My Favorite Final Girl

by Matt Forgit

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 Scarbrough, Elijah Koh Poff, and Mike Nastri.

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2026

About the author

Matt Forgit lives and writes in New England. His interests include spending time with friends and family, annoying his better half, trying to be a cool uncle, scary stuff, movies, television shows, music, reading, eating, board games, creepy folklore, urban legends, spooky history, abandoned places, castles, islands, cabins in the woods, being near the ocean, and the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. He is terrible with social media, dreams of owning a haunted bed and breakfast atop a cliffside overlooking the sea, hopes that someday Chopping Mall: The Musical becomes a reality, and doesn't normally talk about himself in the third person. For updates, random thoughts, horror recommendations, and general nonsense, please like and follow “Matt Forgit Author” on Facebook.

Reviews

[Shannon White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so so loved reading these essays! There is such a wide variety of perspectives and approaches to celebrating each final girl! The in between chapters are also delightful—quizzes, hat tips to final girls who didn’t make the cut… I feel like this is an essential book for anyone who loves the history of horror.

[Karen Oldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

60+ essays each about a different final girl, by as many authors plus some amazing extras.

New perspectives on old favorite movies and now I have a list of some that I must watch for the first time.

Character art for each essay, final girl history & trivia, an old school which final girl are you personality test (I got Jess) An ask a final girl advice column… this was a lot of fun to read and would make a gorgeous gift for the horror fan in your life.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Final Girl is a collection of essays written by 60+ authors celebrating the history of final girls in cinema over the decades.

I really want to gush about this book because it truly is an amazing collection of essays. I enjoyed reading about how each final girl holds a special place in someone's heart. The resilience and survivor vibes throughout the book are quite empowering.

To make the book even more fun are the extra features sprinkled throughout. Each final girl has a piece of art as an identifier for the essay. There are final girl facts, honorable mentions, a spotify playlist, an advice column, and a 'which final girl are you?' quiz. - I got Jess from Black Christmas.

This book made me feel nostalgic for late night sleepovers and horror movies. It also made me excited to imagine what future final girls we have not yet had the pleasure to experience in cinema.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I read this, I’m stuck thinking what my favorite final girl is. Categorized info different decades, this super fun essay collection asks people from a wide range of backgrounds to yap about their favorite final girl. We got authors, podcasters, book sellers, and your average horror lover. There was also cool trivia questions dispersed throughout, making it enjoyable and unique.