The horror genre has charmd audiences for generations, with its enduring popularity rooted in the creation of iconic stars who have left an indelible mark on film history. While scream queens often take center stage, talented actors who have dedicated themselves to the horror genre have contributed significantly to its charm. From heroes to villains, stars of modern times, and horror’s earliest Hollywood highlights, these scream kings deserve recognition for their outstanding contributions.
Evan Peters, a modern scream king, has impressed audiences with his versatility in the American Horror Story anthology series, portraying both heroes and villains across nine seasons. His filmography includes a mix of sci-fi thrillers and horror projects. Doug Bradley, known for his role as Pinhead in the 1987 film Hellraiser, has been a staple of horror cinema for decades, with a filmography that includes numerous B-movie horror films.
Tony Todd, another horror icon, has left his mark on the genre through his iconic roles in films like The Final Destination franchise, Night of the Living Dead, and B-movie slashers. His crowning achievement as a scream king comes from his portrayal of the eponymous villain in the Candyman films. Lon Chaney, a true master of makeup and acting, was nicknamed “The Man of a Thousand Faces” for his incredible range. Chaney’s most notable accomplishments include The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera, which reportedly caused audiences to faint in theaters.
Patrick Wilson (Via Patrick Wilson/Twitter)
Bill Skarsgård, a younger generation’s scream king, has made a name for himself as the villainous clown in It and as a more noble character in films like Barbarian and Villains. Ethan Hawke has made a significant impact on the horror genre, breaking out in films like Dead Poet’s Society and re-igniting his career with horror movies like Daybreakers. With standout performances in Sinister and The Purge, as well as a role as a child-abducting villain in The Black Phone, Hawke has solidified his status as a scream king.
Robert Englund, best known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, is another horror icon. With his magnetic, chilling, and sinfully delightful performance as the dream-stalking spirit, Englund’s legacy in the genre is set to only grow with upcoming projects. Vincent Price, an accomplished actor and historian, is remembered as one of cinema’s earliest horror movie stars, having established himself through films like House of Wax, The Fly, and The Abominable Dr. Phibes.
Bruce Campbell is the undisputed king of B-movie horror, having starred in films like The Evil Dead trilogy and cult classics like Bubba Ho-Tep and Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat. Campbell’s charisma lends itself to more comedic takes on the genre, but he has also appeared in action-infused horror hits like Maniac Cop and true slashers like Intruder. Finally, there is Patrick Wilson, who has become synonymous with horror through his roles in films like Insidious and The Conjuring. With his extensive filmography, including films like In the Tall Grass and Bone Tomahawk, Wilson is undeniably one of the all-time great scream kings.
