Matthew Lillard has been the talk of the town, alongside Paul Dano, after Quentin Tarantino’s viral comments about them, saying he didn’t “care” about these actors.
Many have come to Lillard’s defense, including James Gunn, who called him “one of his favorite guys (and actors).” The 55-year-old star himself responded to Tarantino’s uncalled-for remarks, describing them as both “humbling” and hurtful.
While Lillard admitted that he’s “not very popular in Hollywood,” he knows he’s famous in his own right. To prove that, here are 10 must-watch films that showcase his range.
Serial (1994)
One of his earliest film roles, Lillard portrayed Chip, the son of Kathleen Turner’s character, who later becomes a serial killer.
This film introduced Lillard to horror-comedy, foreshadowing his later roles in the genre, including Scream.
Hackers (1995)
Lillard played Emmanuel Goldstein, aka Cereal Killer, in Hackers, where a group of high school “hackers” became involved in an attempted theft. He brought pumped-up energy to this ’90s cyberpunk teen movie.
Far different from the roles he’s known for, he demonstrated that he could do justice to a character of a young hacker and thrive in subculture-driven, slightly chaotic settings, showcasing his edgy, flamboyant, and completely different side.
Scream (1996)
Lillard achieved his career breakthrough when he played Stu Macher in the iconic slasher film Scream.
As one of the central killers, he was propelled into the mainstream as a “scream king.” Thanks to his incredible portrayal, combining manic energy with genuine menace, he effortlessly made Stu one of the most memorable and frightening villains in movie history.
SLC Punk! (1998)
Lillard led the 1998 comedy-drama SLC Punk!, following his character Stevo, a college graduate punk living in Salt Lake City in the mid-’80s.
With a dramatically potent performance, Lillard portrayed his role with vulnerability and anger, showing a more grounded and serious side compared to his portrayal of Stu in Scream. While the film received mixed reviews, Lillard was widely praised for elevating it with his strong acting.
She’s All That (1999)
Things went in a very different direction for Lillard when he joined the cast of the ’90s teen rom-com She’s All That. While he only played the secondary role of Brock Hudson, the obnoxious reality-TV-star boyfriend of one of the mean girls, his performance was nonetheless memorable.
As one of the most famous teen films of its time, She’s All That helped Lillard break into mainstream teen cinema, proving that he could take on any role beyond horror and edgy indie films.
Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
Lillard returned to horror movies in Steve Beck’s remake of William Castle’s 1960 original Thirteen Ghosts.
But compared to his role as Stu in Scream, his character, Dennis Rafkin, brought nervous energy and genuine fear as he navigated a haunted house full of ghosts. So, while fans were used to seeing him as shocking or funny, here he carried tension and suspense.
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Lillard became synonymous with the role of Norville “Shaggy” Rogers when he led the live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo in 2002.
His comedic timing, goofy mannerisms, and warmth made the movie beloved by many. In fact, he was even praised for being “uncannily spot-on.” With that, Lillard once again proved his versatility, transitioning from horror to a fan-favorite animated character. He even went on to voice Shaggy after Casey Kasem retired from the role in 2009.
Trouble with the Curve (2012)
Lillard also did sports drama in Robert Lorenz’s Trouble with the Curve. Playing the role of Johnny Flanagan, a baseball scout alongside Clint Eastwood, he shows careful acting and supports a story focused on human emotion and guidance.
While this may be new for Lillard, he still managed to make it through. His performance proves that he can handle a range of roles beyond what fans typically expect.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Lillard gained renewed recognition when he played another villain, Steve Raglan / William Afton, in Five Nights at Freddy’s.
The film tapped into his horror roots, though with a modern twist, proving he’s one of the most seasoned antagonists in Hollywood. That said, it’s no surprise that The Hollywood Reporter praised his return to mainstream popular culture after joining this horror video game adaptation and returning to a major horror franchise nearly three decades after Scream.
The Life of Chuck (2025)
Despite only appearing briefly as Marty’s (Tom Hiddleston) neighbor, Gus, in Mike Flanagan’s fantasy drama The Life of Chuck, Lillard’s character is undeniably full of humanity.
Sure, he only portrays a supporting role, but he receives positive reviews for his grounded performance, adding emotional weight and subtlety even in limited screen time. Over the years, this film shows Lillard’s growth as an actor, showcasing his nuance beyond just comedy or horror roles.
From a character actor, Lillard proves he can surprise viewers with his performances, showing that he remains both versatile and relevant despite others’ opinions of him.
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