WithScreamgetting horror going for 2022, Sidney Prescott will once again take center stage as one of the most iconic final girls in slasher film history. Although primarily known for theWes Craven franchise, Neve Campbell has enjoyed a long and varied career, one that has seen the actress taking on a multitude of roles across a wide range of genres.RELATED:Most Anticipated Horror Movies Of 2022In celebration ofScream’s return and Sidney’s legacy in cinema, let’s take a look atNeve Campbell’s best movies. Some of these picks are mainstream releases while others are indie productions that deserve a bit more attention.Note:Only movies that have Campbell as a lead will be considered. For example, 2020’sCloudsis an engaging melodrama but Campbell’s role is quite small in the grand scheme of things.
8Churchill: The Hollywood Years
Outside of humor-tinged films likeScreamand a charming cameo in 2005’sReefer Madness, Neve Campbell has rarely tried her hand at pure comedies, and this film might go a long way in explaining why.Churchill: The Hollywood Yearsis a trainwreck from beginning to end. Hollywood’s tendency to Americanize history isripe for satire, butChurchilldoes not do anything with the idea beyond presenting everyone as idiots.
Campbell delivers a fine performance as Princess Elizabeth II, but the movie gives her almost nothing to work with.
7The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride
Disney’s direct-to-video animated sequels have a reputation for being less than stellar. For the most part, this legacy is earned, although there are a couple of exceptions.The Lion King 2: Simba’s Prideis perhaps the best of the admittedly bad bunch, delivering a story that builds nicely on its predecessor while introducing engaging new characters.
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Neve Campbell’s Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, acts as the sequel’s protagonist, going through a coming of age story that harbors back to her father’s journey in the 1994 classic. Campbell gives an assured vocal performance, although the songs are handled by Liz Callaway.
6Skyscraper
Skyscraperis a dumb but fun blockbuster that mostly just allowsDwayne “The Rock” Johnsonto do his thing. As Johnson’s wife, Campbell does not have too much to do throughout the story outside of a few moments during the third act, but the actress is more than solid whenever she is required to step up.
As far as modern action movies go,Skyscraperdoes not rank among the best, and it fares even worse when compared to similar classics such asDie Hard. However, it is a harmless romp.
5The Company
Directed by Robert Altman,The Companywas a passion project for Campbell and it shows through her performance. The film centers around the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and takes a realistic look at the industry, focusing on the creation process and the trials and tribulations faced by various members of the dance company.
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Campbell’s background in ballet adds legitimacy to her dance sequences that complement her already stellar performance. The film’s subject matter will not appeal to everyone, butThe Companyserves as a great showcase of Campbell’s talent.
4Wild Things
Notorious but also kind of respected,Wild Thingshas all the elements of a lowest common denominator exploitation film but with a cast that would not look out of place in a mainstream blockbuster. The 1998 release tends to be remembered for one envelope-pushing scene featuring Denise Richards, Matt Dillion, and Neve Campbell, however, it would be a great disservice to ignore everything else surrounding this moment.
Wild Thingsis smartly written, well-acted, and features enough twists to make some classic noir films blush. Aggressive and counter-culture, Neve Campbell’s Suzie was a refreshing change of pace fromScream’s Sidney.
3The Craft
Released in 1996,The Craftgarnered a middling reception, with its effects and story receiving the brunt of the criticism. More than two decades later, the film is firmly established as a ’90s cult classic that helped bring renewed interest in witchcraft in and out of Hollywood.
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The Craft’s everlasting appeal rests on the shoulder of its four leads, teenage girls who empower themselves to overcome the various challenges faced in their lives. As Bonnie, Neve Campbell delivers a nuanced and gripping performance, showing a significant amount of range throughout the movie.
2Scream (All Of Them, But Mostly The First One)
Neve Campbell will be remembered forScream. Sidney Prescott is the actress' definitive role, especially since Campbell has now appeared as the character in four different decades. As subversive asScreamcan be at times,Campbell’s Sidney is not all that distinct from classic slasher movie heroines.
Sidney is an ordinary person who just happens to have the worst luck when it comes to knife-wielding killers; consequently, she is often accompanied by more interesting characters in theScreamfilms. Campbell injects Sidney with just enough subtlety and raw emotion to elevate the character above most other horror survivors.
1Panic
Paniccame out shortly afterAmerican Beautyand, in some ways, has aged better than that Academy Award winning movie. In it, William H. Macy portrays Alex, a troubled married man who is attending therapy to deal with a midlife crisis. There, he meets Neve Campbell’s sharp Sarah, and the two start a problematic relationship. Also, Alex is a hitman.
Panicis a character study that spreads its net beyond just Alex, fleshing each of the supporting players so they come across as three-dimensional and complex figures. Campbell gives the best performance of her career inPanicâââââ.
