With a vast filmography that includes some of the most iconic horror movies of the past two decades, it's hard to imagine anyone but Neve Campbell playing Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise. But in addition to the fun but scary Wes Craven classics, Campbell has starred in over 30 movies, ranging from independent films to big-budget studio features.
She's also a familiar face on television, having played Julia on the 90s sitcom Party of Five for six seasons. Additionally, she's held recurring roles on popular shows like Grey's Anatomy, House of Cards, and The Lincoln Lawyer. Her strong work in film and television has earned her a reputation as one of this generation's most versatile and well-respected actors.
With an ability to draw viewers in with her natural charisma and talent for delivering both comedic and dramatic performances, Campbell has proven time and time again that she's a force to be reckoned with. Here are some of her best movies, ranked.
12 Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical
Starring alongside her brother Christian, Neve Campbell appears as Miss Poppy in this satirical take on the 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film Reefer Madness. Christian is the main character, Jimmy Harper, who falls into a life of crime after being introduced to marijuana. The made-for-TV parody film on Showtime was a hit with audiences and critics, bringing home a 2005 Primetime Emmy Award.
In the musical, Miss Poppy owns a 'five-and-dime store' where Harper and his friends often hang out. Though Neve's part is small, her performance is noteworthy. The over-the-top humor and musical numbers make Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical a must-see for fans of the genre.
11 Three to Tango
In this 1999 romantic comedy, Neve stars alongside Matthew Perry and Dylan McDermott as Amy Post. Three to Tango a mistaken-sexual-identity story in which Perry's character, Oscar Novak, is mistakenly believed to be gay; oddly enough, Perry played another man mistaken for being gay two years prior with In & Out, something that's perhaps indicative of the time period.
Charles (McDermott) asks Oscar to spy on his mistress, Amy, to make sure she's not cheating on him. But things get complicated when Oscar falls for Amy. Three to Tango is a heartwarming and surprisingly funny movie that's perfect for a night in. It's one of Neve's more light-hearted films and is a great choice if you're looking for a feel-good movie.
10 Drowning Mona
This 2000 dark comedy follows the investigation into the death of Mona Dearly (the great Bette Midler). Danny DeVito plays Wyatt Rash, a police chief investigating the murder. Neve portrays Ellen Rash, Wyatt's daughter, who is preparing for her wedding. However, it doesn't take long before she finds herself caught up in the investigation. Anyone could have killed miserable Mona, so the list of suspects is long.
Drowning Mona is a comedic murder mystery with an all-star cast. This is a must-see if you're a Campbell, DeVito, or Midler fan. Jamie Lee Curtis, Casey Affleck, and Will Ferrell also have supporting roles, solidifying the film's ensemble cast as one of the best of the '90s.
9 Skyscraper
The 2018 action thriller Skyscraper sees Neve Campbell playing the role of Sarah Sawyer, a mother and doctor. Her husband, Will (Dwayne Johnson), is a veteran-turned security consultant in Hong Kong to assess the world's tallest building. He ends up being framed for a fire that breaks out in the building, leaving him desperate to save his family from the blaze.
Skyscraper is an action-packed movie with an incredibly strong female lead. Neve and Dwayne have great on-screen chemistry, making this a fun, family-friendly watch. Even if you're not typically into action movies, Skyscraper is a great choice.
8 Castle in the Ground
One of Neve's more recent films is the 2019 drama Castle in the Ground. She stars alongside Alex Wolff as Rebecca, a single mother with a grim cancer diagnosis. Wolff plays her son, Henry, who finds a way to cope with his mother's fate and his own pain by forming a relationship with his next-door neighbor, Vera (Imogen Poots). However, he spirals into a world of drugs and violence as he tries to deal with his grief.
Neve's performance is gut-wrenching, and she does an excellent job of conveying the pain and desperation of a mother facing her own mortality. Castle in the Ground is a heavy movie, but it's one with an incredibly important message on the opioid epidemic in North America.
