Top 10 Cameos in Horror Movies
Script written by Johnny Reynolds
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Cameos in Horror Movies. For this list, we’ll be looking at our favorite instances of celebrities appearing in small roles in horror movies. As some of these cameos deal with major story moments, we’re issuing a spoiler warning. What’s your favorite cameo in a horror movie? Head to the comments and let us know!
#10: Sigourney Weaver
“The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)
“The Cabin in the Woods” begins as one thing and ends up as something entirely different. After their friends are killed during what was supposed to be a fun trip, Marty and Dana escape into an underground facility where even more untold horrors await them. As they find out, they were part of a sacrificial ritual to appease ancient, angry deities. Their purpose and the existence of these gods is explained to them by the queen of the “Alien” franchise herself, Sigourney Weaver. We were already in shock from the sheer carnage from the previous moments, but topping it all off with this cameo makes it one of the best horror climaxes we’ve seen in years.
#9: Hulk Hogan
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“Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990)
We were already used to seeing Gremlins running around, causing mayhem, but this sequel took things further with a massive fourth wall break. During one chaotic scene, the Gremlins break into a movie theater’s projection booth, ruining an audience’s filmgoing experience. And the film they’re watching is actually “Gremlins 2.” After an employee and a customer complain, the manager goes into the theater and asks for aid from Hollywood Hogan himself. Channeling his in-ring machismo, Hulk Hogan threatens the little monsters, ripping his shirt away in intimidation. It works and the rest of the actual movie continues. Over the top and ridiculous? Absolutely. But it’s one of the most memorable moments.
#8: Richard Dreyfuss
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“Piranha 3D” (2010)
“Jaws” is one of the most groundbreaking horror films in existence, inspiring similar but lesser movies, like the first “Piranha” from 1978. So when Dimension Films decided to remake the B movie, the filmmakers knew just what to do. The premise follows a mass of deadly piranha released following an earthquake near a popular lakeside resort. The opening sees the movie’s first kill, that of a fisherman played by Richard Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss, of course, played marine biologist Matt Hooper in “Jaws.” It’s a fun cameo, considering how “Piranha” was birthed from the former’s success, but also because Dreyfuss bites it this time around. Or should we say, gets bitten. “Piranha 3D” is a great, cheesy horror comedy, and it’s kicked off in wonderful fashion.
#7: Johnny Depp
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“Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare” (1991)
Although this wouldn’t actually be the final nightmare, New Line initially wanted to send Freddy Krueger out with a bang. This entry has several memorable cameos, but the best one is Johnny Depp’s. Depp appears in a dream of one of Freddy’s would-be victims, parodying the “This Is Your Brain on Drugs” PSAs before Freddy smacks him with a frying pan. Since it’s the dream of stoner Spencer, it’s a humorous jab at the self-righteous ads. But Depp was also a great choice for a cameo. His very first acting credit was the original “Nightmare on Elm Street,” where his character makes the fatal mistake of falling asleep and gets one of the best deaths in the series.
#6: Chester Bennington
“Saw 3D” (2010)
The late Chester Bennington left us with some great music, but also a pretty terrific cameo in one of the goriest horror franchises of all time. Bennington plays Evan, the ringleader of a group of racists that catches Jigsaw’s attention. Trapped inside a car with his skin glued to the driver’s side seat, Evan must rip himself free in order to save himself and his friends. Whoever had the idea to cast a screaming vocalist in a series full of painful screams deserves some praise. Bennington does a great job at selling the immense agony Evan is in. As you might expect, he isn’t on-screen for very long. But it’s a standout moment in one of the franchise’s weaker entries.
#5: Multiple Horror Icons
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“Wishmaster” (1997)
Robert Kurtzman is a genius when it comes to horror effects and makeup, and it seems he built up a lot of goodwill throughout his career. His second directorial effort, the Wes Craven-produced “Wishmaster,” is packed with so many cameos from iconic horror actors that we couldn’t narrow it down to just one. The plot, which follows an evil djinn trying to free his kind and take over Earth, is narrated by Angus Scrimm, best known as the Tall Man from the “Phantasm” series. In addition to Robert Englund among the main cast, “Wishmaster” also grants us small appearances from Tony Todd of “Candyman,” Joseph Pilato of “Day of the Dead,” and Kane Hodder, who played Jason Voorhees in multiple movies.
#4: Janet Leigh
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“Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” (1998)
The “Halloween” series has been rebooted with new continuities multiple times, but the first instance was with this late-90s installment. It picks up on Laurie Strode twenty years later, having faked her own death to hide from Michael Myers. Laurie works as the headmistress at a private boarding school, and her secretary, Norma Watson, is played by none other than the late, great Janet Leigh. Leigh is of course Laurie actor Jamie Lee Curtis’s mother, so her character offering Laurie some motherly advice is incredibly appropriate. Leigh is best known for playing Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” a progenitor of the slasher genre. Not only do the characters share the same car, but a short piece of Bernard Herrmann’s “Psycho” score punctuates the scene.
#3: Bill Murray
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“Zombieland” (2009)
While road-tripping across a zombie-infested US, you might not expect to find too many living people, let alone celebrities. Towards the end of their adventure, the group heads to Hollywood and decides to hide out in the mansion of Bill Murray. To their surprise, the comedian is still alive, but likes to disguise himself as a zombie so he can still go out. We can’t help but be as thrilled as Tallahassee by his appearance. Sadly, though hilariously to us, Murray is shot by Columbus after pulling a pretty ill-advised prank. Murray gives us one of the funniest death scenes, making this cameo an all-time great.
#2: Wes Craven
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“Scream” (1996)
The “Scream” series has a plethora of incredible cameos. In the first entry, no one could’ve guessed that a big name like Drew Barrymore would be killed off in the opening minutes. We’ve also got a soft spot for Carrie Fisher’s meta appearance in “Scream 3.” However, we have to give the spot to the late Wes Craven, beloved horror maestro and director of the first four installments. After Principal Himbry suspends school, he has a run-in with the school’s janitor. Craven only appears as Fred the janitor briefly, but any slasher fan worth their salt will notice his name and attire are references to Freddy Krueger. Considering Craven created “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” it’s a great nod.
#1: Stephen King
Top 10 Epic Stephen King Cameos
Various
To many, Stephen King is the master of horror, and for good reason. His books terrify us to our very core. They’ve been adapted numerous times, and he’s made cameos in several movies. In “Maximum Overdrive,” which he also directed, he plays a man insulted by an ATM. He also plays a priest in “Pet Sematary,” a pharmacist in “Thinner,” and a shopkeeper in “It Chapter Two.” That’s not even going into cameos in TV adaptations. As King’s novels continue to be adapted, we’ll always hope to see him pop up in an unexpected scene, because the world of horror simply wouldn’t be the same without him.
