Scariest Movie Clip

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological-thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1991. It tells the story of Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is tasked with gathering information from the brilliant but psychopathic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, in order to catch another serial killer who is on the loose. As Clarice works to solve the case, she begins to understand Lecter’s twisted mind, but also realizes that she has become entwined in a deadly game of cat and mouse. In the end, Clarice uses her resources and instincts to uncover the identity of the killer and bring him to justice. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins's performance as Lecter.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a 1995 American neo-noir psychological thriller film written by Andrew Kevin Walker and directed by David Fincher. The film stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. The film follows two detectives, Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, pride, wrath, envy, and lust. The detectives are led on a chase by a mysterious serial killer known only as John Doe (Kevin Spacey), who has meticulously planned out each murder in order to send a message to the world. As the investigation unfolds, the detectives start to realize that John Doe intends to make them part of his deadly plan. The story ends in a shocking twist as John Doe reveals his final victim and the secret behind his gruesome crimes. Se7en was a critical and commercial success and is considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made. It has since become a cult classic, inspiring numerous copycat films, books and video games.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott. It follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo as they encounter a deadly extraterrestrial life form. The crew of the Nostromo, while on a return trip from Thedus to Earth, is awakened from stasis when the ship's computer detects an unidentified transmission. They investigate and discover a derelict alien spacecraft, which contains a large chamber filled with thousands of eggs. One of the eggs hatches, releasing a creature that attaches itself to one of the crew members. The crew attempts to remove the creature from the ship but it is too powerful and begins to kill them one by one. As the crew is slowly being picked off, the remaining members must work together to survive and find a way to destroy the alien.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a classic 1960 suspense-thriller directed by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. The movie follows the story of Norman Bates, a troubled young man who runs a motel in the small town of Fairvale, California. Bates' strange behavior soon attracts the attention of Marion Crane, a woman on the run from the law. After a fateful stay at the Bates Motel, Marion disappears, leading to a search by her sister and a private investigator. What follows is a suspenseful and thrilling investigation into the secrets of the Bates Motel and the disturbed mind of Norman Bates. The film is renowned for its suspenseful story, iconic score and shocking twist ending.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel by Stephen King. The film centers on Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as a caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel during the off-season. Jack moves in with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is haunted by psychic premonitions. As the winter wears on, Jack becomes increasingly unstable, succumbing to the supernatural forces that haunt the hotel. As his descent into madness progresses, he grows more and more violent, leading to a terrifying conclusion. The Shining is an iconic horror film, praised for its psychological depth, atmosphere, and unique cinematography.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a 1986 science fiction horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver. Set in the year 2179, the film follows Ellen Ripley (Weaver) as she is brought back to the planet LV-426, where she and a team of Colonial Marines must fight against a force of aliens known as Xenomorphs. Ripley and her team also must battle a powerful android named Ash, who is serving as an agent of a sinister corporate entity. With their lives on the line, they must fight against both the aliens and their human enemies in order to survive. As the battle rages on, Ripley discovers the true origins of the Xenomorphs and must ultimately sacrifice her own life to save the human race and protect the future of humanity.

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. It tells the story of a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic extraterrestrial life form that assimilates and then imitates other organisms. As the creature consumes and duplicates the researchers one by one, paranoia and mistrust spread among the group, leading to a deadly confrontation between the remaining members. The ensemble cast includes Kurt Russell as the team's leader, R.J. MacReady, and features Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Dysart, and T. K. Carter.

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Sixth Sense is a supernatural horror/thriller film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film follows the story of Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a child psychologist who works with an 8-year-old boy, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who is able to see and talk to the dead. As the plot progresses, Malcolm attempts to help Cole understand his gift and come to terms with the ghosts from his past. In the end, Malcolm discovers a shocking truth about Cole's visions and the events that led to his own death. The Sixth Sense is widely regarded as one of M. Night Shyamalan's best films and is remembered for its iconic twist ending.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough
Rated PG-13

Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. The film is set on a fictional island known as Isla Nublar, located off the Pacific Coast of Central America, where a billionaire philanthropist and a small team of genetic scientists have created a wildlife park of cloned dinosaurs. When the wealthy businessman, John Hammond, invites a group of scientists, mathematicians, and lawyers to experience the park in an effort to prove that he is responsible, something goes wrong. The park's security system malfunctions, and the dinosaurs start to escape, leading to a massive, chaotic chase involving the humans and the dinosaurs. Ultimately, the humans must attempt to escape the dangerous situation while restoring order in the park.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is a 1975 American horror thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name. Set on the fictional island of Amity, the film stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw as police chief Martin Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, and shark hunter Quint, respectively. The film follows Brody and Hooper as they team up to hunt a great white shark that is attacking the islanders. After several attacks occur, the trio embark on a mission to capture or kill the shark before its rampage destroys the town. Jaws was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release, and held that distinction for nearly five years. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, and it helped launch Spielberg's career as one of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors. The film is credited with introducing the concept of the summer blockbuster to the film industry, and it was followed by three sequels and an expanded franchise.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin, based upon the novel of the same name written by William Peter Blatty. The film follows the story of a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) who is possessed by a demonic entity. As the demonic possession takes hold, Regan's mother, Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), turns to a local priest for help. The priest, Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), must battle the demon in order to save Regan’s life. Together with a veteran exorcist, Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), Karras faces a harrowing struggle against the dark forces that threaten to destroy the girl. As the battle between good and evil intensifies, the priests must confront the ultimate evil in an epic battle for Regan’s soul. The Exorcist is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time and remains a classic in the genre.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose son will one day become a savior against machines in a post-apocalyptic future. Sarah is targeted by the Terminator, while a soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is sent to protect her and aid in the destruction of the Terminator. As Sarah and Kyle struggle to defeat the Terminator, they must also battle the technological threat of a new future. In the end, they manage to destroy the Terminator, but a new one is sent back in time and the battle continues.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Rated PG

The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a classic American fantasy film based on the novel by L. Frank Baum and directed by a team of five including Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, and Richard Thorpe. The movie follows the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is transported to the magical Land of Oz in a tornado. With the help of her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, she embarks on a quest to meet the Wizard of Oz and ask him to help her return to her home. Along the way, they battle witches, flying monkeys, and the Wicked Witch of the West, who is determined to stop them from reaching their goal. Eventually, Dorothy and her friends make it to the Emerald City and find the Wizard, who grants each of them a wish. With the help of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, Dorothy discovers that the power to go home was within her all along. As she embarks on her journey back to Kansas, Dorothy is reminded that there's no place like home.

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed and written by Roman Polanski, and based on the 1967 novel by Ira Levin. It stars Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse, a young woman living in a New York City apartment with her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). After unsuccessfully trying to conceive a child, Rosemary and Guy are offered a chance to stay in an apartment with a strange history. Rosemary discovers that the building's tenants, who are all members of a Satanic cult, plan to use her as part of a ritual to conceive a child of Satan. Throughout the film, Rosemary struggles to protect her unborn baby from the cult, while trying to keep her sanity in the face of all the strange events happening around her. Rosemary's Baby was a critical and commercial success and is widely considered to be one of the greatest horror films ever made.

From Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason
Rated Not Rated

The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 film noir directed by Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, and Lillian Gish. The film follows a corrupt and evil preacher named Harry Powell who is on the hunt for two young children who possess the secret to a stolen fortune. Along the way, Powell meets and terrorizes the children's mother, as well as a group of local citizens who try to protect them. In the end, Powell's evil plans are foiled by the children's resourcefulness and a little bit of luck. The film is a classic example of the film noir genre, with its dark and brooding atmosphere, intense visual style, and complex and morally ambiguous characters.

From George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Rated Not Rated

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent horror film directed by George A. Romero. The story follows seven people who are trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania, which is besieged by a large and growing group of cannibalistic, undead corpses. The film stars Duane Jones as Ben, Judith O'Dea as Barbra, and Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper. The film is notable for its stark, bleak atmosphere and its explicit violence, as well as its revolutionary use of a racial minority lead character. It is considered to be the progenitor of the modern zombie film, and it launched an entire subgenre of horror films. The film was also a commercial success, grossing $12 million against a budget of only $114,000. It has since become a cult classic and one of the most influential horror films of all time.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a 1990 psychological horror film directed by Rob Reiner and based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It tells the story of successful novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who is held captive by crazed fan Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), after suffering a near-fatal car accident in a remote area of Colorado. As Wilkes attempts to nurse him back to health, Sheldon soon realizes that his captor is unhinged and will do anything to keep him from leaving her home, even if it means killing him. With no one else to turn to, Sheldon must use his wits and cunning to outsmart Wilkes and escape his twisted captor.

