Top 10 Scariest Moments in Modern Horror

“The Invisible Man” (2020)

With her ex Adrian possibly tormenting her from beyond the grave, Elisabeth Moss’ character Cecilia asks her sister Emily for help. The pair meet at a restaurant before a terrible twist. Using his cloaked suit, the villain slits the sister’s throat before placing the murder weapon in the lead’s hand. This scene is disturbing on its own, but it’s made worse when you consider the larger implications. The heroine is forced to confront the fact that she can’t escape the antagonist. Even in public, he finds a way to frame the protagonist in the most awful way possible. She’s then locked away, grieving, and further traumatized. We honestly don’t blame her for feeling hopeless.

“It Follows” (2014)

If you sleep with the wrong person, you might become the victim of an unstoppable force. This unsettling detail powers this unforgettable moment. Jay Height worries about when the evil figure will come for her, with this scene giving her yet another reason to run away. The tall man embodies her would-be killer in a terrifying reveal. With a menacing presence and pace, the entity inches its way closer to its prey. It makes you consider what you’d do in a similar situation. Not only that, this sequence reminds you that “It Follows” has a constant tension that few horror films can replicate.

“The Descent” (2005)

A group of friends get lost in a cave, but they have much worse problems to worry about. They use a video camera’s night vision to inspect the darker areas around them. After finding some animal remains, they also encounter some testy cannibals. It just goes to show that some things in life aren’t meant to be seen at all. While the night vision helps them see, it also leads up to one of the best jump scares of the movie. You’re waiting for something to happen during the group’s trip, but you aren’t expecting a villain this scary. It’ll also have you reconsidering any spelunking plans you might have.

“The Babadook” (2014)

As if life isn’t hard enough, a widowed mother has to deal with this titular creature. She endures one appearance from the Babadook that’s nothing short of scarring. Delivering on an ominous premise, this scene puts the evil figure right in the heroine’s bedroom. The startling sequence includes details that would keep anybody awake at night. From the opening of a door to hiding under the covers, Amelia slowly waits for something terrible to happen. This moment also makes the issue something she can no longer avoid anymore. If you don’t sleep with one eye open, you might after watching this jump scare.

“Paranormal Activity” (2007)

As a twist on the haunted house genre, “Paranormal Activity” was something of a phenomenon. It also included some shocking moments that felt all too real due to the movie’s lo-fi quality. Setting up a camera in their bedroom, they capture a spooky sight when Katie is dragged out of bed. With his partner’s screams ringing out, Micah tries to save her with this unimaginable moment. The scene makes us all want to lock our doors and sleep with a night light. The film’s strong suit is that it can make this kind of sequence seem possible. Along with some great acting, the nightmare encounter might have you lying awake at night worried about ghosts.

“The Ring” (2002)

It doesn’t take long for “The Ring” to make one rule clear. You shouldn’t watch the creepy video unless you want to die. The fact that we know that makes this scene even more scary, watching Noah’s time dwindle down. You might even find yourself yelling at the screen to stop it. Rachel’s failed attempt to get there in time only adds to his tense sequence. Samara crawls out of the TV, creating one of the scariest images in the film. The demonic girl takes down Noah in an unsettling climax, showing what happens when your week comes to a close.

“It” (2017)

Early on in this horror film, the young Georgie plays with a paper boat. His adventure takes a dark turn when he encounters an unlikely antagonist. This creepy scene sets the mood for a memorable tale, forcing some viewers to confront their fear of clowns. Pennywise lurks in the sewer and quickly establishes himself as one of the most evil forces ever. The combination of the location, the weather, and the villain’s behavior make this frightening from the jump. It only gets worse when the boy suffers a terrible fate. While some horror plots might let a younger character get away, “It” freaks you out by showing you that nobody is safe.

“Saw” (2004)

Before all of the sequels, “Saw” was an entirely new experience for horror fans. The photographer Adam realizes that the body he’s been spending time with isn’t actually dead. In a haunting image, the corpse gets up and reveals himself to be the mastermind behind it all. This scary moment puts the final signature on a crazy ride. With the hero stunned and trapped, this movie leaves audiences on a haunting cliffhanger. It also makes you wonder about how diabolical one person could possibly be.

“Get Out” (2017)

It’s never easy to meet your partner’s parents, but even more so when they’re horror movie villains. Chris has a chat with his girlfriend’s mom Missy that takes a dark turn. She hypnotizes the hero, showing him a place worse than a typical nightmare. The mysterious void makes him question his own reality. Even though he wakes up, it’s a mind-altering experience that feels too close to home. It’s one major sign that Chris shouldn’t trust the Armitage family either. Like all the worst dreams, the sunken place combines several fears into one and gives the modern classic one of its essential moments. Jordan Peele keeps this nightmarish quality going in his follow-up “Us.”

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

Caleb Stumbles through the Woods, Finding an Ominous Woman That’s Nothing Short of Evil

Bobby-Lynne Angers Pearl, Becoming Alligator Bait in a Shocking Reversal

In a Haunting Scene, Grace Discovers an Older Woman in Place of Her Daughter

Tess Finds Keith in the Tunnels Only for a Frightening Villain to Appear & Spoil the Moment

There Might Be Something in the Wardrobe, But a Freaky Reveal Proves Otherwise

“Hereditary” (2018)

Needless to say, the Graham family is having a bad time in “Hereditary.” Both the daughter and father die tragically before the mother Annie becomes possessed. She flies after her son Peter until he hides in the attic. It’s got to be especially scary to find yourself chased by one of your parents. With his mom banging against the ceiling, the teenager confronts his own mortality and the evil that surrounds him. It’s all part of a truly gruesome third act, rivaling Ari Aster’s other work such as the cliff scene in “Midsommar.” This climax ultimately sells the breakdown of the family unit. With the help of a coven, this disturbing sequence pushes the notion of grief to a horrifying extreme.