10 Horror Performances That Deserved Oscar Recognition: From Toni Collette to Jack Nicholson
Celebrating the best acting in the genre ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, where Sinners and Weapons compete for major awards
by Alex Kaan 11 March 2026
© Paramount
While this Sunday’s ceremony may prove a historic night for horror cinema (with Sinners and Weapons eyeing big wins), the Oscars have demonstrated a marked bias against scary movies—especially in the major categories. The genre has picked up a fair amount of artisan awards, but when it comes to acting, the Academy is far less receptive. With the awards show now in its 98th year, only six actors have taken home a gold statue for a performance in the genre: Fredric March for Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Ruth Gordon for Rosemary’s Baby, Kathy Bates for Misery, Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins for The Silence of the Lambs, and Natalie Portman for Black Swan.
Amy Madigan and Michael B. Jordan may well be celebrated in the Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor categories, respectively, but too many stand-out turns in horror films have gone overlooked in the last century. We’ve selected 10 performances that deserved at least a nomination, and while we could name many more—from the deliciously hammy (Matthew Lillard in Scream) to the endearingly comedic (Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice)—we’re highlighting acting that could realistically meet the Academy’s established criteria for awards recognition.
Isabelle Adjani - Possession
© Gaumont Distribution
Isabelle Adjani’s wild turn as a woman going through a divorce, amongst other frightening changes, is a terrifying tour de force. The French star won Best Actress at Cannes, and the Oscars should have followed suit and at least nominated her for the infamous subway scene alone.
Lupita Nyong’o - Us
© Universal
While Jordan Peele’s Get Out earned four nominations and an Original Screenplay win, his next social horror film was unfairly shut out at the Oscars. Lupita Nyong’o’s uncanny dual performance as a mother and her demented, scissors-wielding doppelgänger should have made the cut.
Christian Bale - American Psycho
© Lionsgate
The academy loves a physical transformation, but Mary Harron’s controversial cult classic was too brash and violent to be an awards contender. That doesn’t stop Christian Bale’s menacing yet hilarious take on Patrick Bateman from being one of the all-time horror performances.
Naomi Scott - Smile 2
© Paramount
Anchoring the second Smile film’s stylish blend of jump scares and mental health-driven psychological horror is Naomi Scott’s gripping performance as a pop star put through the wringer by a curse. Singing, dancing, and acting with all her might, the sequel cemented Scott as an A-grade triple threat and an instant scream queen.
Margaret Qualley - The Substance
© MUBI
While Demi Moore’s turn as Elisabeth Sparkle nearly went all the way in last year’s Best Actress race, her co-star was inexplicably snubbed. The Academy likely overlooked the complexity of Qualley’s performance as the younger version of Moore’s character because she plays a satirised object of the male gaze.
Justice Smith - I Saw the TV Glow
© A24
At the core of Jane Schoenbrun’s haunting, Lynchian trans allegory is a heartbreaking turn from Justice Smith as a lonely boy whose reality starts to blend into his favourite 90s teen horror show. Martin Scorsese heaped praise on the film, and other members of the Academy should have taken notice.
Mia Goth - Pearl
© A24
Speaking of Scorsese’s approval, the director was equally enamoured with Ti West’s 1918-set horror film, which hinges on a gonzo performance from Mia Goth as an ambitious farm girl who becomes a serial killer. Just her piercing, teary stare into the camera during the one-take credits sequence is worth a nomination.
Juliette Gariépy - Red Rooms
© Entract Films
As a foreign-language horror film, Red Rooms would certainly not have been high on the Academy’s radar, but this Fincher-esque psychological thriller about a model’s obsession with a murder trial features an unmissable, electric performance from Juliette Gariépy.
Toni Collette - Hereditary
© A24
The performance that ignited the current wave of criticism regarding the academy’s bias against the genre, Toni Collette’s turn as a grieving mother is a harrowing, nightmare-inducing feat. Ari Aster has a two-for-two record for getting powerhouse performances out of his female leads, with Florence Pugh equally deserving a place on this list for her role in Midsommar.
Jack Nicholson & Shelley Duvall - The Shining
© Warner Bros.
While now an undisputed horror classic, Kubrick’s Stephen King adaptation met mixed reviews upon release, was entirely shut out of major awards shows, and even led to Shelley Duvall absurdly receiving a nomination at the first Razzies ceremony. It may be a two-for-one choice, but both Jack Nicholson and Duvall deliver worthy performances that have since been etched into film history.