Valerie Ettenhofer at Film School Rejects came up with The 10 Best Final Scares in Horror Movie History. I looked at her list at came up with my top three:
- Carrie (1976): I saw Carrie at a midnight movie with my girlfriend. I thought the movie was over except for the credits when Carrie’s hand reached out of the grave and grabbed her friend. I came out of my seat and am pretty sure I let out a yell. Not my most macho moment.
- Friday the 13th (1980): Another late night movie, but this time I was watching alone. My wife was in bed asleep and I was on the couch and it was well past midnight. I thought the movie was over, again except for the credits. I walked over to turn off the tv (no remote in those days – at least for us) and the kid/monster came out of the water to grab the girl. I backed up so fast you’d have thought it was reaching through the tv for me.
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): I saw this on cable and thought it was ok. I like the original a lot better, but I have to give credit to the final scare. It still gives me chills to think about it.
