Horror movies love a good cameo. Whether it’s paying homage to a horror icon of the past or bringing in a famous musician who is a fan of the franchise, familiar faces are used to popping up in the genre. Often these cases can be attributed to the fact that the actor is friends with the director or has the same agent who puts them in touch.
Cameos that expand the film considerably, in that he becomes more of a supporting role (David Hasselhof in Piranha 3DD) will not be included. At the same time, the appearances of actors before they were famous (Jack Black in I still know what you did last summer) were not taken into account either.
Janet Leigh – ‘Halloween H20: 20 Years Later’ (1998)
Icon of Hollywood’s early years, Janet Leigh is best known for her role as Marion Crane in psychology. Cementing her status as a Scream Queen thanks to the famous shower scene, Leigh passed the baton to her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis after her starring role in Halloween.
When Curtis came back for Halloween H20, one of the best entries in the series, it was made even sweeter when audiences were given a scene of mother and daughter together. With Laurie now headmistress of a private school, Leigh plays her secretary Norma in a role that’s a great homage to her most iconic character.
Halloween H20 is available to stream on Paramount+.
Bill Murray – ‘Zombieland’ (2009)
The most notable cameo in a horror movie, and one of the craziest cameos in general, Bill MurrayThe appearance of in this zombie comedy is both an unexpected and hilarious surprise. zombieland follows four mismatched survivors traveling together across the American desert, battling zombies while trying not to kill each other along the way.
Halfway through the film, the group reaches Hollywood, and gruff Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) decides to take them to his favorite actor, Murray himself. The comic book legend is alive and well and he indulges in rampant Tallahassee fanboying before his zombie disguise leads to a tragic but equally funny end.
Stephen King – ‘Maximum Overdrive’ (1986)
Stephen King usually appears in adaptations of his work, but his short scene in Maximum overdrive remains one of his most memorable appearances. In his only stint as director, King adapts his short story about a comet passing by Earth, causing the machines to turn into a homicide.
The plot of the film revolves around a group of survivors who take refuge in a truck stop, run by Coach Bombay himself, Emilio Estevez. King’s cameo comes early in the film, where the machines begin to go haywire. While visiting an ATM, the master of horror is greeted with the message “you’re an asshole”.
Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright – “Land of the Dead” (2005)
Shaun of the Dead proved to be a seminal film in reviving the faded zombie genre. Considered one of the best horror comedies of all time, the film paid loving homage to the movies that came before it. This affection has been returned by legendary directors such as George A. Romero praises the film.
Romero was so impressed that he threw Shaun of the Deadthe star Simon Pegg and director Edgar Wright in his next film, land of the dead. Pegg and Wright have a brief appearance as a pair of photo booth zombies, wrapping up their journey as Romero fans.
land of the dead is available to stream on Shudder and AMC+.
Wes Craven – ‘Scream’ (1996)
Wes Craven is one of the most beloved horror directors, right there with John Charpentier like a legend of the genre. Craven’s filmography is full of horror classics, including the likes of freddie, The hills Have Eyesand The last house on the left. A big presence in the 70s and 80s, Craven’s popularity exploded once again with Scream.
Craven has always enjoyed making an appearance in his Scream movies, usually in the background. His most memorable appearance is in the first film, where he plays high school janitor Fred. Donning the signature outfit of his movie monster Freddy Krueger, the cameo is a loving tribute to his other popular horror franchise.
Scream is available to stream on Paramount+ and Showtime.
Carrie Fisher- ‘Scream 3’ (2000)
The Scream the franchise features plenty of cameos as it weaves its meta storyline, and that trait carries over into Cry 3 as Ghostface sneaks into Hollywood. After the original movie’s murders spawned a franchise based on the murders, a new murderer stalks the set and cuts his way through everyone involved in the production.
Searching for clues to help solve the mystery, journalist Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and her on-screen counterpart Jennifer Jolie (Parker Posey) enter the studio archive room. There they meet Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher. When the duo point out her resemblance to the beloved actress, Fisher offers a few choice words about herself, resulting in one of the funniest scenes in the film.
Cry 3 is available to stream on Paramount+ and Showtime.
Hulk Hogan – ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch’ (1990)
The sequel to one of the defining films of the 80s, Gremlins 2, moves the action from a small American town to a New York skyscraper. When the lovable Gizmo’s unholy offspring run amok in the Big Apple, it’s up to the heroes of the original film to save the day once again.
One of the most memorable parts of the film is when the film breaks down, with the gremlins having interfered with the projector. Their theater actions are interrupted by the wrestling caption hulk hoganwho rips his shirt off and yells at monsters.
Gremlins 2 is available to stream on HBO Max.
Richard Dreyfuss – ‘Piranha 3D’ (2010)
Oscar Winner Richard Dreyfuss is best known for his role as marine biologist Matt Hooper in Jaws. Dreyfuss secured his place in movie history as one of three men aboard the Orca tasked with eradicating the infamous Great White Shark.
When 3D piranhas was announced, the decision was made to present Dreyfuss as a tribute to Jawswho inspired the original piranha. Dreyfuss plays Matt Boyd, a fisherman who navigates a lake alone. The film opens with his character’s encounter with the villainous piranha, which soon devours the famous actor.
3D piranhas is available to stream on Showtime.
James Caan – ‘The Santa Claus Massacre’ (2005)
This forgotten horror-comedy imagines a “what if” scenario where Santa Claus is a demon forced to do good deeds. Once his 1000 year sentence is over, Santa Claus is free to kill again. Wrestler Bill Goldberg depicts Saint Nick as he makes his way through the residents of a Canadian town on Christmas Eve.
The film opens with a wealthy family bickering over an uncomfortable Christmas dinner; their arguments are interrupted when Santa Claus bursts into the fireplace and promptly murders them all. legendary actor James Caan plays the patriarch, whose end comes when a turkey leg is shoved down his throat.
The Santa Claus Massacreis available to stream on HBO Now.
Sigourney Weaver – ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2011)
One of the best horror movies of the last decade, The cabin in the woods subverts gender clichés in a way that hasn’t been done since Scream. Centered around five friends vacationing in a secluded cabin in the woods (you guessed it), the youngsters quickly fall prey to various ghouls.
Early on, it is revealed that the teenagers are being watched remotely by a mysterious organization responsible for the horrors they are enduring. Throughout the film, the director is portrayed as the ubiquitous boss of those working in the monitor room. The finale reveals that the role is played by Ripley herself, Sigourney Weaverand it represents a final obstacle that the survivors must overcome to bring about the end of the world.
The cabin in the woods is available to stream on Tubi.
