Some people absolutely love horror movies, while others watch through their fingers covering their eyes. Either way, a common characteristic of the best horror movies is that they leave an impression long after the film has ended. There might be shocking horror movie scenes that hit way too close to home, and others that are so outlandish they might not ring true, but, if they’re scary enough, they’ll stick in viewers’ minds and alter their day-to-day life immensely.

The number of times a feeling of dread creeps in while swimming in the sea, and the famed John Williams score starts playing in one’s head. Or there might be a creak heard throughout the house that evokes feelings of paranormal activities in the night. Staring at a shadow on the ceiling probably isn’t a good idea either, in case the Babadook rears its ugly head. Still other terrifying horror movies make one not want to leave the house ever again. Whatever the scare was, it’s bound to make anyone think twice before letting the monsters in.

10

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Waking up at 3am and making sure you don’t smell burning

Any film that includes themes of demonic possession is bound to send shivers down the spine. Not only are any exorcism scenes truly disturbing, but there is usually a lot going on that signifies there are evil forces at play. There have been many films that feature this particular horror trope, but the specifics of this Laura Linney fright fest stuck out to a whole generation. The story of the doomed тιтular Emily Rose is told through flashbacks, as a lawyer takes on the case of her wrongful death.

As can be expected, the deeper she gets into the mystery and the more she learns about the demons that plagued Emily, the more she starts to notice similarities to her experiences as well as others connected to the case. One of them is constantly waking up at exactly 3am and smelling a strong scent of burning. Suffice it to say, anyone who has watched this film and happened to ever wake up at exactly 3am would have had a hard time getting back to sleep afterward.

9

Child’s Play (1988)

Not purchasing lifelike dolls

There have been many horror films featuring killer dolls and various other toys. Annabelle and M3GAN are some of the more recent ᴅᴇᴀᴅly figurines, but Chucky from the Child’s Play franchise holds a very special place among the murderous playthings. This iconic redhead brought many frights across his abundant franchise, and each installment serves as a reminder to never get any toys that are too lifelike and interactive.

It’s extremely easy to misplace things and forget where they were last put down, but when it comes to dolls, it comes with an extra bit of dread. Because, if there’s no doubt that it was on the chair at 9am, but somehow at 7pm it ends up on the bed, the mind goes straight to the notion that it came to life and moved all on its own. And that disturbing thought is all thanks to the knife-wielding doll from the 1980s.

8

Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Never helping anyone with their furniture and vans

As one of the very few horror-themed films to get so much awards recognition, Silence of the Lambs is a bona fide classic that should be seen, studied, and seen again. The performances from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins are incredible, and Buffallo Bill remains one of the most disturbing serial killers of the silver screen.

One of the most frightening scenes is when Jame Gumb abducts Catherine Martin. Viewers know something terrible is about to happen, yet they’re still shocked when it actually occurs. As he pretends to be injured and struggling with moving a sofa out of his van, Gumb asks the woman for help. Even though it’s dark, the proximity to home, and his apparently broken arm make her feel safe enough to help him, and willingly get in. Seeing as she ended up in a hole, awaiting to be skinned, many viewers won’t be quite as keen to help strangers with vans.

7

The Omen (1976)

Being wary of creepy children

The trope of a spooky child gazing wistfully into the darkness, or saying very strange and macabre things is one of the most disturbing ones in horror. There is something about that perceived innocence that’s replaced with evil that makes it particularly chilling. Damien is one of the most famous of the creepy children, having wreaked havoc in multiple The Omen installments. It’s a combination of all the bad things he is willing to do with the protectiveness of his parents that makes him so dangerous.

Many adults refuse to believe such a young child could be the cause of all the bad things happening around them, but, as The Exorcist, The Ring, and Hereditary have all proved, it’s better not to ᴀssume everything is OK. Spooky youths are some of the scariest villains of the genre, and many people remain wary of children who may or may not have a 666 mark somewhere upon their person.

6

Blair Witch Project (1999)

Avoiding going deep into the woods

Ever since a group of young people wandered into the forest with their camera and the desperate need to solve a mystery, audiences have been wary of the woods, and the horrors they might hold. The unique documentary-style format and improv-laden script made it all feel so real. Seeing only snippets of the horrors happening, and having to fill in the gaps was perhaps what made The Blair Witch Project so genuinely terrifying, right up to its ending. Then there were the guttural screams and jerky camera movements that made for an immersive experience.

