30 Best Jump Scare Movies That Will Terrify You Every 30 Seconds (more or less) !
Yes, the movies like Martyrs, The Exorcist and The Shining are amazing, but some people want a not only a good story and a creepy environment, but also loads of jump scares. The following list has all three: eerie setting, nice-good storyline, and jump scares galore !
Please note that I am not noting down the movies which are horror relying on : Gore, Slash, Torture, Tense Plot.
The movies listed below are relying simply on a good plot, a frightening atmosphere and lots of jump scares !
Some notable movies which could not make this list:
The Orphanage (2007)- Jump scares (approx): 10
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)- Jump scares (approx): 10
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)- Jump scares (approx): 10
The Ring (2002)- Jump scares (approx): 8
Please mention more films in the comments section which have a lot of jump scares.
Please note that I am not noting down the movies which are horror relying on : Gore, Slash, Torture, Tense Plot.
The movies listed below are relying simply on a good plot, a frightening atmosphere and lots of jump scares !
Some notable movies which could not make this list:
The Orphanage (2007)- Jump scares (approx): 10
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)- Jump scares (approx): 10
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)- Jump scares (approx): 10
The Ring (2002)- Jump scares (approx): 8
Please mention more films in the comments section which have a lot of jump scares.
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- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonVera FarmigaRon LivingstonParanormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.An extremely well done movie. Just 15-20 mins into the movie you'll be sucked in the tingly atmosphere with some amazing frightening scenes.
Jump scares (approx): 15-18 - DirectorJames WanStarsRyan KwantenAmber VallettaDonnie WahlbergAfter his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen returns to his hometown of Ravens Fair to find answers. His investigation leads him to the ghost of a ventriloquist named Mary Shaw who seems to have ties to his entire family treeNice to (almost) good story with some good twists and turns. Atmosphere is definitely creepy.
Jump scares (approx): 15-18 - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsEthan HawkeJuliet RylanceJames RansoneA controversial true-crime writer finds a box of Super 8 home movies in his new home, revealing that the murder case he is currently researching could be the work of an unknown serial killer whose legacy dates back to the 1960s.Not only this movie has a good storyline for the maximum portion of the movie, it has some crazy jump scares with good background music to boot.
Jump scares (approx): 20-22 - DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonRose ByrneBarbara HersheyThe Lamberts believe that they have defeated the spirits that have haunted their family, but they soon discover that evil is not beaten so easily.Please note that Insidious and its sequel both have good plots (better than most horror movies), and good jump scares. I am noting only Insidious: Chapter 2 because the number of jump scares are greater.
Jump scares (approx): 15-17 - DirectorBanjong PisanthanakunParkpoom WongpoomStarsMarsha WattanapanichVittaya WasukraipaisanRachanu BoonchuduangDeceased Siamese twin returns to haunt surviving sisterThis Thai movie has a very good story line, and an (almost) unexpected twist for even the seasoned horror movie goers. Build up is slow but just half an hour into the movie, and it really gets going!
Jump scares (approx): 12-14 - DirectorJaume BalagueróPaco PlazaStarsManuela VelascoFerran TerrazaJorge-Yamam SerranoA television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.Yet again, I am mentioning one of the found footage movies that really takes it up a notch. Abandon the sequels, and watch this for the jump scares. The overall tension in the movie is palpable, and it is hence one of the best horror movies in my book.
Jump scares (approx): 15-17 - DirectorBryan BertinoStarsScott SpeedmanLiv TylerGemma WardA young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.An extremely tense plot, which makes up for the fact that it doesn't have as many jump scares as the other ones mentioned in my list. Still, more than your average.
Jump scares (approx): 10-12 - DirectorBanjong PisanthanakunParkpoom WongpoomStarsAnanda EveringhamNatthaweeranuch ThongmeeAchita SikamanaA young photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after a tragic accident. They soon learn that you can not escape your past.Yet another Asian movie with a great plot and haunting visuals. The background score is good and it has its fair share of jump scares as well.
Jump scares (approx): 15 - DirectorNeil MarshallStarsShauna MacdonaldNatalie MendozaAlex ReidA caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.It can be one of the movies that stay with you, especially if watched alone. Jump scares are less, but it has a claustrophobic atmosphere that makes a viewer squirm more than once.
Jump scares (approx): 12-14 - DirectorLeigh WhannellStarsDermot MulroneyStefanie ScottAngus SampsonA prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.A worthy prequel to follow the first 3 parts. Supporting cast is good and the film has some scary jumpy moments !
Jump scares (approx): 14-16 - DirectorAlejandro AmenábarStarsAna TorrentFele MartínezEduardo NoriegaWhile doing a thesis about violence, Ángela finds a snuff video where a girl is tortured until death. Soon she discovers that the girl was a former student in her faculty...Not only is it a good, taut thriller, it delivers on the horror front as well. May not have as many 'jump' scares as you'd want, but a fantastic movie by the master Amenabar.
