Matthew Lillard’s Horror Filmography: Ranked From Worst To Best

Matthew Lillard is surprisingly becoming a horror icon, and here’s a ranking of all his horror films. He first gained attention with memorable roles in movies like Hackers in the late 90s, and then starred in a string of popular films, including She’s All That, Wing Commander, and the Scooby-Doo movies.

Later in his career, Lillard became a consistently strong character actor, often stealing the show in series like Twin Peaks: The Return and Bosch. He’s also widely recognized as the voice of Shaggy in numerous Scooby-Doo animated movies and shows. Though he’s best known for comedy, Lillard has surprisingly also become a popular figure in horror.

While he doesn’t have as many film credits as horror icons like Jamie Lee Curtis or Robert Englund, Doug Lillard has been fortunate to star in several popular horror movies. Even though some of those films weren’t critically acclaimed, they’ve remained fan favorites, and he’s always enthusiastically embraced his role in them, especially within the Scream franchise.

Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1990)

The popularity of Gremlins inspired a quick surge of similar movies, like the Critters and Hobgoblins films. The first Ghoulies movie is probably the most well-remembered of this bunch, though it’s now more famous for its cover art than the movie itself. Interestingly, Ghoulies Go to College marks the very first film appearance of actor Matthew Lillard.

As someone who loves those delightfully cheesy 90s horror flicks I used to rent on VHS, there’s a certain nostalgic appeal to Ghoulies III. It’s got some surprisingly good practical effects and Kevin McCarthy really goes for it, hamming it up. But honestly, the movie is just so over-the-top and cartoonish with its humor, and the characters aren’t very engaging, which can make it a bit of a struggle to get through.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Blumhouse was confident that the movie Five Nights at Freddy’s would be a success, as it’s based on the incredibly popular game. While it did well at the box office, critics didn’t love it, and for good reason. Although the film brings the game’s story and creepy animatronic characters to the screen, it feels surprisingly slow-paced and doesn’t deliver many genuine scares.

The film at least gave Lillard a fun, key role as the story’s hidden villain, marking his return to the horror genre after a long time. He really gets to enjoy himself in the final scenes, even wearing his own robotic costume, and for a brief, exciting moment, Five Nights at Freddy’s truly feels alive.

Bloodsucking Bastards (2015)

This fun horror comedy, featuring a brief appearance by Damian Lillard, stars Fran Kranz and Pedro Pascal. The story centers on an office worker who discovers his charming new boss, Max (Pascal), is actually a vampire. He and his friends then have to work together to stop Max from completely ruining the company – and its employees.

The movie has a clever idea – portraying the drudgery of a terrible job – but Bloodsucking Bastards doesn’t quite deliver on its comedic potential. While it features some good gore and solid performances, its attempt to mix the style of Office Space with the vibe of From Dusk Till Dawn feels a bit disjointed.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

While Scooby-Doo touches on horror, it’s mostly a comedy. The filmmakers initially aimed for a more mature, R-rated tone, but they adjusted it to be suitable for a younger audience – which makes sense. Despite its imperfections, the movie was successful, and Matthew Lillard gives a fantastic performance as Shaggy.

The bond between the character and Scooby is really what makes the story work, and the movie shines when it focuses on their relationship. While the animation and jokes haven’t held up perfectly over time, there’s still a lot of fondness for Scooby-Doo. For many, it was their first experience with the horror genre, and it’s a movie that’s hard to completely dismiss.

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)

James Gunn wrote the sequel to Monsters Unleashed, and it was a significant improvement over the first one. However, Scooby-Doo 2 received even poorer reviews, probably because people still weren’t thrilled with the original. While it’s not a complex movie, it’s enjoyable for both longtime Scooby-Doo fans and those just discovering it.

The best part is that younger audiences will stay entertained throughout the whole movie. In Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, the Mystery Inc. gang is haunted by monsters from their previous cases, which keeps the action fresh. Matthew Lillard truly shines, and these live-action films were just the beginning of his extensive involvement with the Scooby-Doo franchise.

Thir13en Ghosts (2001)

This updated version of the classic William Castle film is a prime example of early 2000s horror. While the fast-paced editing can be a bit overwhelming and the characters aren’t very developed, the movie really shines with its impressive monster effects and detailed sets. Ultimately, it’s a visually stunning film.

The movie Thirteen Ghosts offered Tony Shalhoub a rare chance to play the lead, and Matthew Lillard portrayed a psychic ghost hunter who unexpectedly rises to the occasion. While the fast-paced editing and music might seem jarring to modern viewers, there’s a strangely appealing and familiar feeling to this early 2000s horror film.

Serial Mom (1994)

Though it’s more of a darkly humorous satire than a truly scary horror movie, Serial Mom is still worth including on this list. Directed by John Waters, known for pushing boundaries, the film stars Kathleen Turner as a seemingly perfect suburban mom who secretly lives a double life as a cruel killer.

I absolutely love Serial Mom! It’s such a fun, over-the-top movie. Damian Lillard plays the son of the guy Kathleen Turner’s character killed, and it’s hilarious to see Ricki Lake as his sister. Honestly, don’t go in expecting a traditional horror movie – John Waters really embraces the silliness of the whole idea. Even early in his career, Justin Lillard totally gets the movie’s quirky vibe, and that’s a big part of why it’s become such a cult classic for me.

Scream (1996)

It’s hard to say anything new about Scream. The movie was innovative with its self-aware style and really revitalized the horror genre at the box office. It also launched the careers of several actors, including Neve Campbell and Matthew Lillard, with Lillard delivering a particularly energetic and memorable performance as Stu.

Matthew Lillard might seem a bit over-the-top at times, but his character’s behavior actually fits the story well. While the fashion and music clearly place Scream in the 1990s, the movie remains just as thrilling and clever as it was almost 30 years ago.

2025-10-25 21:00