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The top 50 scariest movies ever according to science have been revealed for 2025

It's Halloween night and if you're looking to be scared, science has crowned the scariest movies to ever grace the silver screen.

Maddison Brennan-Mills
October 31, 2025 - 7:33AM
news.com.au
Think you’re brave? These movies have been scientifically proven to raise your heart rate and make your palms sweat. Get ready for the official ranking of the 50 scariest horror films according to science. Photo: istock
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Think you’re brave? These movies have been scientifically proven to raise your heart rate and make your palms sweat. Get ready for the official ranking of the 50 scariest horror films according to science. Photo: istock

The Science of Scare Project is an annual experiment designed to find the scariest movies ever made. Each year, a panel of 250 volunteers watches a carefully chosen line-up of horror films while their heart rates are tracked. The result? A truly objective ranking of what actually terrifies people the most. Photo: istock
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The Science of Scare Project is an annual experiment designed to find the scariest movies ever made. Each year, a panel of 250 volunteers watches a carefully chosen line-up of horror films while their heart rates are tracked. The result? A truly objective ranking of what actually terrifies people the most. Photo: istock

Participants watch horror films in special screenings over several weeks. They’re fitted with heart rate monitors that record their BPM throughout the movie. This way, researchers can see exactly when the audience’s pulse spikes. It’s not just about what people say is scary, it’s about how their bodies react. Photo: istock
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Participants watch horror films in special screenings over several weeks. They’re fitted with heart rate monitors that record their BPM throughout the movie. This way, researchers can see exactly when the audience’s pulse spikes. It’s not just about what people say is scary, it’s about how their bodies react. Photo: istock

Since 2020, MoneySuperMarket's Science of Scare study has subjected brave volunteers to hundreds of hours of horror, tracking their heart rates and other factors to compile a list of the most heart-racing, scientifically scary movies in cinema history. Over the past 5 years, they've screened over 100 movies to a changing panel of 250 volunteers, with 2025's study seeing two new entries to the top 25 scientifically scariest films of all time. Photo: istock
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Since 2020, MoneySuperMarket's Science of Scare study has subjected brave volunteers to hundreds of hours of horror, tracking their heart rates and other factors to compile a list of the most heart-racing, scientifically scary movies in cinema history. Over the past 5 years, they've screened over 100 movies to a changing panel of 250 volunteers, with 2025's study seeing two new entries to the top 25 scientifically scariest films of all time. Photo: istock

50 - Weapons (2025) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 88 – A chilling new social horror that blends commentary and chaos. Weapons takes everyday fears — surveillance, violence, control — and turns them into something monstrously real. Tense direction, shocking imagery, and unnerving silences pushed viewers’ heart rates up even without jump scares. A late addition to the study, it slid into the Top 50 by sheer dread factor. Photo: Universal Pictures
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50 - Weapons (2025) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 88 – A chilling new social horror that blends commentary and chaos. Weapons takes everyday fears — surveillance, violence, control — and turns them into something monstrously real. Tense direction, shocking imagery, and unnerving silences pushed viewers’ heart rates up even without jump scares. A late addition to the study, it slid into the Top 50 by sheer dread factor. Photo: Universal Pictures

49 - The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 93 – The Warrens’ latest investigation brings the franchise full circle. Last Rites combines familiar haunted-house tension with darker religious imagery and a handful of expertly timed scares. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it proves why this series still delivers physiological fear better than most. Photo: New Line Cinema
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49 - The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 93 – The Warrens’ latest investigation brings the franchise full circle. Last Rites combines familiar haunted-house tension with darker religious imagery and a handful of expertly timed scares. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it proves why this series still delivers physiological fear better than most. Photo: New Line Cinema

48 - Oculus (2013) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 91 – A brother and sister confront a cursed mirror responsible for their family’s trauma. Oculus blends psychological horror with supernatural scares, making viewers question what’s real. Its disorienting structure and genuinely creepy visuals kept heart rates elevated, proving that subtle, smart horror still delivers. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
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48 - Oculus (2013) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 91 – A brother and sister confront a cursed mirror responsible for their family’s trauma. Oculus blends psychological horror with supernatural scares, making viewers question what’s real. Its disorienting structure and genuinely creepy visuals kept heart rates elevated, proving that subtle, smart horror still delivers. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

