The 10 Scariest Movies of 2024, According to Science

Horror movies are designed to scare us, but how do you measure fear? A recent study aimed to find out by tracking viewers’ heart rates and stress levels while watching different horror films. The result is a “scare score” that ranks the most terrifying movies of the year. Here are the 10 scariest movies of 2024, starting from number 10 to number 1, based on these scientific findings.

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10. Hell House LLC

• Scare Score: 75

A found-footage horror film about a haunted house attraction that goes horribly wrong. Hell House LLC has earned its place on this list with its eerie setting and slow-building tension. Despite dropping one spot from last year, its simple premise and unsettling atmosphere keep audiences on edge.

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9. Talk to Me

• Scare Score: 75

A modern take on possession horror, Talk to Me revolves around a group of teens who discover a way to communicate with the dead using a mysterious hand. The film brings a unique blend of chaos and unpredictability that results in terrifying moments. Its intensity has earned it the ninth spot, flipping places with Hell House LLC from the previous year.

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8. The Exorcism of Emily Rose

• Scare Score: 76

Blending courtroom drama with horror, The Exorcism of Emily Rose takes inspiration from a real-life exorcism. Its slow, dread-filled build-up to horrifying scenes of possession has made it one of the most disturbing exorcism films ever. With its balance of psychological tension and graphic horror, this film continues to stress viewers even years after its release.

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7. Smile

• Scare Score: 80

Smile capitalizes on fear through its unsettling premise: an entity that causes people to die with a horrifying smile on their face. This psychological horror keeps viewers on edge with its relentless tension and unnerving imagery. The study was conducted before the release of Smile 2, which may make the list in future years, but for now, the original holds the seventh spot.

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6. Hereditary

• Scare Score: 81

Known for its deep emotional horror, Hereditary is a film that stays with you long after you’ve watched it. Directed by Ari Aster, it explores trauma, grief, and the supernatural, slowly descending into nightmarish territory. The movie steadily increases viewers’ heart rates as it unfolds, leaving them unsettled and stressed. The sheer emotional weight and disturbing scenes solidify its place in the top 10.

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5. The Conjuring

• Scare Score: 88

The Conjuring remains one of the most iconic horror films of the last decade. Based on the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film delivers powerful scares through its atmospheric tension and well-executed jump scares. The study showed that this film caused frequent spikes in viewers’ heart rates, placing it at number five on this list.

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4. Insidious

• Scare Score: 90

Known for its terrifying jump scares, Insidious excels in creating heart-stopping moments. Directed by James Wan, the film tells the story of a family trying to rescue their son from a supernatural realm. Insidious had the highest heart rate spike of all the films studied, implying it had the most effective jump scare. The terrifying "red demon" scene is still considered one of the most iconic moments in horror.

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3. Skinamarink

• Scare Score: 92

An experimental horror film, Skinamarink divides audiences but stresses them all the same. Set in the 1990s, the movie follows two children as they navigate a home that seems to have lost its doors and windows. With its minimalist approach and focus on atmosphere, Skinamarink created the most stress among viewers in the study, earning it the third spot. Its unique storytelling style and deeply unsettling visuals make it a standout.

2. Host

• Scare Score: 95

Filmed entirely during the COVID-19 lockdown, Host takes place over a Zoom call where friends attempt a virtual séance. The film’s tight pacing and constant tension keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Host was short but incredibly effective, stressing viewers with its realism and clever use of technology. Its scare score reflects the intensity of its scares, landing it in second place.

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1. Sinister

• Scare Score: 100

Sinister retains its title as the scariest movie of all time, according to science. The story of a crime writer who discovers a series of disturbing home movies, Sinister builds a suffocating sense of dread. Its dark atmosphere and terrifying imagery are compounded by jump scares that caused heart rates to spike. For the second year in a row, Sinister takes the top spot thanks to its relentless intensity and ability to keep viewers on edge throughout.

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Movies to Watch Out For in 2024

Several movies were tested but didn’t crack the top 10. Here are some notable mentions:

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1. Terrifier 3 was expected to be scarier but ranked 23rd.

2. Oddity was the only 2024 release to make the top 20, coming in at 20th.

3. Immaculate, Longlegs, First Omen, and Late Night with the Devil all ranked in the top 50, showing promise in the horror genre.

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Disappointments

Surprisingly, some highly anticipated movies didn’t even make the top 50. Films like Alien: Romulus, Speak No Evil, and The Substance failed to leave a significant impact on viewers based on heart rates and stress levels.

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