According to Science, These 15 Movies Are the Scariest of All Time

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - October 2nd 2025, 23:55 GMT+2

Cropped paranormal activity 2007 — 15. Paranormal Activity (2007) - Total Score: 73

What started as a tiny indie project with a shoestring budget turned into one of the most profitable horror films ever made. *Paranormal Activity* terrified audiences by making something as ordinary as a bedroom feel unsafe. The slow-burn tension, the static camera, and those subtle movements in the dark all combined to make viewers second-guess every creak in their own homes. By the time the ending rolled around, people were jumping out of their seats. Science confirms what audiences already knew: sometimes the simplest setups are the scariest.
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| © Paramount Pictures

14. The Descent (2005) - Total Score: 74

Claustrophobia alone is enough to make this film nightmare fuel, but throw in a pack of cave-dwelling creatures and the terror skyrockets. What makes *The Descent* so effective is how it taps into primal fears: tight spaces, pitch-black darkness, and the terrifying idea that no one is coming to save you. The horror doesn’t rely on cheap tricks, either; it’s relentless and suffocating from start to finish. Watching it feels like being buried alive, with your pulse climbing alongside the characters’ panic. No wonder this one ranks so high on the scientific scare scale.
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| © Pathé Distribution

Cropped The Dark and the Wicked — 13. The Dark and The Wicked (2020) - Total Score: 74

Bleak, oppressive, and deeply unsettling, *The Dark and The Wicked* is one of those horror films that doesn’t let you breathe. The story follows a family unraveling as they confront something evil lurking around their dying father, but it’s the suffocating atmosphere that really claws at you. There’s no comfort, no warmth, only despair woven into every scene. By the time the supernatural forces show their true face, your nerves are already frayed. It’s not a fun watch – it’s a devastating one, and that’s why it hits so hard on the scare meter.

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| © RLJE Films

Cropped It Follows 2014 — 12. It Follows (2014) - Total Score: 74

The brilliance of *It Follows* lies in its simplicity: an unstoppable entity that walks toward you, slowly but relentlessly, no matter where you are. The concept feels like a nightmare you can’t shake, and the execution makes you paranoid long after the credits. Every wide shot keeps you scanning the background, wondering if that person walking in the distance is just an extra or something far more sinister. The synth-heavy score only heightens the unease, wrapping the whole experience in retro dread. It’s the kind of horror that crawls under your skin and stays there.
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| © RADiUS-TWC

Cropped The Conjuring 2 2016 — 11. The Conjuring 2 (2016) - Total Score: 74

When James Wan returned to the *Conjuring* universe, he proved he still had plenty of terrifying tricks up his sleeve. The sequel takes the haunted-house formula and dials it up with bone-chilling visuals and the introduction of Valak, a demonic nun that has haunted horror fans ever since. Beyond the jump scares, the movie succeeds because it makes you care about the family in danger, grounding the terror in something emotional. That combination of heart and horror makes the scares land even harder. According to science, this wasn’t just a sequel – it was pure nightmare fuel.

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| © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped Hell House LLC 2015 — 10. Hell House LLC (2015) - Total Score: 75

Found-footage horror doesn’t always land, but this one nailed it by turning a haunted house attraction into a real nightmare. The setup feels so believable that when things start going wrong, you can’t tell what’s staged for customers and what’s genuinely sinister. That blurring of lines is exactly what makes it so unnerving. By the final act, the tension has built to the point where every flicker of shadow keeps you on edge. It’s a smaller, indie horror flick, but clearly one that science says your heart won’t forget anytime soon.
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| © Terror Films

Talk to me msn — 9. Talk to Me (2022) - Total Score: 75

A group of teens messing with the supernatural has been horror’s bread and butter for decades, but this film gives it a terrifying modern twist. The embalmed hand that allows people to “talk to the dead” creates some of the most disturbing possession scenes in years. What really makes it scary, though, is the way it ties horror to grief, peer pressure, and addiction – themes that hit close to home. By the time things spiral out of control, you’re left shaken and impressed by how mercilessly it all plays out. No wonder it became an instant hit with horror fans and scientists alike.

