My Top Scariest Movie "Scenes" Ever

For this year's Halloween, I will list, not my top 10 scariest movies, but my top 10 scariest movie scenes. If you exclude all the "jump scares" from movies (most of which are fake scares), making such a list wouldn't be too difficult - because you're listing scenes that have created the most excruciating tension/suspense you've ever experienced, without necessarily being gory or macabre.

So here it is, in order of production year, with the scene included. Would love to hear yours:


1. Spider walk, from The Exorcist (1973):

2. Discovering the truth, and Mrs. Baylock, The Omen (1976):

3. Twins in the hallway, The Shining (1980):

(This was the greatest movie scare of all time. No competition.)


4. The hobbling scene, Misery (1990):

5. Candyman appearing, Candyman (1992):

6. "Hey, come on", from The Sixth Sense (1999):

(Admittedly a jump scare, but still unique.)

7. Samara crawling out of the TV, The Ring (2002):

(Okay, this makes a pretty good argument for #1 also.)

8. The empty orphanage, The Orphanage (2007):

9. Door moves an inch, Paranormal Activity (2007):

Clip unavailable. This clip of the door slamming shut is on YouTube, but in terms of scariness, pales in comparison to the scene I have in mind, which occurs far earlier in the movie.


10. The 16 minute tent scene, Willow Creek (2013):

(Just a 5 minute taste.)