Female Horror Icons

Updated May 1, 2024

When it comes to Female Horror Icons, there are many movies who explored this feeling. Here are 21 of the best ones.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 martial arts action film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of a former assassin, played by Uma Thurman, who seeks revenge on a squad of assassins who tried to kill her and her unborn child. The film follows her journey of revenge as she battles her way through the squad, encountering various colorful characters along the way. It features an eclectic soundtrack, stylized violence, and colorful visual motifs, emphasizing the themes of revenge and redemption.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. It follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young wife who moves into an old apartment building in New York City with her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). Rosemary soon finds out that her neighbours are members of a Satanic cult. After horrifying dreams, Rosemary discovers that she is pregnant and begins to suspect that the cult might have a sinister plan for her unborn child. As her husband's behaviour becomes increasingly strange, Rosemary must fight to protect her baby from the cult's horrifying intentions.

Let the Right One In (2008)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a critically acclaimed Swedish vampire drama directed by Tomas Alfredson. Set in 1982 Stockholm, the film follows a 12-year-old boy, Oskar, who is the victim of constant bullying. When a mysterious girl named Eli moves in next door, the two become close friends. Little do they know that Eli is in fact a centuries-old vampire, struggling to fit in and survive in the modern world. As their friendship develops, they must both confront the terrors of the night and deal with their respective pasts. Through their journey together, they are able to find solace and hope in each other, in a world otherwise seemingly void of it.

Misery (1990)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a 1990 psychological thriller directed by Rob Reiner and starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. The film centers on novelist Paul Sheldon (Caan), who is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes (Bates), one of his biggest fans. As he recuperates at her home, Annie's obsessive nature begins to emerge and she forces Paul to write a novel to her liking. As Annie's behavior grows increasingly volatile, she traps Paul in her isolated home, with no hope for escape. Paul must use his own wit and intelligence to outsmart Annie, or else suffer her deadly wrath.

Halloween (1978)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a 1978 American slasher film written and directed by John Carpenter, and starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut. It follows the story of Michael Myers, a six-year-old boy who murders his older sister on Halloween night. Fifteen years later, he escapes from a mental institution and returns to his fictional hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to wreak havoc and continue his killing spree. The film is noted for its significant influence on the slasher genre, and for Carpenter's extensive use of shadows, camera movement, and innovative score.