Jamie Kirsten Howard is an actor, producer, podcaster, badass, and 100% that girl. You might know her from the web series Grounds. Or, maybe you caught her as the lead in Our First Priority, for which she picked up some more acting awards. She has also done a ton of voice work in addition to hosting How Did You Get Here? and Bloody Broads podcasts. I have also been fortunate to have Jamie perform some of my work. Needless to say, our girl stays busy and is one of the people who hustles harder than I do.
Aside from being one of my absolute favorite people, she also knows the genre better than most. I could listen to her do script analyses for days! We have been besties for years, and I know she has taste. However, even I was not expecting this list to be this iconic. Brace yourself because Jamie Howard’s five favorite films might melt your face off.
Scream (1996 – 2000)
Where You Can Watch: Max
Masked killers terrorize a teen near the first anniversary of her mother’s murder. I knew Scream would be on Jamie Thee Howard’s list. Like a good millennial, she is an expert on the franchise and has been on one of my podcasts once or twice to talk about it. I even suspected she knew I would let anyone cheat this listicle for this franchise. However, I did not expect her to list the whole damn trilogy. We both agree that all the Scream movies have been great (so far), and we are fans of the late Wes Craven. So, it makes sense that this trilogy would kick off her list of favorite movies.
Opera (1987)
Where You Can Watch: Fandango At Home, Shudder, and Tubi
An obsessed fan begins stalking an opera singer and killing the people around her. I am not surprised Jamie Howard added this iconic Dario Argento film to her list. After all, she has taste. We have also talked about this one quite a lot, and she covered it on Bloody Broads with one of my other favorites. It is a whole mood! More importantly, I would kill to see Jamie in a Giallo of this caliber. A piece of cinema that is expensive, grand, and unhinged in all the right ways. I have seen this movie a few times, but now I want to double-feature it with Scream because of this list. Betty and Sidney Prescott have a few things in common, and I think they should also share my next Saturday.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Where You Can Watch: Freevee, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
Five friends find chainsaw-wielding trouble during a road trip through Texas. This Tobe Hooper title makes me think Jamie is here for the truly iconic films. The genre movies that reset the culture when they came out and immediately made names for themselves in the horror Hall of Fame. I love that because this list is all hits and no fillers. However, these movies also have the type of roles she would kill at as an actor. I wonder how many of these characters are on her vision board.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A zombie apocalypse breaks out, forcing a small band of survivors to seek refuge in a shopping mall. I knew this was one of Jamie’s favorite zombie movies. It is arguably even the best within this beloved George A. Romero franchise. We have also spent countless hours fangirling about Ken Foree’s performance in this film. So, I should not be surprised this is on the list. This series changed the zombie game, and this installment specifically has a lot to unpack regarding consumerism, racism, and so much more. This title confirms Ms. Howard is here for the biggest horror moments.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018 Series)
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
A fractured family confronts their haunting past and the terrifying events that drove them from their home. This was the first time Mike Flanagan and Netflix shook the horror community. Again, my friend loves an iconic moment in horror history. This series also has a ton of roles for badasses like herself, and now I want to remake it posthaste. I also love that Jamie picked a television series that is definitely in conversation with the family trauma of some of the films on her list. When it comes to Flanagan’s resume, this is the correct choice.
I knew Jamie Howard would understand the assignment. However, I did not predict she would kill it this effortlessly. This icon strolled in here with one of the most unimpeachable lists we have ever published. We must stan. Not only is my favorite one of the best friends you can make during a pandemic, but she is also a tastemaker.
Jamie Kirsten Howard is obviously one of your favorites now. So, you should follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and her new Linktree. You should also check out her podcasts How Did You Get Here? and Bloody Broads while you are obsessed with my bestie.
