10 Scariest Horror Movie Scenes From The '80s

Aliens is a fantastic sequel. Directed by James Cameron, it smartly avoids repeating the successful formula established by the original, a problem that many follow-ups have. While Alien was a pure horror, Aliens takes a more action orientated approach with Ripley and the Colonial Marines facing off against far more than just one lone xenomorph.

However, this change in approach does not mean that the movie isn't horrifying, in fact, it contains some of the best scares in the entire franchise.

While the first encounter with the xenomorphs in the hive was a contender for the scariest scene in the movie, that title has to go to a later shocking moment in which Ripley and company realize the aliens have circumnavigated their barricades and are in the ceiling.

The expert pacing is what makes this scare work. Cameron uses the pulse of the motion tracker to great effect, as every beep it makes signifies just how close the xenomorphs are to our heroes, flawlessly ratcheting the tension. Eventually, the crew realize that the creatures are smarter than they believed and have found a way around their defenses. Their safe haven has been turned into hell.

It's a superb scene, one that displays just how great Cameron is as a builder of nail-biting tension.