10 MORE Scariest Opening Horror Movie Scenes Ever
6. When A Stranger Calls
This one feels like something of a cheat considering it's almost a good 20 minutes long, but it's such a banger of an entry it would be wrong to not include it. When A Stranger Calls provides some serious extended edition energy, is all.
The inspiration for the iconic opening of Scream as well as garnering critical acclaim and cult success for this opening stretch, When A Stranger Calls sees babysitter Jill receive numerous ominous phone calls asking if she's checked the children.
Jill, as it turns out, has not checked on the children as she's been told by their mother to be careful disturbing them, and as perhaps the worst babysitter ever, continues to not check up on them for the several hours she's in their home. As it turns out, this saves her life - police trace the phone call to inside the house, and find out upon their arrival that a murderer has camped out in their room and done away with the two poor kids whilst lying in wait for Jill.
It's a masterclass in tension and mounting stakes, and even if it will have you screaming at the screen as to why Jill's not doing her job and checking on the damn children, it's the sort of horrific scenario that stays with you long after watching.