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    25 Horror Movie Actors That Were So Creepy, Terrifying, And Amazing That They Should've Won An Oscar

    I think we can all agree that Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place was exceptional.

    Nora Dominick
    by Nora Dominick

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which horror movie performances were so amazing, they deserved more recognition. Here are some of the best responses:

    Warning: There are some massive spoilers ahead!

    1. First, Toni Collette as Annie Graham in Hereditary (2018)

    Annie screaming at Peter saying saying, "I'm your mother. Do you understand? All I do is worry and slave and defend you"
    A24

    "I’ve never seen a performance so heartbreaking and terrifying."

    —emmanz

    2. Alex Wolff as Peter Graham in Hereditary (2018)

    Peter, with a bandage on his nose, crying
    A24

    "Alex was severely underrated. He deserved so much recognition for his commitment to the role."

    —peeweeslostbike

    3. Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide Wilson and Red in Us (2019)

    Red talking to Adelaide saying, "The shadow had to do it all herself. So you see the shadow hated the girl so much for so long
    Universal Pictures

    "Lupita Nyong'o should’ve won ALL the awards for Us. Phenomenal performance."

    —rmonie143

    4. Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott in A Quiet Place (2018)

    Evelyn holding her baby and hiding from a monster in the basement
    Paramount Pictures

    "Emily Blunt in A Quiet Place definitely deserves recognition. The scene where she was alone in the basement was so freakin' good. She didn’t say a single line, but you were able to feel all of her emotions with her expressions. She’s amazing."

    —alysaurus688

    5. Florence Pugh as Dani Ardor in Midsommar (2019)

    Dani screaming and crying surrounded by other women
    A24

    "Alongside Toni Collette, Lupita Nyong'o, and Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh also deserved an award for her performance. The Academy has the nerve to completely overlook the amazing performances that occur in the horror genre every year."

    —mapmmapm

    6. Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019)

    Pennywise hiding in a storm drain and saying, "A storm blew me away. Blew the whole circus away"
    Warner Bros

    Suggested by: speks23

    7. Jack Dylan Grazer as Young Eddie Kaspbrak in It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019)

    Eddie saying that his mom wasn't protecting him and "You made me turn my back on them when I really needed them"
    Warner Bros.

    "All the kids in It were fantastic, but the real standout has to be Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie for me. Jack’s performance added this feral element to him that was carried over into It Chapter Two because James Ransone made it his mission to emulate Jack as exactly as he could. Jack took Eddie from least interesting to most interesting character, IMO."

    —sksouthwick

    8. Isabelle Fuhrman as Esther in Orphan (2009)

    Esther wiping her makeup away
    Warner Bros

    "She was like 10 years old at the time, playing an adult pretending to be a child, and I was completely sold on the performance. Probably one of the most underrated film performances of that year."

    —emzeejay

    9. Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse in Rosemary's Baby (1968)

    Rosemary explaining that they are a coven and they want her baby
    Paramount Pictures

    "Alternatively fragile and potent as a pregnant woman unaware she is carrying Satan’s spawn, it was such a memorable performance. Ruth Gordon was deservedly awarded Best Supporting Actress for the same film, but her young co-star was just as impressive."

    —audreys4a6196a57

    10. Kate Siegel as Maddie Young in Hush (2016)

    Maddie crying inside her house
    Netflix

    "Kate Siegel and Mike Flanagan are such a powerful duo, so of course this movie allows Kate to shine. If you've come to love Kate because of Hill House, Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, I highly suggest going back and watching this movie because Kate gives an award-worthy, and completely silent, performance."

    —kaylaharrington

    11. Betty Gabriel as Georgina in Get Out (2017)

    Georgina repeating "No" while laughing and crying
    Universal Pictures

    "In an absolutely stacked cast filled with amazing performances, Betty is absolutely incredible as Georgina. Her scenes are all so memorable."

    —spenceralthouse

    12. James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb, Dennis, Patricia, Hedwig, Barry, Orwell, Jade, and The Beast in Split (2016)

    Kevin turning into Hedwig and saying that Casey shouldn't have used a walkie talkie
    Universal Pictures

    "Technically more of a thriller, but James McAvoy in Split. I don’t think any other actor could have portrayed 23 different personalities so successfully and believably. He leapt from character to character so seamlessly, sometimes in a matter of seconds; I felt like I was watching an entirely new actor each time."

