My Favorite Final Girl

SHE SURVIVES. SHE ALWAYS DOES.

She fights her way out of the babysitting gig, the backwoods, the campground, the nightmares, the party, the sorority house, the spaceship. She battles the evil that wants to destroy her and lives to tell the tale. She is the Final Girl. For decades, she has been horror’s most enduring icon.

In My Favorite Final Girl, sixty-one horror authors, creators, and enthusiasts each choose the Final Girl who left the biggest impression on them, championing her lasting impact and making the case for why she matters. Together, these essays spotlight her astonishing evolution and cultural influence—honoring the trailblazing, trendsetting heroines of horror cinema history, and exploring what makes these characters so beloved, significant, and relevant.

This is a celebration of the smart, strong, brave, capable, resourceful, resilient, and complex women in horror who conquered your worst nightmares.

Turn the page. She’s waiting for you.

Featuring essays from Clay McLeod Chapman, Candace Nola, Phrique, Christa Carmen, Besu Tadesse, Cassandra Celia, Sean McDonough, Victoria Dalpe, D.A. Latham, Ben Young, Caleb Jones, Erica Summers, Dorian J. Sinnott, Mick Collins, Asher Dark, Brennan LaFaro, Jason Nickey, Eric Butler, Laura Bilodeau, Royal Poff, Amanda MDNR Warner, James G. Carlson, Cat Voleur, T.L. Beeding, Douglas Hackle, Joseph Pesavento, Matt Brandenburg, Aimee Nicole, Sam Rebelein, R.C. Hill, Rob Novellin, Kirsten Noelle Craig, Jack Pendleton, Angelique Jordonna, Katrina Thornley, Nicole Mello, Megan M. Ruggiero, Brandin Whetstone, Garry Medeiros, Shannon White, Brian Sheldon, Phoebe Simon, Chana Odom, Jim Groves, Frank Mandosa, Jared Rohrer, Julie Forgit, Bret Laurie, MK Oldman, Amanda Novellin, Jessica Simon, Joshua Dahlin, Aaron Reid, Erica Sheldon, Abby Sinclair, Dave Lizotte, Benaga Laurel, Jarrod Scarborough, Elijah Koh Poff, and Mike Nastri.