32 Classic Horror Movie ‘Final Girls’

In a slasher movie, creature feature, or any thriller, the “Final Girl” is the leading female character who usually outlives all others to confront the primary antagonist or challenge. We’ve revisited some of the most legendary characters embodying this archetype from classic horror films and have compiled a collection of these “Scream Queens,” who top our list when it comes to endearing horror heroines.

Sidney Prescott (Scream)

In the 1996 movie “Scream,” directed by Wes Craven, Neve Campbell’s lead character is not the only one who survived Ghostface’s killing spree; she reappears in several sequels. However, Sidney Prescott can be seen as a collective representation of all the most inspiring Final Girls that preceded her, given that “Scream” itself was a combination of the finest slasher films from the past.

Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

In a different turn of phrase, Nancy Thompson (portrayed by Heather Langenkamp) experiences a harder fate than typical “Final Girls” due to her inability to find any respite since sleep exposes her to Freddy Krueger’s attacks. Remarkably, she refuses to show pity towards Robert Englund’s infamous horror antagonist in the climax of 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, ultimately defeating the burnt monster similar to how Kevin McCallister dispatches his adversaries before the concept of Home Alone was born.

Sally Hardesty (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre)

In most horror movies featuring “Final Girls,” their courage is validated by bringing their tormentors to justice. However, Marilyn Burns’ portrayal of Sally Hardesty in the 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre stands out because Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) survives at the film’s end. Nevertheless, Sally’s determination to survive, her miraculous escape from Leatherface and his cannibalistic kin, and her resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors deserve recognition and praise.

Alice Hardy (Friday The 13th)

It’s unfortunate that Alice Hardy, who made it through the horrors of the 1980’s Friday the 13th, never got to face off against Jason Voorhees. This is a viewpoint shared by actress Adrienne King, who famously beheaded Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s mother and one of horror movie history’s most iconic female villains. Her actions essentially triggered Jason’s relentless spree of violence, cementing her as a legendary figure in Crystal Lake folklore.

Sarah Connor (The Terminator)

Although primarily known for inspiring action movies in later sequels, James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi movie The Terminator carries the essence of a slasher film at its core. Consequently, Linda Hamilton’s character, Sarah Connor, whose son is fated to lead humanity against robotic rulers, can be rightfully acknowledged as an exemplary “Final Girl.

Jess Bradford (Black Christmas)

Olivia Hussey is most recognized by some for playing the female lead in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Yet, she holds significant importance within the horror community as well, starring in Bob Clark’s 1974 holiday-themed horror classic, Black Christmas, where she portrayed a college student who grew suspicious that herself and her sorority sisters were being pursued by a murderous madman during the winter break.

Jeryline (Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight)

1995’s “Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight” sprang from the famous horror anthology TV series, and it tells a contemporary tale of an age-old conflict between a timeless warrior (portrayed by William Fichtner) and his relentless adversary, the demon (played by Billy Zane). As the movie progresses, however, it’s revealed that Jada Pinkett Smith’s character, Jeryline, is actually the main character who deserves the title of the film’s hero.

Sienna Shaw (Terrifier 2)

A fortunate few have managed to endure the unimaginable atrocities committed by Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), like Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) in Terrifier 2. Just as swiftly as the chilling clown from this horror movie series earned a place in the slasher villain hall of fame, she ascended to become one of the most prominent “Final Girls” of her time, guaranteeing her appearance in Terrifier 3.

Ellen Ripley (Alien)

In Ridley Scott’s chilling 1979 space film, Alien, it was Ellen Ripley who miraculously lived through the Xenomorph attack on the Nostromo, if one considers the cat, Jones, as another survivor. Sigourney Weaver reprised her role with more intensity and acclaim in James Cameron’s 1986 action-packed sequel, Aliens, which garnered her an Academy Award nomination and secured her a spot among cinema’s toughest “Final Girls.

Laurie Strode (Halloween)

Jamie Lee Curtis, who won an Academy Award, is one of the most adored horror movie icons, particularly for her groundbreaking role as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s hit film Halloween. In the 1978 original, when she confronted Michael Myers, the “Final Girl” character type was essentially created, and ever since, other slasher movie heroines have strived to emulate her impact.

Ginny Field (Friday The 13th Part 2)

In the film “Friday the 13th Part 2” from 1981, it was Ginny Field, portrayed by Amy Steel, who became the initial ‘Final Girl’ to confront Jason Voorhees, the notorious antagonist of the Friday the 13th series. Interestingly, she was the one who uncovered a somewhat sympathetic reason for Jason’s murderous rampage – avenging his mother’s death – and cleverly used this knowledge against him.

