20 of Your Favorite '90s and '00s Heartthrobs Who Starred in Terrifying Horror Movies

Chad Michael Murray in "House of Wax"

Chad Michael Murray plays Nick in the remake of the Vincent Price classic House of Wax. Nick is dubbed the "evil" twin (opposite sister Carly, played by Elisha Cuthbert). He's a bad guy trying to go good but getting caught up — figuratively and literally — in the process.

Adam Brody in #34;Jennifer's Body"

Adam Brody may not be the actor you'd expect in horror, but he's got a few titles under his belt. He's featured in Jennifer's Body, in which he plays a rocker by the name of Nikolai Wolf.

A younger Brody also had a bit role in the 2002 horror classic The Ring.

Taye Diggs in "House on Haunted Hill"

In House on Haunted Hill, Taye Diggs plays basketball played Eddie Baker, who is among five guests at a birthday party where everyone is offered $1 million to remain in the eerie house until morning.

Chace Crawford in "The Haunting of Molly Hartley"

Chace Crawford plays the nice guy trying to help a bullied and supernaturally followed Molly Hartley in The Haunting of Molly Hartley. As Molly tries to figure out why she can't start over after a tough time at her old school, Crawford's Joseph offers an opportunity for escape.

Sebastian Stan in "The Covenant"

In The Covenant, Sebastian Stan plays Chase Collins, a student who befriends the Sons of Ipswich in an early antagonistic role. Conflicted about discovering powers of his own, Chase is driven to a dark place in search for understanding.

Morris Chestnut in "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid"

Morris Chestnut isn't a fan of snakes, but it doesn't stop him from facing off against one as Gordon Mitchell in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. In a rare departure from his usual romantic films, Chestnut plays a research scientist who tries to understand what's happening when his usual stomping grounds are inhabited by the creatures.

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Donnie Darko"

Jake Gyllenhaal is beloved for starring in the titular role of the cult classic Donnie Darko that he admits often "confuses" fans. The troubled teen character has a chilling vibe that still resonates as he navigates his own personal haunted hell.

James Marsden in "Disturbing Behavior"

James Marsden is Disturbing Behavior's straight-faced Steve Clark, who is full of pain and frustration when starting over in a new town and befriends some misfits. Staying away from the popular, successful crowd works until one of his own is brainwashed, perhaps literally, by the clique, propelling the sci-fi horror into gear.

Busta Rhymes in "Halloween: Resurrection"

Busta Rhymes appeared in the eighth installment of the franchise, Halloween: Resurrection, playing Freddie Harris, an entrepreneur and founder of Dangertainment. Harris finds himself facing off with the prolific killer after he dares to create a reality show set in Myers’ old home.

Jared Leto in "Urban Legend"

Jared Leto may not look back fondly on Urban Legend, but it's still a fun one for what it is. Leto plays an ever-questioning journalism student, Paul Gardner. He's part of a group of students being hunted down by an ax murder Paul doesn't believe in — until he sees for himself.

David Boreanaz in "Valentine"

Something of a cult classic, Valentine stars David Boreanaz as Jeremy, who is institutionalized in high school after a group of girls he asked to a Valentine's Day dance and was rejected by later accuse him of sexual assault. He reappears as Adam Carr and immerses himself in their world years later, ready for revenge.

Ryan Reynolds in "Amityville Horror"

Ryan Reynolds in a darker role is so uncommon, but he did it chillingly well in Amityville Horror, in which he plays George Lutz, head of a family that moved into the infamous DeFeo murder home in Amityville, Long Island. Reynolds is seen both as a loving father and devoted husband and as a monster as he descends into madness that gives credence to the DeFeo's story.

Shane West in "Dracula 2000"

Shane West only has a small role in Dracula: 2000 as cameraman J.T., but it's notable for the edgy look that accompanied it. West is one of a few heartthrobs in the film, which also stars Gerard Butler as Dracula.

Elijah Wood in "The Faculty"

Elijah Wood plays Casey Connor in the sci-fi horror flick The Faculty. The unappreciated school photographer is the first to discover a small alien on the football field and bring the unusual parasite to the science teacher, unaware the school's faculty is under alien control.

Josh Hartnett in "30 Days of Night"

In 30 Days of Night, Josh Hartnett shines as Sheriff Eben Oleson, trying to protect a town during a month of darkness and fending off vampires in the process. Making tough decisions and trying to protect the ones he loves most drives Oleson to the brink in more ways than one.

Nick Cannon in "Day of the Dead"

Nick Cannon's starring role in the 2008 direct-to-video horror movie Day of the Dead may not be his most memorable, but it definitely hits different in the modern day. After the military quarantines a town against a deadly virus, Private Salazar and friends try to escape town and the dead who are starting to overrun it.

Rider Strong in "Cabin Fever"

Rider Strong might be cemented in your brain as his Boy Meets World character Shawn Hunter, but he took the opportunity to show us he was so much more in Cabin Fever. Strong plays Paul, part of a group of city kids who decide to party in the woods to blow off some steam. Their innocent-enough quest takes a turn when a blood infection leads them to a fight for their lives.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "Halloween H20"

Joseph Gordon Levitt has a quick but important part in Halloween H20, laying the groundwork for Michael Myers' 1998 return. His role as Jimmy came when the actor was relatively unknown, despite already having a decade's work under his belt.

Joshua Jackson in "The Skulls"

In The Skulls, Joshua Jackson plays Luke, an aspiring lawyer from meager beginnings, in this story about a college secret society that's gone too far. Luke has a chance at networking with significant people, but the cost proves higher than he could have imagined.

Devon Sawa in "Final Destination"

Devon Sawa set off a horror franchise as Alex Browning in Final Destination. After predicting a deadly incident, he and other survivors must outrun the fate they avoided.