The A Nightmare on Elm Street cast features Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund and Johnny Depp. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Wes Craven’s 1984 movie on HBO Max. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

A Nightmare on Elm Street centers on American teenagers who get targeted by a violent ghost. As Nancy Thompson recovers from her best friend’s sudden death, she experiences nightmares in which an entity tries to kill her. The narrative follows the main protagonist as she learns the truth about a child murderer named Fred Krueger. Here’s every actor and character in A Nightmare on Elm Street, the first installment of the horror movie franchise.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson

Character Profile: The main protagonist who strategizes against a ghost. She nearly dies during a bathroom attack. Nancy uses dream logic to defend herself.

Langenkamp’s Resume: Beth in Passions (1984), Marie Lubbock in Just the Ten of Us (1988-90), Amy Boutilier Marie in Growing Pains (1988-90), Dr. Georgina Stanton/Detective Black in The Midnight Club (2022), Vera in The Life of Chuck (2024)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: Robert Englund as Fred Krueger

Character Profile: A child murderer. He killed 20 kids in the past but managed to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Fred emerges as a violent ghost after getting burned alive.

Englund’s Resume: Harry in Dead & Buried (1981), Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street Movie Franchise (1984-), Willie in V (1984-85), Aetherak in Dota: Dragon’s Blood (2021-), Victor Creel in Stranger Things (2022)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: Johnny Depp as Glen Lantz

Character Profile: Nancy’s boyfriend. He assists with a dream logic investigation. Glen offers advice to Nancy about how to defeat Fred Krueger.

Depp’s Resume: Officer Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street (1987-90), Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movie Franchise (2003-17), Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), John Dillinger in Public Enemies (2009)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: Ronee Blakley as Marge Thompson

Character Profile: Nancy’s mother. She worries about her daughter’s sleeping disorder. Marge is skeptical of Nancy’s dream logic.

Blakley’s Resume: Barbara Jean in Nashville (1975), The Connection in The Driver (1978), Carolina Red in The Baltimore Bullet (1980), Faith in Murder by Numbers (1989), The Ingenue in Rolling Thunder Revue (2019)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: John Saxon as Lt. Thompson

Character Profile: Nancy’s father. He is a police officer who worries about his daughter’s mental health. Lt. Thompson helps Nancy strategize against Fred Krueger.

Saxon’s Resume: Roper in Enter the Dragon (1973), Lt. Ken Fuller in Black Christmas (1974), Henry Waxman in Melrose Place (1994-95), FBI Agent Stanley Chase in From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Victor Vallient in The Extra (2017)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Cast: Amanda Wyss as Tina Gray

Character Profile: Nancy’s best friend. She is a teenager who experiences nightmares. Tina dies during the opening act.

Wyss’ Resume: Beth Curtis in Cheers (1985-86), Phoebe in Silverado (1985), Randi MacFarland in Highlander (1992-93), Meridith Lane in The Id (2015), Alice Hollenbeck in Badland (2019)

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The A Nightmare on Elm Street cast also includes:

• Jsu Garcia as Rod Lane
• Charles Fleischer as Dr. King
• Joseph Whipp as Sgt. Parker
• Joe Unger as Sgt. Garcia
• Ed Call as Mr. Lantz
• Sandy Lipton as Mrs. Lantz
• Donna Woodrum as Tina’s Mom
• Paul Grenier as Tina’s Mom’s Boyfriend
• David Andrews as Foreman
• Jeff Levine as Coroner

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.