The Most Popular Final Girl, Ranked

Choose the Final Girl you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Jul 25, 2024 07:56
The concept of the Final Girl has long been a staple in horror cinema, serving as a cornerstone for both plot development and audience engagement. As viewers, we often align our loyalties and emotions with these resilient characters, who not only face but also frequently overcome terrifying adversaries. This connection makes it pertinent to gauge which of these characters resonates the most with audiences. By providing a dynamic listing of these popular Final Girls, based on user votes, fans can engage directly with their favorites, potentially influencing future narratives or appreciating past performances. This ranking offers a unique insight into the evolving tastes and preferences of horror enthusiasts, and gives new viewers a curated starting point for their cinematic explorations.

Who Is the Most Popular Final Girl?

  1. 1
    99
    points

    Laurie Strode

    The iconic survivor of the 'Halloween' series, portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis.
    • First Appearance: Halloween (1978)
    • Creator: John Carpenter and Debra Hill
  2. 2
    16
    points

    Ellen Ripley

    The resilient protagonist of the 'Alien' franchise, played by Sigourney Weaver.
    • First Appearance: Alien (1979)
    • Creator: Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett
  3. 3
    15
    points

    Sidney Prescott

    The central character of the 'Scream' series, portrayed by Neve Campbell.
    • First Appearance: Scream (1996)
    • Creator: Kevin Williamson
  4. 4
    14
    points

    Ginny Field

    The resourceful survivor of 'Friday the 13th Part 2', portrayed by Amy Steel.
    • First Appearance: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
    • Creator: Ron Kurz
  5. 5
    11
    points

    Nancy Thompson

    The heroine of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street', portrayed by Heather Langenkamp.
    • First Appearance: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
    • Creator: Wes Craven
  6. 6
    10
    points

    Sally Hardesty

    The survivor of the original 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre', played by Marilyn Burns.
    • First Appearance: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
    • Creator: Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper
  7. 7
    0
    points

    Alice Hardy

    The final girl from the original 'Friday the 13th', played by Adrienne King.
    • First Appearance: Friday the 13th (1980)
    • Creator: Victor Miller
  8. 8
    0
    points

    Jess Bradford

    The main character of 'Black Christmas', played by Olivia Hussey.
    • First Appearance: Black Christmas (1974)
    • Creator: Roy Moore
  9. 9
    0
    points

    Kirsty Cotton

    The protagonist of the 'Hellraiser' series, played by Ashley Laurence.
    • First Appearance: Hellraiser (1987)
    • Creator: Clive Barker
  10. 10
    0
    points

    Sarah Connor

    The determined survivor of 'The Terminator' series, portrayed by Linda Hamilton.
    • First Appearance: The Terminator (1984)
    • Creator: James Cameron

Missing your favorite Final Girl?

Graphs
Error: Failed to render graph
Discussion
No discussion started, be the first!

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Final Girl. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Final Girl is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1627 views
  • 165 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Final Girl once every 24 hours. The rank of each Final Girl is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Popular Final Girl

The "Final Girl" is a term from horror films. This character is the last one left to confront the killer. She often survives when others do not. The concept emerged in the late 20th century. It became a key part of the slasher genre.

The Final Girl usually starts as an ordinary person. She is often quiet and reserved. She may not stand out at first. But as the story unfolds, she shows strength and resilience. She faces great fear and danger. She often must fight to stay alive. This journey transforms her. By the end, she is strong and resourceful.

The Final Girl often contrasts with other characters. Her friends may be more carefree or reckless. They might make poor choices. The Final Girl, however, is cautious. She avoids risky behavior. This sets her apart. It also helps her survive.

This character often faces a male killer. The struggle between them becomes central to the story. The Final Girl must outsmart or overpower him. This confrontation is intense. It often involves a chase or a final showdown. The Final Girl's victory is hard-won. It brings a sense of relief and closure.

The Final Girl represents a shift in horror films. Early horror often showed women as victims. They were passive and helpless. The Final Girl changes this. She fights back. She takes control of her fate. This makes her a powerful figure. She becomes a symbol of survival and strength.

Over time, the Final Girl has evolved. Early examples were often pure and innocent. They avoided sex, drugs, and other vices. This was seen as a reason for their survival. Modern Final Girls are more complex. They may have flaws and make mistakes. But they still find a way to survive. This makes them more relatable.

The Final Girl has influenced other genres. Action and thriller films have similar characters. These women face danger and fight back. They show courage and determination. This trend reflects changing views on gender roles. It shows that women can be strong and capable.

The Final Girl has also impacted popular culture. She appears in books, TV shows, and video games. Fans celebrate her strength and resilience. She has become an icon. She inspires others to be brave and resourceful.

The Final Girl is a key part of horror film history. She represents a shift in how women are portrayed. She shows that anyone can be a hero. Her journey is one of fear and courage. She faces great danger and survives. She stands as a symbol of strength and resilience.

Share this article