'Science Of Scare' Calculates The Most Terrifying Movies Of All Time

It's Halloween and although going out with your mates dressed as the most depressing version of a vampire you've ever seen isn't really on the cards, staying inside and enjoying the horrors of film is a great replacement - especially when science has worked out the scariest movies for you.

Ah science, our old friend. We miss those school labs where the teacher got upset at us for messing around with a bunsen burner - good times. Anyway, that same science (sort of) has worked out which are the scariest films to watch this Halloween, and because it's science we can't really argue with it can we?

Top of the list is Sinister from 2012. This story follows a writer and his family as they move into a murder house so he can find the inspiration to finish his new book. Soon after arriving things start going badly for the family and well, you can watch the film to find out more if you like.

Number two on the list is 2010's Insidious which is known for its jumpscares hidden in scenes that feel safe, and generally scaring the crap out of teens for the last decade. Number three on the list is The Conjuring which is vaguely based on the real adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators. Strangely, all three of the scariest films take place when a family moves into a new home, only to find out it's hiding a darker secret.

If you don't think one of these top three are the scariest you've seen then it's likely you'll find one of the top ten is pretty unnerving at least. At four we have captivating (or should that be decapitating) Hereditary, five goes to the classic Paranormal Activity, and six goes to It Follows.

Then to round out the top ten there is The Conjuring 2, The Babadook, The Descent, and The Visit. Lots of 'The's to go around. Other honourable mentions go to The Ring, A Quiet Place, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween.

To work out the scariest films of all time, the team commissioned by Broadbandchoices and spotted by GamesRadar+ had a panel of 50 people sit and watch 50 of the best horror movies ever made and recorded their heart rate while it was playing. Sinister came top, although it shared the same average of 86 BPM with Insidious because of the difference between the lows and the highs. Insidious won the biggest jumpscare though with the highest BPM recorded at any point with 133 BPM.

So there you have it, list of films to watch this Halloween without even needing to look that far. I know I'm not brave enough to take them on, but I wonder if anyone has got through the list with no problem.