The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1990s Horror Films. In this series of horror-themed articles, we’ll be reviewing the creepiest scenes from horror films by decade. These articles will showcase some of the subtle (yet terrifying) scares that gave you nightmares as a child and goosebumps as an adult.
Our third article will cover a decade that was considered a ‘hangover’ decade for horror – the 1990s. Though the 90s did produce a few classic horror films, it will mostly be remembered for the transition of practical effects to CGI and the rise of J-Horror in the latter part of the decade. The 90s will also be remembered for creepy horror elements becoming more prominent in mainstream films from The Silence of the Lambs (1990) to The Sixth Sense (1999) and the continued popularity of classic horror directors John Carpenter and Wes Craven to a new wave of horror from directors Peter Jackson and Hideo Nakata. So, join us on our journey as we look at the 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1990s horror from The Exorcist III (1990) to Audition (1999).
After we get through each decade, we’ll have a cumulative article with the 25 Creepiest Horror Scenes of All Time and you can find each article below as we post them over the following months:
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1970s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1980s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1990s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 2000s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 2010s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 2020s Horror Films
- The 25 Creepiest Horror Scenes of All Time
For our rankings we’re going to use some criteria to help define and refine our list. First, what is considered ‘creepy’ is often subjective. What might be creepy to some people might come off as boring to others. For the list we’ve compiled, we narrowed down the Top 25 to scenes that genuinely scared the younger members of KBZ (who grew up in the 1990s) to scenes that still had that creepiness factor 30 years later for even younger viewers (who were often seeing the specific scene for the first time).
Second, we’re going to expand our definition of a ‘creepy scene’ outside straight horror films. As we mentioned above, there were quite a few mainstream films in the crime, sci-fi and thriller genres that embraced horror elements. And some of these films had creepier scenes than most of the other horror films of the decade. It’s no secret that the 1990s saw a significant decrease in both quality and the use of creepy atmosphere. As a result, we will consider films such as Jacob’s Ladder (1990), Se7en (1995) and even Jurassic Park (1993) for this list as they arguably had some of the creepiest (and scariest) scenes of the decade.
Third, the 90s also saw a continued rise of Horror Comedies. Two of the most prominent horror films of the decade were Army of Darkness (1992) and Braindead (1993). However, both films feature much more humor than any type of creepy horror so won’t be on our list below.
Fourth, we also had to exclude films that had a creepy scene that would spoil the plot. These tended to be films where there was a creepy reveal towards the end of the film. A perfect example here would be The Blair Witch Project (1999). This is one of the best horror films of the decade that helped launch the Found Footage Horror subgenre. However, though the ending is very creepy, it is a major spoiler so won’t be on our list.
Fifth, we’re going to try something new with our lists by embedding BlueSky video posts of the scenes. You won’t need an account with BlueSky to view the videos, but there are some great film and horror buffs you can follow on the social network on hashtags feeds MovieSky and FilmSky. You can also follow KBZ Film on BlueSky here.
And sixth, we had to follow our rule for all of KBZ’s film listings where we only list films that have a 4.0/10 or higher rating.
As we mentioned above, we’ll be releasing additional lists of the creepiest horror films of the decade over the next few months. You can refer to our schedule above or subscribe to our newsletter to get updated as we release each new article.
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
The 25 Creepiest Scenes from 1990s Horror Films
#25 Necronomicon: Book of the Dead (1993) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Clara Arrives
#24 The Night Flier (1997) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: The Vampire Undead
#23 Body Snatchers (1993) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Body Snatcher in the Bathtub
#22 Shakma (1990) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Shakma’s Killing Spree
#21 The Sect (1991) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Bug in the Nose
#20 Ravenous (1999) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Colqhoun Doesn’t Die
#19 The Faculty (1998) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Teachers’ Lounge
#18 Wishmaster (1997) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: “As You Wish….”
