{
  "id": 13070573,
  "title": "Scientific study reveals scariest horror movie – with one 2026 title breaking heart rate record",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/scientific-study-reveals-scariest-horror-movie-with-one-2026-title",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T08:33:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/09/scientific-study-reveals-scariest-horror-movie-with-one-2026-title-breaking-heart-rate-rec"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Halloween is just around the corner and many are wondering what horror films to watch to get into the spooky spirit. According to rigorous scientific research, the Science of Scare Project has revealed the scariest horror movies, without considering individual preferences or tolerance for jump scares. The Science of Scare Project has been tracking the heart rates of hundreds of volunteers watching English-language horror films for the past seven years. They developed a Scare Score system that combines heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) to rank the movies.\n\nPeak heart rate and the time between each beat of your heart are also considered in determining the overall ranking. In this year's study, 15 new contenders, including Obsession and Backrooms, challenged classic horror films but did not make it into the top 20. A24's paranormal podcast horror film, Undertone, was scientifically determined to be the scariest movie of 2026 and ranked 33rd overall.\n\nResident Evil set a new jump-scare record, breaking the previous high of 134 BPM, which had been the top spot for four years. The study found that Sinister, directed by Scott Derrickson in 2012, still holds the top position. The film raised viewers' average heart rate by 34%, from 64 to 86 BPM, with a peak heart rate of 131 BPM. Sinister's combination of sudden shocks and lingering dread earned it a Scare Score of 96/100.\n\nWhile heart rate modulations can be a valuable metric for determining scariest films, it may not necessarily reflect those that deeply affect viewers' emotions. The study does, however, highlight that many modern horror films employ jump scares, which may be effective for a quick adrenaline rush but are often considered cheap and overused.",
  "summary": "The ranking was determined by a study monitoring audience's heart rates and BPM increases while watching horror films.",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Undertone\" by A24 determined scariest horror movie of 2026, ranked 33rd overall",
    "Resident Evil set new jump-scare record at 134 BPM, breaking previous high of 4 years",
    "Sinister (2012) holds top position with 34% increase in average heart rate to 86 BPM"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}