Actresses Who Won’t Do Horror Movies

Some performers stick to dramas, comedies, romance, or action and rarely wander into the jump-scare aisle. This list gathers actresses whose careers lean away from horror and toward other genres, based on the kinds of roles they consistently choose and the projects they are best known for. You will see careers built on character pieces, prestige dramas, and crowd-pleasing comedies, with very little in the way of haunted houses or slasher fare. If you love their work but not scary stories, these are the names that usually keep things comfortably non-spooky.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts built her career on romantic comedies and character-driven dramas and she continues to prioritize those spaces. Her signature projects include ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Erin Brockovich’, and ‘Notting Hill’. She gravitates to stories centered on relationships and legal or personal stakes rather than supernatural peril. Audiences looking for her work typically find uplifting or grounded narratives instead of horror.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock’s filmography leans toward comedy, action, and heartfelt drama. Notable roles in ‘Speed’, ‘Miss Congeniality’, and ‘The Blind Side’ showcase that balance. She tends to choose scripts with humor, momentum, or inspirational arcs. Her portfolio stays far from traditional horror beats.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is best known for light comedies and modern relationship stories. Films like ‘The Break-Up’, ‘Marley & Me’, and ‘Just Go With It’ reflect that focus. She has maintained a steady lane in mainstream comedic fare. Horror has not been a recurring element of her on-screen choices.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon blends comedy and drama with a focus on character and theme. Credits like ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Walk the Line’, and ‘Wild’ illustrate her interest in personal journeys. She often develops projects through her production banner that spotlight complex women in non-genre settings. Traditional horror seldom intersects with her slate.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway’s body of work centers on drama, musical, and comedy with a polished studio sheen. Audiences know her for ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘Les Misérables’, and ‘The Princess Diaries’. She often opts for emotionally rich or stylish roles over shock-driven narratives. Horror does not anchor her filmography.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone’s projects typically blend wit, music, and prestige drama. She is widely associated with ‘Easy A’, ‘La La Land’, and acclaimed character roles. Her choices highlight performance nuance and chemistry rather than fear or gore. Classic horror stories are not a hallmark of her career.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot’s work emphasizes action and adventure with a heroic slant. Her standout projects include ‘Wonder Woman’ and large-scale ensemble blockbusters. She frequently selects roles that hinge on optimism and spectacle. Horror tropes are uncommon in her film choices.

Zendaya

Zendaya navigates drama, romance, and music-forward storytelling. Viewers connect her with ‘Euphoria’ and films that highlight contemporary relationships and identity. She is selective about material that resonates with her audience. Horror has not been a primary lane in her on-screen work.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan’s credits skew toward literary adaptations and prestige drama. Titles like ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and ‘Little Women’ reflect careful curation. Her roles often foreground intimate character studies rather than genre shocks. Horror rarely appears in her project list.

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley gravitates to period pieces and contemporary dramas. She is known for ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Atonement’, and character-led ensembles. Her selections emphasize historical settings, romance, and social stakes. Traditional horror is largely absent from her filmography.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet’s portfolio showcases layered drama and complex character arcs. Audiences recognize her for ‘Titanic’, ‘The Reader’, and ‘Revolutionary Road’. She often explores emotionally demanding narratives over genre thrills. Horror elements seldom drive the stories she chooses.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz frequently collaborates on dramas that explore identity and emotion. Key works include ‘Volver’, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, and international ensembles. She tends to favor auteur-driven material over jump scares. Conventional horror is not a defining feature of her career.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams balances romance, drama, and smart thrillers. Her notable projects include ‘The Notebook’, ‘Spotlight’, and character-focused ensembles. She often chooses material built on relationships or investigative stakes. Horror is not a dominant thread in her roles.

