July 29, 2025, 2:12 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

The heart races, the breath catches–some might recognize these reactions from watching a really good horror movie. To find out which horror films increase heart rate the most, the “The Science of Scare Project” was launched. Researchers wanted to determine which horror films scared the 250 study participants the most.

In 2020, the “Science of Scare Project” first examined which of the selected films raised participants’ heart rates the most. Participants had to watch a total of 40 horror films. The selection was based on lists from film critics and suggestions from the Reddit community. The study was repeated in subsequent years. While early evaluations measured the average increase in heart rate compared to the resting heart rate (64 BPM), a more precise evaluation method was introduced in 2023: the so-called Science of Scare Score. It aims to improve the one-sided assessment of earlier studies, which relied solely on heart rate and thus favored films with many jump scares.

The new Scare Score combines two physiological factors: heart rate (BPM) and heart rate variability (HRV, measured in milliseconds). A higher BPM indicates increased excitement and fear (typical for sudden scares), while a lower HRV suggests sustained stress and underlying fear–ideal for evaluating so-called slow-burn horror. These two values are averaged and converted into a Scare Score of up to 100 points, which more objectively reflects a film’s impact. For comparison, the animated film “Shrek” scored only a Scare Score of 3. This system was also used in the 2024 edition of the study.

Based on the results, here is the top 30 list of the scariest horror films on a scientific basis:

Rank 1: Sinister, Scare Score 96

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

The story of crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) promises a high scare factor. He specializes in true crime cases and wants to solve them. One day, he finds a box of videos. What he sees leaves him speechless and significantly advances his current case.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Rank 2: Host, Scare Score 95

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

In second place is “Host” by director Rob Savage. The film was not only released during the COVID-19 pandemic but also indirectly deals with it. Six friends book a séance with a medium. This takes place over Zoom during the lockdown. The plot might initially make you smile, but the film quickly becomes scary with the appearance of a ghost and the fear of dying.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Rank 3: Skinamarink, Scare Score 91

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

“Skinamarink” tells the disturbing story of two young children, Kevin and Kaylee, who wake up one night in their house to find their father missing–along with doors, windows, and everyday objects disappearing one by one. Trapped in an increasingly surreal, dark, and eerie environment, the children try to cope with the situation as an invisible, menacing presence becomes palpable. The film largely eschews conventional narrative structures and dialogue, instead creating a nightmarish atmosphere through grainy images, whispers, darkness, and silent threats, heavily relying on the childhood fear of abandonment and the unknown.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Read also: How do films end up on the index?

Rank 4: Insidious, Scare Score 90

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Malevolent spirits want to trap a comatose child in a realm called “The Further.” The family wants to prevent this. The result is a terrifying horror film.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

Take the test: Can you recognize Marvel movies and series from just one image?

Rank 5: The Conjuring, Scare Score 88

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

A family is terrorized by a demonic entity in their farmhouse. Ed and Lorraine Warren are demonologists and want to help.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

More on the topic

Scientifically Proven The Funniest Comedies With the Most Laughs

Stream Now Moviegoers Faint in Droves at This Horror Film

Rank 6: Hereditary – The Legacy, Scare Score 81

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

In sixth place is “Hereditary,” a film full of family drama, horror, and mystery. It all begins with the death of the female family head. Strange things then happen to the grieving family, and dark secrets come to light.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

More horror films ranked 7 to 35

Those still looking for horror films for a spooky night will find more on the following ranks: