The Illustrations from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Not very scary stories + seriously effed up illustrations = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 4/10

The Dark Crystal

Skeksis = Terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 5/10

Tron: De-Resolution

killer discs + de-resoluting players + dude with neon helmet sideburns = Terrifying

Real World Terror Factor: 1.5/10

Watership Down

The Black Rabbit of Inle (- Simon & Garfunkel) + rabbits dying horribly + the General = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor: 6/10

Ghostbusters Library Ghost

Stuffy Library + snarled-toothed hovering old lady specter thing = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 3/10

Roald Dahl's "The Witches"

Bald witches with square toes + mice fetish = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 7/10

Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent

Spindle-related virgin deaths + fiery entrances = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 4/10

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: Flaming Hearts

Live beating hearts + spontaneous combustion + horned headwear = Terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 8.5/10

Return to Oz Heads, Wheelers

Disembodied heads + creaky wheelers = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 3/10

"Dolls"

Dolls come to life + head scarves + lightning = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 2/10

Stephen King's "It"

Clowns + fangs + clean laundry = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 7/10

Total Recall

Explosive decompression + deformed stomach twins + nose stretching + that lady with three boobs = WHY DID MY PARENTS LET ME WATCH THIS. Also terrifying

RWTF: 6/10

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Conspiracy

Phaser head explosions + screaming chest monsters = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 5/10

Thanks to Arielle R. for this terrifying childhood memory.

Roger Rabbit's Judge Doom

Doc Brown + cartoon murder + googly eyes = terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 3/10

Stand By Me: The Body

The kid wasn't sick + the kid wasn't sleeping = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 6/10

Ghostbusters vs. Vigo the Carpathian

Slime with arms + 20-foot Met paintings come to life = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 2.0/10

Beetlejuice

Room for Lost Souls + Geena Davis ripping her face off + sandworm + decaying bride and groom hovering over the dining room table + crab leg dinner grabbing dinner guests' faces + smoke coming out of the hole in that woman's throat + EVERYTHING IN THIS MOVIE = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 5/10 (unless you're on drugs)

Stephen King's Cat's Eye

Breath-stealing gremlin + little girl = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 2/10

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: He Chose Poorly

1,000-year-old knights + stale holy water + melting face = Terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 7.0/10

Every Episode of The Twilight Zone, Pretty Much Ever

Especially this one:


Kid + unlimited mental conjuring abilities = terrifying.


Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 7/10

Freddy Snake from Nightmare on Elm Street 3

Being six and having your older brother tell you about this shit = Terrifying

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 2.5/10

Alice's Jabberwocky

Slimy, fire-breathing dragon + Carol Channing = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 8/10

The Adventures of Mark Twain - The Mysterious Stranger

Claymation + The Devil = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 6.5/10

Pee-wee's Big Adventure: Large Marge

Tim Burton + surly trucker lady + bad claymation = Terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 2.5/10

The Neverending Story

Large, naked gold sphinx ladies + Laser = terrifying.

Real World Terror Factor (RWTF): 3.5/10