10 Greatest Horror Films That Don't Rely On Jump Scares

10. Seven (1995)

Although it has arguably more in common with a crime thriller than your standard horror outing, David Fincher’s Seven – much like Zodiac - is just as spine-chillingly disconcerting than most conventional spook-fests.

Starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives on the hunt for an elusive serial killer (played by Kevin Spacey), this flick sees the pair delve deep into the grimy underbelly of the city they call home. As the pair get closer to catching their culprit events only become more twisted. All of which leads to a climactic ending that unveils just how sadistic this murder really is.

Despite their being no paranormal entities waiting to jump out at the detectives Seven is nevertheless full of dread and suspense thanks to the dark, claustrophobic way in which Fincher presents this tense game of cat-and-mouse in which the killer always manages to stay one step ahead.

And this’s before we even mention the grizzly crime scenes. Slaying his victims in ways that represent the deadly sin they’ve believed to have transgressed, these deaths range from the twisted to the down-right repulsive.

You’re going to need a stronger stomach than you think to get through this terrifying mystery.