46 (=) - The Grudge (2004) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 72 | Spike 93 – The American remake of Japan’s Ju-On introduced a new generation to ghostly croaks and long-haired spirits. The Grudge excels at that feeling of inescapable doom. Even if you escape the house, the curse follows. It still earns BPM spikes with its iconic hallway scares and that unforgettable croaking sound. Photo: Ghost House Pictures
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46 (=) - The Grudge (2004) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 72 | Spike 93 – The American remake of Japan’s Ju-On introduced a new generation to ghostly croaks and long-haired spirits. The Grudge excels at that feeling of inescapable doom. Even if you escape the house, the curse follows. It still earns BPM spikes with its iconic hallway scares and that unforgettable croaking sound. Photo: Ghost House Pictures

46 (=) - 28 Days Later (2002) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 92 – Danny Boyle’s take on the zombie genre is relentless. The rage-infected sprinting monsters and bleak, emptied London create constant tension. That heart-pounding opening alone sets viewers on edge. Even for seasoned horror fans, the sense of speed and inevitability gets the pulse racing. Photo: DNA Films
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46 (=) - 28 Days Later (2002) Scare Score 51 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 92 – Danny Boyle’s take on the zombie genre is relentless. The rage-infected sprinting monsters and bleak, emptied London create constant tension. That heart-pounding opening alone sets viewers on edge. Even for seasoned horror fans, the sense of speed and inevitability gets the pulse racing. Photo: DNA Films

45 - Saw X (2023) Scare Score 52 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 84 – The latest instalment of the Saw franchise proves the formula still works. Traps that make you squirm, moral dilemmas that test your limits, and a grimy atmosphere all contribute to raised BPMs. Fans know what they’re in for, but the creative kills still deliver genuine horror. Photo: Twisted Pictures
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45 - Saw X (2023) Scare Score 52 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 84 – The latest instalment of the Saw franchise proves the formula still works. Traps that make you squirm, moral dilemmas that test your limits, and a grimy atmosphere all contribute to raised BPMs. Fans know what they’re in for, but the creative kills still deliver genuine horror. Photo: Twisted Pictures

44 - Longlegs (2024) Scare Score 54 | Avg HR 71 | Spike 98 – A disturbing psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage in one of his creepiest roles yet. Longlegs leans into occult imagery and chilling murders, building an atmosphere that gnaws at you. Even when there’s no jump scare, the unsettling tone keeps your heart rate elevated. Photo: Neon
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44 - Longlegs (2024) Scare Score 54 | Avg HR 71 | Spike 98 – A disturbing psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage in one of his creepiest roles yet. Longlegs leans into occult imagery and chilling murders, building an atmosphere that gnaws at you. Even when there’s no jump scare, the unsettling tone keeps your heart rate elevated. Photo: Neon

43 - Lights Out (2016) Scare Score 54 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 90 – This film turns a universal childhood fear into nightmare fuel. The entity only appears in the dark, leading to inventive, terrifying sequences. Its simple premise is executed with precision, making audiences jump and their hearts pound with every flick of the light switch. Photo: New Line Cinema
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43 - Lights Out (2016) Scare Score 54 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 90 – This film turns a universal childhood fear into nightmare fuel. The entity only appears in the dark, leading to inventive, terrifying sequences. Its simple premise is executed with precision, making audiences jump and their hearts pound with every flick of the light switch. Photo: New Line Cinema

42 - Immaculate (2024) Scare Score 55 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 101 – Sydney Sweeney stars in this religious horror set in an Italian convent. With gothic settings and unsettling themes of immaculate conception, it uses atmosphere and shocking moments to keep viewers anxious. That blend of quiet dread and sudden horror shows in its BPM readings. Photo: Black Bear Pictures
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42 - Immaculate (2024) Scare Score 55 | Avg HR 73 | Spike 101 – Sydney Sweeney stars in this religious horror set in an Italian convent. With gothic settings and unsettling themes of immaculate conception, it uses atmosphere and shocking moments to keep viewers anxious. That blend of quiet dread and sudden horror shows in its BPM readings. Photo: Black Bear Pictures

