20 Most Terrifying Horror Movie Jump Scares

By Clare Simpson /

1. Carrie's Hand - Carrie (1976)

One of my earliest memories (as my profile says) is watching Carrie on my dad's knee (because he was really into responsible parenting). Carrie is an outcast student at high school, mocked and bullied by her peers. She has powers of telekinesis which come into full effect at the prom where she is voted Prom Queen and thinks she has gained acceptance from her peers only to have a bucket of pig's blood dumped on her head. She goes into psychic mode and with her powers wreaks havoc in the prom killing virtually everyone by letting it go up in flames. Carrie then kills her religious fanatic mother and herself. The one girl who showed her any kindness - Sue - was spared in the Prom Night debacle. We see her going to lay flowers beside a cross where Carrie's house was. And as she goes to lay them - BOOM! Out comes the hand from the ground grabbing Sue's wrist. The viewer is wetting themselves with terror. And no matter how many times you watch the film, it still gets you! Truly one of the finest "GOTCHA!" moments in cinema. Have we missed any classic jump scare moments? Let us know in the comments section below.