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

Adapted from Ira Levin's novel of the same name, Rosemary’s Baby remains one of the all-time horror greats to date – and all without a single jump scare in sight.

Written and directed by cinema legend Roman Polanski, this Oscar-winning film sees young couple Guy (John Cassavetes) and Rosemary (Mia Farrow) move into their new apartment in the hopes of starting a family. Not long after they settle in they befriend their elderly neighbours - Minnie and Roman Castevet (Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackman) - who become a little too involved in Rosemary’s life, especially when she falls pregnant.

As her pregnancy continues (not to mention the sinister conception itself), Rosemary loses more control of her situation, with her husband, doctors, and overly friendly neighbours dictating what she can and can’t do. And as her control over her own life and individuality is stripped from her, Rosemary becomes increasingly convinced that her neighbours have something to do with the building’s history of witchcraft and Satanism.

While there's some creepy imagery and a focus on the occult, these horror tropes take a back seat. Instead, the horror here is rooted in a pitch-black critique of society.