41 - Evil Dead Rise (2023) Scare Score 57 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 83 – The Evil Dead franchise remains reliably grotesque. This urban high-rise entry mixes the familiar Necronomicon chaos with confined settings. Viewers’ heart rates spiked thanks to inventive gore, relentless pacing, and the series’ signature unhinged demonic possession scenes. Photo: New Line Cinema
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41 - Evil Dead Rise (2023) Scare Score 57 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 83 – The Evil Dead franchise remains reliably grotesque. This urban high-rise entry mixes the familiar Necronomicon chaos with confined settings. Viewers’ heart rates spiked thanks to inventive gore, relentless pacing, and the series’ signature unhinged demonic possession scenes. Photo: New Line Cinema

40 - Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) Scare Score 57 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 94 – The sequel expands the found-footage hauntings to a bigger house with more characters, but the scares remain intimate. Creepy night-vision footage, subtle background movement, and sudden, violent shocks ensured BPM spikes remained consistent throughout. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
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40 - Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) Scare Score 57 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 94 – The sequel expands the found-footage hauntings to a bigger house with more characters, but the scares remain intimate. Creepy night-vision footage, subtle background movement, and sudden, violent shocks ensured BPM spikes remained consistent throughout. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

39 - The Blair Witch Project (1999) Scare Score 58 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 92 – One of the most influential found-footage films ever made. The improvised, real-feeling panic, minimalist effects, and ambiguous horror had viewers on edge. Even today, its sense of being lost and hunted in the woods gives it serious fear power. Photo: Haxan Films
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39 - The Blair Witch Project (1999) Scare Score 58 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 92 – One of the most influential found-footage films ever made. The improvised, real-feeling panic, minimalist effects, and ambiguous horror had viewers on edge. Even today, its sense of being lost and hunted in the woods gives it serious fear power. Photo: Haxan Films

38 - The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Scare Score 61 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 100 – The Warrens investigate a murder suspect who claims demonic possession as his defence. This sequel balances courtroom drama with supernatural terror. While it leans into spectacle, it still delivers enough jump scares and creepy imagery to keep audiences’ BPM up. Photo: New Line Cinema
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38 - The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) Scare Score 61 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 100 – The Warrens investigate a murder suspect who claims demonic possession as his defence. This sequel balances courtroom drama with supernatural terror. While it leans into spectacle, it still delivers enough jump scares and creepy imagery to keep audiences’ BPM up. Photo: New Line Cinema

37 - It (2017) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 102 – Pennywise the Dancing Clown returned to haunt a new generation. Andrés Muschietti’s adaptation balances coming-of-age bonding with terrifying encounters in the sewers. Bill Skarsgård’s unblinking stare alone was enough to make viewers’ pulses spike. Photo: New Line Cinema
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37 - It (2017) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 75 | Spike 102 – Pennywise the Dancing Clown returned to haunt a new generation. Andrés Muschietti’s adaptation balances coming-of-age bonding with terrifying encounters in the sewers. Bill Skarsgård’s unblinking stare alone was enough to make viewers’ pulses spike. Photo: New Line Cinema

36 - The Visit (2015) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 93 – M. Night Shyamalan’s low-budget return to form mixes found-footage style with creepy grandparents acting increasingly unhinged. That combination of real-world awkwardness and horror kept viewers uncomfortable and alert throughout. Photo: Blinding Edge Pictures
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36 - The Visit (2015) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 93 – M. Night Shyamalan’s low-budget return to form mixes found-footage style with creepy grandparents acting increasingly unhinged. That combination of real-world awkwardness and horror kept viewers uncomfortable and alert throughout. Photo: Blinding Edge Pictures

35 - The Exorcist (1973) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 89 – The possession movie that defined the genre. The Exorcist remains deeply unsettling even decades later, with Regan’s demonic transformation, shocking language, and cold, clinical dread. Modern viewers still get a physiological jolt from its raw power. Star Linda Blair even fractured her back filming the notorious possession scenes, adding a chilling real-life injury to this horror classic. Photo: Warner Bros.
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35 - The Exorcist (1973) Scare Score 62 | Avg HR 74 | Spike 89 – The possession movie that defined the genre. The Exorcist remains deeply unsettling even decades later, with Regan’s demonic transformation, shocking language, and cold, clinical dread. Modern viewers still get a physiological jolt from its raw power. Star Linda Blair even fractured her back filming the notorious possession scenes, adding a chilling real-life injury to this horror classic. Photo: Warner Bros.

