There are so, so, sooooo many amazing female characters in horror. Ladies who are the badasses that save the day while everyone else is running around screaming. Other ladies are the most kick-ass villains you will ever meet, who turn ‘final girl’ horror stereotype on top of its head!
Then, there are the legends!! The ones you grew up with as a child. The ones who just scream icon!! Ones you most certainly will dress up like for Halloween. These icons range from franchise films to children’s fantasy movies. Some of which are solo icons while others are icons as a team!! Some of these films might not be deemed ‘horror’ as such, but they’re still spooky, and the girls are still not to be messed with!! Here are some of the iconic ladies of horror!!
Elvira – Cassandra Peterson
Elvira, Mistress of the Darkness
One of the most iconic Television hostesses, Elvira is a household name for anyone who loved Elvira’s Movie Macabre. Iconic for the gothic black dress and her wickedly vampish appearance, Elvira is still a hit among the Halloween lovers around the world!! You could say she is very similar to horror hostess Maila Nurmi of The Vampira Show.
Wednesday Addams – Christina Ricci
The Addams Family
Ah, that cute lil dickens Wednesday Addams. She’s at the special age where a girl only has homicide on her mind. Perfectly played by the young Christina Ricci, Wednesday Addams is well known for her pale complexion and long, dark twin braids. Also, her outfit is probably a go-to costume for Halloween. As well as any other day of the year. I mean, c’mon, it’s cute!
Bride of Frankenstein – Elsa Lanchester
The Bride of Frankenstein
The Bride of Frankenstein is, of course, one of the first and one of the most iconic female characters of horror! Even though she is only in the film for just a few minutes, she makes the most of what little screen time she has!! With her beehive hairdo streaked with white, she is an instant icon!!
Baby Firefly – Sheri Moon Zombie
House of 1000 Corpses
Probably not the most memorable out of the whole list but certainly deserves her spot on here. Baby Firefly is one of my favourite ladies of horror. With her her cowboy boots, her hillbilly attitude and the ways she’s more than happy to leave a trail of corpses behind her, I do prefer her in House of 1000 Corpses than The Devil’s Rejects. But, Sheri Moon Zombie slays in both films.
Morticia Addams – Anjelica Houston
The Addams Family
Morticia Addams is considered just as iconic as her little hellraiser Wednesday, with her pale skin, black gown and long flowing black locks. Morticia’s first portrayal came by Carolyn Jones and then Anjelica Huston, who made it her own. Morticia has that timeless look which ended up being the inspiration for Vampira and Elvira. Morticia’s also seen as a very strong role model and a feminist icon! Her relationship with Gomez is a goal of mine. They are so perfect!
Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Hocus Pocus
With the news that the Disney Channel is planning on doing a remake of this classic is only fitting to include the originals in this list. Every Halloween these three witchy amigos are plastered all over my Facebook and have every damn right too!! The sisters are the most iconic witches in Film and TV history (well for children anyway).
Magenta and Columbia – Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Rocky Horror Picture Show is more than just a horror film. It’s a cult classic!! The movie created some of the most iconic characters such as Frank N’ Furter, Riff Raff, Eddie, and Rocky, along with our two lovely ladies Magenta and Columbia. Iconic for their maid outfit and sparkly jacket and top hat, the girls stole every scene they were in, even though they were barely in it!
Beverly Sutphin – Kathleen Turner
Serial Mom
John Waters is the master of creating amazing, bizarre, unforgettable characters and Beverly Sutphin is no exception! In the dark comedy Serial Mom, Kathleen Turner plays the eponymous housewife Beverly Sutphin who solves the most petty of disputes with murder. For example, when her daughter is stood up on a date, Beverly stabs the boyfriend with a fireplace poker and pulls out his liver! How can you not lover her?!
Tiffany – Jennifer Tilly
Bride of Chucky
‘Barbie, eat your heart out.‘ I’ve saved my favourite till last!!! One of my all time favourite horror icons is Tiffany from Bride of Chucky. Voiced by the amazing Jennifer Tilly, Tiffany was the shot in the arm that the Chucky franchise needed. With her bleached blonde hair, leather jacket black lips. Tiffany is an icon in her own right!!
