10 Best Jump Scares In Sci-Fi Movie History

It’s fitting that one of the greatest jump scares in horror history is found in one of the best sci-fi horrors of all time: Ridley Scott’s claustrophobic masterpiece, Alien.

When the crew of the Nostromo are returning to Earth, their ship detects a distress signal and wakes them so they can investigate. However, the only thing the crew bring back is an alien creature that bursts from one of their chests.

With an unidentified and dangerous creature loose onboard, the ship’s captain, Dallas (Tom Skerrit), decides to enter the air ducts to hunt it down.

As the crew monitor his progress with a tracking device, the creature seems to disappear from the radar. The score begins to swell ominously as they try to locate the monster. It’s then that it suddenly reappears on the monitor and begins racing towards Dallas's location.

The heartbeat-like beeping of the tracker becomes more erratic, sending our own racing; he’s told to get out, but it’s too late. In an unexpected jump cut, the Xenomorph appears onscreen with an ear-piercing shriek before the image cuts out.

Dallas is gone, and viewers have their first proper glimpse at the iconic movie monster that will torment their nightmares forever.