    —strawberrylumps22

    13. Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin in The Witch (2015)

    Thomasin summoning Black Phillip
    A24

    "This is Anya's first movie, and what she's able to accomplish with very little dialogue is extremely impressive. It's a tour de force performance that honestly should've earned her more praise."

    —noradominick

    14. Barry Keoghan as Martin Lang in The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

    Martin saying "Murderer? There's really no need for such a dramatic, sensational, old-fashioned word, but if you insist"
    A24

    "Barry Keoghan was phenomenal. I was blown away by his performance and thought he would have won an Oscar for sure. Truly terrifying and believable in such a unique role."

    —joy_joy_joy

    15. Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller in The Ring (2002)

    Rachel turning around a chair Noah's body in it and screaming
    DreamWorks Pictures

    "The Ring will forever be my favorite horror movie ever. Naomi Watts should have won an award just for that scream alone."

    —akatb720

    16. Samara Weaving as Grace Le Domas in Ready or Not (2019)

    Grace covering in blood laughing, swearing, and smoking a cigarette
    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    "Samara did an outstanding job in Ready or Not."

    —hcpsbergerwg

    17. Audrey Hepburn as Susy Hendrix in Wait Until Dark (1967)

    Susy crying and saying, "I'll give it to you if you just go. And not hurt me"
    Warner Bros

    "Mostly known for her romantic and comedic acting chops, Wait Until Dark is her first and only horror movie, and she hits it out of the park. The role could have been played with perpetual shrieking terror, but Hepburn brings a grounded resilience to the role where you're rooting for her the entire time. Much deserved Oscar nomination."

    —indy1989

    18. Yahya Abdul-Mateen as Anthony McCoy in Candyman (2021)

    Anthony looking in the mirror in an elevator and saying "Candyman"
    Universal Pictures

    "So many performances have been ignored because they are in a horror movie, and it’s terrible. Technically, Candyman could be nominated still, but I doubt it will."

    —iheartbusterk

    19. Teyonah Parris as Bri Cartwright in Candyman (2021)

    Bri screaming and looking in a rearview mirror and saying "Candyman"
    Universal Pictures

    Suggested by: iheartbusterk

    20. John Goodman as Howard Stambler in 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

    Howard saying, "You're sorry? I accept your apology"
    Paramount Pictures

    "Holy shit was he terrifying. Especially since most of us knew him for more family-friendly roles. Incredible actor all around."

    —crtrallen03

    21. Ralph Fiennes as Francis Dolarhyde in Red Dragon (2002)

    Francis saying, "Open your eyes and look at me. If you won't open them yourself, I'll staple your eyelids to your forehead"
    Universal Pictures

    "Excruciating, totally sick, and creepy."

    —cantdance

    22. Sheryl Lee as Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)

    Laura looking at herself in a mirror
    New Line Cinema

    Suggested by: sylviaplastered

    23. Jennifer Carpenter as Emily Rose in The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

    Emily tied to a bed and yelling "You think that can save your little girl?"
    Sony Pictures Releasing

    "That scene in the barn must have taken so much energy. It's wild."

    —chelso

    24. Kurt Russell as R.J. MacReady in The Thing (1982)

    RJ saying, "You were the only one who could've gotten to that blood. We'll do you last" and using a flamethrower
    Universal Pictures

    "Kurt Russell, alongside Keith David, in John Carpenter’s The Thing. They both portrayed their characters extremely well, and the tension between them for the entire movie is so realistic. Also, the ending was just *chef's kiss* perfect."

    —rileyrockett

    25. And finally, Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn as Millie Kessler and Blissfield Butcher in Freaky (2020)

    Millie laughing while Blissfield cries
    Universal Pictures

    "I just watched Freaky recently, and Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton are truly phenomenal at playing each other. Their performances go hand in hand, so it's hard to pick just one of them. Horror and comedy are so hard to mix because a lot of times it ends up being too campy or hard to get through, but their performances were some of the best I’ve ever seen in a horror movie."

    —laurengarafano

    We can't fit everyone into one post, so what other horror movie performance do you think deserved an Oscar? Tell us in the comments below!

    Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.