34 - The Nun II (2023) Scare Score 63 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 108 – The demon Valak returns in this gothic sequel. Creepy convent hallways, sinister murals, and brutal jump scares keep the Conjuring universe alive and viewers’ hearts pounding. Even if it’s a franchise entry, it still delivers big scares. Photo: New Line Cinema
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34 - The Nun II (2023) Scare Score 63 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 108 – The demon Valak returns in this gothic sequel. Creepy convent hallways, sinister murals, and brutal jump scares keep the Conjuring universe alive and viewers’ hearts pounding. Even if it’s a franchise entry, it still delivers big scares. Photo: New Line Cinema

33 - Hush (2016) Scare Score 63 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 89 – A deaf woman alone in a remote house is hunted by a masked killer. Mike Flanagan’s minimalist thriller uses silence and vulnerability to build tension in every frame, keeping BPMs elevated with sustained dread rather than cheap tricks. Photo: Intrepid Pictures
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33 - Hush (2016) Scare Score 63 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 89 – A deaf woman alone in a remote house is hunted by a masked killer. Mike Flanagan’s minimalist thriller uses silence and vulnerability to build tension in every frame, keeping BPMs elevated with sustained dread rather than cheap tricks. Photo: Intrepid Pictures

32 - Insidious: The Red Door (2023) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 112 – The Lambert family returns to The Further one last time. This sequel relies on familiar Insidious imagery, demonic figures, and jump scares to keep viewers bracing themselves throughout, proving the franchise’s staying power. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
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32 - Insidious: The Red Door (2023) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 76 | Spike 112 – The Lambert family returns to The Further one last time. This sequel relies on familiar Insidious imagery, demonic figures, and jump scares to keep viewers bracing themselves throughout, proving the franchise’s staying power. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

31 - Halloween (1978) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 103 – John Carpenter’s original slasher classic still works because of its slow-burn tension and Michael Myers’ blank, unfeeling menace. The mask alone can raise heart rates, and that final chase never stops being scary. Photo: Compass International Pictures
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31 - Halloween (1978) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 103 – John Carpenter’s original slasher classic still works because of its slow-burn tension and Michael Myers’ blank, unfeeling menace. The mask alone can raise heart rates, and that final chase never stops being scary. Photo: Compass International Pictures

30 - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 105 – Freddy Krueger attacks you where you’re most vulnerable: your dreams. Wes Craven’s mix of surreal visuals and grisly kills remains deeply creepy, with imaginative set-pieces that earned its place on this list. Photo: New Line Cinema
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30 - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 105 – Freddy Krueger attacks you where you’re most vulnerable: your dreams. Wes Craven’s mix of surreal visuals and grisly kills remains deeply creepy, with imaginative set-pieces that earned its place on this list. Photo: New Line Cinema

29 - Barbarian (2022) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 97 – This modern hit starts as one thing and becomes something much worse. With disturbing twists, claustrophobic tunnels, and one of horror’s most uncomfortable setups, it’s a BPM-raiser that leaves you squirming. Photo: Regency Enterprises
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29 - Barbarian (2022) Scare Score 64 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 97 – This modern hit starts as one thing and becomes something much worse. With disturbing twists, claustrophobic tunnels, and one of horror’s most uncomfortable setups, it’s a BPM-raiser that leaves you squirming. Photo: Regency Enterprises

28 - The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Scare Score 65 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 99 – Tobe Hooper’s gritty, relentless slasher changed the genre forever. Leatherface’s first appearance is raw terror, but it’s the unnerving realism and sweaty panic that really get under your skin. Even decades later, it makes hearts race and palms sweat. Photo: Vortex Inc.
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28 - The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Scare Score 65 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 99 – Tobe Hooper’s gritty, relentless slasher changed the genre forever. Leatherface’s first appearance is raw terror, but it’s the unnerving realism and sweaty panic that really get under your skin. Even decades later, it makes hearts race and palms sweat. Photo: Vortex Inc.

