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Classic Hollywood stars, known for their work in other genres, also took on roles in horror movies, delivering iconic performances. Famous actresses like Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Crawford showcased their talent in psychological horror films, proving their versatility. Notable actors such as Charlton Heston and Gregory Peck dipped their toes into the horror genre, adding depth to their filmography.

Many actors choose to stay away from horror movies for different reasons, so it might come as a surprise that some classic Hollywood actors, known for their works in other genres, appeared in at least one horror movie. The horror genre has seen a variety of actors, many of them known for their performances in other genres, while others dedicate most of their careers to appearing in scary movies. However, what might seem surprising to many, is to know that some classic Hollywood stars also gave the horror genre a chance at some point.

Though the title of writer-director Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke" makes it sound like a proper name, it's really a nickname and translation preserving the loaded word mononoke from the movie's Japanese title, "Mononoke-hime" (with hime meaning "princess"). Mononoke is an umbrella term that covers a whole plethora of wrathful spirits in Japanese folklore, which makes the title of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's 1997 animated classic more akin to something like "Princess of the Angry Gods."

That's one key thing that might help the viewer "see with eyes unclouded" — like the cursed prince, Ashitaka — and thereby understand the ending of "Princess Mononoke" a little better. In his original project proposal for "Princess Mononoke," Miyazaki hinted at the nature of that ending (which we'll be analyzing here with spoilers), saying, "There cannot be a happy ending to the fight between the raging gods and humans. However, even in the middle of hatred and killings,...