Horror movies have been around for over a century, scaring audiences with terrifying creatures, supernatural phenomena, and the dark side of human nature. But what really gets our hearts pounding and our skin crawling are jump scares - those unexpected moments when a monster suddenly pops out of nowhere or a hand reaches out from the darkness. Jump scares are the backbone of horror, the secret sauce that makes us squirm in our seats and scream in terror.
But what makes jump scares so effective? It's simple, really. They prey on our natural fight or flight response, triggering a surge of adrenaline that makes us feel alive and scared at the same time. In a horror movie, we know that something terrifying is going to happen, but we don't know exactly when or where. The tension builds and builds, until we're practically begging for a release. And then, BAM! The jump scare hits us like a ton of bricks, leaving us gasping for breath and looking over our shoulders.
In the 2010s, horror movies had a major resurgence, thanks in part to the rise of independent filmmaking and the popularity of streaming platforms. With new technology and more creative freedom, filmmakers were able to push the boundaries of what was considered "scary," experimenting with different styles and subgenres. But despite all the innovation, one thing remained constant - jump scares were still the king of scares.
So what were the best jump scares of the 2010s? That's what we're here to explore. From haunted houses to demonic possessions to slasher flicks, the past decade had plenty of moments that made us jump out of our seats. Some were predictable, some were completely out of left field, and some were so cleverly executed that they still haunt us to this day.
So grab some popcorn (if you dare) and get ready to relive the scariest moments of the 2010s. Just don't say we didn't warn you - these jump scares are not for the faint of heart.
10 The Peek-A-Boo – Insidious (2010)
Insidious is a terrifying tale of a family being haunted by demonic forces. The movie tells the story of the Lambert family, who move into a new home only to find that their son has mysteriously fallen into a coma. As they try to uncover the cause of his condition, they realize that their son's body has become a vessel for malevolent spirits, and they must venture into the spirit world to save him.
One of the most memorable jump scares in the movie comes when Renai, the mother, is telling a story to her husband. As she speaks, the camera zooms in on her, and suddenly turns to Josh, her husband when we see the silhouette of a sinister figure. It's the infamous lipstick demon, who had been tormenting the family from the very beginning of the movie. The demon's appearance is sudden and unexpected, and it's executed with such precision that it's enough to make even the bravest viewer jump out of their seat. The way the demon seems to stand out into the scene is a masterful use of score and surprise, making it one of the most memorable jump scares of the 2010s.
9 The Lawnmower – Sinister (2012)
Sinister is a movie about true crime writer Ellison Oswalt, who moves his family into a house where a horrific murder took place. He discovers a box of old home movies in the attic, each depicting the gruesome murders of different families. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that a malevolent supernatural entity is behind the murders.
In one scene, Oswalt is investigating a strange noise coming from the garden at night. As he's searching for the source of the sound, suddenly the lawnmower starts by itself, and the blades start whirring. It's a moment that's both unexpected and terrifying, and it's executed flawlessly. The sound of the lawnmower is jarring and loud, and it takes a moment for the viewer to register what's happening before the jump scare hits. The suddenness of the lawnmower's activation is a perfect example of how a mundane object can be transformed into a weapon of terror.
8 The Face-In-Window – The Woman In Black (2012)
The Woman In Black is a ghost story about a young lawyer who travels to a remote village to settle the affairs of a deceased client. He soon discovers that the village is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a woman who lost her child and seeks revenge on the living.
One of the most effective jump scares in the movie comes when the protagonist, Arthur Kipps, is alone in his room, and he sees a handprint on the window. When he touches the handprint, suddenly a ghostly face appears in the window, staring back at him with a malevolent expression. The scene is perfectly executed, with the tension building slowly. The sudden appearance of the ghostly face is startling and creepy, and it's enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. The use of the window as a framing device is clever, and it makes the jump scare all the more effective.
7 The Hand Claps – The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is a classic horror film that follows the Perron family as they move into a new home, only to find that it's haunted by a malevolent entity. The film features several jump scares, but none are as memorable as the hand claps. The scene in question takes place in the basement, where the protagonist, Lorraine, is investigating a strange noise and gets trapped there.
The scene follows quite a few soft scares, from a ball rolling down out of nowhere to the light bulb smashing. All of these lead to the masterful fact that Lorraine now has a box of matches as the only source of light. After her terrified attempt of backing up on the stairs, suddenly, she hears a loud clapping sound behind her ear. What makes this jump scare so effective is the combination of sound and visuals - the claps are loud and startling, while the hands are grotesque and unexpected. The execution is flawless, building tension with each scare until the final reveal.