27 - A Quiet Place (2018) Scare Score 67 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 120 – Silence becomes survival in John Krasinski’s breakout horror hit. Every creak and whisper carries life-or-death stakes, creating nailbiting tension. The heart rate spikes come from perfectly timed reveals and the terror of not being able to scream. Photo: Platinum Dunes
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27 - A Quiet Place (2018) Scare Score 67 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 120 – Silence becomes survival in John Krasinski’s breakout horror hit. Every creak and whisper carries life-or-death stakes, creating nailbiting tension. The heart rate spikes come from perfectly timed reveals and the terror of not being able to scream. Photo: Platinum Dunes

26 - Stopmotion (2024) Scare Score 67 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 103 – A newer indie horror about an animator whose puppets seem to come to life in disturbing ways. Stopmotion blends body horror and psychological breakdown, delivering creeping dread that messes with viewers’ heads. Photo: IFC Films
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26 - Stopmotion (2024) Scare Score 67 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 103 – A newer indie horror about an animator whose puppets seem to come to life in disturbing ways. Stopmotion blends body horror and psychological breakdown, delivering creeping dread that messes with viewers’ heads. Photo: IFC Films

25 - Terrifier 3 (2025) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 97 – Art returns with even more sadistic carnage. Long, unflinching set-pieces and an unstoppable killer turn the sequel into a nerve-shredding endurance test, keeping BPMs perilously high from start to finish. Photo: Dark Age Cinema
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25 - Terrifier 3 (2025) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 97 – Art returns with even more sadistic carnage. Long, unflinching set-pieces and an unstoppable killer turn the sequel into a nerve-shredding endurance test, keeping BPMs perilously high from start to finish. Photo: Dark Age Cinema

24 - Bring Her Back (2025) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 81 – From the Talk to Me duo, a bleak Australian folk-horror that gets under the skin. Slow-burn dread, shocking turns, and a hopeless mood made it the 2025 panel’s most distressing watch. Photo: Causeway Films
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24 - Bring Her Back (2025) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 81 – From the Talk to Me duo, a bleak Australian folk-horror that gets under the skin. Slow-burn dread, shocking turns, and a hopeless mood made it the 2025 panel’s most distressing watch. Photo: Causeway Films

23 - Terrifier 2 (2022) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 91 – Art’s brutal sequel gained cult status for its unflinching violence. Long, grisly kill scenes and a killer who seems unstoppable make it an endurance test for nerves. No surprise it landed viewers in BPM territory that borders on panic. Photo: Dark Age Cinema
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23 - Terrifier 2 (2022) Scare Score 68 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 91 – Art’s brutal sequel gained cult status for its unflinching violence. Long, grisly kill scenes and a killer who seems unstoppable make it an endurance test for nerves. No surprise it landed viewers in BPM territory that borders on panic. Photo: Dark Age Cinema

22 - The Ring (2002) Scare Score 69 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 114 – The cursed videotape remains one of the genre’s great ideas. Samara crawling out of the TV is seared into horror history. Even knowing the ending, viewers’ heart rates climb as the dread of that phone call settles in. Photo: DreamWorks Pictures
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22 - The Ring (2002) Scare Score 69 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 114 – The cursed videotape remains one of the genre’s great ideas. Samara crawling out of the TV is seared into horror history. Even knowing the ending, viewers’ heart rates climb as the dread of that phone call settles in. Photo: DreamWorks Pictures

21 - Oddity (2023) Scare Score 69 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 108 – A creepy newcomer that immediately made the list. Oddity blends supernatural horror with unsettling psychological themes, making viewers squirm and keeping their pulses racing with its unpredictable twists. Photo: Shudder
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21 - Oddity (2023) Scare Score 69 | Avg HR 77 | Spike 108 – A creepy newcomer that immediately made the list. Oddity blends supernatural horror with unsettling psychological themes, making viewers squirm and keeping their pulses racing with its unpredictable twists. Photo: Shudder

20 - Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Scare Score 70 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 118 – The haunting continues with even deeper dives into The Further. James Wan doubles down on the jump scares and ghostly figures, making it another BPM-spiking entry in the franchise. It proves you can’t really escape what lurks on the other side. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
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20 - Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Scare Score 70 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 118 – The haunting continues with even deeper dives into The Further. James Wan doubles down on the jump scares and ghostly figures, making it another BPM-spiking entry in the franchise. It proves you can’t really escape what lurks on the other side. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