#17 Scream (1996) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Casey’s Phone Call
#16 Candyman (1992) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candyman, Candy….
#15 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Dracula Outside Castle
#14 Nightbreed (1990) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: “You’re meat…for the beast.”
#13 House on Haunted Hill (1999) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Video Camera
#12 Audition (1999) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Phone Call
#11 Jurassic Park (1993) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Scene: Raptors in the Kitchen
#10
The Sixth Sense
Plot: Following an unexpected tragedy, a child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe meets an eight-year-old boy named Cole Sear, who is hiding a dark secret.
Scene: Cole Sees Kyra
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – The Sixth Sense (1999)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 1, 2025 at 10:01 AM
KBZ’s Take: The Sixth Sense is one of the best “ghost” films of all time and features one of the best twist endings of any film from the last 50 years. However, because of the twist in the film, it’s not a film you will likely watch more than once or twice – the second time being to see where all the clues are dropped within the film that telegraph the twist ending.
With that said, the film is worth a rewatch if you like atmospheric and creepy horror. There are more than a few scenes in the film that make it one of the best ‘scary’ films of the decade and though the scene we chose loses some of its impact once you know the twist, it’s still a scene that will send shivers up your spine.
Additional Lists: Best Films About Mediums & Communicating with the Dead #1, Best Films About Ghosts & Hauntings of All Time #2
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
Scene: Night Vision
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
KBZ’s Take: We mentioned in our article that quite a few non-horror genre films of the 90s embraced elements of horror within their narrative. The Silence of the Lambs is one of those films that pushes the limit of a Psychological Thriller into horror territory.
Though the film includes a host of creepy scenes (mostly involving Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter), it’s the night vision scene that won out here with its unique take on being alone in the dark with a serial killer.
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #2
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: In 2047 a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship Event Horizon which disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage. With its return, the crew of the Lewis and Clark discovers the real truth behind the disappearance of the Event Horizon – and something even more terrifying.
Scene: Weir in the Computer Server Room
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – Event Horizon (1997)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
KBZ’s Take: Event Horizon deftly combines different horror subgenre elements from Cosmic Horror to philosophical themes of Hell for a unique existential horror film that’s often compared to a mashup of Alien (1979) and Hellraiser (1987). It’s also scary, bloody and has some of the most horrific sequences of the decade.
Though admittedly the film’s creepiest scene is when the crew of the Lewis and Clark discover a video of what happened to the previous crew, it’s a hardcore R-rated scene we couldn’t show here. We opted for a more subtle (and creepy) scene involving Dr. Weir (Sam Neill) encountering his deceased wife.
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #1
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#7
Se7en
Plot: Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the seven deadly sins in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer’s mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.
Scene: Mills & Somerset Discover ‘Sloth’
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – Se7en (1995)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
KBZ’s Take: Se7en is another film of the 90s that pushes the boundaries of a “detectives chasing a serial killer” crime thriller into graphic horror territory. Most of the horror in the film involves how each victim is killed based on the seven deadly sins. And for our pick, there’s no creepier scene outside of “What’s in the box?!?” scene than Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) discovering the victim of ‘sloth’.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: After returning home from the Vietnam War, veteran Jacob Singer struggles to maintain his sanity. Plagued by hallucinations and flashbacks, Singer rapidly falls apart as the world and people around him morph and twist into disturbing images. His girlfriend, Jezzie, and ex-wife, Sarah, try to help, but to little avail. Even Singer’s chiropractor friend, Louis, fails to reach him as he descends into madness.
Scene: Car Chase
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
KBZ’s Take: Jacob’s Ladder is a film that fits squarely in the Psychological Horror Film subgenre. As Jacob (Tim Robbins) continues to descend into madness, his horrific hallucinations become that more terrifying (and creepy). This is another film with quite a few creepy scenes but none more memorable than the spastic and twitching head Jacob sees in a car that just tried to run him down.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: A group of men who were clearing brush for the government arrive back in town, claiming that their friend was abducted by aliens. Nobody believes them, and despite a lack of motive and no evidence of foul play, their friend’s disappearance is treated as murder.
