The definition of Scream Queen states that any actress who has become associated with horror films, either through an appearance in a notable entry in the genre as a frequent victim or through constant appearances as the female protagonist is a scream queen. While the definition is inclusive to a number of our favorite actresses in the genre, it doesn’t offer any criteria to select our favorites.

Is it just the quantity of horror films that denotes a scream queen? What about the scream itself? Do the sound and pitch of the scream itself play a factor? Can an actresses’ role in one film justify their consideration as a scream queen, even if that scream is an iconic portrayal of the trope? We’ll take a look at that today as we continue to celebrate the Countdown to Halloween with our 15 Favorite Scream Queens.

Some of the following clips may be NSFW, or graphic in nature.

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