There are plenty of top tier actors who have yet to appear in a horror movie, but they would be fantastic if they were cast. A lot of actors get their start performing in lower budget, smaller-scale productions, like horror movies. For this reason, horror is often one of the first genres that rising stars may find themselves appearing in.
Thanks to the focus on gritty, dark, and often grounded stories, horror is a genre that lends itself well to being cheaper to produce. In turn, this has promoted an idea that horror actors are not always the most talented, but there are often hidden gems from incredible actors. However, as the genre’s popularity appears to be on the rise in a big way, there are a lot of bigger actors who have never appeared in a horror, but they would be perfect if they were cast.
10 Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is undeniably one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood’s history. He brought characters like Rocky Balboa, Rambo, and Barney Ross to life, and even as his age advances, he remains a huge action star, pumping out cameo roles and starring roles as a tough guy. Meanwhile, he has never had to go to the dark depths of a horror film.
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Stallone sticks primarily to sports and action hero roles, but he has also proven that he can channel a darker side in his work. Ideally, if Stallone ever tackles a horror film, it would be incredible to see him play a hulking villain who, despite his age, is a force of nature. Stallone still performs a lot of intensive action, and so he would be highly capable of starring in a unique horror movie as the villain, or even a solid hero who could push back against the forces of evil.
9 Steve Carell
Steve Carell had his big breaks coming in comedy roles. Starring in The Office, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Carell’s comedy skills are top-notch. That being said, as his career has developed over time, Carell has begun exploring many more dramatic roles, and films that hinge on darker stories and emotions. In 2014, he came the closest he’s ever been to playing a horror villain in the sports drama, Foxcatcher, where he played the aggressive and twisted John du Pont.
However, his versatility and range feel like they haven’t quite been explored in full just yet. His performance in Foxcatcher netted him an Oscar nomination, and his recent nuanced performance in Apple TV+’s The Morning Show were also indicitive of something tucked beneath the surface. Carell would be an incredible villain in a horror film, balancing humor with a darker secret that would add an air of discomfort to any film.
8 Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood at present, and with her new ventures as a producer keeping her busy on top of acting gigs, it may be tough to squeeze in a horror film. But, her range and talents for creating unique and distinct characters could make her a great fit for a horror film, either as a conniving villain, or a heroic protagonist. Robbie has also taken on eclectic roles, which could be a good sign that she may eventually try her hand at horror.
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And, considering the popularity of horror films in cinema, and it being one of the few areas where there still appears to be innovation rather than a reliance on IPs, it could become an attractive avenue for Robbie to produce and star. Robbie is a smart and thoughtful performer, who has done very well in her producing, so why not explore the darker side of cinema? And it would certainly bring a range of fans to the film despite their preferences in genre, as was seen with Barbie.
7 Tommy Lee Jones
Tommy Lee Jones has been making movies since the 1970s, with his film career taking off early. For a younger audience, his best known roles may be horror adjacent, like Men in Black, but the actor has an incredible track record beyond those movies, with three Oscar nominations and a win for his role in The Fugitive opposite Harrison Ford. Jones is an incredible actor, with nearly 90 credits under his belt, and in all that time, he has avoided appearing in a horror movie.
It’s possible that it’s either a simple coincidence, or the actor genuinely dislikes horror movies and working on them, but considering what he could do, it would be a shame if he never did. Jones is an incredible actor and, despite the reputation for horror to be of a lower standard, there are incredible masterpieces in this genre that have shaken the industry as a whole, such as Hitchcock’s works, The Silence of the Lambs, and the big hits of the 1980s and 1990s.
6 Kieran Culkin
Macaulay Culkin may have taken the spotlight early with his starring roles in the Home Alone movies, but his younger brother Kieran has proven to have extraordinary talent in recent years. While his most notorious role is likely playing the youngest Roy child in Succession, Culkin has also excelled in various roles ranging from comedy, to drama, and animated shows. Culkin is a versatile and unique performer whose charisma and charm mean he is able to play complex roles.