6 The Night Chase – Mama (2013)
Mama is a chilling horror film that centers around two young girls who are discovered in the woods, having been missing for several years. When they're taken in by their uncle and his wife, it becomes clear that something supernatural was keeping them alive in the woods - and that something has followed them home.
The jump scare in question takes place during a night chase scene, where the children are running up the stairs to escape the ghostly Mama. The camera follows them closely, with plenty of dark corners and walls to conceal cuts and edits. The tension builds and builds, until finally, Mama leaps forward to attack. What makes this jump scare so effective is the sense of claustrophobia - we feel like we're right there with the children, being chased by this terrifying entity. The execution is brilliant, with the camera work and sound design working together to create a truly frightening experience.
5 The Tall Man – It Follows (2014)
It Follows is a modern horror classic that follows a group of friends as they try to outrun a supernatural entity that's constantly following them. The jump scare in question takes place in a house, where the friends are waiting for the monster to show up. As they wait, they hear a knock at the door and assume it's their friend. But when they open the door, it's just a random guy. Meanwhile, in the background, a tall, menacing figure slowly walks down the corridor.
What makes this jump scare so effective is the misdirection - we're led to believe that the scare is going to come from the guy at the door, but it's actually the tall man in the background. The execution is masterful, with director David Robert Mitchell playing with our expectations and delivering a truly terrifying moment.
4 The Charging Nun – The Conjuring 2 (2016)
In The Conjuring 2, Lorraine and Ed Warren are investigating a case of a single mother and her four children who are haunted by a malicious spirit. While searching for clues in the house's basement, Lorraine sees a vision of a demon nun who later becomes a key figure in the film's climax. The jump scare, in particular, happens when Lorraine is alone in a dark hallway and the camera slowly moves towards her. Suddenly, the demon nun charges at the camera with her mouth wide open, screeching at Lorraine.
The buildup to the jump scare involves the very obvious figure-in-the-hallway trope blended carefully remixed into a true nerve-chilling scene. What makes it so effective is the sudden appearance of the demon nun and the camera's angle, making it seem as if she is coming straight at the viewer. The jump scare is expertly executed, with the loud noise and sudden movement making the viewer jump out of their skin.
3 The Projector Scare – IT: Chapter One (2017)
The first part of Stephen King's iconic horror novel IT was brought to the big screen in 2017, and it did not disappoint. IT: Chapter One follows a group of kids known as the Losers' Club, who are terrorized by an evil entity that takes on the form of a clown called Pennywise. One of the most iconic scenes from the movie involves the kids in the projector room, where they are looking at slides of old pictures. Suddenly, there's a picture of Pennywise, and in the next one, he's not in the picture.
In the third picture, there's a giant version of Pennywise crawling out from the screen. This jump scare is so effective because it plays on the viewer's anticipation and imagination, making them wonder what's going to happen next. The execution of the jump scare is also flawless, with the sudden appearance of the giant Pennywise accompanied by a loud noise that makes the viewer jump.
2 The Annie Chase – Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is a horror movie that explores themes of grief, loss, and the supernatural. The movie follows a family as they deal with the aftermath of the death of the family's matriarch. The jump scare in question happens towards the end of the movie when Annie is chasing her son after he discovers a naked man standing in the doorway. In a terrifying and sudden movement, Annie pounces on her son and chases him.
This jump scare is effective because it plays on the viewer's sense of anticipation and dread, because they are so invested on what’s happening in the forefront that they do not anticipate Annie charging methodically towards her son. The suddenness of the attack is what makes it so terrifying, and the camera's use of close-ups and quick cuts heighten the sense of tension and unease.
1 The (Literal) Jump Scare – A Quiet Place (2018)
A Quiet Place is a post-apocalyptic horror movie that takes place in a world where creatures with hyper-sensitive hearing have wiped out most of humanity. The remaining survivors must remain completely silent to avoid detection by the creatures. The jump scare in question happens when the children are walking across a cornfield and suddenly fall into a false-pit. The camera then cuts to an overhead shot of the children looking around, trying to see where they are.
Suddenly, one of the creatures jumps on them from above, creating a loud noise that makes the viewer jump out of their seat. What makes this jump scare so effective is the suddenness of the attack and the use of sound to create tension. The camera's overhead shot is also a brilliant choice, as it makes the viewer feel as if they are watching the attack from above, adding an extra layer of terror to the scene.