Julie James (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s chilling portrayal as a ‘Scream Queen’ began when she starred as Julie James in the 1997 movie, “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” The following year, she continued her role as the “Final Girl” in “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,” where she grapples with the aftermath of an accident that appears to have led to an innocent man’s death.

Maxine Minx (X)

In Ti West’s 2022 hit A24 horror movie titled “X“, Mia Goth’s character, Maxine Minx, was the sole survivor of a gruesome massacre on an adult film set, intended to be her major career launch. Remarkably, as shown in the 2024 release “MaXXXine“, she managed to carve out a respectable career within the industry, landing roles even in authentic horror films. However, this didn’t come without encountering another psychopathic killer with a grudge against her and experiencing the ethical decay of the 1980s.

Erin Harson (You’re Next)

In the film “You’re Next,” directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett, an uneventful family reunion turns chaotic when a band of masked intruders invade their isolated home, setting it up with lethal traps and weaponry. Fortunately, they receive assistance from Erin Harson (Sharni Vinson), the girlfriend of one family member, who was raised on a survivalist compound. This makes her an exceptionally clever character in horror movies, regardless of gender, due to her resourceful nature.

Clear Rivers (Final Destination)

Initially, is there any horror movie character with a more ominous moniker than Ali Larter’s from 2000’s “Final Destination”? It was unfortunate to see Death ultimately snatch her spirit in the sequel, but her bravery to risk it all to aid a fresh batch of fated individuals solidified Clear Rivers as a legend.

Naru (Prey)

2022 saw the film “Prey” face some criticism for its portrayal of a slender, young 18th-century Comanche woman, who managed to overpower an enormous alien – a character whose main adversary in past “Predator” films was Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, any dedicated fan of the original 1987 movie would understand that it’s intelligence, not physical strength, that is key to defeating this creature. The character Naru (played by Amber Midthunder) was one of the first humans to recognize this and use her instincts to secure victory.

Dani Ardor (Midsommar)

Among the rare survivors known as “Final Girls”, Dani Ardor (nominated for an Oscar, played by Florence Pugh in the 2019 critically acclaimed film Midsommar) stands out for her deliberate and successful implementation of the “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach. Unable to find solace from her boyfriend, Christian (portrayed by Jack Reynor), following the devastating loss of her entire family, Dani ultimately finds comfort when she participates in a Swedish village festival. However, the villagers’ actions take an unexpected turn as they set Christian on fire, bringing a smile to Dani’s face.

Jamie Lloyd (Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers)

Danielle Harris was just around 11 years old when she secured the Scream Queen title by stepping right into the shoes of the classic “Final Girl,” Laurie Strode’s character. Harris played the role of Jamie Lloyd in the 1988 movie, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. Her uncle, who is Michael Myers, sets his sights on her as his next victim due to their familial connection to Laurie Strode.

Mia Allen (Evil Dead)

In simple terms, Jane Levy’s portrayal in the 2013 reboot of “Evil Dead,” where she plays Mia, a troubled character whose struggle with addiction is disrupted by evil spirits, was highly praised despite Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams being absent from the lead role. Mia transforms into a vessel of intense horror due to these malevolent entities. Fortunately, her brother, David (played by Shiloh Fernandez), successfully frees Mia from possession, setting up an unforgiving final confrontation between her and a formidable Deadite in the climactic battle.

Grace (Ready Or Not)

In the 2019 horror-comedy film “Ready or Not” by Radio Silence, Samara Weaving portrays Grace, a newlywed who finds herself in a lethal game involving her entire family’s ritual pursuit. Though she gains support from her brother-in-law and ultimately survives due to divine retribution, Grace demonstrates resourcefulness by evading, outsmarting, and overpowering numerous family members while keeping her composure for the most part during this gruesome series of events.

Adelaide/Red (Us)

In Jordan Peele’s 2019 film, ‘Us’, audiences root for Adelaide, portrayed by Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, until a surprising twist at the end: Adelaide turns out to be her duplicate Red all along, having swapped places with the original Adelaide decades earlier. This is rare in that the “Final Girl” (who does succeed in saving her family from the Tethered) is later unmasked as the true antagonist.

