SerpApi.Org
Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for multiple TV shows.Jump scares have become so ingrained in the horror genre that it's hard to imagine the genre without them. They're crucial, in a sense. They provide the quick burst of adrenaline that makes your heart race, and for a second, you feel like you're inside the story, instead of only being a spectator. The larger scenes housing them have a different kind of power, though, because they can also carry genuine emotional weight.
Horror TV shows, for instance, allow you to spend more time with their characters, which results in every momentfeeling far more personal and earned. In that case, filmmakers often utilize jump scares as an essential tool to carry the story forward, rather than just using them for theatrical shock value. Here is a list of the greatest TV jump scares of all time to prove exactly that.
The Dumbwaiter Scare
'The Watcher' (2022) — Season 1, Episode 1
Ryan Murphy'sname is synonymous with the horror genre, and his Netflix horror series, The Watcher, makes for a pretty spooky watch. The chilling story is loosely based on Reeves Wiedeman's 2018 article "The Haunting of a Dream House," published by The Cut. It follows Nora (Naomi Watts)and Dean Brannock (Bobby Cannavale),who move into their dream home in New Jersey, only to start receiving disturbing messages from a stalkerknown as The Watcher. The show is an entertaining blend of suspense and horror and follows the Brannock family as they realize their cozy little suburb might not be what it seems. The pilot episode, titled "Welcome, Friends," perfectly sets the tone for the series of eerie events that are about to follow. We meet the Brannocks as they move into their mansion, 657 Boulevard, and discover that this anonymous stalker is out to get them.
Not to mention that theirstrangely intrusive neighbors, Pearl (Mia Farrow)and her brother Jasper(Terry Kinney), seem overly interested in their lives. The scariest moment in the episode comes when Nora and Dean's son, Carter (Luke David Blumm)decides to play around with the dumbwaiter. The young boy decides to put his ferret inside the contraption to see how it works. However, when he opens the door to the dumbwaiter, he sees Jasper sitting inside, almost as if he were waiting to say "Boo!" The moment, with its sudden abruptness, makes for the perfect jump scare for Carter and the audience. Pearl then explains that the home's previous owners would let Jasper use the dumbwaiter whenever he wanted. What makes this particular scene creepier, though, is how strange Jasper's character is overall. From the very beginning, his odd behavior marks him as a suspect, and this scene is the foundation of the family's fears about him.
Maddy Sees BOB
'Twin Peaks' (1990–2017) — Season 2, Episode 2
There's no denying that Twin Peakschanged the landscape of horror for years to come. The show, created byDavid Lynch and Mark Frost,remains a pop culture phenomenon for its surrealist themes and ability to blur the line between mystery, drama, and the supernatural. The show follows Kyle MacLachlan as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who begins to uncover the dark mysteries lurking within the small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, after a chilling murder shakes the residents. Twin Peaks Season 2, Episode 2, "Coma," directed by Lynch himself, remains one of the show's most unforgettable hours, for all the right reasons. The episode continues Agent Cooper's investigation into Laura's (Sheryl Lee)murder and includes a scene where Laura's cousin, Maddy, also played by Lee, is at the Hayward house with James (James Marshall) and Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle)as they record a song together. The scene is a break from the show's otherwise creeping sense of dread, but sadly, it doesn't last long.
After they are done playing the song, James and Donna step away, and Maddy is alone in the living room. What's interesting is that there isbarely any background scoreor warning before a figure appears out of nowhere. This figure slowly comes closer to Maddy, and that's when you realize that it's BOB (Frank Silva). It takes the antagonist half a second to start crawling toward Maddy and inhumanely climbing over the furniture, with a sinister smile on his face. He is almost face-to-face with Maddy, and when she screams, he is gone. This isn't a traditional jump scare, by any means, but it works because of how it plays with the audience on a psychological level. You almost feel trapped in the room with Maddy, unable to look or run away. The worst part, though, is that she can't prove any of this to her friends in the moment.
Caliban Versus Proteus
'Penny Dreadful' (2014–2016) — Season 1, Episode 2
John Logan's Penny Dreadfulis a treat for all fans of Gothic horror. The show takes inspiration from classics, including Frankenstein, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula, and The Picture of Dorian Gray,and brings their characters to London in the 1890s. Now, in a show full of monsters, you'd expect endless jump scares and spine-chilling moments. However, Penny Dreadful doesn't always rely on that togradually build its sense of unease.When these jump scares do come, though, they are so integrated within the story that they don't just feel scary — they also stay with you for a long time to come. That was the case with Proteus' (Alex Price)death, which just came out of nowhereand took the viewers by surprise.