This oft-referenced movie not only spawned a sequel, but it influenced a lot of horror films that followed. The naturalistic approach to filmmaking resonated extremely well and was implemented in many future projects. The suspense and fear of the unknown were also aspects that made the movie so special and also ensured most people think twice before heading off into the forest, even to this day.

5

It (2017)

Avoiding storm drains and clowns

Both the movie and miniseries did a great disservice to clowns as well as storm drains. Stephen King’s terrifying tale of Pennywise, the murderous jester who lures young people into his web of death, has had a huge impact on audiences ever since it first came out. Coulrophobia may have existed way before the story of It, but the story most certainly helped perpetuate the fear and maybe even affect many more people than before.

As far as scary opening sequences go, the scene from this film is up there as one of the best. When a young boy gets enticed by the eerie clown into the nearly flooded storm drain, viewers were shocked that a child met their demise so early on in the story. Having a figure that is normally meant to spread laughter and balloons do such grizzly things was also incredibly disconcerting as a premise. And, both Alexander Skarsgård and Tim Curry were able to imbue his painted features with more terror and menace than the makeup ever could.

4

Psycho (1960)

Checking behind shower curtains

One of the most famous horror thrillers of all time, this Alfred Hitchcock classic broke all the rules. Audiences would never have expected the main protagonist to meet their end at all, let alone halfway through the movie. And, the death scene remains one of the most iconic and referenced scenes in the history of cinema. Janet Leigh’s scream is the stuff of legend, and she would, no doubt, be very proud of her daughter being one of the most prolific “scream queens” of her generation.

Norman Bates was such a fascinating antagonist, with Anthony Perkins turning in one of the best performances in an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and his unhealthy relationship with his “mother” is one that has been picked apart and studied many times over. The shower scene is so terrifying because Marion is in her most vulnerable state. Not only is she on the run and trying to find sanctuary, but she is completely naked and defenseless. The power of this scene has made many people do double takes at their bathroom doors whenever they’re in the shower.

3

The Strangers (2008)

Triple ᴅᴇᴀᴅbolting the doors

Many horror films feature home invasions. Killers hiding in closets, around dark corners, or under the bed was nothing new when The Strangers came out, and people were on high alert already. But, it managed to take this vigilance and fear to another level. The fact that the perpetrators seemingly had no particular motive to attack other than “because they were home”, made viewers feel unsafe at the thought of being at their own homes. One’s house or apartment is meant to be a sanctuary, so to have someone actively attack it with no underlying reason is absolutely horrifying.

Many people have an irrational fear of being unsure of whether they locked up after leaving the house, but to feel fear inside the home is another level. Therefore, the only thing to do is triple lock the doors, put the chain on and perhaps set up some sort of booby trap at the entrance. In modern times, cameras outside certainly help, but what this film has shown, is that where there’s a will, there’s certainly a way.

2

Scream (1996)

Avoiding unknown numbers

When Wes Craven’s iconic franchise began, it rewrote the rules of horror. With its unrelenting wit and refreshing self-awareness, it established the new normal that would so many subsequent movies for decades to come. From pop-culture-influenced murderers, to having a clear set of guidelines as to what helps someone survive a serial killer, audiences were presented with a lot to unpack. The manner of the murders was very much one of those things.

Many of the most gruesome and terrifying deaths were preceded by an ominous phone call from the Ghostface killer. Casey, Cici and Cotton were all lured into a false sense of security before they were brutally slain, and whenever a phone rang during the film, viewers would feel an uncomfortable sense of dread. In later installments, this evolved into texts, voice modifiers, and cloned phone numbers, but that very first wrong number answered by Drew Barrymore made people avoid getting into lengthy conversations with strangers for a very long time.

1

Final Destination (2000)

Watching out for killer inanimate objects

One of the biggest influences that affected people has got to be driving behind a lumber truck. While it’s certainly not the only film to feature deaths attributed to this type of vehicle, but it seems to be the most influential. A whole generation of viewers will change lanes immediately after noticing one of these trucks, and any new viewer of the Final Destination franchise will definitely bear it in mind too. But, with five movies and counting, there are many other seemingly regular things that can cause harm.

From tanning beds and roller coasters to ladders and pool drains, nowhere was safe for the doomed characters of the film series. Each new installment upped the ante, with more and more elaborate sequences that all contributed to someone’s untimely demise. It was always a fascinating mystery to solve as to how each character would die, with many red herrings and jump scares. But, the legacy of these iconic films will always be the fact that anyone who has seen them will think twice before booking that laser eye appointment or going to the gym.