Top 10 Most Terrifying Deaths in Paranormal Movies

“Pet Sematary” (1989)
Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. And it’s this primal fear that Stephen King taps into with his 1983 novel. The 2019 version of “Pet Sematary” ultimately went a different path, but the 1989 adaptation sticks with the source material by having the youngest of the Creed children meet a tragic fate. After moving to rural Maine, the Creed family is enjoying a picnic on a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately, when his father turns his back momentarily, young Gage Creed chases a kite string onto the highway. All the family can do is look on in horror as the toddler is struck by a speeding big rig. It’s utterly devastating and paves the way for further horror when Gage is revived by paranormal means.

“The Blair Witch Project” (1999)
Though not the first found footage film of its kind, “The Blair Witch Project” put the technique on the map by connecting with a mainstream audience. The sense of realism imparted by the documentary-style approach and shaky camera work allowed the filmmakers to deliver effective scares on a shoestring budget. The movie, which is presented as “recovered footage,” follows three friends who set out to make a documentary about the Blair Witch. There are many unsettling moments throughout the film, but it's the chaotic final scene that really stays with viewers after the credits roll. Exploring an abandoned house, Heather is attacked by something off-camera. There’s no gore or monstrous reveal; it’s instead the enduring mystery of what we don’t see that makes her death so terrifying.

“The Babadook” (2014)
Paranormal horror films use larger-than-life, supernatural forces to scare viewers. But for all the overt scares occurring on screen, the best horror films simultaneously address more grounded, human themes that are equally terrifying. In the case of “The Babadook,” the titular figure can be interpreted as grief personified and carried to its most dangerous potential conclusion. Amelia is a single mother struggling to raise her son. Oskar, Amelia’s husband, died on route to the hospital the day of their son’s birth and she feels his absence profoundly. Exhausted and seemingly losing touch with reality, Amelia eventually gives in to the Babadook’s influence. Just as he foreshadowed in his sinister pop-up book, Amelia kills the family dog in a shocking moment that will haunt you.

“The Witch” (2015)
Horror films, by definition, seek to thrill viewers by challenging them with shocking images and concepts. Even so, there are certain lines that most horror films refuse to cross — like harming infant characters. Well, “The Witch” manages to achieve the same effect without directly showing a child coming to harm. The end result is equal parts devastating and utterly horrific. Set in the 1630s, the film centers on a family of settlers scratching out a life for themselves in New England. The eldest child, Thomasin (THOMAS-in), is playing peekaboo with baby Samuel. Filmmaker Robert Eggers flips this time-honored game on its head, however, by having Samuel be the one who disappears. It’s simple, but masterfully executed and excruciatingly effective.

“Carrie” (1976)
High school is tough. There’s arguably no phase in life when one’s social status feels more important or high stakes than during these few years. Popularity becomes the be-all and end-all of your existence. Add a super strict, obsessively-religious, and downright abusive mother into the mix, however, and it can become hell on earth. Bullied at school and made to feel unsafe at home, Carrie White is essentially alienated on all fronts. When her peers set her up to become prom queen only to publicly humiliate her, she snaps. Using her nascent telekinetic powers, she sets the gymnasium aflame, trapping her peers and tormentors inside. It’s a horrific fate and it’s made all the more terrible by the claustrophobic cinematography and editing.

“30 Days of Night (2007)
When you’re new in town, first impressions are everything. You should be courteous, considerate and approachable. Or… you can eat the locals. Sure, that works too! In this 2007 comic book horror adaptation, we catch up with the town of Barrow, Alaska just as they prepare for a month of polar winter. While this is a psychologically-taxing month under the best of circumstances, things take a turn for the worse when a boatload of vampires decide to stop by. It doesn’t take a vivid imagination to imagine why vampires might find 30 days of night tantalizing. The filmmakers, however, chose to leave nothing to the imagination. What ensues is a massacre. You’ll never think vampires are sexy again.

“The Exorcist” (1973)
Among the greatest and most influential horror films of all time, “The Exorcist” has enough terrifying moments to warrant its own list. Focusing specifically on deaths, however, the fatal fall of Father Karras certainly leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. After killing Burke Jennings and giving Father Lankester Merrin a freaking heart attack, the demonic Pazuzu battles Damien Karras for the soul of Regan MacNeil (Reagan pronounced like the president). Having been bested at every turn, the good priest takes drastic measures by inviting the demon into his own body. Unable to pass up such a tantalizing host, Pazuzu makes the jump, only for Father Karras to promptly hurl himself out the window and down a flight of stairs in a bid to kill them both. It’s horrific and heroic.

“The Shining” (1980)
Is our list 40% Stephen King adaptations? Yes, yes it is. And we regret nothing! Though the author wasn’t a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of his novel, it’s now widely considered a masterpiece of horror cinema. With his father, Jack, fully succumbing to the maddening supernatural influence of the Overlook Hotel, young Danny Torrence uses his fear to connect with Dick Halloran. Unfortunately, rather than swoop in to save the day, Halloran cuts his vacation short only to be cut down minutes after walking into the hotel. As the friendly telepathic cook wanders the seemingly empty halls, a sense of dread sets in. Then, out of nowhere, Jack attacks. After such a long, slow-tracking shot, this sudden act of violence is utterly explosive.

“The Ring” (2002)
Yes, this scene has been endlessly parodied in the years since its release. But back in 2002 when the franchise was first unleashed upon western audiences, cinemagoers were absolutely terrified. It never could have become so popular to spoof if it hadn’t first made a massive impression on the pop culture landscape. By this point in the film, we’ve already seen Samara’s handiwork — and it’s not a pretty sight! But witnessing her do the deed is something else entirely. Like Noah, all we can do is watch on in horror as Samara adds him to her list of victims. What makes this scene so effective is the slow-building tension. There’s no need for a jumpscare - Samara’s slow approach is plenty horrifying as is.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Paola’s Eyeball Meets Wooden Splinter, “Zombi 2” (1979)
This Masterclass in Practical Effects Would Make Anyone Lose Their Appetite.
Paola https://forvo.com/word/paola/#en

Micah Hits the Camera, “Paranormal Activity” (2007) (MEE-ca)
Now That’s How You Use the Found Footage Technique to Maximum Effect.

Dr. Burke Gets Hooked, “Candyman” (1992)
The Condescending Doctor Learns First-Hand That the Candyman is All Too Real.

“It Chapter Two” (2019)
The titular clown from Stephen King’s “It” has mastered the art of ending lives. A cosmic being with more supernatural abilities than bronze age Superman, “It” isn’t content to just consume his victims efficiently. He savors their fear, and that means that every meal is an opportunity to terrify the audience by extension. Pennywise the Clown’s most iconic cinematic moment is his toothy exchange with Georgie Denbrough (DEN-bro). In both the 1990 version and the 2017 adaptation, Georgie’s fate chills us to the core - even after countless repeat viewings. But director Andy Muschietti (mooshy-ETTY) somehow managed to up the ante in Chapter Two! The fatal bite is indeed terrifying, sure, but it’s the drawn-out manipulation that occurs first that makes the whole thing so deeply disturbing.