The Scariest Movies According to Science

Horror movies have always fascinated audiences, but what makes a film genuinely terrifying? From spiders and snakes to ghosts and heights, what scares one person might not even faze another. However, behavioral scientists have studied the physiological and psychological responses to fear, giving us insight into what truly makes a movie scary.

When we’re scared, our bodies react with a racing heartbeat, rapid breathing, sweating, and even faintness. Yet, despite these unpleasant sensations, people actively seek out horror films. Why?

Why We Seek Out Fear

Humans enjoy the thrill of being frightened — but in a controlled environment where there’s no real danger. The adrenaline rush from fear can be exciting, even addictive, which explains why horror films remain so popular. The Science Scare Project has taken this further, creating a scoring system from 1 to 100 to rank movies based on how terrifying they are. Here’s a look at the scariest films according to science, starting from the less scary of the top seven.

7. Talk To Me (2022)

This Australian supernatural horror follows teenagers who discover a severed, embalmed hand that allows them to contact spirits. It has a Scare Score of 75.

6. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

A supernatural-legal drama, this film follows an agnostic lawyer defending a priest accused of negligent homicide after performing an exorcism. It has a Scare Score of 76.

The Scariest Movies According to Science

5. Smile (2022)

In this American psychological horror, a therapist witnesses a patient’s bizarre suicide and experiences increasingly disturbing visions. It earns a Scare Score of 78.

4. Hereditary (2018)

This supernatural psychological drama chronicles a grieving family tormented by sinister events after the death of their secretive grandmother. Hereditary has a Scare Score of 81.

3. Skinamarink (2022)

A Canadian experimental horror film, Skinamarink follows two children who wake up to find their father missing and household objects disappearing. It has a Scare Score of 91.

2. Host (2020)

This British independent horror unfolds entirely over a Zoom call. Friends attempt to escape a demon they accidentally summon during an online séance. It scores 95, making it one of the most terrifying recent films.

1. Sinister (2012)

Ethan Hawke stars in this supernatural horror about a true-crime writer whose discovery of snuff films and supernatural elements endangers his family. Sinister has a Scare Score of 96.