Top 10 Fake Jump Scares in Movies
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Top 10 False Scares in Movies
Top 20 Terrifying Horror Movies That DON'T Rely On Jump Scares
When you're being hunted it's easy to get scared by just about anything. For this list we're looking at the best jump scares caused by something or someone non-threatening, as well as those high-tension sequences that turn out better than anticipated. It will include scares from films such as “The Exorcist” (1973), “Zombieland” (2009) and “Aliens” (2009). Our choices are based on a mix of scares, character reactions and the ingenuity used to make something mundane terrifying. Which false scare do you believe is the best? Let us know in the comments!
#10: The Attic
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"The Exorcist" (1973) With enough suspense and not nearly enough light, even a breeze can be scary. When Chris decides to investigate a noise in her attic, all she has to light the way is a measly candle. Exploring the messy and noticeably rat-free space, she becomes very concerned with what caused all the ruckus in the first place. When something rattles again she moves towards it when suddenly her candle erupts into a giant flame, as a voice calls out to her. Luckily it's just her housekeeper Karl, who informs her of the obvious lack of rats, giving her a righteous scare before demons enter the picture.
#9: Door Hole
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"It Follows" (2014) If your friends are being attacked, banging on a door is the last thing you should do. On the run from a personified STD, the kids move from their beach-side hangout to a shack to protect themselves. After failing to kill the monster with a gun, they lock the door and back into a corner, while something begins to knock at the door. When the knocking stops, boards are blasted away with the kids bracing for the monster's attack. When it turns out to be their friend Greg, he appropriately asks what's going on, leaving just in time for the real monster to pop in.
#8: Bill Murray
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"Zombieland" (2009) A good actor can fool the living, a great actor fools the dead. As Wichita and Tallahassee are partying it up in Bill Murray's mansion, they're quickly surprised by a zombie. When Wichita hits him, it turns out to be Bill Murray himself, who's been dressing as a zombie to fool the undead through the apocalypse. After some ghostbusting shenanigans, he decides to keep the fun going by scaring the very jumpy Columbus. Unfortunately this backfires when he's so convincing that Columbus shoots him on-sight, as Murray admits in his last moments it wasn't his finest idea.
#7: Just Auntie
Top 10 Terrifying Horror Movies That Don't Rely On Jump Scares
"Prom Night" (2008) Mirrors are perfect fodder for creeping up on people, whether you're evil or not. In this horror remake Donna really has to keep on her toes when she opens her medicine cabinet, as bad things always seem to follow. On top of a dream sequence where thrown into the mirror by the killer, the scares don't stop in real life. Getting ready for her big night, she heads for the bathroom to put some makeup on. As she closes the cabinet, she shrieks when she catches her aunt Karen's reflection, thinking she's the killer thanks to her inexplicable reasoning for silently sneaking up behind her.
#6: The Bus Stop
Top 10 Non-Horror Movie Jump Scares
"Cat People" (1942) Fake-out scares aren't as new as you'd think. In this vintage horror classic, Irena is supposed to turn into a panther whenever she becomes extremely emotional, especially when in love. After catching Alice at dinner with her beau, Irena follows her down the street, with Alice quickly sensing but never seeing her angry stalker. As Irena is poised to transform at any second and leap at Alice, a loud hiss cuts through the silence, turning out to be nothing but a bus. Named after the film's producer Val Lewton, the "Lewton Bus" now refers to any similar scare with no actual danger behind it.
#5: Train
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"The Leopard Man" (1943) The Hollywood combo of Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton, really enjoyed messing with their audience. After a club promotion goes bad, a leopard is set loose on a small New Mexico town, making it even more dangerous to wander at night. Already scared, Teresa goes out for groceries, dealing with a frightening tumbleweed on the way. Crossing an underpass on her way home, she's scared out of her wits by a set of eyes. Before she can think a train loudly passes by, scaring her half to death before she deals with the real danger ahead.
#4: Reflections
"Halloween H20: 20 Years Later" (1998) Turns out Michael Myers isn't the only one creeping up on Laurie Strode. After a scare from surprising master of horror Sheriff Brackett back in Haddonfield (xref) who even startles the unshakeable Dr. Loomis (xref), you'd think Laurie would watch her back more often. Many years after the massacre and with a new life, the horrors of Michael would seemingly be behind her. Laurie is still haunted by her dark past however, as she still worries about Michael at every turn. Out on the town, Laurie is shocked by Michael reflection in a store window when it turns out to be her boyfriend Will instead.
#3: Discovering Newt
"Aliens" (1986) In space no one can hear you scream, at least when it's harmless (xref). As Ripley returns to LV-426 years after the loss of her crew, she brings along some heavy duty backup. As her and the marines search an abandoned colony, they discover a handful of facehuggers in tubes, some even still alive. With the fear of the aliens at a new high the crew is quick to act when they catch something on their motion trackers. With everyone reasonably on edge, they're ready to shoot a monster when they find the young Newt, whose been hiding alone in the vents.
#2: Dead Body
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"Jaws" (1975) You're going to need a bigger bladder for this one. While the shark is definitely the biggest threat in this water-based horror, it doesn't even give the biggest scare of the film. As Brodie and Hooper go out to look for the shark, they happen upon the sunken boat of Ben Gardner and decide to investigate. As Hooper swims around he discovers large holes in the hull and even finds a shark tooth stuck in the wall. As he takes another look a victim's head pops in with a blood-curdling shriek, leaving him and even the audience gasping for air.
#1: The Mask
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"Scream" (1996) Knife or no knife, when you see a killer's mask, you assume the worst. As Sidney is comforted by her boyfriend Billy after a call from Ghostface, she becomes worried that they're one and the same, and hightails it out of the house. Much to her surprise however when she opens the door she's confronted by the Ghostface mask and screams in utter terror. Lucky for her, the mask is being held up by Officer Dewey who found it outside her house only moments before. Dewey gets his own false scare as he squeals in reaction to Sidney's more reasonable scare.