7 Scream 2
The second installment in the Scream franchise, Scream 2, was released in 1997. Neve reprises her role as Sidney Prescott, one of the few survivors of the original Ghostface murders. Now a college student, Sidney is targeted by a copycat killer once again. Her college campus is plunged into a state of terror as the killer starts to pick off her friends and classmates one by one.
Neve's performance in Scream 2 is strong and showcases her range as an actress. She's able to convey the emotional roller coaster that her character is going through, from fear to anger to grief. There is a noticeable change in Sidney from the first movie to the second, and Neve does an excellent job of expressing the character's strength and maturity.
6 Wild Things
In 1998, Neve starred in the erotic thriller Wild Things alongside Matt Dillon and Denise Richards. The movie follows two high school students who falsely accuse their guidance counselor of rape in order to get revenge. A detective (played by a great Kevin Bacon) starts investigating the case, and it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.
Wild Things is a dark and sexy movie with several twists to keep viewers guessing. Neve is excellent as the manipulative and dangerous Suzie, a role that is in stark contrast to her more famous Scream character.
5 Scream 3
Though some may not agree, Neve's performance in Scream 3 is one of the strongest in the entire franchise. Released in 2000, this installment finds Sidney once again being targeted by a killer, this time with Hollywood ties. As the body count starts to pile up, Sidney has to come out of hiding and learn the truth about her mother and the murders that have haunted her for so long.
Unlike the other Scream movies, most of Neve's scenes feature Sidney on her own. This allows her to showcase a more vulnerable side to Sidney, one that is struggling with her own demons. Neve gives an incredibly powerful performance that is often overlooked in favor of the more over-the-top moments in the movie. The final act is one of the best in her career, and it's a shame the movie is often overshadowed by the first two.
4 The Craft
The Craft is a cult classic that follows a group of teenage girls at a Catholic school who turn to witchcraft after being ostracized by their classmates. Neve stars as Bonnie, a shy and introverted girl with burns all over her arms and back. Things start off lighthearted but quickly change once they use their powers for revenge.
Bonnie is a complex character, and Neve does an excellent job of conveying her vulnerability and strength. She goes through a lot of growth throughout the movie, giving an incredible performance beside Fairuza Balk, Rachel True, and Robin Tunney.
3 Clouds
Clouds is a 2020 Disney+ drama based on the real-life story of Zach Sobiech, a teenager who was diagnosed with cancer and given only months to live. Neve plays Laura, Zach's mother, who watches helplessly as her son navigates the remainder of his life. He finds solace in music and, with the help of his friends, records a song that goes viral.
Clouds is an incredibly emotional movie that pays tribute to Zach's life and legacy. The movie will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful while also being a reminder of the fragility of life. There are powerful messages in the movie about living life to the fullest and appreciating the little things in each day.
2 Scream
One of the most iconic horror movie characters of all time, Sidney Prescott is the final girl who just can't catch a break. After her mother's murder, Sidney becomes the target of a masked killer known as Ghostface. He stalks her and her friends, picking them off one by one in a bloody massacre.
The original Scream is a classic that helped revitalize the horror genre in the 1990s. Neve created a character with such strength and resilience that it's made Sidney an inspiring and relatable figure for horror fans everywhere. Even though she's terrified, Sidney never backs down and always fights for her life. It's the role that helped solidify Neve as a scream queen, with her performances in the sequels only cementing that title.
1 The Company
The Company was a passion project for Neve Campbell, who co-wrote and co-produced the film. The 2003 movie directed by the great Robert Altman is a semi-autobiographical account of her time as a ballet dancer at the National Ballet School of Canada. She stars as Ry, a young dancer who is training to be a professional ballerina. This documentary-style film follows her as she navigates the cutthroat world of ballet.
The Company is a beautiful and moving story that showcases Neve's talent for ballet. She trained for months to prepare for the role and shines with the choreography. The film gives a rare and intimate look at the world of dance and features an excellent supporting cast, including Malcolm McDowell and James Franco.
With a career that has spanned over two decades, Neve Campbell has shown her versatility as an actress time and time again. Her upcoming projects include playing Raven in Peacock's Twisted Metal and headlining a drama series titled Avalon on ABC.