Let’s face it: horror movies might give us nightmares, but it’s the final girls and scream queens who give us hope.
These fierce, fearless, and occasionally frazzled heroines manage to outwit killers, survive haunted houses, and, most importantly, remind us that cardio and common sense are life-saving skills.
Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic final girls, why they’re the real MVPs of horror, and what we’ve learned from their legendary survival skills.
1. Laurie Strode (Halloween)
Laurie Strode is the O.G. final girl. She went toe-to-toe with Michael Myers while babysitting, which is multitasking at its finest.
Laurie taught us that you don’t need to be flashy to survive—just resourceful, determined, and able to wield a knitting needle like a pro. Decades later, she’s still fighting Michael and proving that trauma can turn you into a total badass.
Lesson Learned: Always lock your doors, and never assume the masked guy is dead.
2. Ellen Ripley (Alien)
Ripley isn’t just a final girl; she’s a space warrior who fought a Xenomorph with nothing but her wits and a flamethrower.
She redefined the horror genre by proving that being a badass isn’t gender-specific. Plus, she had the audacity to sass a corporate overlord and save a cat. Iconic.
Lesson Learned: When in doubt, blow it out the airlock.
3. Sidney Prescott (Scream)
Sidney has survived not one but several Ghostface killers, making her the ultimate slasher survivor.
Smart, self-aware, and quick on her feet, Sidney is proof that you don’t have to trip over a branch to be relatable in a horror movie. She’s also a master at delivering emotional depth while wielding a knife.
Lesson Learned: Never answer the phone. Ever.
4. Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
Nancy didn’t just survive Freddy Krueger—she beat him at his own game. Crafty and courageous, she turned her dreams into a battlefield and made Freddy wish he’d stayed in bed.
Plus, she showed us all how to DIY booby traps like a champ, Kevin McCallister take notes!
Lesson Learned: Coffee is your best friend, and your dream journal might save your life.
5. Sally Hardesty (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre)
Sally’s survival in the face of Leatherface and his cannibalistic family is less about strategy and more about sheer willpower.
She screamed her way to freedom, and honestly, same. Her escape scene is chaotic, horrifying, and iconic—a true testament to the power of adrenaline.
Lesson Learned: Always have a backup plan for road trips. Preferably one that avoids Texas backroads.
6. Erin Harson (You’re Next)
Erin didn’t just survive; she turned the tables on her attackers with the efficiency of a horror movie John Wick.
Thanks to her survivalist upbringing, she turned a home invasion into a one-woman revenge mission. She’s not just a final girl; she’s a final boss.
Lesson Learned: Knowing how to set traps and wield kitchen utensils is a life skill.
7. Julie James (I Know What You Did Last Summer)
Julie survived a killer with a grudge and a hook for a hand, proving that small-town secrets are scarier than any ghost.
While her friends fell victim to the vengeful fisherman, Julie kept her cool (mostly) and lived to regret every bad decision from senior year.
Lesson Learned: If you hit someone with your car, maybe don’t try to cover it up.
8. Grace Le Domas (Ready or Not)
Grace’s in-laws tried to hunt her for sport, but she turned the tables on them with wit, resilience, and a mean right hook.
Bonus points for doing it all in a wedding dress. By the end of the night, Grace didn’t just survive—she thrived.
Lesson Learned: Always ask about weird family traditions before saying “I do.”
9. Chrissie Watkins (Jaws)
Okay, she’s not technically a final girl, but Chrissie deserves an honorable mention for trying to outswim a great white shark while the rest of the town was busy denying its existence.
She might not have made it, but she set the tone for everyone who did.
Lesson Learned: Don’t swim at night, and definitely don’t swim in Amity Island.
10. Tree Gelbman (Happy Death Day)
Tree survived not just a masked killer but a time loop that forced her to relive her death over and over again.
Her transformation from self-absorbed sorority queen to fearless final girl is as satisfying as it is hilarious.
Lesson Learned: Sometimes, personal growth requires multiple deaths.
11. Conclusion:
Scream queens and final girls are the heart of horror movies. They’re resourceful, resilient, and often just as terrifying as the villains they face.
Whether they’re setting traps, outsmarting killers, or just running for their lives, these women remind us that sometimes, survival is the ultimate revenge.
While these characters are extremely iconic, there are many more that have rightfully earned their place in the Final Girls and Scream Queens club, as well as many more that will come!
Here’s to the real MVPs of horror—may your cardio be strong and your weapon of choice be close at hand.