The teen slasher genre was resurrected in the 1990’s with the birth of the Scream franchise. With a body count into the 30’s, the four films span 15 years and have been iconic in redefining an ailing format. In honour of all things frightful, we look back at the ten victims of Ghostface who met their maker in the most creative fashion…

10. Tom Prinze (Matt Keeslar) – Scream 3

The Scream movie which is best forgotten provided some light relief in the death of Tom Prinze. Ghostface taunts the cast of Stab 3 faxing over his own screenplay detailing who will survive his spree. Prinze uses his lighter only to find the cast member who will be spared will be whoever ‘smells the gas’. Cue explosion.

9. Maureen Evans (Jada Pinkett-Smith) – Scream 2

Cinema-goer Maureen Evans settles in to watch a preview of the latest Stab film. She discovers blood on her masked boyfriend’s jacket a moment too late. Impeded by other patrons, Evans lets out a final cry for help in front of the packed auditorium before collapsing blood-soaked before them.

8. Kate Roberts (Mary McDonnell) – Scream 4

Kate Roberts and leading lady Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) attempt to warn rebellious daughter/niece Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) before being attacked. Just when they thought they had evaded the would-be killer, Roberts is stabbed through the post box.

7. Deputy Anthony Perkins (Anthony Anderson) – Scream 4

With a blatant nod to Psycho’s leading man, Deputy Perkins pretends to be dead in a practical joke. Ghostface has the last laugh though as Perkins is stabbed in the forehead. However, despite the blade embedded in his brain, Perkins manages to fit in a comical remark before perishing.

6. Steve Orth (Kevin Patrick Walls) – Scream

The first on-screen victim of the Scream movies, Steve Orth, the boyfriend of Casey Becker (see victim no. 2). Ghostface ruins her hope of rescue by revealing him bound and gagged on her patio before a Russian roulette game of film trivia sees Orth gutted in front of his girlfriend.

5. Olivia Morris (Marielle Jaffe) – Scream 4

Wes Craven was quoted as saying ‘I’ll only direct Scream 4 when I see a script as good as the original’. This killing keeps the audience and cast guessing, with the killer brutally butchering catty Olivia Morris in front of her powerless friends.

4. Phil Stevens (Omar Epps) – Scream 2

One of the iconic deaths of the series as Phil Stevens attempts to hear a frisky couple in the toilet cubicle next to him. His shock and fear is palpable as his prying ear meets with a forceful blade through the side of his head.

3. Rebecca Walters (Alison Brie) – Scream 4

The cut-throat publicist of Sidney Prescott gets up close with Ghostface in a car park. As locals are calmed that ‘everything is under control’ her body is launched onto a news-van in front of them, mirroring Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy – Scream 1-3) with a touch of extravagance.

2. Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) – Scream

A 1996 horror film is released with household name Drew Barrymore featuring on the movie’s poster. As expected, she appears in the opening scene, ready for a starring role in the full film… wait… did they just kill her off before the opening titles?!

1. Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan) – Scream

The most memorable murder of the franchise with Rose McGowan assuming the masked killer she encounters in the garage is creepy movie fan Randy. As she realises this is no prank, she looks for the best way out of the killer’s clutches. In an ill-advised escape plan, Riley tries to clamber through the dog flap in the garage door. Ghostface, presented with his easiest killing, raises the door, crushing her in the door frame.