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| © A24

Exorcism of emily rose msn — 8. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) - Total Score: 76

Part courtroom drama, part supernatural horror, this film straddles genres in a way that keeps you hooked while also making your skin crawl. The story is loosely based on real-life exorcism cases, which adds an extra layer of unease. One minute you’re listening to lawyers argue about medical explanations, the next you’re watching a deeply disturbing possession scene that pushes you out of your comfort zone. The balance between skepticism and faith is what makes it so effective, since you’re never sure what to believe. And that lingering doubt? It’s scarier than any jump scare.
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| © Screen Gems

Cropped Smile 2022 — 7. Smile (2022) - Total Score: 78

Sometimes all it takes is a grin to ruin your sleep for a week. This film turns something as innocent as a smile into a symbol of pure dread, and it works disturbingly well. The cursed chain of death feels like a mix of *The Ring* and *It Follows*, but with its own unique, creepy personality. Every time someone flashes that unnerving grin, your pulse races because you know what’s coming next. Audiences left theaters rattled, and science clearly confirms it wasn’t just the popcorn making their hearts race.
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| © Paramount Pictures

Cropped hereditary — 6. Hereditary (2018) - Total Score: 81

Dread oozes from every frame of Ari Aster’s debut feature, and it only gets worse the longer you watch. The family drama is heartbreaking on its own, but when the supernatural elements fully kick in, the horror becomes unbearable in the best possible way. Toni Collette’s performance adds an extra punch, making the terror feel raw and painfully real. By the finale, you’re left with a mix of shock, awe, and an urge to turn every light on in the house. It’s the kind of horror film that doesn’t just scare you – it unsettles your entire soul.

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| © A24

5. The Conjuring (2013) - Total Score: 88

This one cemented James Wan as the modern master of horror, and it’s easy to see why. From the eerie clapping game to the relentless presence of malevolent spirits, the movie builds terror with expert precision. What really makes it stand out, though, is how it grounds the scares in the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, adding that “based on a true story” chill. By the time the big exorcism scene hits, you’re clutching the edge of your seat. Science proves it wasn’t just hype – this movie really does make your heart pound.

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| © Warner Bros. Pictures

4. Insidious (2010) - Total Score: 90

Creepy lullabies, shadowy demons, and that unforgettable red-faced figure – this film doesn’t waste time getting under your skin. What begins as a haunted house story quickly transforms into something stranger, dragging us into “The Further,” a dimension that feels like a nightmare come alive. The pacing keeps you on edge, delivering scares both sudden and lingering. That mix of supernatural lore and relentless tension is why it continues to terrify audiences more than a decade later. It’s no surprise that scientific testing confirmed just how hard it makes viewers’ pulses race.

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| © FilmDistrict

Cropped Skinamarink 2022 — 3. Skinamarink (2022) - Total Score: 91

Minimalist horror doesn’t always work, but this one proves how deeply unsettling less can be. Long, static shots of darkened hallways, distorted sounds, and a creeping sense of isolation build a uniquely terrifying experience. Watching it feels like reliving a childhood nightmare, the kind you couldn’t explain but never forgot. There’s barely a plot, yet the oppressive atmosphere is enough to make you squirm. It’s divisive, sure, but for those it hooks, the terror feels endless. Science backing its scare factor just confirms what insomniacs already knew: it’s nightmare fuel in its purest form.
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| © IFC Midnight

Host msn — 2. Host (2020) - Total Score: 95

Filmed during lockdown and set entirely on a Zoom call, this movie turned pandemic-era technology into a vehicle for pure horror. The premise is deceptively simple – a group of friends holds a virtual séance – but the execution is so tight that every glitch and shadow becomes terrifying. At just under an hour, it wastes no time, delivering some of the most effective jump scares in modern horror. The relatability of being stuck on video calls only makes the fear hit harder. If you thought bad Wi-Fi was scary, this movie proves ghosts on Zoom are even worse.

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| © Shudder

Cropped Sinister 2012 — 1. Sinister (2012) - Total Score: 96

There’s a reason this movie topped the Science of Scare Project’s list. The combination of eerie home videos, a chilling score, and the terrifying presence of Bughuul creates a perfect storm of dread. Watching those Super 8 reels feels almost too real, like something you shouldn’t be seeing. The slow-burn pacing ensures that by the time the final twist hits, your nerves are shredded. It’s not just about the jump scares – it’s about the deep, lingering unease that follows you long after. Science doesn’t lie: this is one of the scariest horror films ever made.

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| © Summit Entertainment

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What really makes a horror movie terrifying? Jump scares, chilling atmospheres, or that creeping dread that stays with you long after the credits roll? Instead of leaving the answer to opinion, the Science of Scare Project by Broadband Choices set out to measure fear itself – tracking audience heart rates while they watched some of the most iconic horror films ever made. The result? A data-driven list of the scariest movies of all time.

It’s worth noting that the study doesn’t include any releases from 2024 or 2025, so don’t expect to see the latest scream-inducing hits just yet. Still, the results give us a fascinating look at which horror films genuinely leave audiences shaken. From modern nightmares to enduring classics, these 15 titles prove that when it comes to fear, science really can pick the winners.