Top 10 Non-Horror Movie Jump Scares
Sometimes a solid scare comes when we least expect it. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 jump scares in non-horror movies. For this list, we're looking at jump scares that were inserted into movies generally considered not to be of the horror genre, meaning this was one of, if not the only, scare in the whole movie. We've chosen what we felt were the most effective jump scares and based them on the intensity of the jump.
Special thanks to our users Thomas Mitchell Friend, DraginX13 and TheDirje for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 10 Non-Horror Movie Jump Scares
Top 10 Horror Movie Jump Scares
Sometimes a solid scare comes when we least expect it. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 jump scares in non-horror movies. For this list, we’re looking at jump scares that were inserted into movies generally considered not to be of the horror genre, meaning this was likely one of the only scares in the whole movie. Any genre other than horror is fair game. We’ve chosen what we felt were the most effective jump scares and based them on the intensity of the jump. If you didn’t see one you thought should be on the list, be sure to check out our video on the Top 10 Horror Movie Jump Scares.
#10: Hello, Harry “Spider-Man 2” (2004)
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We’re at the Osborns where Harry is obsessing over his late father’s death and the search for his killer. It’s a dark and stormy night, with lightning and thunder in the distance, and while taking a drink on the balcony, the young man begins to hear loud noises of mysterious origin. As he slowly peers over the ledge, the camera pans over him, when suddenly a large metallic tentacle pops up and grabs the drink outta the Oscorp employee’s hand. Doc Ock wants his precious tritium and thanks to some loud music and the help of his new mechanical arms, he makes a grand entrance – jolting us all awake in the process.
#9: Laura’s Room “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (1992)
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When you watch a film by David Lynch, you know it’s going to have some freaky stuff. This prequel-slash-sequel to the television series chronicles the final weeks of Laura Palmer’s life. In this scene, she comes home, hears a strange noise, and goes to investigate, which results in the discovery of Killer BOB in her room. The moment is scary due to the silence of the scene before it, the tension brought through Laura’s search, and the very loud reveal of BOB. And then there’s the idea of someone hiding in your room, which is downright freaky!
#8: Car Scene “Harry and the Hendersons” (1987)
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This fantasy comedy, about a family finding Bigfoot and taking him home, is a children’s movie, and quite an innocent one at that, but that doesn’t stop it from having at least one good jump. In this scene, George and his family have just hit an unknown creature while driving home, when it suddenly “comes alive” and screams into the windshield. It’s a very unexpected moment, as we get no warning about the creature waking up, and the combination of its sudden appearance, the growl, and the sharp music combine to make us jump right out of our seats along with the Hendersons.
#7: Alien in the Window “Signs” (2002)
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Exploring the topic of aliens, this sci-fi thriller about an ex-priest who is convinced extra-terrestrials are making crop circles in his field is bound to have at least one good scare, and it certainly delivers. This scene depicts a home-shot birthday party in which a green alien suddenly darts across the background. The tension throughout the rest of the film lets the audience know that something is bound to happen, and the fact that this is “Signs”’ first true sighting of an alien only adds to the horror of the moment.
#6: God-Awful Feeling “Mulholland Drive” (2001)
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Hey, look, another David Lynch movie! This neo-noir mystery with its cryptic narrative about an aspiring actress features some terrifically surreal scenes. That includes this one, in which a person tells his friend of a dream he had about a man behind the diner. When they go to check it out, sure enough... This jump scare works due to our sheer confusion about the scene itself, our disbelief that there will actually be anyone there, and the appearance of the mysterious figure complete with creepy music. Damnit David, you got us again.
#5: Large Marge “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)
It’s a children’s film, so you can’t expect any big scares, now can you? Well, it was directed by Tim Burton, so... yes. This adventure comedy follows Pee-wee Herman as he hitchhikes across country to find his stolen bike. Along the way, he meets a truck driver who changes into... something. The scene builds in tension, but it’s the scare itself that is so effective. Her face is so unexpectedly frightening, and the fact that it’s directly aimed at the camera makes it seem like a personal attack in an already freaky scene.
#4: Hanging Around “The Dark Knight” (2008)
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The 2nd installment in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman” film series, depicting the famous Dark Knight battling the Joker in Gotham, has its share of disturbing sequences. It is this scene though, where the Mayor asks Dent if he wants to be the city’s target, that gets our vote for the freakiest. Just after looking out the window, the Mayor is surprised to see a figure resembling Batman bang on the window with a noose tied around his neck. It is completely unexpected, and the loud music in the otherwise silent scene makes the moment even more startling.
#3: The Power of the Ring “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
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The Precious has some terrifying powers. In this scene from the first “Lord of the Rings” movie, Bilbo is giving his precious ring to nephew Frodo. However, as we know, the ring has some drawing power. We quickly find out that Bilbo isn’t actually that ready to let it go, so as Bilbo reaches for it, his face turns demonic in the process. The scare is elevated by the peaceful quality of the preceding scene, and the loud screeching sound that comes with very little warning. It doesn’t help that what Bilbo’s face turns into is downright terrifying.
#2: Back in Business “Jurassic Park” (1993)
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This movie is about dinosaurs that have been brought to life through genetic cloning, and as a result, they’re also hunting humans. So you just know it’s going to have some freaky stuff. In this scene, Ellie is overjoyed that the power is back on, when suddenly, velociraptor! The moment comes at a time of joy, so the scare is that much more impactful and unexpected. Running away, she finally thinks she’s found safety when “Mr. Arnold” appears – but in actuality, it’s Mr. Arnold that needs a hand! And, if that’s not enough, another velociraptor appears right away! It’s a one-two-three-punch of scares. Give us a break please! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - Payphone Call “Arlington Road” (1999) - Professor Trelawney’s Prediction “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
#1: Sloth Wakes Up “Se7en” (1995)
This psychological thriller, in which a pair of detectives follows a serial killer whose MO is to kill based on the seven deadly sins, has its fair share of very disturbing moments. But it’s this scene that left us reeling. Here, the victim representing Sloth is tied up in bed, seemingly dead, and then suddenly coughs and takes a breath. The scene’s made even more impactful due to the makeup effects. Sloth is grotesque, and seeing him come alive and start screaming within the silence of the room got our hearts pumping - and it still freaks us out today. Do you agree with your list? What non-horror movie jump scare scares the most? For more intense top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.