Scene: Alien “Exam”
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – Fire in the Sky (1993)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Scifi #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 9:05 AM
KBZ’s Take: Even though Fire in the Sky is mostly a drama-based Alien Abduction film, it features a scene that comes out of nowhere that is both shocking and horrifying and has cemented its place as one of the best scenes of horror from the decade.
If you haven’t seen the film yet, don’t expect a horror film going in. The film takes its time getting to its notorious scene and when it arrives, you’ll be just as terrified as moviegoers were in the 90s.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#4
Ringu
Plot: A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.
Scene: Sadako Emerges from the TV
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – Ringu (1998)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
KBZ’s Take: Ringu is a classic horror film and is often credited with kickstarting not only the J-Horror craze but the flood of J-Horror remakes that started in the 2000’s. Ringu was remade as The Ring (2002) in the U.S. and there’s been an ongoing debate as to which is better – the original or the remake.
Even if you’ve seen The Ring, we would encourage you to check out Ringu – it has a unique and subtle creepiness that the remake couldn’t quite capture (shown in the scene above).
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #9
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#3
IT
Plot: In 1960, seven pre-teen outcasts fight an evil demon who poses as a child-killing clown. Thirty years later, they reunite to stop the demon once and for all when it returns to their hometown.
Scene: Pennywise in the Book
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – IT (1990)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
KBZ’s Take: Though the original film hasn’t aged well and loses momentum whenever Pennywise (Tim Curry) isn’t on-screen, it’s Curry’s moments in the film that make the film truly terrifying. Though Bill Skarsgård’s recent interpretation of Pennywise in IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2020) is just as scary and unnerving, Curry’s version is the one you won’t get out of your head (or eventual nightmares).
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #6
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: An insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer’s books have on his fans is more than inspirational.
Scene: “Cane has a job for you…”
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – In the Mouth of Madness (1995)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
KBZ’s Take: The third film in John Carpenter’s ‘Apocalypse Trilogy’, In the Mouth of Madness is one of the best Psychological Horror Films of the decade. The film is full of very creepy visuals and an increasingly dreadful atmosphere centered around H.P. Lovecraft themes and cosmic horror. Like a good horror novel, the film slowly draws you in until it’s excellent (and shocking) finale, which is one of the best of the entire horror subgenre.
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #6
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: Set fifteen years after the original film, The Exorcist III centers around the philosophical Lieutenant William F. Kinderman who is investigating a baffling series of murders around Georgetown that all contain the hallmarks of The Gemini, a deceased serial killer. It eventually leads him to a catatonic patient in a psychiatric hospital who has recently started to speak, claiming he is the The Gemini and detailing the murders, but bears a striking resemblance to Father Damien Karras.
Scene: Demon Crawling on Ceiling / Ghost Appears
The Creepiest Scenes from Horror Films of the 1990s – The Exorcist III (1990)
#FilmSky #MovieSky #Horror #Creepy #90s
View our video of the Creepiest 70’s horror scenes here – buff.ly/DPfI5Us
And our video of the Creepiest 80’s horror scenes here – youtu.be/W-L1dR0tkmM
— KBZ Film (@kbzfilm.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
KBZ’s Take: Though The Exorcist (1973) has continued to rule as the scariest film of all time even after 50 years, it’s unfortunately had subpar sequels that haven’t been able to recapture the horrific scares of the original film. The Exorcist III is the only film in the franchise that comes close to matching the unsettling atmosphere of the first film and also has some very creepy sequences.
Our only challenge was selecting one of the creepiest scenes from the film. For that we failed, as we had our first tie for these articles and had to feature two of the classic (and creepiest) horror scenes from the film that are the best of the decade.
Additional Lists: The Best 1990s Horror Films for Halloween #3
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
