Scariest Movie Scenes
Happy Halloween!Warning: Do not watch any of these clips if you don't want to ruin the scene or if you don't have a pair of clean underwear handy. Note: these are the scariest movie scenes, not the scariest movies. Also, there is not much gore in this list because gore is not scary. It's the build-up and release of tension that is scary. Hitchcock was the master of this. It's too bad that modern horror has lost the formula.
1)
Mulholland Drive - The Diner Scene (video)I nearly had a heart attack when I first saw this. The YouTube clip is rather low quality. I suggest that you watch the original and have a change of drawers nearby. It's perfectly paced. David Lynch tells you exactly what is coming, but it's still the scariest scene ever.
2)
Twin Peaks - Ronette's Dream (video)This is kinda cheating since Twin Peaks is a TV miniseries. Still, Bob is the scariest villain ever put on screen. This scene, where Ronette wakes up from her coma to a horrific hypnogogic hallucination/nightmare, slightly edges the Maddy scene, the final 10 minutes of season 2, and the scene with Laura and Ronette in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, but all four scenes are terrifying.
3)
Jacob's Ladder - Hospital Hell (video)It's your worst nightmare materialized on-screen.
4)
Exorcist III - Night Shift (video)Turn the speakers up loud. And have a defibrillator nearby. Classic and stylish jump scare scene.
5)
The Shining - The Twins (video)"Come and play with us. Come and play with us, Danny. Forever... and ever... and ever." Scarier still is Danny talking to "Tony".
6)
IT - Georgie (video)If you are scared of clowns, do not watch this.
7)
Psycho - Shower Scene (video)This is probably not as scary as it was in 1960, but it is so meticulously crafted by Hitchcock that I had to include it in the top 10. It is the standard by which all other scary scenes are judged.
8)
Carrie - Ending (video)The first time you watch this film, and even afterward, the end will get you.
9)
Poltergeist - Clown in the Bedroom (video)More clown bashing, sorry. Check underneath the bed. No, nothing there...
10)
Salem's Lot - Window (video)This is a really creepy scene that will give you nightmares. Any time there is a storm and something scratching at the window...
Honorable mentions:
Eye Scenes
There's something about eyes...
A Clockwork Orange, Un Chien Andalou, and Zombi 2 Alien - Birth (video)Probably not as scary these days because it's been parodied to death, most famously in
Spaceballs. Deliverance - Squeal Like a Pig (video)Not a horror film, but this infamous scene deserves a spot on this list.
Don't Look Now - Ending (video)The ending is much better if you understand the context of the protagonist searching for his daughter in the red coat.
The Evil Dead - Tree Scene
The infamous tree scene is still shocking today. No clip available. Sorry.
The Exorcist - Father Karras' Dream (video)This scene captures the essence of a nightmare quite well and is a nice contrast to the shock value of the rest of the film. The death face is pretty creepy too. Runner-up:
Help Me. Hannibal - Brain Scene (video)Food for thought. Or thought for food.
Irreversible - You Know The Scene
Controversial and chilling. No clip available. Sorry.
A Nightmare on Elm Street - Phone Scene (video)I don't find Freddy to be scary. But the phone scene is quite creepy.
The Omen - Nanny Scene (video)Quite a scary and realistic scene. It must have been really shocking in 1976.
Pet Semetary - Gage Scenes (video)It's amazing they got away with filming these scenes.
Requiem For A Dream - Montage (video)Probably the most effective anti-drug education you can get is watching this film and the depressing ending. Brilliant montage by Aronofsky.
Ringu - Well Girl (video)The Japanese version is scarier than the remake, but the scene is not that scary out of context.
Se7en - Sloth (video)Se7en is more creepy than scary, but the jump scare in the sloth scene may require a change of undergarments.
The Sixth Sense - Kyra's poisoning
No clip available. Sorry.
Suspiria - Ending (video)Actually, the last 15 minutes of this are some of the best in horror.
Trilogy of Terror- Zuni Fetish Doll Ending (video)I cannot believe that this was a made-for-TV movie. This is ten times scarier than Chucky, but also kinda funny as well. You can watch the entire mini-movie on Youtube.
Wild Strawberries - Dream (video)Not a horror movie, but a highly effective dream sequence from the Swedish auteur.
Have other suggestions? Post your recommendations!
DJMonsterMo | 3:12 PM | 
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