Jaws (1975)
Shark attack out on the beach - suggested by pere-25366
◄ IMDb Polls
Poll: Tense Movie Moments
Alfred Hitchcock once explained perfectly the difference between surprise and suspense. When a bomb under a table goes off, that's surprise. When we know the bomb is under the table but not when it will go off, that is suspense.
For these moments in film, we found ourselves in a state of sheer tense and anticipation, as we relentlessly bit our nails nervous of what may ensue. The culmination of the event was overshadowed by its uneasy build up to it. There are quite a few, so this list has been narrowed down mostly by having some of our users here at IMDb pick their favorites.
Which of these memorably tense moments in a film had you holding your breath the most?
After voting, you may discuss the poll here.
Make Your Choice
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No Country for Old Men (2007)
The coin flip - suggested by pere-25366 -
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Night vision with Bill - suggested by pere-25366 -
Goodfellas (1990)
Funny how? - suggested by pere-25366 -
The Hurt Locker (2008)
"There's too many locks" - suggested by pere-25366 -
Jurassic Park (1993)
Stuck with some reptile friends in the kitchen - suggested by pere-25366 -
Diabolique (1955)
Christina's heart attack - suggested by ElMaruecan82 -
Army of Shadows (1969)
How to deal with a traitor (strangulation) - suggested by ElMaruecan82 -
Speed (1994)
High speed bus in traffic - suggested by pere-25366 -
Se7en (1995)
"What's in the box?" suggested by pere-25366 -
Argo (2012)
The airport escape - suggested by pere-25366 -
Carrie (1976)
The prom prank - suggested by pere-25366 -
Alien (1979)
Ripley's stowaway (and final alien encounter) - suggested by pere-25366 -
Casino Royale (2006)
Moment when Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), who was kidnapped, is tied up and lying on the road as Bond is barreling towards her in his Aston Martin - suggested by expectmiracles -
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
When Adams (Yul Brynner) and Tanner (Steve McQueen) drive the hearse coach up the main road of town to the cemetery where hostile townspeople are waiting for them - suggested by expectmiracles -
Rear Window (1954)
Lisa inspecting the apartment of Thorwald while Jeff is on the lookout for his arrival - suggested by pere-25366 -
Misery (1990)
The attempted breakout before Annie returns - suggested by pere-25366 -
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Meet and greet - suggested by pere-25366 -
Notorious (1946)
Delving and Ms. Huberman are sneaking around looking for clues in the basement wine cellar all the while her husband could be coming downstairs - suggested by ur32931141 -
Out of Time (2003)
An uneasy ladder climb - suggested by pere-25366 -
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Russian roulette - suggested by pere-25366 -
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
The introductory interrogation - suggested by pere-25366The bar scene with Lt. Hicox - suggested by pere-25366
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Psycho (1960)
The shower scene - suggested by pere-25366The car sinking - suggested by pere-25366
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The Dark Knight (2008)
"I want you to do it, I want you to do it, c'mon hit me!" - suggested by pere-25366Blowing up the cruise ships - suggested by pere-25366
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The Shining (1980)
Jack goes full bananas - suggested by pere-25366 -
Phone Booth (2002)
Most scenes between Stu and The Caller - suggested by pere-25366 -
The Ten Commandments (1956)
The parting of the Red Sea by Moses so his people can make safe passage across the sea and the subsequent catching up of Rameses to the fleeing crowd of people with his army of chariots - suggested by expectmiracles -
Buried (2010)
The final scene - suggested by pere-25366 -
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Climbing the Burj Khalifa - suggested by pere-25366 -
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
It's time, Dr. Sapirstein needs to take Rosemary's baby - suggested by expectmiracles -
Ben-Hur (1959)
A chariot race... with a Greek chariot! - suggested by expectmiracles -
Tin Cup (1996)
It all comes down to the 18th hole - suggested by expectmiracles -
Thelma & Louise (1991)
When trapped by the authorities, Thelma and Louise make the most cliff hanging decision of their lives - suggested by expectmiracles -
Bullitt (1968)
Lt. Frank Bullitt's pursuit in his Ford Mustang vs. the hitmen in a Dodge Charger flying through the streets of San Francisco - suggested by expectmiracles -
Hellfighters (1968)
Capping oil well rig fires while under fire from guerrillas - suggested by expectmiracles