19 - The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) Scare Score 70 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 122 – A father and son coroners uncover increasingly bizarre and terrifying secrets while examining an unidentified body. Its confined setting and layered mysteries keep tension high and heart rates spiking with each revelation. Photo: IFC Midnight
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19 - The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) Scare Score 70 | Avg HR 78 | Spike 122 – A father and son coroners uncover increasingly bizarre and terrifying secrets while examining an unidentified body. Its confined setting and layered mysteries keep tension high and heart rates spiking with each revelation. Photo: IFC Midnight

18 - A Quiet Place Part II (2021) Scare Score 71 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 123 – This sequel ramps up the tension from the original, expanding the world but keeping the life-or-death silence. Perfectly crafted set-pieces and the constant threat of monsters make viewers hold their breath. Photo: Platinum Dunes
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18 - A Quiet Place Part II (2021) Scare Score 71 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 123 – This sequel ramps up the tension from the original, expanding the world but keeping the life-or-death silence. Perfectly crafted set-pieces and the constant threat of monsters make viewers hold their breath. Photo: Platinum Dunes

17 - The Babadook (2014) Scare Score 72 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 119 – Grief, mental illness, and a sinister children’s book collide in this Australian classic. The Babadook delivers unease with every frame, with its dread building relentlessly until it becomes nearly unbearable. Photo: Causeway Films
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17 - The Babadook (2014) Scare Score 72 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 119 – Grief, mental illness, and a sinister children’s book collide in this Australian classic. The Babadook delivers unease with every frame, with its dread building relentlessly until it becomes nearly unbearable. Photo: Causeway Films

16 - Paranormal Activity (2007) Scare Score 73 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 115 – The found-footage phenomenon that reignited the genre. Simple setups, realistic acting, and those perfectly timed jump scares kept audiences glued to their seats while their BPMs shot up. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
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16 - Paranormal Activity (2007) Scare Score 73 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 115 – The found-footage phenomenon that reignited the genre. Simple setups, realistic acting, and those perfectly timed jump scares kept audiences glued to their seats while their BPMs shot up. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

15 - The Descent (2005) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 121 – Claustrophobia meets creatures in the dark. This cave expedition gone wrong uses pitch-black tunnels and brutal gore to keep viewers in a state of fight-or-flight. It’s a relentless stress test that rarely lets up. Photo: Pathé Pictures
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15 - The Descent (2005) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 121 – Claustrophobia meets creatures in the dark. This cave expedition gone wrong uses pitch-black tunnels and brutal gore to keep viewers in a state of fight-or-flight. It’s a relentless stress test that rarely lets up. Photo: Pathé Pictures

14 - The Dark and the Wicked (2020) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 88 – Bleak and relentless, this film follows siblings returning to their dying father’s farm only to face an unspeakable evil. It is a masterclass in slow-burn dread that unsettles viewers deeply. Photo: RLJE Films
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14 - The Dark and the Wicked (2020) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 80 | Spike 88 – Bleak and relentless, this film follows siblings returning to their dying father’s farm only to face an unspeakable evil. It is a masterclass in slow-burn dread that unsettles viewers deeply. Photo: RLJE Films

13 - It Follows (2014) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 81 | Spike 96 – A curse that walks slowly but never stops. It Follows creates tension by making every background figure a threat. Its originality and unrelenting pacing keep you constantly scanning the frame, heart racing. Photo: RADiUS-TWC
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13 - It Follows (2014) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 81 | Spike 96 – A curse that walks slowly but never stops. It Follows creates tension by making every background figure a threat. Its originality and unrelenting pacing keep you constantly scanning the frame, heart racing. Photo: RADiUS-TWC

12 (=) - The Conjuring 2 (2016) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 116 – Ed and Lorraine Warren head to England to investigate the Enfield haunting in this sequel. With the terrifying nun Valak and a relentlessly creepy atmosphere, The Conjuring 2 delivered big BPM spikes. Photo: New Line Cinema
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12 (=) - The Conjuring 2 (2016) Scare Score 74 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 116 – Ed and Lorraine Warren head to England to investigate the Enfield haunting in this sequel. With the terrifying nun Valak and a relentlessly creepy atmosphere, The Conjuring 2 delivered big BPM spikes. Photo: New Line Cinema

