Ranking Every Ghostface Killer In The 'Scream' Franchise!

Do you like scary movies?

If you clicked on this article, chances are you do. And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know the Scream franchise has become a horror juggernaut. First unleashed in 1996, Wes Craven gave audiences yet another slasher to fear. Though already hailed as one of the greatest horror directors of all time as the mastermind behind A Nightmare on Elm Street, even he probably didn’t imagine his film would grow into the cultural icon it is today.

What truly sets these movies apart is their ever-changing lineup of killers, a twist that keeps the series fresh compared to other horror franchises. Michael Myers is always Michael Myers, and Leatherface is always Leatherface, but Ghostface? Ghostface could be anyone, anytime, and that’s the secret sauce. Each killer brings their own motives, kills, and one-liners to the table, and today, we’re here to rank them!

Fair warning: there will obviously  be major spoilers ahead. If you haven't seen the films yet, go treat yourself to a Scream marathon and come right back. We’ll be waiting...

11. Jason Carvey (Scream VI)

Starting with our first pick – which really means last – we’re kicking things off with Jason Carvey, ranked low simply because of his minimal screen time. Played by Spider-Man: Homecoming actor Tony Revolori, this version of Ghostface checks all the boxes: psychotic, aggressive, and quite the smooth talker over the phone. However, he quickly gets taken out in the opening scene by the film’s leading Ghostface killer, proving he’s not exactly among the franchise’s elite masked killers. 

10. The Kirsch Family (Scream VI)

Next up, we’ll group these three together since they not only share the same motive but also the same DNA. Yes, we’re talking about the Kirsch family: Ethan (Jack Champion), Quinn (Liana Liberato), and their father, Wayne (Dermot Mulroney). No shade to this film, because these killers do deliver some memorable moments. Still, compared to others on this list, they simply don’t hold a candle. Driven by vengeance for their deceased brother and son, Richie Kirsch (a former Ghostface killer; more on him later), their storyline just felt a bit bland. That said, we have to give credit to Wayne, who single-handedly took out multiple people in that bodega scene, which is a pretty impressive feat.

9. Charlie Walker (Scream 4)

Moving back to 2011’s Scream 4, we meet Charlie Walker (Rory Culkin), the film-loving psychopath who ranks third for kill count, having claimed 6 victims. However, what keeps him from ranking higher is that he was blinded by love, which ultimately led to his downfall. He failed to see the betrayal that would send him to his grave. Plus, if we’re being honest, his partner steals the spotlight in this movie, immediately pushing him to the back burner.

8. Debbie Loomis (Scream 2)

Next, we jump to the first sequel, Scream 2, which remains one of the strongest entries in the franchise. With a list of memorable deaths, including the tragic loss of our beloved Randy, who arguably should still be alive, we get classic one-liners and palpable tension as Sidney faces off against two knife-wielding killers. One of them is none other than Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf), mother of former Ghostface killer Billy Loomis, proving that murderous tendencies might run in the family. Driven by vengeance for her fallen son, she’s fascinating and clearly deranged. But with only one kill in the entire film, she lands lower on our list. That said, she delivers one of the franchise’s best lines. Just watch the scene where Randy speaks to Ghostface on the phone and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

7. Richie Kirsch (Scream V)

Coming in next, we have Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid), one of the two killers in 2022’s Scream, the fifth in the franchise. Driven by a desire to create a “better” sequel to the fiction Stab movies, he dons the iconic mask and claims the lives of… well, again, just one victim. Man, they really need to distribute those kills more evenly. Still, that one victim was Wes Hicks, a fan favorite taken far too soon, so points (or maybe negative points?) for that. In the end, though, Richie is overpowered and taken down by his girlfriend, Samantha, and just doesn’t have the grit or menace we’ve seen in other Ghostfaces. However, he does have a unique charm and was a captivating villain at the end of the film, which lands him on our list.

6. Amber Freeman (Scream V)

Now we’re talking. The rest of the killers from here on out are some of the franchise’s best. Keeping the momentum from the 2022 reboot, let’s talk about Richie’s accomplice, Amber Freeman. Portrayed by Oscar-winner Mikey Madison, Amber is a deranged and brutal killer, one capable of taking out none other than Scream legend Dewey Riley. She’s cunning, stealthy, and her unmasking is one of the most memorable in the series. Plus, can we talk about how resilient she is? She takes on both Gale and Sidney at the same time, survives three gunshots to the torso, gets set on fire, and still manages to rise up and charge her victims one last time. Honestly, one hit to the head with a frying pan would’ve taken me out.

5. Roman Bridger (Scream 3)

Let’s divert back to the original trilogy, a place we’ll be revisiting often as we get into the final killers of this list. While Scream 3 tends to rank near the bottom for many fans, it does stand out for one primary reason: it features the only solo killer in the entire franchise, who might also be the smartest. Roman Bridger (Scott Foley), the ambitious murderer hiding behind the facade of a geeky film director, shares the top spot for the biggest kill count. Revealed as the long-lost brother of protagonist Sidney Prescott, we learn at the end of the film that he was the mastermind behind the entire trilogy, having manipulated the original killers, Billy and Stu, into their murderous rampage. Rejected by their shared mother, Maureen, Roman dedicated his life to revenge, culminating in a brutal final showdown with Sidney in his Hollywood Hills mansion. And while Scream 3 might not be the strongest entry overall, Roman is often recognized as one of the most physically powerful Ghostfaces. For carrying the film’s bloodshed entirely on his own, he’s definitely earned his crown.

4. Jill Roberts (Scream 4)

Now, as we break into our top four killers, it’s time to jump back to Scream 4, where Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) unleashes absolute chaos on the people of Woodsboro. With one of the most shocking reveals in the series, Jill proves to be one of the most driven and unhinged killers on this list. She racks up 5 victims and comes dangerously close to killing Sidney Prescott herself. Not to mention, she manipulates her partner, Charlie Walker, into helping her, only to betray him in the end. What really sets Jill apart, though, is her motive. Unlike most Ghostfaces, she wasn’t seeking revenge; she wanted fame. She aimed to reinvent herself as the "final girl", just like Sidney before her. And that unforgettable sequence where she stages the crime scene, throwing herself into glass and inflicting her own injuries to sell the story, is enough to cement her place high on this list.

3. Mickey Altieri (Scream 2)

Who gets the bronze in this twisted competition? That honor goes to the most physically dominant Ghostface of them all – Mickey Altieri (Timothy Olyphant). I mean, come on, this guy drove a knife straight through enameled metal and famously launched Cici off the roof of her sorority house like he was competing in shot put. Not to mention he also ties with Roman Bridger for the highest kill count, taking down police officers and pretty much anyone who dares to get in his way. Plus, his motive — the desire to intentionally reveal himself as the killer to get a trial, where he would blame the movies for his actions — is both unique and bold. And honestly, he might be the most completely unhinged Ghostface of them all, a tough title to earn, given the competition. And thus, he deserves the title of our third-best Ghostface killer.

2. Stu Macher (Scream)

You had to see it coming. In 1996’s Scream, we get the filet mignon of fictional psycho killers as Billy Loomis and Stu Macher light the match that would spark the inferno this franchise has become. Of course, someone has to take the gold trophy, so we’ll place Stu in second, simply because he lacked the leadership qualities we see in Billy. Regardless, Stu still outshines the previous 11 killers on this list with his insanity, one-liners, and frantic, quirky demeanor. This role honestly couldn’t have been played by anyone other than Matthew Lillard, and the improvised line, “My mom and dad are going to be so mad at me,” remains one of the best in the entire franchise. He’s a wild child, and he knows how to capture our attention on screen. The real question is, did he survive the first film, and will the rumors prove true? Will he return as the killer in Scream 7, set to release in February of next year? Don’t judge me, but I hope so – he’s my personal favorite Ghostface to date.

1. Billy Loomis (Scream)

Here we have the blueprint of a true Ghostface. Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) is charming, manipulative, broken, and utterly out of his mind. As Sidney Prescott’s boyfriend, there are plenty of suspicions surrounding him throughout the film, but in 1996, when audiences first saw him take that tumble after being stabbed by Ghostface (Stu), they were disarmed. That is, until he rises up and delivers the chilling line, “We all go a little mad sometimes,” before shooting Randy in the shoulder. It’s like watching the Mona Lisa being painted for the first time. He may not be the craziest, the strongest, or the smartest, but he is, without question, the most iconic. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go watch this franchise for the eighteenth time. But remember, don’t forget to brush up on your scary movie trivia; it just might save your life.