The show's first two episodes introduce us to Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), a young scientist who wants to conquer death itself. His second creation, Proteus, is the show's take on Mary Shelley's grotesque, terrifying creature from the original story. However, Proteus is gentle, curious, and as alive as ever. Frankenstein treats him like a son, and their relationship is genuinely heartwarming.However, that doesn't last very long because in Penny Dreadful Season 1, Episode 2, "Séance," Victor and Proteus grow closer as the scientist tries to help Proteus remember his past life. Suddenly, without any warning, Frankenstein's first creation, Caliban (Rory Kinnear),rips Proteus apart from the inside out in an act of vengeance. The scene comes out of nowhere, and it's horrifying not only because of how sudden it is, but also because of how devastating Proteus' loss feels.
Natsuki's First Story
'The Midnight Club' (2022) — Season 1, Episode 1
No one does horror like Mike Flanagan, and The Midnight Club, based on Christopher Pike's 1994 novel of the same name, is proof of that. The series is set in Brightcliffe Hospital, where a group of terminally ill youngsters, the Midnight Club, gather every night at midnight to tell each other scary stories. The kids also have a pact: whoever is the first to die amongst them will try to send a message to the rest from beyond the grave. However, the stories they tell serve the greater purpose of letting the viewer understand these characters, their worst fears, and unspoken anxieties.One of the most memorable scenes of the show takes place in the series premiere, where newcomer Ilonka (Iman Benson) listens to one of Natsuki's stories (Aya Furukawa) which follows a young man named Emeryn (Chris Sumpter).
As Emeryn walks home through a deserted neighborhood one night, he starts feeling as thoughpeople are watching him from behind their windows. Suddenly, a ghostly schoolgirl appears out of nowhere and starts to scream and lunge toward him before vanishing. This happens over and over again and results in an endless repetition of jump scares. By the end of the story, you aren't just scared — you're exhausted from this constant sense of fear. The scene actually broke the Guinness World Record and was aparody of how modern horror relies on jump scares rather than the story itself. The meta-humor is Flanagan's signature and is the perfect way for Ilonka to understand the club's fascination with horror stories.
There's Something on the Wing!
'The Twilight Zone' (1959–1964) — Season 5, Episode 3
The Twilight Zoneremains one of the greatest anthology series of all time because of how effortlessly it brought together science fiction, fantasy, and horror to deliver timeless lessons on fear and morality. However, Season 5, Episode 3, "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," features one of the most terrifying jump scares of all time, and not only because of its visual shock.The episode stars William Shatneras Robert Wilson, a man recovering from a nervous breakdown, who boards a late-night flight with his wife. Now, Robert has a fear of flying, and he is determined to overcome that. However, it proves to be difficult as the plane flies through a storm. What makes things worse is when Robert looks out his window and sees a gremlin standing on the wingand tampering with the engine.
The gremlin itself isn't terrifying, and appears a little funny by today's costume and CGI standards. However, the way The Twilight Zone plays with the idea of paranoia within a confined setting, and of course, Shatner's brilliant performance, is what makes this one of the most memorable jump scares of all time. You almost convince yourself into believing that the main character is just anxious, but when the gremlin suddenly appears up close, with its face pressed up against the window, that will take anyone by surprise. What's scarier is that no one else seems to see him besides Robert, so you're left wondering whether the gremlin actually exists or if it's just a fragment of Robert's imagination.Whatever the case may be, any time the creature appears on-screen, it feels just as unnerving as the last.
Mr. Smiley
'The Haunting of Hill House' (2018) — Season 1, Episode 3
Flanagan's The Haunting of Hill Houseredefined how meaningful and truly frightening the horror genre can really be. The show, based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel, follows the Crain siblings, whose lives continue to be affected by the horrors they witnessed in their childhood home, Hill House.Every episode focuses on one family memberand recounts events that lead back to the night of their mother's death, when the rest of them were forced out of the house by their father. The Haunting of Hill House Episode 3, "Touch," centers on the middle child, Theodora, or Theo (Kate Siegel), whose psychic abilities allow her to feel people's emotions when she touches them or the objects they interact with. Theo grows up to be a psychologist and uses her special abilities to help others. In this episode, she is counseling a young girl who claims to be haunted by a figure she calls "Mr. Smiley." When Theo investigates the child's foster home, her powers reveal that Mr. Smiley is just a way for the young girl to cope with the abuse she faces at the hands of her foster father.
The case continues to affect Theo even after the man is arrested. Later that night, she lies in her bed as she tries to sleep when she feels her blanket being pulled away. When Theo looks up, she sees the creepy Mr. Smiley standing at the end of her bed. There's a sharp sound cue as the creature lunges at her before Theo wakes up with a jolt. The moment is scary, not only because of the shock, but also because of how Mr. Smiley is dressed in pajamas and pulling Theo's covers back, which mirrors the trauma she uncovered earlier in the day. This scene is definitely going down in history as one of the most meaningful and heavy jump scares ever.