From Tod Browning, starring Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Roscoe Ates
Rated Not Rated

Freaks is a 1932 American pre-Code horror film directed by Tod Browning and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It follows a group of carnival sideshow performers, referred to as "freaks", who are exploited by their manager and another man who plots to seduce and marry one of them for her inheritance. The film stars Harry Earles, Daisy Earles, Wallace Ford, Olga Baclanova, Roscoe Ates, Henry Victor, and Johnny Eck. Freaks was met with shock and revulsion upon its release, and many countries heavily edited the film or banned it altogether. The film has since become a cult classic due to its taboo subject matter, and is now widely regarded as a classic horror film.

From James Whale, starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Rated Passed

Frankenstein is a 1931 horror film directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the titular creature. The film tells the story of Dr. Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a creature out of body parts from corpses. His creation, an eight-foot monster made of patchwork flesh, comes to life and wreaks havoc on the doctor and his loved ones. The creature ultimately escapes and embarks on a murderous rampage, leading to a dramatic confrontation between Frankenstein and his creation. Along the way, the film explores themes of identity and morality, ultimately ending with the death of both the doctor and the monster.

From George A. Romero, starring David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Rated Unrated

Dawn of the Dead is a 1978 horror film directed by George A. Romero. The film follows a group of survivors as they attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse. The survivors hole up in a shopping mall, where they have enough resources to live comfortably. However, they soon find themselves under siege by hordes of zombies and must fight to survive. The film has been praised for its dark humor and commentary on consumerism, as well as its intense action sequences and gruesome special effects. It has become a cult classic and is considered by many to be one of the greatest zombie films ever made.

From Mel Stuart, starring Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear
Rated G

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart. The film stars Gene Wilder as the enigmatic Willy Wonka, the owner of a magical chocolate factory. The movie follows five lucky children, Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), Augustus Gloop (Michael Bollner), Veruca Salt (Julie Dawn Cole), Violet Beauregarde (Denise Nickerson), and Mike Teevee (Paris Themmen), who win a contest and get to visit the legendary factory and see its wonders. During their tour, they battle temptations of all kinds, and face the wrath of Wonka himself when they disobey his rules. In the end, only Charlie is brave and honest enough to win the grand prize of the factory. Along the way, the children learn valuable lessons about honesty, courage, and the importance of not giving in to temptation.

From Terence Young, starring Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Rated Not Rated

"Wait Until Dark" is a suspenseful thriller directed by Terence Young in 1967. It stars Audrey Hepburn as Susy Hendrix, a blind woman living alone in a New York City apartment, who finds herself at the center of a dangerous game when a group of criminals discover her hidden stash of drugs. The criminals, led by the sinister Roat (Alan Arkin), attempt to manipulate Susy into handing over the drugs, by playing a game of cat-and-mouse with her in her own home. To survive, Susy must use her heightened senses and resourcefulness to outwit her adversaries and keep herself safe from harm.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a 1978 horror film directed by John Carpenter and written by Debra Hill and John Carpenter. The film follows the story of Michael Myers, a murderer who escaped a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. On Halloween night, Myers terrorizes the town and pursues Laurie Strode, a teenage babysitter. With the help of her friends, Laurie fights back against Myers and ultimately survives the night. The film is credited with revolutionizing the horror genre and has spawned multiple sequels and remakes.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin
Rated Passed

Cape Fear is a classic thriller from 1962, directed by J. Lee Thompson. The film tells the story of Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), a lawyer living in North Carolina who is targeted by Max Cady (Robert Mitchum), a dangerous criminal he put away many years prior. Cady has since been released from prison and he sets out to exact revenge on Bowden, using psychological terror tactics to get to him. Cady terrorizes Bowden and his family, leading to an intense cat and mouse game between the two men. As Bowden desperately tries to protect his family, he discovers that Cady is more dangerous than he initially thought. In the end, Bowden must take matters into his own hands in order to protect his family from Cady's wrath.

From David Fincher, starring Michael Douglas, Deborah Kara Unger, Sean Penn, James Rebhorn
Rated R

The Game is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Michael Douglas as Nicholas Van Orton, a wealthy, powerful, and emotionally detached San Francisco banker. After receiving a surprise gift from his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn) on his 48th birthday, Nicholas is drawn into a mysterious and dangerous game with unpredictable and potentially deadly consequences. As he is forced to confront his inner demons, Nicholas must rely on his wits and the help of the mysterious and enigmatic game maker, to survive and ultimately find a way out of the game. With a strong supporting cast and a gripping story, The Game is a riveting and unpredictable ride with unexpected twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.