20 Famous Actresses Who Got Their Start In Horror Movies

With the creepy Silent House, Elizabeth Olsen continues to use the horror movie genre material to ignite her career. But she's not the only one to do so.

famous actresses start horror michelle williams
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Image via Getty/Jim Smeal

famous actresses start horror michelle williams

Horror film fans are often on the search for a fresh mainstream face to rally behind. It's a tall order for a breakthrough, awards-friendly actress to stick to one genre, especially once they've carried an entire horror flick with a blistering, all-eyes-on-her performance. Unfortunately for fans of scary film, most scream queens with the acting chops to draw in audiences bid the scare genre adieu for more dramatic and higher-profile projects, much like the female thespians on our following list of Famous Actresses Who Got Their Start In Horror Movies.

It's hard to imagine Hollywood stars like these women relaying themselves to the more stereotypical conventions of horror movie (like the crucial factor of being scantily clad while evading your attacker), but read down the list and you'll see the foot in the door it's provided for the now-A List actors. A few of these have since returned to the screen for the kind of cinema that began their careers, but most of them haven’t looked back as more esteemed roles have come their way. As Halloween approaches, let's celebrate their scary starts. 

Eva Mendes

famous actresses start horror eva mendes

Rachel Weisz

famous actresses start horror rachel weisz

Jessica Lange

famous actresses start horror jessica lange

Rooney Mara

famous actresses start horror rooney mara

Maggie Q

famous actresses start horror maggie q

Amy Adams

famous actresses start horror amy adams

Elizabeth Olsen

famous actresses start horror elizabeth olsen

Michelle Williams

famous actresses start horror michelle williams

Evangeline Lilly

famous actresses start horror evangeline lilly

Demi Moore

famous actresses start horror demi moore

Sharon Stone

famous actresses start horror sharon stone

Brooke Shields

famous actresses start horror brooke shields

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

famous actresses start horror julia louis dreyfuss

Mila Kunis

famous actresses start horror mila kunis

Jennifer Aniston

famous actresses start horror jennifer aniston

Holly Hunter

famous actresses start horror holly hunter

Mariska Hargitay

famous actresses start horror mariska hargitay

Jennifer Connelly

famous actresses start horror jennifer connolley

Patricia Arquette

famous actresses start horror patricia arquette

Renée Zellweger

famous actresses start horror renee zellweger

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