Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments

(51-100)

With Halloween just around the corner, the TV line-ups and movie theaters will be filled with those scary moments that make us look behind doors and pull the covers up over our heads during the night.  This is especially true of Bravo TV’s countdown of the 100 Scariest Movie Moments.  Here are the movies you can expect to see at numbers 51 through 100.

100.  28 Days Later

When Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakes from a coma twenty-eight days after an accident, he discovers that a virus has swept through parts of Europe, infecting most of society and turning them into murderous beings.  Will Jim and others who have escaped the virus survive “28 Days Later”?

 99.  Creepshow

1982’s fun horror flick “Creepshow” was written by Stephen King. The movie is actually five individual stories that include a vengeful spouse (Leslie Nielsen) who takes revenge on his wife (Gaylen Ross) and her lover (Ted Danson); a professor (Hal Holbrook) who is unhappily married to his wife (Adrienne Barbeau) and happens upon a creature that is kept in a college facility; a man (Stephen King) whose farm is struck by a meteor; a father who comes back from the dead to visit his murderous daughter; and an eccentric man (E.G. Marshall) who is shut off from the world due to various phobias only to find his apartment overrun with roaches.

 98.  Zombie

Ann (Tisa Farrow) goes looking for her missing father on Matul Island.  However, she and her cohorts encounter a number of flesh eating zombies when they arrive.

 97.  Cat People

Irena Dubrovna (Simone Simon) is convinced that an ancient curse causes her to turn into a cat.  Her husband, Ollie (Kent Smith), however, thinks otherwise.  Will a therapist be able to sort out what is happening to Irena?

 96.  The Birds

This Alfred Hitchcock classic starred Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor and Suzanne Pleshette.  The movie tells of a town whose citizens are increasingly attacked by numerous birds.

 95.  Jurassic Park

Sam Neill and Laura Dern star in this Steven Spielberg action-packed thriller.  DNA has been taken to produce long extinct dinosaurs.  Kept under careful watch on a remote island, disaster ensues when several of the dinosaurs are able to break free.

 94.  Child’s Play

Who wasn’t afraid of dolls after seeing the 1988 film “Child’s Play”?  Chucky (voice of Brad Dourif), a popular child’s toy, is alive and has murderous instincts!

 93.  Pacific Heights

Patty (Melanie Griffith) and Drake (Matthew Modine) are trying to renovate their new home when they decide to take in a tenant (Michael Keaton).  However disaster ensues when the tenant is not what he appears to be.

 92.  Village Of The Damned

Something unusual is happening in 1960’s “Village of the Damned”.   Twelve children of a small town were all born on the same day, have the same features and have identical tendencies.  Will a scientist who has been studying the children be able to put an end to their plot?

 91.  Shallow Grave

Three roommates (Ewan McGregor, Kerry Fox and Christopher Esscleston) take on a fourth (Keith Allen) who winds up dead in their flat.  Upon finding a briefcase filled with money among the deceased belongings, the three roommates decide to dispose of the body in an effort to keep the money for themselves.

90.  Night of the Hunter

Robert Mitchum ranked in the American Film Institute’s list of top movie villains for his portrayal of Harry Powell in 1955’s “Night of the Hunter”.  In the film, a man just out of prison decides to track down his former cellmates children who know the location of hidden money.

89.  Alice Sweet Alice

One of Brooke Shields’ first film roles was that of Karen Spages in the 1976 film “Alice Sweet Alice”.  Who is behind a series of murders in a small town?

88.  Invasion Of The Body Snatchers 

Although remade in the 1970s, it’s the 1956 version that comes in at number eighty-eight.  Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) discovers that many of the residents in the town where he practices have been replaced by aliens.

87.  Black Christmas

Starring Olivia Hussey (“Romeo and Juliet”) and Margot Kidder, this 1974 horror flick took place in a sorority house.  During the Christmas holidays, a murderer stalks the members of a sorority by first making crank calls to them on the phone and then murdering them one by one.

