20 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of The 21st Century

A rare American horror remake that matches the quality of the original, Gore Verbinski’s The Ring combines some of the best jump scares you’ll ever see with some truly striking imagery that sears into your mind for life.

The closet scene is the crown jewel of the film’s repertoire, and the single moment in modern horror that everyone without fail remembers 15 years later.

At the funeral of one Katie, the victim of the opening scene, her mother describes to Naomi Watts’ protagonist Rachel how she found Katie’s lifeless body. Thanks to a brief flashback, we’re treated to the sight of her mother opening a closet door and making the grisly discovery. Cause of death? Judging by the indescribably disfigured look on Katie’s face, it’s easy to believe that it was sheer terror.

Part of the scare is in its total suddenness, coming directly in the middle of a dialogue scene in broad daylight. Lulled into a false sense of security, we’re completely unprepared for the intensity of the scare that accompanies the flashback, with Katie’s face distorted beyond imagination.

Opening a cupboard door will never be the same again. The utterly petrifying impact of this scene makes it the greatest, most unforgettable scare in modern horror.