Jump scares (approx): 10 - DirectorNimród AntalStarsKate BeckinsaleLuke WilsonFrank WhaleyStranded in an isolated motel, a couple become the unsuspecting subjects of a snuff film.People might find loop holes, or plot fallacies, but nothing can take away the brilliant edge of the seat thriller/horror this movie actually is.
Jump scares (approx): 10 - DirectorCharles GuardThomas GuardStarsEmily BrowningArielle KebbelElizabeth BanksAnna returns home after a stint in a mental hospital, but her recovery is jeopardized by her father's new girlfriend and ghastly visions of her dead mother.May be the opening was a little poor, but the movie more than made up for that with some solid cinematography and spine chilling moments !
Jump scares (approx): 15-17 - DirectorJennifer KentStarsEssie DavisNoah WisemanDaniel HenshallA single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book titled "Mister Babadook" manifests in their home.Possibly with the fewest jump scares in the list. It doesn't matter, because the overall creepy atmosphere in the film is at its peak ! Don't miss this Australian gem.
Jump scares (approx): 5-6 - DirectorKim Jee-woonStarsLim Soo-jungYum Jung-ahKim Kap-suAfter being institutionalized in a mental hospital, Su-mi reunites with her sister, Su-yeon, and they return to live at their country home. But strange events plague the house, leading to surprising revelations and a shocking conclusion.One of the gems in oriental horror genre. It has a good build up as well as a creepy atmosphere to boot.
Jump scares (approx): 10 - DirectorJames WatkinsStarsDaniel RadcliffeJanet McTeerCiarán HindsA young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.A surprisingly mature performance by Radcliff as well as a different from the usual run-of-the-mill storyline. Good jump scares, especially the last half an hour is one of the scariest including recent horror movies.
Jump scares (approx): 15-16 - DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinDavid BrucknerTyler GillettStarsCalvin Lee ReederLane HughesAdam WingardWhen a group of misfits are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.A group of men find dumped VHS tapes in someone's basement, and star watching them, what could go wrong, right, RIGHT ?
I am not usually a fan of found-footage movies but this has 5 stories in 5 tapes, and they are pretty well made. Worth your time, definitely.
Jump scares (approx): 8-10 - DirectorHenry JoostAriel SchulmanStarsChloe CsengeryJessica Tyler BrownChristopher Nicholas SmithIn 1988, young sisters Katie and Kristi befriend an invisible entity called Toby, who resides in their home.Note: If you don't like the setup of Paranormal Activity movies, don't watch this. However, if you do like this kind, Paranormal Activity 3 is better than its sequels !
Jump Scares (approx): 12-14 - DirectorPeter CornwellStarsVirginia MadsenMartin DonovanElias KoteasAfter a family is forced to relocate for their son's health, they begin experiencing supernatural behavior in their new home, and uncover a sinister history.Within a short run time this movie packs a lot of jump scares ! I think the movie starts getting jumpy and twitchy within the first 10 minutes only ! First half of the movie is seriously scary for the light-hearted.
Jump Scares (approx): 15-18 - DirectorDavid GelbStarsOlivia WildeMark DuplassEvan PetersA group of medical researchers discover a way to bring dead patients back to life.Overall not an excellent movie. The first part is gripping but the movie loses its plot mid-way. It makes up by putting in some nice jump scare moments.
Jump Scares (approx): 15 - DirectorJames WanStarsVera FarmigaPatrick WilsonMadison WolfeEd and Lorraine Warren travel to North London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a supernatural spirit.A good movie. Does not reach the heights of the first one but does make you squirm in your seats expecting the worst after the first 20 mins pass by.
Jump Scares (approx): 18 - DirectorDavid F. SandbergStarsTeresa PalmerGabriel BatemanMaria BelloRebecca must unlock the terror behind her little brother's experiences that once tested her sanity, bringing her face to face with a supernatural spirit attached to their mother.An unexpected gem when it comes to jump-scare based horror movies. Had loads of scares to make you spill your popcorn yet having a decent story-line.
Jump Scares (approx): 25 - DirectorMike FlanaganStarsJohn Gallagher Jr.Kate SiegelMichael TruccoA deaf and mute writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.A "Strangers" like plot with some good performances and some nice creepy moments as well as jump scares. The fact that protagonist is deaf adds to the chill.
Jump Scares (approx): 12-14 - DirectorWilliam Brent BellStarsLauren CohanRupert EvansJames RussellAn American nanny is shocked that her new English family's boy is actually a life-sized doll. After she violates a list of strict rules, disturbing events make her believe that the doll is really alive.Much creepier and (jump) scarier than Annabelle when it comes to a doll related horror movie. Nice twist at the end and good plot makes it stronger than an average jump-scare flick.
Jump Scares (approx): 15-17 - DirectorAdam WingardStarsSharni VinsonJoe SwanbergAJ BowenWhen the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.There might be better contenders for a jump scare flick but this movie has had some major bad-ass moments for a revenge-horror-thriller genre. It makes up for the scares with a great plot, good performance and a terrific twist at the end.
Jump Scares (approx): 10