Casey Cooke (Split)

One significant character that contributes to Anya Taylor-Joy’s impressive portrayal as a Scream Queen is Casey Cooke from the 2017 film “Split,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan. In a clever twist, she employs her own past experiences with abuse as a tool against her captor, or to put it another way, against the multiple personalities inhabiting James McAvoy’s character, Kevin Wendell Crumb, who is diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Dana Polk (The Cabin In The Woods)

In the cleverly crafted horror masterpiece The Cabin in the Woods, penned by director Drew Goddard, I found myself drawn into a chilling tale where a band of college friends unwittingly stumble into bizarre and alarming situations on their camping trip. Little did they know, these events were all intricately linked to an ancient ritual involving individuals with distinct personality types.

Dana Polk (played brilliantly by Kristin Connolly) mirrored the archetype of a “Final Girl” as defined by the mysterious facility. However, she was no ordinary Final Girl. She stood firm against the unfathomable horrors and, remarkably, managed to flip the script on them, even in the face of apocalyptic turmoil.

Sarah Carter (The Descent)

2005’s “The Descent” stands out among horror films for its unique portrayal of grief, as the protagonist, Sarah Carter (Shauna Macdonald), exhibits remarkable resilience that challenges typical expectations. Following the tragic loss of her husband and daughter, her husband’s infidelity with one of her closest friends, and finding herself trapped in an uncharted cave filled with man-eating mutants, she handles these adversities with an impressive degree of strength and determination.

Kirsty Cotton (Hellraiser)

It’s tough enough for Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) to accept Julia (Claire Higgins), her stepmother, in Clive Barker’s 1987 hit, Hellraiser. But the revelation that Julia was killing men to reunite with her resurrected lover, Frank (also Kirsty’s uncle), who had escaped from a group of demonic masochists, is quite a hard pill to swallow.

Jen (Revenge)

In Coralie Fargeat’s 2018 debut film, Revenge, initially Jen (Matilda Lutz) appears as a self-centered woman. However, when her boyfriend’s associate exploits her and her boyfriend abandons her in the Moroccan desert, she demonstrates to them that she is someone not to trifle with, and to us that she is a tenacious hero deserving of support.

Tree Gelbman (Happy Death Day)

As a diehard cinema enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on Tree Gelbman – she’s one of those extraordinary “Final Girls” who meet an untimely demise in her very own film, not once, but several times! The ingenious writer and director, Christopher Landon, has concocted a delightfully gruesome slasher flick with Happy Death Day, cleverly blending the time loop genre into a thrilling tale. In this captivating story, Jessica Rothe’s character is compelled to endlessly replay a single day and, with her seemingly endless lives, she must unravel the mystery of who’s been plotting her untimely demise.

Alison Parks (Chopping Mall)

1986’s “Chopping Mall” is a well-loved cult classic produced by Roger Corman. In this film, a band of teenagers find themselves trapped inside a shopping center when the security robots inexplicably malfunction and turn aggressive. Kelli Maroney’s character, Allison Parks, adds an entertaining twist to the movie as she retaliates against the machines using their own catchphrase (“Have a nice day!”) before effectively dismantling them. This delightfully cheesy film is definitely worth watching for this reason alone.

Maddie Young (Hush)

Among Mike Flanagan’s top films, the 2016 release titled “Hush” stands out as an expertly crafted and chilling thriller. The story centers around a character named Maddie (Kate Siegel), who is an author living in isolation. A masked killer (John Gallagher Jr.) breaks into her home, but even though Maddie had lost her hearing as a teenager, she manages to outwit the intruder through her keen intuition.

Emerald Haywood (Nope)

One reason to watch Jordan Peele’s 2022 thriller “Nope” is the outstanding performance by Emerald Haywood, portrayed by Keke Palmer. Her energetic and captivating portrayal of an ambitious UFO hunter, who becomes a remarkable “Final Girl” figure, adds a fresh twist to the film that’s hard to ignore.

Jessie Burlingame (Wrong Turn)

Wrong Turn – a slasher-style thriller from the early 2000s, in which six individuals find themselves hunted by a band of murderous mutants after their vehicle breaks down in a desolate area – is often overlooked but deserves recognition as one of the underrated horror films of its time. Furthermore, Eliza Dushku’s character, Jessie Burlingame, is an unsung heroine among the “Final Girls” of her era, showcasing the perfect blend of intelligence and tenacity that makes her a compelling horror movie protagonist.

Marybeth Dunston (Hatchet)

In some film series, certain characters known as “Final Girls” have endured and become iconic, sometimes with different actors taking on their roles over time. For example, Marybeth Dunston, who was played by Tamara Feldman in the 2006 movie “Hatchet”, was portrayed by Danielle Harris, a star from the “Halloween” franchise, in the subsequent sequels.

2025-01-08 16:38