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For some, horror movies are a no-go zone. The intense connection to characters can often lead to more stress than entertainment, making these films a source of anxiety rather than enjoyment.
If you're hesitant but curious, the team at FindMyCasino.com has curated a list of the so-called 'least scary' horror films. Using IMDb's top 100 horror movies, they cross-referenced each title with wheresthejump.com, a site that counts jump scares. Fewer jump scares meant a gentler scare factor.
While this method doesn't consider psychological or existential terror, it's a solid starting point. Below are 20 films (and where to watch them) that offer a taste of horror without the sleepless nights.
1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) // Jump Scares: 0
Based on Thomas Harris's novel, this film features no jump scares, much like the next three entries on the list, placing them all in a tie for the top spot. However, the chilling portrayal of Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant yet monstrous killer, will leave you unnerved as he engages in a psychological battle with Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling. Interestingly, Gene Hackman was initially cast as Lecter but withdrew due to the character's disturbing nature.
Watch it: Amazon Prime
2. Cannibal Holocaust (1980) // Jump Scares: 0
A pioneer in the found footage genre, this film follows a team venturing into the Amazon to find missing filmmakers, only to discover they fell victim to a cannibalistic tribe. The realism of the footage was so intense that director Ruggero Deodato faced legal charges in Italy, accused of actually harming the actors—though no such harm occurred. However, the film's depiction of real animal cruelty sparked widespread criticism and controversy.
Watch it: Shudder via Amazon Prime
3. The Blair Witch Project (1999) // Jump Scares: 0
This groundbreaking found footage film brought the genre into the mainstream, following a group of adventurers exploring the myth of a witch in Maryland's forests. Much of the dialogue was unscripted, with actors using the word taco as a signal to step out of character.
Watch it: Hulu or HBO Max
4. Bone Tomahawk (2015) // Jump Scares: 0
In this gritty Western, Kurt Russell heads a rescue mission to face off against a group of cannibals on the town's outskirts. Remarkably, the entire film was completed in just 21 days of shooting.
Watch it: Pluto TV
5. Carrie (1976) // Jump Scares: 1
The first cinematic take on a Stephen King novel, this film stands out as one of the finest, featuring Sissy Spacek as a tormented teen who unleashes her telekinetic powers at her high school prom. Interestingly, early promotional materials mistakenly spelled King’s name as “Steven.”
Watch it: fuboTV
6. Sleepy Hollow (1999) // Jump Scares: 1
Tim Burton’s adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic tale about the Headless Horseman features Johnny Depp in a role that leans more toward humor than horror. Depp revealed that he drew inspiration for his portrayal of the nervous Ichabod Crane from Angela Lansbury.
Watch it: Amazon Prime ($3.99)
7. Coherence (2014) // Jump Scares: 1
This indie film revolves around a dinner party that spirals into chaos as metaphysical phenomena take center stage. The cast relied heavily on improvisation, working from brief notes instead of a full script.
Watch it: Amazon Prime
8. Psycho (1960) // Jump Scares: 2
Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller, featuring the disturbed motel owner Norman Bates, is credited as the first American movie to depict a toilet on screen.
Watch it: Peacock
9. The Fly (1986) // Jump Scares: 2
Jeff Goldblum witnesses a scientific experiment spiral out of control as his DNA merges with that of a housefly. While not traditionally frightening, the film is undeniably grotesque. Produced by Mel Brooks, it features the iconic tagline: 'Be afraid, be very afraid.'
Where to watch: HBO Max
10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) // Jump Scares: 2
Directed by Tobe Hooper, this timeless film follows a group of young travelers tormented by a deranged family. Hooper argued that the minimal gore warranted a PG rating, though it ultimately received an R.
Where to watch: Freevee via Amazon Prime
11. Let the Right One In (2008) // Jump Scares: 2
This Swedish vampire film centers on a young girl with sharp teeth who forms a bond with a boy. While it’s more of a coming-of-age narrative than pure horror, it delivers plenty of chilling moments. A less impactful American version was released in 2010.
Where to watch: Hulu or Amazon Prime
12. I Saw the Devil (2011) // Jump Scares: 2
In this South Korean thriller, a man embarks on a quest for vengeance against a serial killer who took the life of his pregnant wife. Choi Min-sik, who co-stars, later gained fame in the Netflix series Squid Game.
Where to watch: Hulu
13. Hostel (2005) // Jump Scares: 2
Directed by Eli Roth, this intense film explores a Slovakian tourist spot with a deadly twist. The portrayal of Slovakia sparked outrage among its citizens, leading Roth to clarify that the setting was a fictional 'movie Slovakia' and not a realistic representation.
Where to watch: Hulu or HBO Max
14. Midsommar (2019) // Jump Scares: 3
Florence Pugh portrays an American woman grappling with personal issues who visits the renowned Swedish festival, only to discover its dark secrets. Director Ari Aster, known for Hereditary, described it as a 'breakup movie.'
Where to watch: Paramount+
15. The Shining (1980) // Jump Scares: 3
Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, a writer who descends into madness while isolated with his family at the Overlook Hotel. Nicholson famously improvised the iconic line 'Heeeere’s Johnny!' during the axe-wielding scene with his wife Wendy Torrance, played by Shelley Duvall.
Where to watch: HBO Max
16. Gerald’s Game (2017) // Jump Scares: 3
In this Stephen King adaptation, Carla Gugino finds herself handcuffed to a bed after her husband dies unexpectedly. Director Mike Flanagan, who later directed the 2019 King adaptation Doctor Sleep, masterfully crafts the tension.
Where to watch: Netflix
17. Raw (2016) // Jump Scares: 3
A lifelong vegetarian develops an unsettling craving for human flesh. The film’s graphic content reportedly caused several viewers to faint during its 2016 premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Where to watch: Netflix
18. The Others (2001) // Jump Scares: 4
Nicole Kidman leads this atmospheric thriller as a mother tending to her two children, who suffer from extreme light sensitivity, during World War II. Tom Cruise, Kidman’s then-husband, served as an executive producer for the film.
Where to watch: Not Currently Available
19. Bird Box (2018) // Jump Scares: 4
Sandra Bullock plays a mother shielding herself and her two children from mysterious entities that cause death upon being seen. The film inspired a viral trend where people tried blindfolded activities, leading Netflix to issue a warning against such attempts.
Where to watch: Netflix
20. The Last House on the Left (2009) // Jump Scares: 4
This reimagining of Wes Craven’s 1972 cult classic lacks the chilling impact of the original, though both films sparked intense reactions due to their graphic portrayals of violence and assault.
Where to watch: fuboTV
For those seeking a more intense experience, here’s a curated list of films packed with the highest number of jump scares.
Searching for a fresh movie to enjoy, or perhaps one you’ve never seen before? Mytour’s latest book, The Curious Movie Buff: A Miscellany of Fantastic Films from the Past 50 Years, dives into behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating trivia about some of the most iconic movies of the last five decades. Grab your copy at your preferred bookstore or order it online right here.