11 - Hell House LLC (2015) Scare Score 75 | Avg HR 81 | Spike 107 – Found-footage done right. A documentary crew investigates the deadly failure of a haunted house attraction. The result? Footage full of pitch-dark corridors, eerie clown mannequins, and slow-building dread that had audiences’ heart rates steadily climbing. Photo: Terror Films
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11 - Hell House LLC (2015) Scare Score 75 | Avg HR 81 | Spike 107 – Found-footage done right. A documentary crew investigates the deadly failure of a haunted house attraction. The result? Footage full of pitch-dark corridors, eerie clown mannequins, and slow-building dread that had audiences’ heart rates steadily climbing. Photo: Terror Films

10 - Talk to Me (2022) Scare Score 75 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 106 – A fresh Australian horror hit. Teens discover an embalmed hand that lets them speak to spirits, but the price is steep. Gritty, emotional, and genuinely scary, Talk to Me combines possession horror with real human stakes that keep BPM readings elevated. Photo: Causeway Films
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10 - Talk to Me (2022) Scare Score 75 | Avg HR 79 | Spike 106 – A fresh Australian horror hit. Teens discover an embalmed hand that lets them speak to spirits, but the price is steep. Gritty, emotional, and genuinely scary, Talk to Me combines possession horror with real human stakes that keep BPM readings elevated. Photo: Causeway Films

9 - The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) Scare Score 76 | Avg HR 82 | Spike 96 – Part courtroom drama, part demonic possession horror, this film tells the tragic story of Emily Rose with chilling performances and terrifying exorcism scenes. Jennifer Carpenter’s contorted physical acting remains nightmare fuel. Photo: Screen Gems
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9 - The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) Scare Score 76 | Avg HR 82 | Spike 96 – Part courtroom drama, part demonic possession horror, this film tells the tragic story of Emily Rose with chilling performances and terrifying exorcism scenes. Jennifer Carpenter’s contorted physical acting remains nightmare fuel. Photo: Screen Gems

8 - Smile (2022) Scare Score 78 | Avg HR 83 | Spike 114 – Trauma, curses, and that unsettling grin. Smile takes a simple concept and executes it with creeping dread and shocking visuals. It proved to be one of the biggest heart-rate drivers of recent years, with watchers holding their breath waiting for that next terrifying smile. Photo: Paramount Pictures
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8 - Smile (2022) Scare Score 78 | Avg HR 83 | Spike 114 – Trauma, curses, and that unsettling grin. Smile takes a simple concept and executes it with creeping dread and shocking visuals. It proved to be one of the biggest heart-rate drivers of recent years, with watchers holding their breath waiting for that next terrifying smile. Photo: Paramount Pictures

7 - Smile 2 (2024) Scare Score 79 | Avg HR 83 | Spike 110 – The sequel that out-scared its predecessor. Parker Finn doubles down on dread with nastier reveals and relentless tension, keeping average BPMs elevated across the runtime and spiking hard in the final act. A ruthless return that earns its Top 10 debut. Photo: Paramount Pictures
48/55

7 - Smile 2 (2024) Scare Score 79 | Avg HR 83 | Spike 110 – The sequel that out-scared its predecessor. Parker Finn doubles down on dread with nastier reveals and relentless tension, keeping average BPMs elevated across the runtime and spiking hard in the final act. A ruthless return that earns its Top 10 debut. Photo: Paramount Pictures

6 - Hereditary (2018) Scare Score 81 | Avg HR 82 | Spike 104 – Ari Aster’s debut shocked audiences with its portrayal of grief, family trauma, and satanic cults. Toni Collette delivers an unforgettable performance, while the film’s visuals and sound design keep viewers squirming, heart rates steadily high throughout. Photo: A24
49/55

6 - Hereditary (2018) Scare Score 81 | Avg HR 82 | Spike 104 – Ari Aster’s debut shocked audiences with its portrayal of grief, family trauma, and satanic cults. Toni Collette delivers an unforgettable performance, while the film’s visuals and sound design keep viewers squirming, heart rates steadily high throughout. Photo: A24

