With over 140 films and several TV projects, Samuel L. Jackson has become one of the most popular actors worldwide, and also one of the highest-grossing stars in the film industry. But what not many people know is that it took him many, many years and multiple minor roles to establish himself as such. After attempting careers in marine biology and architecture, Jackson started performing in theatrical productions, and, a few years later, made his feature film debut in the 1972 production Together for Days, at the age of 24. Still, his breakthrough would only arrive in the 1990s, as a result of his collaborations with Spike Lee and movies like Goodfellas and Jungle Fever. But the part that finally consecrated him as an industry icon was as Jules Winnfield in the 1994 classic Pulp Fiction.

Over the course of his career, Jackson has worked with the world's most renowned directors, including Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg and M. Night Shyamalan, to name just a few. His work extends to practically all genres: he has mostly starred in action films, but has also been featured in comedies, dramas and multi-million dollar franchises, such as Star Wars and the MCU. He even served as voice actor for animated children's productions, portraying Frozono in The Incredibles and its 2018 sequel. For his impeccable work throughout his career, Jackson was highly acclaimed, and even earned an Academy Honorary Award at the 2021 Oscars ceremony. While he is known for many of his iconic action roles, he has also appeared in a few horror films over the years. Check them out below.

7 Cell

Cell
Saban Films

In 2007, Jackson and John Cusack co-starred in 1408, the film adaptation of a Stephen King story. In 2016, they teamed up again to collaborate on another adaptation of this popular author, Cell. And while this film didn't quite match the wide acclaim of their first collaboration, it's still a fine production to watch. Directed by Tod Williams and produced by Cusack, Cell follows Clay Riddell, a novelist who walked out on his family to fulfill his dream of making it big career-wise. After publishing his novel, he sets out to return to New England, but things don't go as expected: a strange signal propagated by cell phones is turning humans into deadly murderous creatures, so getting back home proves to be a hazardous mission that could claim his life at every turn.

Related: Samuel L. Jackson's 10 Most Iconic Characters From the 1990s

6 Spiral

Spiral: From the Book of Saw
Lionsgate Films

The Saw film series is one of the most popular and iconic ones in the horror genre. In 2021, the ninth installment of this series was released, also serving as its spin-off. Spiral, directed by Darren Lynn and starring Chris Rock, follows Zeke Banks, a detective assigned to investigate a murder case with many similarities to the nefarious and late Jigsaw Killer, unaware if this criminal is a copycat or an appointed successor to John Kramer. In Spiral, Jackson plays retired chief Marcus Banks, the main character's father, alongside Max Minghella, Marisol Nichols, and Daniel Petronijevic. A tenth installment of the Saw series, directed by Kevin Greutert, is expected to premiere this October.

5 The Exorcist III

The Exorcist 3
20th Century Fox

Before the Saw film series hit theaters, the 1973 film The Exorcist was already cemented as one of the best horror films in history. The popularity of this production, based on William Peter Blatty's novel of the same name, spawned two sequels, Exorcist II: The Heretic and The Exorcist III, the latter of which helped to redeem the second film's flop. This 1990 film directed by Blatty is an adaptation of his novel Legion. It is set 15 years after the events of the original movie, and follows Lieutenant William F. Kinderman while he investigates a series of murders taking place in Georgetown that are reminiscent of the work of "The Gemini Killer", executed many years before. The Exorcist III stars George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller, Scott Wilson, Brad Dourif, and Grand L. Bush. In this production, Jackson has a small cameo in the role of the Blind Dream Man.

4 Deep Blue Sea

Deep Blue Sea
Warner Bros.

Deep Blue Sea is a 1999 hit shark film directed by Renny Harlin and starring Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane, Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J. and Michael Rapaport. It follows Dr. Susan McCallister and her scientific team as they research mako sharks at an underwater facility in an attempt to find a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. But the entire team is put in grave danger after they mistakenly alter the sharks' DNA, making them extraordinarily skilled, smarter and inclined to kill. In this production, Jackson plays Russell Franklin, a corporate executive who is sent to investigate the research center. Deep Blue Sea was followed by two sequels, released in 2018 and 2020.

Related: The 8 Most Essential Samuel L. Jackson Moments in Movies, Ranked

3 Snakes on a Plane

Snakes on a Plane
New Line Cinema

The 2006 film Snakes on a Plane was a highly anticipated production, but sadly did not quite reach the hoped-for critical acclaim upon its release. Directed by David R. Ellis, the film follows Sean Jones, a young man who, having witnessed a crime perpetrated by Eddie Kim, is escorted by two FBI agents on a flight to Los Angeles in order to testify against him in a trial. To prevent this, Kim comes up with a lethal plan: releasing dozens of venomous snakes on the aircraft, so that the young witness who could condemn him never arrives at his destination. Jackson stars as Agent Neville Flynn alongside Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Kenan Thompson, Bobby Cannavale, Rachel Blanchard, Elsa Pataky, David Koechner, and Sunny Mabrey.

2 Def by Temptation

Def by Temptation
Troma Entertainment

James Bond III directs, produces, writes and stars in Def by Temptation, a 1990 horror film that also features Jackson, Kadeem Hardison, Bill Nunn, Cynthia Bond, Melba Moore and Minnie Gentry. This production follows young Joel Garth who, in the midst of a crisis of faith brought on by his father and mentor's death, travels to New York City to visit one of his childhood friends to keep him company. On this trip, both friends become involved with the Temptress, a captivating woman who is actually a demon spirit seeking to seduce men in order to murder them. In this film, Jackson plays Minister Garth.

1 1408

1408
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Rounding out this list is the most popular horror film starring Jackson to date: 1408. This production, in which he co-stars with John Cusack, is based on Stephen King's short story of the same name and became a box-office hit, earning rave reviews. 1408 follows Mike Enslin, a popular author who investigates alleged paranormal events and chronicles them in his books. While working on his most recent project, he discovers the story of room 1408 at The Dolphin Hotel in New York City, where numerous inexplicable deaths have apparently occurred. Armed with his skepticism towards all things paranormal, Enslin decides to ignore the hotel manager's warnings and stay in the room for one night, oblivious to the terrifying situation he was about to face. In this production, Jackson plays Gerald Olin, the manager of The Dolphin Hotel.