86.  Wizard Of Oz

Although it’s considered to be a family classic, the “Wizard of Oz” ranks at number eighty-six.  While the film isn’t considered to be a horror movie by any means, some of the scenes with the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), who ranked in the top 10 of AFI’s Top Villains, may seem a bit scary to some.

85.  Blood And Black Lace

This 1964 movie was filmed and also takes place in Italy.  A young model is found murdered and as the questions about the young girl’s diary unfold, the murderer begins to kill others who were living with her.

84.  Blue Velvet

Another AFI top villain was Dennis Hopper’s portrayal of Frank Booth in the 1986 film “Blue Velvet”.  A seemingly innocent town is laden with a corrupt and sinister man.

83.  The Others

Nicole Kidman stars in “The Others”.  A woman is determined to protect her children and home from strange forces that seem to be surrounding them.

82.  Terminator

The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to eliminate the mother (Linda Hamilton) of the leader of the human resistance.  Will he be able to succeed?

81.  The Howling

Should Karen (Dee Wallace Stone) be concerned with the people of the local “colony”?  Trying to overcome an ordeal with a serial killer, Karen and her husband Bill (Christopher Stone) find themselves in a secluded location where the residents aren’t what they seem to be.

80.  Poltergeist

Steven Spielberg’s “Poltergeist” gave everyone chills when it was released in 1982.  In the movie, the Freeling family moves into a seemingly normal house in a nice neighborhood.  Everything seems fine until mysterious things start to happen in the house.

79.  Dracula

1931’s “Dracula” made Bela Lugosi a household name.  Count Dracula travels to England where he encounters the famed Professor Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan).

78.  The Brood

Frank Carveth (Art Hindle) not only has to deal with the fact that his wife, Nola (Samantha Eggar), is institutionalized but there is also evidence that she is abusing their daughter during visits.  However, things go from bad to worse when Nola’s dark secret is revealed and murderous mutated children are on the loose.

77.  Signs

This 2002 flick by M. Night Shyamalan starred Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix.  Reverend Hess (Gibson) and his brother Merrill (Phoenix) awake one morning to find crop circles on their farm.  Is it the work of aliens?

76.  Evil Dead

Five friends venture to a cabin in the woods in this 1981 horror movie.  Upon arriving, they find a tape and an ancient incantation book.  Evil forces are unleashed while one by one, each person is turned into a zombie until there is only a lone person left.

75.  Candyman

Sometimes legends are true!  The legend of the Candyman (Tony Todd) states if you say his name five times in front of a mirror, he will return.  What happens when Helen (Virginia Madsen), who is writing a research paper, doesn’t heed the warnings?

74.  Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Another family favorite movie that ranks on Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments is the 1971 classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”.  Gene Wilder stars as the eccentric owner of a famed chocolate factory.  Could it be the Oompa Loompas that make the film scary?

73.  Blood Simple

1984’s “Blood Simple” was one of the first movies to be released by the Coen Brothers.  In this tale of double and triple crossing, a jealous husband (Dan Hedaya) schemes to have his wife (Frances McDormand) and her lover (John Getz) murdered.

72.  Them!

Will civilization survive an onslaught of mutated ants?  You’ll have to watch “Them!” to find out!

71.  The Sixth Sense

1999’s “The Sixth Sense” was not only one of the more popular films of the year but was also nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.  Haley Joel Osment stars as Cole Sear, a young, tormented boy while Bruce Willis stars as Dr. Malcolm Crowe, the psychologist who is trying to help him.

70.  The Stepfather

Jerry a.k.a. the Stepfather (Terry O’Quinn) is willing to do anything it takes to have the perfect family.  Will Susan (Shelley Hack) and her daughter Stephanie (Jill Schoelen) live long enough to meet his expectations?  You’ll have to watch 1987’s “The Stepfather” to find out!

69.  Re-Animator

Although 1985’s “Re-Animator” has a mix of comedy and horror, it still ranks on Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments list.  In the film, medical students try to re-animate the dead tissue of various subjects with unusual consequences.

68.  The Black Cat

Based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Black Cat” stars Patrick Magee as Professor Miles who claims to have a psychic link to his black cat.

