4. Drew Barrymore, Scream
Possibly the most well known of on screen slasher deaths arose in 1996's horror classic, Scream. Unique in that its characters were physically aware of horror clichés and the way in which the killer actively attempted to avoid them, the Scream series has, over time, developed a somewhat cult following; Ghostface being an ever present figure during Halloween time. As arguably the biggest star of the film, Barrymore's early exit was risky. However, one slasher death and a medieval hanging later, it turned out to be one of the most iconic of the series. Initially, the film's casting directors made the active decision to avoid big named stars; the film's budget was low enough as it was. However, Drew Barrymore, who had already tasted the limelight following her role in E.T., showed interest in the film's script, leading to an overhaul in the casting policy. After which, big names were being touted from all corners; stars such as Brittany Murphy and Reese Witherspoon were considered for major roles until Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox were settled upon. Following in its success, Scream proved to be a turning point for horror. What was once an amateur territory became a credible pathway, meaning bigger actors became interested in adding their renditions to the genre; it became a sort of rite of passage.