The Demogorgon Takes Barb
'Stranger Things' (2016–) — Season 1, Episode 2
Stranger ThingsSeason 1 was the beginning of a show that wouldtake over pop culture like no other.The way the Duffer brothersmanaged to capture the nostalgia of the 1980s and blend it with a small-town mystery and sci-fi horror remains unmatched. The series premiere revolves around the disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp)and the introduction of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), a mysterious girl with telekinetic abilities. Episode 2, titled "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street," follows Eleven telling Will's friends about the existence of the Upside Down and the horrific Demogorgon who might have taken Will there.
After Will, the Demogorgon's next victim is Nancy Wheeler's (Natalia Dyer) best friend Barb Holland (Shannon Purser). The two are at a party at Steve Harrington's (Joe Keery)house, where Barb feels out of place. The teenager walks outside and sits by the pool as she tends to a cut on her hand from a failed attempt at shotgunning a beer. However, when her blood drips into the water, the lights start flickering, and you know that something bad is about to happen. Within seconds, the Demogorgon comes out from the shadows, and all we hear is Barb's scream as she is taken away to the Upside Down. The jump scare barely lasts a second, but Barb's instant death was so impactful that it remains one of the saddest moments in the show.
Julian Finds a Rotting Corpse
'Servant' (2019–2023) — Season 3, Episode 3
M. Night Shyamalan'sServantis a masterclass in how to create a constant, skin-crawling feeling of madness. The psychological horror series follows Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose)and Sean Turner (Toby Kebbell),a couple dealing with the tragic death of their infant son, Jericho. Sean thinks a reborn doll will help his wife cope with the grief, but things take a turn when she starts believing that it is their real child. The stakes rise with the entry of the mysterious nanny Leanne (Nell Tiger Free),who is hired by Dorothy to take care of her "baby," and that's because that's when the lines between miracle and madness begin to blur.
The show is eerie enough as it is and doesn't really need a lot of jump scares to chill you to the bone. However, Servant Season 3, Episode 3, "Hair," delivers one of its most shocking moments as Dorothy's brother Julian (Rupert Grint)arrives at the Turner house and recalls the memory of the day he discovered Jericho's lifeless, rotting corpse. The scene is brilliant in how it flashes between the past and the present, and the horror on Julian's face as he sees Jericho in the crib and starts throwing up at the sight. It's one of the show's most visceral moments and is a reminder of the emotional trauma at the center of the story.
The Phone Call
'Marianne' (2019) — Season 1, Episode 2
Marianne is a French Netflix original that focuses on terrifying its audience through atmosphere and timing more than gore, and you'd be surprised at how effective that really is. The show follows horror novelist Emma Larsimon(Victoire Du Bois), who realizes that Marianne, a witch she invented in her books, has manifested in the real world to torment her and her loved ones. The show's unique premise hooks you in from the first episode, but Marianne, Season 1, Episode 2 delivers a jump scare thathorror movies can only dream of.The scene is set in the dead of night when Emma's assistant Camille(Lucie Boujenah)is alone at her boss' house.
All of a sudden, the security alarm starts to blare, the lights flicker, and the phone rings. When Camille answers, a calm voice tells her that they are calling from the security company and instructs her to close the door before turning around to check the living room. Everything the voice says seems perfectly normal, but you can't shake off the feeling that something is not right. However, as Camille scans the living room, she realizes that she has been speaking to the witch's human vessel, Mrs. Daugeron (Mireille Herbstmeyer). That revelation is accompanied by Daugeron suddenly appearing from the shadows as Camille runs from her life. The scene is brilliant in how it weaponizes the idea of trust, and just when you feel like someone is looking out for Camille, and that she might just be safe, the tables turn.
The Car Ride
'The Haunting of Hill House' (2018) — Season 1, Episode 8
The Haunting of Hill House didn't really need any jump scares, given that the show's story was terrifying enough to give anyone nightmares. Flanagan slowly immersed the viewers in the Crain family's tragic past, and he ensured that the story progressed with calculated restraint,which makes every jump scare all the more startling. In Season 1, Episode 8, "Witness Marks," the emotional storytelling of the show reaches a whole new level when Shirley(Elizabeth Reaser)and Theo make their way back to Hill House after years. The tension in the car is palpable as both sisters are forced to confront their shared past, and that's what leads to a rather stupid argument between the two.
It's almost strange how Shirley suddenly accuses her sister of making a move on her husband, and their argument really stretches on to the point where you're engrossed in how ridiculous it is. Then, without any score changes or visual warnings, Nell's (Victoria Pedretti) ghost appears from the back seat and screams as if she wants them to give it a rest already. The jump scare lasts for a second, but its shock stays with you for way longer. Shirley immediately stops the car, and Theo has to bolt out to recover and get some fresh air. What's important, though, is how meaningful the jump scare feels. Nell's sudden appearance gives Shirley and Theo some much-needed perspective. That's when they realize they need to stop bickering and focus on the bigger picture, and that is the genius of Flanagan.