67.  Duel

1971’s “Duel” was directed by Steven Spielberg.  David Mann (Dennis Weaver), a businessman, finds himself in a life or death battle with a driver of a tractor-trailer who is pursuing him.

66.  The Tenant

Roman Polanski not only directed “The Tenant” but also starred in the film.  Trelkovsky (Polanski) moves into the apartment where the former occupant committed suicide.  Is Trelkovsky slowly spiraling into madness or do his neighbors have a hand to play in the situation?

65.  Marathon Man

Sir Laurence Olivier ranked in the top 20 of the American Film Institute’s top movie villains for his portrayal of Dr. Szell in 1976’s “Marathon Man”.  Also starring Dustin Hoffman, the story told of a doctor who attempts to smuggle diamonds into the country.

64.  Near Dark

What happens when Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) joins a group of the undead?  This is what happens in 1987’s “Near Dark”.  The movie also stars Bill Paxton (“Titanic” and “Twister”) and Lance Henriksen (“Aliens”).

63.  Deliverance

It’s a trip you won’t soon forget!  This Best Picture Oscar nominee told the story of four friends, played by Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox, who not only have to battle the elements of a canoeing trip but the dangerous inhabitants of the area as well.

62.  The Wolf Man

Do werewolves exist?  Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr) begins to think so after he is bitten by a gypsy (Bela Lugosi) who had taken the form of a wolf in this 1941 classic horror film.

61.  The Devil’s Backbone

It’s the height of the war in Spain and young Carlos (Fernando Tielve) is left in an orphanage.  However, no one is safe with the impending explosion of a bomb on the premises as well as a ghost, Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega) who has attached itself to the young boy.

60.  The Beyond

1983’s “The Beyond” was directed by one of Italy’s best directors, Lucio Fulci.  In the film, which takes place in New Orleans, a hotel is haunted and that’s only the beginning of the problems that ensue.

59.  Fatal Attraction

Glenn Close not only received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Alex Forrest but she also ranked in the American Film Institute’s countdown of top movie villains.  In “Fatal Attraction”, Dan Gallagher’s (Michael Douglas) one night stand with Alex has homicidal ramifications.

58.  Cujo

The 1983 movie “Cujo” was based on the novel by Stephen King.  Will Donna (Dee Wallace-Stone) and Tad (Danny Pintauro) survive when Cujo, a loveable Saint Bernard, contracts rabies and turns violent?

57.  House Of Wax

Although a remade version was recently in theaters, it’s the 1953 “House of Wax” that makes the countdown.  Vincent Price stars as Professor Jarrod, an artist whose wax sculptures are more than what they appear to be.  The movie also introduces moviegoers to Igor played by Charles Bronson.

56.  Single White Female

Allie (Bridget Fonda) places an ad in the paper for a new roommate.  When Hedy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) answers the ad, the roommates get along fine.  That is until Hedy becomes obsessed with Allie.

55.  The Vanishing

Jeff Harriman’s (Kiefer Sutherland) girlfriend Diane (Sandra Bullock) suddenly disappeared when they were on a trip.  What happened to her?  While Jeff spends the next few years wondering, Diane’s abductor, Barney Cousins (Jeff Bridges) is keeping an eye on him.

54.  The Changeling

George C. Scott stars in this 1980 movie.  John Russell (Scott) moves into a secluded, old mansion after losing his wife and daughter in an accident.  However, the house has a mysterious past and is haunted by the ghost of a former occupant.

53.  Demons

Should you be scared when you go into a movie theater?  In 1986’s “Demons” horror fans expecting to see a sneak peak at a movie get more than what they bargained for.

52.  The Phantom Of The Opera

Lon Chaney was renowned for his use of horror makeup.  1925’s “The Phantom of the Opera” was a shining example.  In this silent film, the Phantom (Chaney) has unrequited love for an opera singer, Christine (Mary Philbin).

51.  The Dead Zone

Another one of Stephen King’s classics came to the big screen in the form of 1983’s “The Dead Zone”.  Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) awakes from a coma to realize he has the power to see the future by merely touching an individual.  Will he be able to change some of the more disturbing visions?