While we may think that there is an unknowable combination of deeply unsettling narratives, jumpscares, and gory surprises to making a truly unforgettable horror movie, you will be surprised to know that science has actually managed to quantify the horror experience into a pretty neat barometer. Here are the scariest movies according to science that we challenge you to watch now.
Watching and genuinely liking the horror genre is not for the faint-hearted. Hence, this sub-genre may have a relatively smaller fanbase but a loyal one of course. Horror films are crafted to tap into our deepest fears and bring our nightmares to life with eerie visuals and audio. These terrifying images induce goosebumps, send our hearts racing and you’d soon find yourself gripping your seats out of sheer fear. But how do these directors know exactly how to scare the living daylights out of their audience with sounds and visuals? Well, there is an entire formula that goes behind creating the scariest movies according to science. From measuring heart rate to screams, these movies can be scored according to science by tracking psychological data. Science can truly quantify our scary feelings.
The Science of Scare study revealed data about the scariest movies of all time according to science by tracking the pulses of hundreds of volunteers against an average resting heart rate (BPM) of 64 watching hours of English-language horror movies. 250 participants were hooked to heart rate monitors to establish a Scare Score system.
According to their 2024 data, Scott Derrickson’s 2012 supernatural horror Sinister holds the title of the scariest movie according to science. The list includes other popular horror movies including The Conjuring, Hereditary, Smile and more. Whether you’re a horror veteran or someone who rarely gets scared and is searching for a scientifically proven scariest film, look no further. Here is the list of the top 10 scariest movies according to Science that will get your heart racing.
Top 10 scariest movies according to science that you shouldn’t watch alone
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Sinister (2012)
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone and more.
Director: Scott Derrickson
IMDb rating: 6.8
Synopsis: Topping the list of the scariest movies according to science is the Scott Derrickson directorial. The film centres around Ellison, a crime writer, who moves his family into a house where gruesome murders take place. During his research, he soon starts noticing unusual and terrifying things taking place. The film features Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone and more.
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Host (2020)
Cast: Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore and Emma Louise Webb
Director: Rob Savage
IMDb rating: 6.5
Synopsis: The Rob Savage directorial follows the story of six friends who accidentally call upon a powerful demonic entity during an online séance. They soon began noticing terrifying paranormal activities in their homes. The film features Haley Bishop, Jemma Moore, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova and more.
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Skinamirink (2022)
Cast: Lucas Paul, Dali Rose, Ross Paul and more
Director: Kyle Edward Bal
IMDb rating: 4.8
Synopsis: The Kyle Edward Ball directorial centres around two kids whose father suddenly disappears. They soon start having terrifying paranormal experiences. The atmosphere that the visuals in this movie create is enough to scare the socks off your feet. The film features Lucas Paul, Dali Rose, Ross Paul and more.
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Insidious (2010)
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Barbara Hershey.
Director: James Wan
IMDb rating: 6.8
Synopsis: The James Wan directorial follows the story of a loving couple who move into a new house. Their seemingly perfect life takes a demonic turn after their son falls into a mysterious coma. They soon began experiencing paranormal activities. The 2010 movie is the first instalment in the famous Insidious franchise.
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The Conjuring (2013)
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor and more
Director: James Wan
IMDb rating: 7.5
Synopsis: The James Wan directorial follows the story of a family who starts experiencing frightening things after moving into an old house. They seek help from Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators, to save themselves. The 2013 film is an inaugural movie in The Conjuring Universe franchise. It stars Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor and more.
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Hereditary (2018)
Cast: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro
Director: Ari Aster
IMDb rating: 7.3
Synopsis: The Ari Aster directorial follows the story of a family who starts encountering terrifying things after the grandmother passes away. With every horrific moment, the truth of their chilling ancestry comes to light. The film features Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne.
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Smile (2022)
Cast: Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner and Kal Penn
Director: Parker Finn
IMDb rating: 6.5
Synopsis: The Parker Finn directorial follows the story of Dr. Rose Cotter who witnesses a terrifying moment with one of her patients. Soon, she starts experiencing frightening occurrences that will only stop once she confronts her demons from the past. It stars Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn, and Rob Morgan. A sequel of the movie, Smile 2, was released in October 2024.
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Cast: Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson and Jennifer Carpenter
Director: Scott Derrickson
IMDb rating: 6.7
Synopsis: Loosely based on the book The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel by Felicitas D. Goodman, the Scott Derrickson directorial follows the story of a teenager Emily Rose who is believed to be possessed by demons. Meanwhile, Father Richard Moore, a Catholic diocesan priest, is charged with negligent homicide after performing exorcism on her. The movie is a unique blend of horror and legal drama. It stars Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Jennifer Carpenter and more.
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Talk To Me (2022)
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen and Joe Bird
Director: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
IMDb rating: 7.1
Synopsis: We all have that one friend who takes everything too far when playing. And, suddenly, the game becomes too real and too terrifying. Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou, the film follows the story of a group of friends who discover a way to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand. The game quickly turns horrific after they accidentally call upon terrifying supernatural forces. The movie stars Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes and more.
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Hell House LLC (2015)
Cast: Gore Abrams, Alice Bahlke and Danny Bellini
Director: Stephen Cognetti
IMDb rating: 6.4
Synopsis: Ever wanted to visit a haunted house for some cheap thrills? Watch Hell House LLC before you go and it might just change your mind. The Stephen Cognetti directorial follows the story of a documentary crew who goes to a haunted house where 15 people lost their lives five years ago. The film stars Gore Abrams, Alice Bahlke and Danny Bellini among others.
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All Images: Courtesy IMDb
(Hero image: Courtesy Smile, Talk To Me and The Conjuring/ IMDb; Feature image: Courtesy Talk To Me)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Sinister is the scariest movie scientifically.
According to science, Sinister is the scariest movie in the world.
The Conjuring is the scariest movie based on real events.
Watching horror movies can trigger a variety of negative emotions such as anxiety and fear.
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Princia is an entertainment writer and pop culture addict whose eyes sparkle at the sight of true crime docu-dramas. In her free time, she consumes an unhealthy amount of Korean dramas and anime. She has previously worked for Mashable.
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