By little exaggeration, casting a horror movie can sometimes be hit and miss. Typically, the most famous names are the heroine/hero, the final girl, and the Michael Myers monster or Scream slasher in the mask. Anything after that is usually made up of unknown or little-known performers that are only set to be lambs to the slaughter. Fortunately for fans, some horror movies come packed with some seriously scary talent.
As strange as it might sound, many horror movies are star-studded affairs with Oscar-winning actors in lead roles and character parts alike. From creepy old caretakers to criminal masterminds, many macabre and monstrous movies have featured freaky and phenomenal casts.
The Raven (1963)
This Vincent-Price-led horror-comedy featured a regular who's who of horror and then some. Along with the phenomenal Vincent Price, the cast was rounded out by appearances from Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and even a young Jack Nicholson.
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem of the same name, the film concerns dueling sorcerers, a wizard turned raven, and every ounce of silly and spooky camp that could be expected from a Price movie. It might not be what some considered terrifying, but it's fun to see such big names having such a wonderful time.
The Lost Boys (1987)
The '80s were a great year for horror movies and The Lost Boys is no exception. Joel Schumacher's stylish vampire movie set on the coast of California featured big names of the era such as Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Alex Winter, and even Dianne Wiest filling out an exceptional cast.
Although the film relies on several vampire cliches, it's one of the quintessential '80s monster movies that helped usher in a new age of the genre. The leather-bound motorcycle-riding vamps might be a product of their time, but there's no denying that they aren't some of the most recognizable.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Although he's better known for films like The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola brought audience is perhaps one of the most book accurate versions of Dracula to date. But with the author's name directly in the title, he couldn't afford to make many mistakes.
Bram Stoker's Dracula wasn't just an adaptation; it was a production featuring some of the biggest names the '90s had to offer with performances from Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, and an unforgettable portrayal of the count himself by the incomparable Gary Oldman. With so much talent in the cast and direction, it's no wonder it was Oscar-worthy.
Death House (2017)
If there's one film on this list that probably slipped under many fans' radars, it's Death House. The plot concerns a descent into the most top security prison on earth playing host to a hellish variety of serial killers and psychopaths, and while it isn't going to win any awards, the notable cast might.
The Death House's collection of inmates features performances from horror icons across the ages including a final appearance from Gunnar Hansen, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and Kane Hodder in a surprisingly verbose lead role. Essentially, the film puts Leatherface, Captain Spaulding, Chop-Top, and Jason Voorhees all under one roof.
Halloween (2007)
Rob Zombie is a master of horror, and supposedly one of the most amiable directors to work with, which might explain just how he managed to nab so many horror leads for his adaptation of John Carpenter's Halloween. Remaking such an iconic horror film was no easy task, but the casting choices certainly were remarkable.
For a grungey, gory horror movie, it had quite a list of talent. Along with collaborators like Sid Haig, Danny Trejo, and Bill Moseley, Zombie was able to cast the phenomenal duo of Malcolm McDowell and Brad Dourif as Dr. Loomis and Sheriff Brackett, respectively.
Zodiac (2007)
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and that can certainly be said for 2007's Zodiac. While some might consider this a crime drama, True crime fans know it as a horror movie to its core. Inspired by the Zodiac killings of the seventies, this twisted mystery that's quite a punch with its lead actors.
Along with Robert Downey Jr., the cast features appearances from Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chloe Sevigny, and Brian Cox as the investigative team that hunted for the infamous enigmatic murderer. Of course, any cast with two of the Avengers would be pretty impressive.
Se7en (1995)
Yet another crime drama that deserves to be considered a horror movie, Se7en was a gruesome affair of the '90s that featured horrific imagery, nail-biting suspense, and one of the most horrifying unboxings in film history. But it might not be as memorable if it wasn't for its lead actors.
When the main cast consists of Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, and Gweneth Paltrow in the lead roles, viewers already know they're in for more than the standard serial-killer film. The sin of sloth sequence still gives many film buffs nightmares.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
If there's one director who truly knows how to treat the horror genre with love and admiration, it's Tim Burton. Sleepy Hollow has been called Burton's take on the classic Hammer Horror film, and considering his adaptation of the legend of the Headless Horseman features two original Hammer actors, that's not an untrue comparison.
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Along with frequent collaborator Johnny Depp, the cast consists of horror veterans like Christopher Lee and Michael Gough in supporting roles, along with classic actors like Ian McDiarmid and Miranda Richardson, and stars like Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken just to name a few. It's certainly one of the larger lists of stars, to say the least.
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
The 90s were simply a good year for vampires, and that can certainly be proven by the star power behind Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. Although the film had been in development for some time, even pitching the lead role to John Travolta at one point, but Rice's reimagining of the famous creatures of the night hit the screens in 1994 to much acclaim.
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Bandaras all sink their teeth into vampiric personae in this blood-sucking classic inspired by Rice's Vampire Chronicles. While they might not have seemed cut out for the roles at first, audiences and even Anne Rice ate them all up.
Red Dragon (2002)
While it might be easy to include the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs for featuring monster talents like Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and cameos from horror icons George A. Romero and Roger Corman, its prequel/sequel, Red Dragon, has even more stars under its belt. Needless to say, it pulls out all the stops to follow up the previous film's success.
Along with Anthony Hopkins reprising the role of Hannibal Lecter, the film features performances by Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman just to name a few. All involved give captivating performances, making the second entry in the Hannibal saga a solid and star-studded scary movie.