Top 10 Horror Movie Cliches

Horror movies have been a staple of the film industry for decades, scaring audiences with their terrifying visuals, bone-chilling sound effects, and suspenseful storylines. While horror movies can be extremely effective at eliciting fear and suspense, they often rely on certain clichés that have become all too familiar to audiences.

In this top ten list, let's identify some of the most overused and tired horror movie clichés that have plagued the genre for years. From the jump scares to the predictable plot twists, these clichés have become so pervasive that many horror movie fans can predict the outcome of a film before it even begins.

Despite their predictability, horror movie clichés continue to captivate audiences, drawing in viewers who enjoy the thrill of being scared. Whether you are a die-hard horror fan or just enjoy the occasional spooky film, this top ten list is sure to resonate with you as we delve into some of the most overused and predictable tropes in the horror genre.

The Top Ten

  1. "Let's split up"

    Don't people in horror movies know anything about horror movies?

  2. Nudity = Death

    You know you're gonna die if you do it, so why do it?

    So, sex is a death sentence in this sense?

    Jamie Lee Curtis survived in Halloween because she was a virgin.

  3. Can't run and fall after stumbling on virtually anything

    Classic. What horror movie could be without its ungraceful and uncoordinated victims?

    Seriously, what kind of person would have two left feet?

    THIS makes me really angry. I'm like: Run...yes, run faster! Wait...don't trip...not again!

  4. The killer seems immortal at first, then dies idiotically

  5. Black guy always dies

    Spoiler Alert: Finally, there is a black character in Jeepers Creepers 2 that actually survives!

    In Jeepers Creepers 2, the black gym teacher was technically the first to die. It's racist.

  6. Teens (or big red targets with human bodies)

  7. False scares for the first half of the movie

    Ah, the Lewton Bus! Actually pretty clever and scary... for the 1950s. Come on, guys. In 2014, this is a cliché mocking a cliché.

  8. Not checking to make sure the killer is really dead

    How about this: After you knock out a killer, kick him in the head, punch him, do something!

  9. Car not starting when trying to get away

    That's in a lot of the horror movies. Do something new, directors.

  10. Jump scares

    Not even that scary. True horror movies can make you get chills just with a creepy vibe.

    I kinda like movies with jump scares, but just don't overuse them.

    The most overused cliché in history that still gets us most of the time.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Most obvious suspect is not the killer

    Very true. We think it's them, but then it's always a plot twist.

  12. ?

    "I'll be back"

    Unless you're in a Terminator movie, saying this is a death sentence.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Stuck in the middle of nowhere

    So predictable. Look at my list of Things A Slasher Movie Needs - only if you feel like it, of course!

  14. A slut, jock, nerd, and virgin

    Ever heard of Cabin In The Woods? Perfect example of this.

  15. Using knives instead of cool guns

    No, the guns are annoying. Loads of movie clichés about them. Sometimes they never run out of bullets, sometimes everyone's such a bad shot that you're safe if they aim at you, and sometimes they point a gun at you but don't shoot.

    With knives, you don't get any of these clichés. Unless they point it at you without attacking.

    Killers in movies don't have guns!

  16. Authorities can't do diddly squat

    Police are just about as worthless as my ex-husband in most horror flicks.

  17. Women are always the survivors

    I don't care if it is apparently woman-hating if they weren't the survivors. It's already man-hating, so they are being ironic. I don't mind that women are survivors, but ALWAYS when they mess up, they SOMEHOW still survive. But if the men went through the same situation, they will SOMEHOW always die.

    Not trying to sound sexist, but can we have a man as the final survivor for once?

    A little bit of gender equality, please?

  18. The face in the mirror

  19. Somebody is screaming but nobody hears them

  20. Old run-down house in the woods: "Maybe they have a phone"

  21. Hiding under beds like children

    Hide somewhere else! Or go outside and run for your lives!

    Yeah! Like that's going to help!

  22. Gun pointed but not used

  23. Breathing loudly

    I hate this so much. It's annoying. I try to pay attention to detail, so it distracts me from the big picture.

  24. "Oh no, that was just the wind"

  25. Can't hide quietly

  26. Bringing a flashlight and not a weapon

  27. Welcome to Camp Clichè Horror!

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