20 Most terrifying movie jump scares

If you've ever watched a horror movie, you know the feeling. It's that heart-pounding, breath-stealing moment when something suddenly leaps from the shadows, sending shivers down your spine. These are jump scares, and they're a cornerstone of the horror genre. Are you ready to face the fear head-on? A recent study has unveiled the top 20 jump scares in cinematic history, leaving viewers quaking in their seats.

Steven Spielberg's iconic thriller Jaws takes the top spot on our list with the unforgettable moment when Hooper, portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss, discovers the wreckage of Ben Gardner's boat, and in an instant, the head of the unfortunate fisherman. This classic scare continues to leave audiences shocked and terrified.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho secured second place with the iconic shower scene. The sudden appearance of Norman Bates, dressed as his mother, sent Janet Leigh's character into chaos, and left audiences trembling in their seats.

Ridley Scott's Alien takes the third spot on our list. The alien's unexpected and horrifying appearance in the spaceship's air ducts demonstrates how suspense and minimal lighting can intensify the terror.

The 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's first novel Carrie gave us one of the most memorable jump scares in cinematic history. The scene where Carrie's hand bursts from her grave embodies the supernatural horror that this film is renowned for.

Wes Craven's Scream secured the fifth spot on the list. Drew Barrymore's character, Casey Becker, opened the modern horror classic by answering a seemingly innocent phone call that quickly descended into sheer terror. This scene taught us that even everyday situations can turn into nightmares.

These top five jump scares have solidified their place in cinematic history, but they're not alone. The list continues with equally spine-tingling moments from other iconic horror films, including:

Friday the 13th (1980), with Jason Voorhees emerging from Crystal Lake.

Poltergeist (1982), where Robbie's clown doll comes to life.

It (2017), as Pennywise emerges from a movie screen.

Insidious (2010), featuring a red-faced demon behind Josh.

What Lies Beneath (2000), with Michelle Pfeiffer's Claire undergoing a terrifying transformation.

Se7en (1995), where Mills and Somerset uncover a gruesome surprise.

The Grudge (2004), involving a shocking car window encounter.

The Conjuring (2013), with Carolyn confronting a clapping ghost.

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010), featuring an explosive kitchen scene.

Modern classics also make an appearance in the top 20, including terrifying moments from:

A Quiet Place (2018), where Beau faces a monstrous threat.

The Descent (2005), as Sarah discovers the Crawlers in a cave.

Hereditary (2018), when Peter witnesses his demon-possessed mother crawling on the ceiling.

The Invisible Man (2020), with Cecilia encountering the unseen terror.

Sinister (2012), featuring a haunting face just before the credits roll.

Lights Out (2016), where Rebecca turns off the lights and is confronted by a terrifying figure.

Now that we've explored the terrifying scenes that have haunted moviegoers, let's delve into some fascinating research findings. Our survey revealed some spine-tingling statistics:

The Horror Enthusiasts: Almost half of respondents stated that horror is their favorite movie genre. Among these horror enthusiasts, women (85 per cent) topped the list compared to men (82 per cent).

Age and Scare Tolerance: Three-quarters of respondents admitted to jumping when watching a scary movie. The younger generation (18 to 29 years old) proved to be the most susceptible, with a whopping 82 per cent of them confessing to feeling on edge, while the older generation (over-60s) seemed to be more relaxed, with 59 per cent reporting lower anxiety levels.

Scare Tactics: Watching horror movies can lead to gripping partners too hard, turning off a movie due to being too freaked out, and even screaming so loudly that it startles the dog.

Scream-Lovers vs. Haters: Despite the heart-pounding moments, 66 per cent of respondents confessed to loving the jumpy bits in a movie, while 25 per cent hated them. Interestingly, men were more likely to savour the scares compared to women.

Favorite Takeout with a Side of Horror: Four in ten respondents revealed that there's nothing better than enjoying a takeout meal while watching a scary movie. The top choices for pairing fear with flavour were pizza (51 per cent), Chinese (20 per cent), burgers (15 per cent), and curry (12 per cent).

Horror Hotspots: According to the survey, Cardiff residents proved to be the biggest horror fans in the UK, followed closely by London and Liverpool. On the flip side, Cambridge, Bristol, and Plymouth were the least likely to choose a horror movie for their night in.

Sharing the Scares: One in three respondents preferred to snuggle down with their partner while watching a scary film, while a brave 18 per cent enjoyed watching them alone.

Pranksters and Frights: Half of the respondents admitted to enjoying giving scares by jumping out in front of friends and family. However, one in five said their friends and family didn't find it funny.

So there you have it—our list of the most terrifying movie jump scares and some intriguing insights into the horror-loving hearts of moviegoers. Whether you're a fan of spine-tingling moments or prefer to watch horror from behind a cushion, these cinematic scares have left an indelible mark on the world of film.