wreak havoc.

10of 18

1980: Kevin Bacon inFriday the 13th

Among Crystal Lake’s newest group of camp counselors was a fresh-facedBacon, who joined the chaos that came about once the assumed Jason Voorhees began to wreak havoc.

11of 182008: Brittany Snow inProm NightEverettLet’s just sayProm NightwasSnow’s practice for hitting high notes inPitch Perfect. Only difference? The aforementioned thriller found Snow running from a crazed stalker rather than competing in a national singing competition.

11of 18

2008: Brittany Snow inProm Night

Let’s just sayProm NightwasSnow’s practice for hitting high notes inPitch Perfect. Only difference? The aforementioned thriller found Snow running from a crazed stalker rather than competing in a national singing competition.

12of 181993: Jennifer Aniston inLeprechaunEverettBeforeFriendsand hericonic haircut,Anistoncame head-to-head with a killer leprechaun searching for his gold.

12of 18

1993: Jennifer Aniston inLeprechaun

BeforeFriendsand hericonic haircut,Anistoncame head-to-head with a killer leprechaun searching for his gold.

13of 18

1987: George Clooney inReturn to Horror High

14of 181980: Tom Hanks inHe Knows You’re Not AloneEverettFun fact:Hankswas supposed to have an early death scene, but “America’s Dad” scored more screen time due to his charm.

14of 18

1980: Tom Hanks inHe Knows You’re Not Alone

Fun fact:Hankswas supposed to have an early death scene, but “America’s Dad” scored more screen time due to his charm.

15of 18

1989: Brad Pitt inCutting Class

16of 181995: Charlize Theron inChildren of the Corn III: Urban HarvestAlthough it was a minor role, it’s important to note that much like Zellweger and McConaughey’s run in theTexas Chainsaw Massacresequel,Theron’s gig inChildren of the Corn III: Urban Harvestled to an Oscar — albeit for a different roleyearslater in 2003’sMonster.

16of 18

1995: Charlize Theron inChildren of the Corn III: Urban Harvest

Although it was a minor role, it’s important to note that much like Zellweger and McConaughey’s run in theTexas Chainsaw Massacresequel,Theron’s gig inChildren of the Corn III: Urban Harvestled to an Oscar — albeit for a different roleyearslater in 2003’sMonster.

17of 181982: Demi Moore inParasiteEverettIn one of her first-ever films,Moorestarred as partner of Dr. Paul Dean, who created a deadly parasite that became attached to his insides.

17of 18

1982: Demi Moore inParasite

In one of her first-ever films,Moorestarred as partner of Dr. Paul Dean, who created a deadly parasite that became attached to his insides.

18of 181991: Leonardo DiCaprio inCritters 3BeforeRomeo + JulietandTitanic,DiCapriowas merely a kid fighting furry aliens in a Los Angeles apartment tower.

18of 18

1991: Leonardo DiCaprio inCritters 3

BeforeRomeo + JulietandTitanic,DiCapriowas merely a kid fighting furry aliens in a Los Angeles apartment tower.

source: people.com