This Iconic Horror’s Streaming Success Makes One Star’s Comeback Even Better

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Matthew Lillard's Dennis screams in Thirteen Ghosts

Published Jan 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

Cathal Gunning has been writing about movies, television, culture, and politics online and in print since 2017. He worked as a Senior Editor in Adbusters Media Foundation from 2018-2019 and wrote for WhatCulture in early 2020. He has been a Senior Features Writer for ScreenRant since 2020.

While Thir13en Ghosts isn’t the best ‘00s horror movie ever made, its streaming success does prove that star Matthew Lillard is a genre legend. The titular thirteen ghosts of 2001’s remake Thir13en Ghosts are arguably the most memorable part of the otherwise passable horror movie, but their unique character design isn’t all the project has going for it.

A remake of the William Castle movie of the same name from 1960, Thir13en Ghosts stars Tony Shalhoub, Matthew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth, and Embeth Davidtz. The movie’s story sees a wealthy family enter the labyrinthine mansion of their relative after his death as thye hope to inherit his fortune. Unfortunately for them, the home also houses his collection of ghosts.

Thir13en Ghosts Proves Matthew Lillard Is A Horror Legend

Arthur and Kathy walking in the hall in Thirteen Ghosts.

While the ghosts of Thir13en Ghosts are unexpectedly creepy, the movie’s grating soundtrack and hyperactive early ‘00s editing neuter its scare factor. The characters are likably campy, and there are one or two great deaths, but the remake never quite decides whether Thir13en Ghosts wants to be a self-aware horror or a grimmer, more self-serious affair.

That said, one performance stands out above the rest, and it comes from an actor who has repeatedly proven themselves a horror legend before and since the movie’s release. Matthew Lillard plays the surprisingly sympathetic psychic medium Dennis, and he brings the same charisma and offbeat verve from his other screen roles to the part.

Lillard’s undeniable screen presence elevates Thir13en Ghosts, mixing the mania of his Scream villain Stu Macher with the sweetness of his Scooby-Doo hero Shaggy Rogers. Lillard’s love of horror dates back to his earliest screen roles in 1991’s horror comedy sequel Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College and 1994’s Serial Mom.

Matthew Lillard’s Horror Comeback Has Proven His Icon Status

Matthew Lillard as William Afton clasping his hands together in Five Nights At Freddy's

While Scream was the actor’s star-making role, 1998’s underrated dark comedy thriller The Curve reinforced Lillard’s taste for darker projects. As well as his many Scooby-Doo movies, Lillard appeared in 2009’s slasher Messages Deleted and the 2014 horror comedy Bloodsucking Bastards.

However, it was not until 2023’s record-breaking Five Nights at Freddy’s movie cast him as its main villain that Lillard’s horror movie comeback began in earnest. Since then, he has not only reprised that role in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, but is also set to cameo in Scream 7.

As if his horror credentials needed any more reinforcement, Lillard also appeared in a supporting role in the 2017 revival of David Lynch’s iconic horror mystery Twin Peaks. As such, it should come as no surprise that viewers are now seeking out his scene-stealing role in 2001’s Thir13en Ghosts.