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This very talent, for bringing complex characters who have a variety of struggles and woes, while masking that with charm and lewd behavior could be ideal for a horror setting. Whether it’s a comedy horror film that sees him play with the villains, or a more serious one that sees him progressively fall deeper into despair, Culkin could deliver a powerful performance in a horror movie. In addition, his unique appearance makes him a perfect candidate who could play either a hero or villain, depending on the story.
5 Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is a talented and athletic performer who excels at imparting gravity to his work. Whether that means playing the bad guy in a superhero film like Black Panther, or the hero in a sports drama like Creed, Jordan makes his roles feel powerful and intense. But despite his intensity, he has yet to translate that into a horror role in his career.
Jordan is no doubt the hero type, and considering his incredible talents, he has frequently starred as the protagonist in a number of movies. However, Jordan also has the potential to make an incredible villain if the right role comes up. As seen with Mia Goth in the recent X trilogy, horror movies can be incredible for storytelling, with an actor who can shine and bring the story to life. Jordan is just such an actor, and he would be incredible starring in a complex psychological horror.
4 Hugh Jackman
Despite playing the Wolverine for 25 years, Jackman’s performances haven’t seen him transform into a dark monster. Instead, Jackman is the hero, the music man, and the grumpy old man, depending on the film. Jackman is an incredibly versatile actor, who can juggle a lot of different emotions and motivations within a character, and all of this could combine to make a great horror star.
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Jackman has played a twisted anti-hero, as seen in his leading role in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, or a charismatic protagonist with some negative characteristics, like P. T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman, but a horror movie would likely push him out of his comfort zone. Having already accomplished this and becoming a significantly better actor when he went from nice guy roles to Wolverine in X-Men, a horror film could allow Jackman to break the mold once again, and push his talents further.
3 Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie is an outstanding British actor who transforms in his roles. Whether he is playing a fool alongside his long-time comedy collaborator, Stephen Fry, or a serious medical take on the classic Sherlock Holmes character in House, Laurie delivers dramatic, compelling, and wonderful performances. However, he has never taken on a role in a horror film.
It may be an odd pairing, having this incredibly intelligent and suave man step into a horror film, but the sophistication and wit can often make horror villains all the more dramatic and memorable. Anthony Hopkins played Hannibal Lecter as a highly intelligent and refined monster who brutally murders people, and it was terrifying. Likewise, Mads Mikkelsen’s take on the character was exceptional. Laurie could absolutely dominate in a role like Hannibal, becoming a complex and terrifying threat to those who seek out his help.
2 Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell is a huge comedy star, and his career has frequently taken him in the direction of less serious films. However, comedy is a perfect partner for horror, as seen in the huge number of parody horror films. Ferrell would likely make for a great comical villain, or a protagonist who is hopelessly and helplessly trying to avoid danger.
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Although Ferrell did have a brief appearance as a background character with no name in a 1995 TV horror movie, A Bucket of Blood, he has yet to play any significant or notable roles in a horror film. Considering the popularity of comedy horror films, it would be great to pair up this comedy legend with a terrifying and wild horror that could really see Ferrell shine.
1 Chris Evans
While a number of the above actors have had roles in superhero films, Chris Evans was the poster boy for the MCU as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. In this role, Evans embodied a powerful superhero who saved the world from incredible threats, and helped to take down terrifying villains. But before his turn as a hero, Evans was popular in the adult comedy space, with movies that were popular for college-age individuals.
Again, this turn as a comedy star, and then as a heroic figure makes him a solid candidate to appear in a horror movie. Whether that be a parody comedy horror, or one that sees Evans shed his heroic visage for a more demonic and demented one, he would be a great actor to cast in a horror. Evans could be an incredible vampire, or some other villain, or a compelling hero who takes down the monsters in an action horror flick.