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan is associated with intimate dramas and character-forward narratives. Viewers know her for ‘An Education’, ‘Promising Young Woman’, and period pieces. Her choices generally lean toward grounded storytelling. Horror rarely figures into her project mix.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams focuses on nuanced dramas and sophisticated character studies. Key credits include ‘Arrival’, ‘American Hustle’, and acclaimed ensembles. She consistently selects roles that emphasize emotional range over genre shock. Horror is not a frequent destination in her career.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson’s filmography highlights coming-of-age narratives and literary adaptations. Signature works include ‘Harry Potter’, ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. She chooses projects with thematic resonance and audience connection. Horror themes appear infrequently across her roles.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins leans into romance, drama, and stylish contemporary stories. Audiences connect her with ‘Emily in Paris’ and character-centric features. She often selects roles with fashion, identity, and relationships at the center. Horror seldom aligns with the work she takes on.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke is recognized for epic fantasy and heartfelt drama. Her features and series work highlight character resilience and adventure. She typically seeks roles that blend emotion with large-scale world building. Horror sensibilities are not a core part of her screen choices.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie’s projects span drama, biopic, and high-energy ensemble fare. She is known for ‘I, Tonya’, ‘Bombshell’, and vibrant character pieces. Her roles favor charisma and complexity over fear-based storytelling. Horror appears rarely among her selections.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw often chooses emotionally rich dramas and sci-fi with humanistic angles. She is associated with performances that foreground empathy and transformation. Her screen work tends to avoid graphic scares or paranormal menace. Horror is not a frequent focus in her catalog.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard’s career emphasizes European drama and sophisticated character work. Notable roles include ‘La Vie en Rose’ and acclaimed international productions. She gravitates to introspective or romantic narratives rather than fright-driven plots. Horror has little presence in her projects.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer blends grounded drama with sharp character pieces. Viewers know her for complex television work and thoughtful features. Her choices showcase range without relying on traditional horror frameworks. Scare-centric stories are not a recurring theme for her.

Pom Klementieff

Pom Klementieff’s credits lean toward action and adventure with ensemble energy. She brings offbeat charm to large franchises and stylish thrillers. Her roles are more playful or kinetic than eerie. Horror is not a common setting for her performances.

Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley’s filmography highlights adventure, mystery, and character dramas. She has pursued stories that mix heart with intrigue. Her projects tend to avoid outright terror or gore. Horror is not a central track in her career.

Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey is associated with music-forward and family-oriented storytelling. She gravitates to roles that emphasize voice and warmth. Her film choices lean toward hopeful themes and character growth. Horror has not been a prominent part of her work.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas often appears in thrillers, dramas, and stylish mysteries. Audiences recognize her from character-driven ensembles and sleek genre blends. Her roles spotlight presence and emotion rather than fear. Traditional horror is not a common inclusion in her lineup.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera’s projects tend to center on community, identity, and heartfelt comedy. She selects stories that balance humor with social resonance. Her screen work favors warmth and character over fright. Horror seldom features in her roles.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews is synonymous with musicals and family classics. Her celebrated credits include ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Mary Poppins’. She has consistently chosen uplifting material throughout her career. Horror lies outside the realm of her screen persona.

Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig focuses on comedy and offbeat character studies. She is known for ‘Bridesmaids’ and other humor-forward ensembles. Her selections often play with tone without leaning into fear. Horror is not a regular stop in her filmography.

Awkwafina

Awkwafina’s work spans comedy and heartfelt drama with cultural specificity. She brings wit and relatability to contemporary stories. Her choices highlight voice and identity more than suspenseful terror. Horror has not been a primary avenue for her roles.

Regina King

Regina King’s projects emphasize drama, social commentary, and strong character arcs. She often takes on material with emotional depth and integrity. Her on-screen presence supports thoughtful narratives over shock-driven plots. Horror features sparingly in her work.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson’s filmography centers on drama, music biopics, and vibrant ensemble pieces. She chooses roles that showcase determination and charisma. Her projects rarely revolve around supernatural dread. Horror does not define her screen choices.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz balances stylish thrillers and character-led dramas. She often selects contemporary stories with atmosphere and mood. Her roles emphasize nuance rather than fear mechanics. Horror is not a consistent part of her slate.

Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan is closely linked with character-driven television and nuanced film drama. She gravitates to scripts that foreground dialogue and relationships. Her choices highlight performance over jump scares. Horror is not a frequent element of her roles.

Felicity Jones

Felicity Jones’s career emphasizes historical drama and adventure. Audiences recognize her for determined, grounded characters. She tends to choose material with emotional stakes over fright. Horror has minimal presence in her filmography.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes built a profile in stylish dramas and comedies with strong personality. She often gravitates to roles that highlight charm and tension without leaning on fear. Her projects favor mood and character rather than horror tropes. Scare-centric stories appear rarely among her credits.

Cobie Smulders

Cobie Smulders is associated with comedy, action, and character-focused television. She typically chooses modern, witty material. Her projects do not regularly explore supernatural terror. Horror is not a staple in her work.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson’s roles often center on resilience and intimate drama. She is known for character-intensive performances and large-scale adventure. Her choices highlight empathy and strength more than fright tactics. Horror does not dominate her filmography.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker’s screen identity is tied to comedy and relationship-driven storytelling. She is best known for contemporary character work with a light touch. Her selections emphasize voice and lifestyle narratives rather than fear. Horror is a rare presence in her list of roles.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which actresses you think will keep skipping scary stories.