15 Most Terrifying Horror Film Moments Of The Decade (So Far)

15. The Basement (Annabelle)

The Conjuring spinoff Annabelle isn't a great movie, but this one moment makes the whole thing worth watching. About halfway through the film, Mia takes a trip to the basement of her apartment building when suddenly, some sort of demon creature grabs her arm out of nowhere. She runs into the elevator and pushes the button for her floor, and that seems like it'll be the end of the scene, right?

Nope, it's just getting started. The elevator door opens, but she's not upstairs. She's still in the basement. It's horrifying to know there's a monster lurking somewhere nearby, let alone right in front of you, and yet there's nowhere to go but forward. The elevator won't budge, and she's trapped down there. The only way to escape is to run straight back where she came from, where a demonic creature hides in the shadows.

Far scarier than running away from a monster is running towards a monster, and that's exactly what Mia is forced to do in this sequence. You can feel the adrenaline rushing through your veins watching her sprint towards the exit, and it's a primal fear that goes back to being a child, running up the stairs in the dark convinced something is chasing you. It's an unforgettable scene that transcends an otherwise forgettable film.