5 - The Conjuring (2013) Scare Score 88 | Avg HR 84 | Spike 132 – The film that launched a franchise. Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring nails classic haunted house scares. With expertly crafted jump scares and a relentless sense of foreboding, it’s no wonder it gets pulses racing. Photo: New Line Cinema
50/55

5 - The Conjuring (2013) Scare Score 88 | Avg HR 84 | Spike 132 – The film that launched a franchise. Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring nails classic haunted house scares. With expertly crafted jump scares and a relentless sense of foreboding, it’s no wonder it gets pulses racing. Photo: New Line Cinema

4 - Insidious (2010) Scare Score 90 | Avg HR 85 | Spike 133 – When their son falls into an unexplained coma, a family discovers demons in another realm trying to invade our world. James Wan’s creative visuals, nerve-jangling sound design, and perfectly timed jump scares kept BPMs sky-high. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
51/55

4 - Insidious (2010) Scare Score 90 | Avg HR 85 | Spike 133 – When their son falls into an unexplained coma, a family discovers demons in another realm trying to invade our world. James Wan’s creative visuals, nerve-jangling sound design, and perfectly timed jump scares kept BPMs sky-high. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

3 - Skinamarink (2022) Scare Score 91 | Avg HR 84 | Spike 113 – A low-budget Canadian indie that turned viral sensation. Two kids wake to find their father missing and their home’s windows and doors gone. With minimal lighting, unsettling audio, and lo-fi visuals, it delivers an atmosphere that burrows into your nightmares. Photo: IFC Films
52/55

3 - Skinamarink (2022) Scare Score 91 | Avg HR 84 | Spike 113 – A low-budget Canadian indie that turned viral sensation. Two kids wake to find their father missing and their home’s windows and doors gone. With minimal lighting, unsettling audio, and lo-fi visuals, it delivers an atmosphere that burrows into your nightmares. Photo: IFC Films

2 - Host (2020) Scare Score 95 | Avg HR 88 | Spike 130 – Filmed entirely over Zoom during the pandemic, Host follows friends who hold an online seance that goes horribly wrong. It’s lean, mean, and terrifying, making excellent use of the found-footage style to keep viewers’ BPMs peaking. Photo: Shadowhouse Films
53/55

2 - Host (2020) Scare Score 95 | Avg HR 88 | Spike 130 – Filmed entirely over Zoom during the pandemic, Host follows friends who hold an online seance that goes horribly wrong. It’s lean, mean, and terrifying, making excellent use of the found-footage style to keep viewers’ BPMs peaking. Photo: Shadowhouse Films

1 - Sinister (2012) Scare Score 96 | Avg HR 86 | Spike 131 – The champion once again. Ethan Hawke stars as a true-crime writer who discovers horrific home movies in his attic. The grainy, snuff-like footage, unsettling sound design, and slow-burn dread make Sinister the most scientifically terrifying movie ever tested. Viewers experienced consistent, elevated BPMs with massive spikes at the scariest moments. Photo: Blumhouse Productions
54/55

1 - Sinister (2012) Scare Score 96 | Avg HR 86 | Spike 131 – The champion once again. Ethan Hawke stars as a true-crime writer who discovers horrific home movies in his attic. The grainy, snuff-like footage, unsettling sound design, and slow-burn dread make Sinister the most scientifically terrifying movie ever tested. Viewers experienced consistent, elevated BPMs with massive spikes at the scariest moments. Photo: Blumhouse Productions

Well, that’s the full rundown of the 50 scariest movies ever, tested in 2025. Whether you’re into classic haunted houses, brutal slashers, or unsettling dread, there’s something here guaranteed to get your heart racing. So, get your blankets and popcorn out, and get ready for a good, old scare.
55/55

Well, that’s the full rundown of the 50 scariest movies ever, tested in 2025. Whether you’re into classic haunted houses, brutal slashers, or unsettling dread, there’s something here guaranteed to get your heart racing. So, get your blankets and popcorn out, and get ready for a good, old scare.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/technology/science/these-are-the-scariest-movies-ever-according-to-science/image-gallery/7164b109712d048171a7bae586ed048d