Something that horror fans can almost always count on is a jump scare to keep them on their toes. But most horror fans would agree that if a movie only uses jump scares to conjure up frights, it can weaken it, overall. However, when a film uses a jump scare at just the right time, it could very well be the highlight of the film.
The 1970s saw a renewed interest in horror, and there are plenty of iconic films released in the decade. From a last-minute scare to the reveal of a sinister monster that had been lurking in the dark, there is hardly a deficit of '70s jump scares, but which are the most iconic and have stayed with audiences for over 40 years?
"You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat"- Jaws (1975)
1975's iconic and terrifying Jaws is responsible for creating the summer blockbuster. But behind the scenes, the mechanical shark was fraught with issues, causing director Steven Spielberg to introduce it much later in the film than he first wanted to, as reported by Mental Floss.
This caused an unforeseen effect because keeping the shark hidden for so long made the famous jumpscare all the more memorable. There are several jump scares in the film, but the first full look at the shark and the iconic line that followed seem to come out of nowhere during an almost comedic scene, meaning audiences were taken completely off guard.
The Back Seat Driver - Halloween (1978)
In 1978, the slasher genre was fully realized with John Carpenter's Halloween. The film's masked killer, Michael Myers, spent most of the movie stalking Laurie Strode and her friends as they remained blissfully unaware. Audiences were on the edge of their seats as they waited for him to strike.
A little over halfway through, Annie decides to ditch babysitting to hang out with her boyfriend. The audience follows her to retrieve her keys and then into the car in a prolonged sequence. When she is finally ready to go, she notices condensation on the inside of her car. The following music sting and the full reveal of Michael was a terrifying scene that sent a shockwave through audiences and helped lay the groundwork for slasher films to come.
The Homewrecker - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
By the time Leatherface first appeared in 1974's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, audiences were already scared and uneasy. The grainy and low-budget film is full of unnerving moments from the first frame, but few top when Leatherface and his frightening mask show up.
While searching in a house for his friends, Jerry instead sees Leatherface, who appears suddenly in a doorway and strikes him to the ground. Audiences were understandably terrified by this giant man's sudden appearance, and the scare they received stuck with them for a very long time, as did the film's legacy on cinema and horror.
The Hidden Terrors - The Amityville Horror (1979)
What made The Amityville Horror so scary to audiences before it was even released was the fact it was based on a well-known true story. The film is based on the novel, which followed the real story of the Lutz family as they encounter tormented spirits that were the supposed cause of a grizzly murder the previous year.
While George and Kathy Lutz were looking at the house in the opening minutes of the film, a loud gunshot followed by abrupt reenactments of the infamous murders reminds audiences of the horrors that truly are hidden in the walls.
Death Of A Coed / Birth Of A Genre - Black Christmas (1974)
The slasher genre was still very much in its infancy when Bob Clark's Black Christmas was released. The first kill of the movie follows Clare, a young college student who could very well be the film's protagonist. She goes to investigate a strange noise coming from her closet when the film's killer, Billy, strikes.
Hidden in plain sight behind a plastic cover, Billy suddenly suffocates Clare, causing chills to go up the spines of audience members. The sequence ends as quickly as Billy appeared, and this jump scare helped create a sub-genre that would rule horror for decades.
Window Shopping - Suspiria (1977)
While Suspiria doesn't have a large number of jump scares, the ones it does have are sure to catch viewers off guard. Directed by Giallo master, Dario Argento, the film still holds up as a masterpiece of horror cinema, being absolutely stunning to look at yet terrifying to watch.
One kill, in particular, builds up the suspense and delivers right when the viewer believes they can breathe. A character named Pat slowly approaches her window as the score swells. She sees a pair of unnerving eyes staring back at her, which close as the music dies down. The viewers let their guard down, thinking the threat is gone right as an inhuman arm breaks through the window. While not one of the more creative deaths, it's one that sticks with audiences, as it nearly induces cardiac arrest.
The Sunday Service - The Omen (1976)
There are several jump scares throughout the Richard Donner classic, The Omen, but one of the most effective isn't particularly scary, but sudden. The Thorne family are driving to their Sunday church service, and foster son Damien isn't particularly thrilled. Everything seems to be normal until the youngest Thorne begins screaming violently and the music becomes ear piercingly terrifying.
What makes the scene so effective is just how random it feels. Other jump scares in the film may be scarier in the traditional sense, but this one catches the audience with their guard down, making them leap out of their seat rather than just push them off of the edge they are already on in more suspenseful scenes.
Everyone Heard This Scream - Alien (1979)
When fans think of jump scares in the iconic Ridley Scott film, Alien, they may think of when the Xenomorph first fully appears from the shadows to kill Dallas. However, arguably, the most effective is when the Facehugger latches onto the ill-fated Kane.
The first act of Alien is actually rather slow and uneventful, that is until the monotony is broken by the sudden appearance of the Facehugger, which pops unexpectantly out of an egg. This scare is enough to let audiences know that things are starting to move, although not as quick as they think. The creature is finally removed, and all seems well until its spawn emerges from Kane's chest while the crew is enjoying a meal. The creature runs into the bowls of the ship and unfortunately for the Nostromo, the horror was just beginning.
A Nightmare In Chamberlain - Carrie (1976)
Based on Stephen King's first published novel, Carrie was a pioneer in horror in many ways. The scene that stands out to most is the legendary prom scene. The final scene of the movie, however, is one that left a much more subtle impact on the world of horror.
Sue, one of the only people to take pity on Carrie, has a seemingly pleasant dream after the events of prom night. She visits the grave of the deceased Carrie to pay her respects. The audience is mellowed out and ready to leave, when an arm suddenly shoots from the grave, creating one of the most unexpected jump scares in all of horror. This scene inspired Sean Cunningham to make a similar shock ending in Friday the 13th, meaning without this scene, the world of horror may not have their favorite hockey-masked killer.
The Subliminal Fear - The Exorcist (1973)
What has been often referred to as the scariest film of all time, The Exorcist not only has one of the scariest jump scares in film history, but one of the most unnerving subliminal scares.
At several points during the film, a demonic face flashes on the screen. These flashes last no more than a second or two, and the evil grimace is burned into the minds of viewers. Many aren't even sure they saw it, considering how fast it is, but the chill running down their spine confirms that they did and they will never forget it.