13 of the most iconic horror film scenes from The Exorcist to Saw
Some of the most iconic horror movie scenes around
As Halloween is fast approaching, we've brought together some of the most iconic horror movie scenes around. Whether it's a classic horror film such as The Shining starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, or something more recent such as the Saw franchise, be prepared to be scared as we count down some of the most iconic horror film moments.
NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED so continue if you dare...
We may receive commission for purchases made through our links.
13) King Kong - Empire State Building (1933, 1976, 2005)
There have been a number of King Kong films, but one scene in particular in iconic throughout them. This is the scene when King Kong climbs to the top of the Empire State Building in New York and is attacked by a squadron of machine-gun firing aeroplanes.
The most recent version of the film starred Naomi Watts, Jack Black, and Adrien Brody and recreated the iconic scene brilliantly. The 2005 film was also nominated for four Academy Awards, taking home three Oscars, including one for Best Visual Effects.
12) 28 Days Later - Deserted London (2002)
Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) 28 Days Later is a post-apolocalyptic film set in London. The film starts with 'Jim' a bicycle courier waking up in a deserted St Thomas' Hospital. When he gets outside the hospital he realises the whole of London is also deserted.
The film stars Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, and Christopher Eccleston and won several awards, including an Empire Award for Best British Film.
11) Carrie - Covered in blood (1976)
There have been several versions of Carrie, however the original one was released in 1976. The film stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, who is a teenager and finds it is never easy being the 'odd one out'. It's particularly hard for Carrie as she has telekinetic powers.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.
10) The Shining - "Here's Johnny" (1980)
"Here's Johnny" is one of the most famous horror film quotes, known even to those who haven't seen the film. Starring Jack Nicholson, The Shining is a Stanley Kubrick film, however it failed to get any nominations for either the Oscars or Golden Globes in the year it was released.
9) The Amityville Horror - Prayers for the family (1979/2005)
The Amityville Horrror was apparently based on a true story following the Lutz family when they moved into a new house in Amityville, however there have been a lot of questions over the truthfulness.
In this scene, the priest from the nearby town is saying prayers for the family when the church around him begins to crumble. The original version of The Amityville Horror starred James Brolin and Margot Kidder, with the remake starring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George.
8) Saw - Adam wakes up (2004)
There have been many Saw films, but this scene is from the first film. Adam, a photographer, wakes up in a bath full of water. As he struggles to get himself out of the bath he realises he has been chained to the pipes, but that is the least of his worries.
After the first Saw film, it was turned into a very popular franchise starring Tobin Bell as John Kramer, better known as Jigsaw.
7) The Ring - Crawling out of the TV (2002)
Released originally in Japanese, with an American remake, The Ring will make you rethink how you watch your TV. The scene where the woman crawls out of the TV is well known, even among those who haven't watched the horror film.
The American remake released in 2002 starred Naomi Watts and Martin Henderson and won a Saturn Award for Best Movie Horror.
6) The Others - The Seance (2001)
This 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman is about a family living in a large stately home on Jersey, just after World War II. The Seance scene sees a medium coming to the home to 'speak to the spirits', but it will make pretty much everyone who watches it jump out of their seat. Are you ready?
The Others won seven Goya Awards, including awards for Best Film and Best Director, and Nicole Kidman won several other awards for her portrayal of the mum of the family.
5) Psycho - Shower scene (1960)
One of the most simple, yet iconic scenes involves little more than dramatic music and chocolate sauce. That's right, Psycho is a black and white film and according to Alfred Hitchcock chocolate sauce showed up better on camera than stage blood.
The film stars Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, along with Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and was nominated for several Academy Awards. It also won an Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay.
4) Alien - Chestburster (1979)
This was the first of the Alien franchise and included a scene that many will struggle to watch without turning away. This scene is known to fans as the 'chestburster' scene and for good reason.
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt as Dallas and Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Alien was nominated for many awards, eventually taking home an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and a BAFTA for Best Production Design and Best Sound.
3) Misery - Annie injures Paul's legs (1990)
Kathy Bates bagged two awards for her role of nurse Annie Wilkes in this horror film. This scene is particularly gruesome and sees Annie breaking famed novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) legs in an effort to keep him bed-bound.
2) The Thing - Chest Defibrillation (1982)
Following a group of research scientists stationed in Antartica 'The Thing' is a being that attacks every living thing in its path and can easily assimilate what it comes into contact with. Similar to the 'chestburster' scene in Alien this clip is not for the fainthearted!
The original film starred Kurt Russell as the team's helicopter pilot.
1) The Exorcist (1973)
Originally released in the 70s this film was a commercial success despite a number of calls to have it banned, partly due to some of the scenes including the young actress Linda Blair who was 'possessed'. The film was re-released in cinemas in the late 90s for its 25th anniversary, but this time without the hysteria from the 70s.
The Exorcist starred Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow and Lee J. Cobb and won several Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Drama.
This is DEFINITELY NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED...
After all of that, check out some of the best things about Halloween season:
1) Elaborate pumpkin carving
Now we're old enough to be trusted with a knife, we can carve out some crazy-good designs!
2) An excuse for fancy dress
Weeks are spent trying to find the most elaborate fancy dress, even if we end up just throwing a sheet on.
3) Watching horror films
You can get in the Halloween spirit before the day by watching all the creepy films you weren't allowed to as a kid.
4) Eating all the treats without feeling guilty
It's Halloween, of course - we can eat all the treats!
5) Dressing up your pets
We aren't sure they love it as much as we do, but dressing up your dog in a Halloween fancy dress costume is quite popular these days.
6) We can make Halloween themed food
Love Halloween? Love tasty treats? Well why not combine the two and whip up some horrors that taste awfully good!
Now read:
Some of the best Halloween makeup tutorials around