5 Scariest Horror Movie Scenes Of All Time

Grab Some Candy and Get Ready!

Today is Halloween, i.e. the day all you fans of ghosts, ghouls and gore have been waiting patiently for…the premiere of our Top 50 Scariest Horror Movie Scenes Of All Time video over on WatchMojo‘s YouTube channel! We’re ranking 50 of the most terrifying moments in the history of horror films that continue to get under our skin and make our flesh crawl. Like a stranger in an alleyway, these scenes creep up from behind and stay with us forever and we’re getting started with 5 of those scary scenes right here. If you want to find out which horror movie scene is #1 on our list or if you weren’t able to catch the video’s live premiere today at 2 p.m., the video is still up and ready for fresh eyes to scare HERE, along with the rest of our Halloween-themed Horror Week videos that end today! Alright, let’s jump right into 5 of these iconic and petrifying horror movie scenes (spooky spoiler alert!!!):

The Final Chase – “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)

While it was advertised as a “true story,” this slasher flick’s plot is more fiction than fact. Even Ed Gein, the murderer who inspired Leatherface, had a different MO. That being said, the idea of a maniac chopping up victims with a chainsaw isn’t at all far-fetched, which gave the film a sense of gritty realism. Nowhere is this more apparent than during the pulse-pounding finale as Sally literally runs for her life. Fortunately, a trucker runs over the hitchhiker while Sally narrowly evades Leatherface by hopping aboard another vehicle. The chaotic staging and low-grade production values actually work to the scene’s advantage, giving it the authenticity of a documentary with a blood-curdling final shot.

Chest Chomp – “The Thing” (1982)

When it comes to body horror, CGI just can’t produce the same results as practical effects, which are simply more revolting, cringe-inducing, and inventive. Take this jaw-dropping scene from “The Thing” for example, as Norris’ ribcage sprouts a set of teeth and bites off Copper’s arms. One second, you’re jumping out of your seat in shock, the next, you’re asking yourself how the hell the filmmakers pulled this stunt off. The sequence packs in even more technical wizardly as the chest vomits out a snake-like creature while Norris’ head detaches and grows spider legs. At least it’s nothing a flamethrower can’t fix. Bloody disgusting and bloody brilliant, horror doesn’t get much more creative than this.

The Basement  – “The Blair Witch Project” (1999)

“The Blair Witch Project” is another horror film with the essence of a home movie, but to an even greater extent. Coming out when the found-footage genre and the internet were fairly young, the filmmakers tricked numerous moviegoers into believing the three protagonists were really missing. This largely contributed to the sense of dread in the film’s climax, as Heather and Mike stumble upon an abandoned house in search of their missing colleague Josh. The amateur cinematography and convincing performances fully immerse the audience as Heather finds Mike standing in a corner before an unseen force attacks her. When the screen goes black on his ambiguous ending, it’s quiet enough in the audience to hear a pin drop.

The Bathtub – “The Shining” (1980)

Interestingly enough, Jack Torrance isn’t the scariest character in Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of “The Shining.” That distinction goes to the woman in the bathtub. Beginning from Jack’s point of view, this scene escorts us into room 237’s bathroom where a bathing beauty awaits. The dull look on Jack’s face becomes aroused as the naked woman climbs out of the tub and puts her hands on him. Matters take a total 180 when Jack looks in the mirror and realizes he’s kissing an old, saggy corpse. The movie doesn’t spell out who this woman is or even the purpose behind this encounter. All we need to know, though, is that it’s a masterstroke of surreal suspense.

The Chestburster – “Alien” (1979)

“Alien” is not only regarded as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, but also one of the best horror movies ever made. The Nostromo is essentially a haunted house and this scene delivers the film’s first major scare. A celebratory dinner is spoiled as Kane convulses and an alien creature bursts out of his chest. Although the cast members knew that the chestburster was coming, they weren’t prepared for the amount of blood splattering everywhere. The petrified looks on the actors’ faces are completely genuine, which in turn left audiences wearing similar expressions. In space, no one can hear you scream. At the movies, however, you can hear an entire auditorium erupt in fright.

Want to find out which famous horror movie scene is #1 on our list?!!! Check out the video below or click the link HERE! And if you think we missed any notable scenes, you can still vote here to keep up the terrifying momentum of this special Halloween list.