20 Iconic Horror Chase Scenes

“Some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can’t act, who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door. It’s insulting.”—Sidney Prescott

While Sidney may not be a fan of chase scenes, for many of us, these heart-pumping sequences are the highlight of a scary movie. The suspenseful score kicks in, our favourite horror icons sprint for their lives, and we find ourselves on the edge of our seats, wondering if they’ll make it out alive. Whether the protagonist narrowly escapes or meets a gruesome demise, these cat-and-mouse chases inject a thrilling dose of adrenaline into the film.

Here is a list of 20 of the most thrilling chase scenes that have become ingrained in horror movie culture. For the maximum effect, it’s worth watching the full films, as some clips may not capture the entire sequence.

Check out Part 2 of 20 Iconic Horror Chase Scenes here!

20/ Mya as Jenny Tate in Cursed (2005)

This chase is like…Wo! Mya proves she has what it takes to contend with more notable horror heroines on the list. It’s too bad the elevator acts as a dead end here; it would have been fun to see her outrun the werewolf a little longer.

19/ LL Cool J as Preacher in Deep Blue Sea (1999)

A refreshing twist on the typical chase! LL Cool J takes to the water, dodging a genetically modified shark in Deep Blue Sea. In a clever move, the chef finds temporary shelter in his own oven before exacting revenge for his parrot’s untimely demise.

18/ Vicky Dawson as Pam MacDonald in The Prowler (1981)

Locked doors amplify the tension, and Pam’s frantic attempts to escape are constantly thwarted by being stuck behind them. Despite flying under the radar compared to contemporaries like Halloween and Friday the 13th, The Prowler delivers a similarly suspenseful experience that holds its own.

17/ Josh Hartnett and Michelle Williams as John and Molly in Halloween H20 (1998)

Josh Hartnett’s on-screen presence is always a win, and running from Uncle Mike is no exception. This chase kicks off with his character John and girlfriend Molly (Michelle Williams) stumbling upon their friend Sarah (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) hanging in the pantry, and it’s an “oh shit” moment.

16/ Justin Long and Gina Philips as Darry and Trish Jenner in Jeepers Creepers (2001)

A new level of road rage! Here, Danny and Trish are followed and run off the road by a 1941 Chevy COE driven by the creeper.

15/ Genevieve Alexandra as Jessica in Maniac (2012)

Subway stations are creepy enough at night, but a maniacal chase through one is pure nightmare fuel. The original 1980 version also featured a memorable subway chase, and this remake’s version is arguably the standout scene of the film.

14/ Olivia Hussey as Jess in Black Christmas (1974)

Halloween’s influences from its holiday predecessor Black Christmas are clear, particularly in this climactic chase scene where final girl Jess (Olivia Hussey) frantically tries to escape a stranger who’s been hiding in the attic.

13/ Brandy Norwood as Karla Wilson in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Karla finds herself on thin ice in this slasher sequel as she navigates a nightmare vacation, dodging the hook-wielding fisherman.

12/ Jamie Lee Curtis as Alana Maxwell in Terror Train (1980)

1980 was the standout year for Jamie Lee Curtis’ scream queen reign, starring in three horror classics: Terror Train, Prom Night, and The Fog. In Terror Train, Curtis’ character Alana faces off against a killer who’s a master of disguise, donning the costumes of his victims to blend in with partygoers on a moving train.

11/ Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott in Scream (1996)

With his dark charm, Billy Loomis is hard to resist, and once Sidney lets her guard down, she’s in grave danger. The gruesome sight of Tatum’s body stuck in the garage door gives her even more reason to start sprinting for her life.

10/ Paris Hilton as Paige Edwards in House of Wax (2005)

Paris Hilton’s death scene in House of Wax was highly anticipated, and she even capitalized on the hype with a “See Paris Die” t-shirt line. To add to the realism, Hilton would sprint up and down stairs before filming to simulate being out of breath, making her character’s desperate chase all the more convincing.

9/ Amy Steel as Ginny in Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

Friday the 13th Part 2 stands out as a fan favorite, and for good reason. The intense showdown between Ginny and Jason Voorhees showcases the franchise at its best. While Alice bravely faced Jason’s mother in the original, Ginny’s relentless battle with Jason himself makes her the one you’d want to bunk with.

8/ Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in Halloween II (1981)

Laurie’s chase scene in Halloween II ups the ante from her first showdown with The Shape. Despite a fractured ankle and heavy sedation, she finds herself fleeing for her life once more, this time through the empty corridors of Haddonfield Memorial Hospital. The deserted hallways make for a fun setting as Laurie flees in her hospital gown.

7/ Amanda Wyss as Tina Gray in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

When Tina hears her name whispered and tapping on the window, she unknowingly invites terror inside. Trapped in a waking nightmare, she’s subjected to Freddy’s twisted games before meeting a demise that’s forever etched in horror history.

6/ Anne-Marie Martin as Wendy Richards in Prom Night (1980)

‘It’s not who you go with, honey, it’s who takes you home.’ Wendy’s sizzling bad girl persona in Prom Night makes her heart-racing 8-minute chase scene, set to pulsating retro beats, one for the books.

4/ Danny Lloyd and Jack Nicholson as Danny and Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980)

At the end of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining, the hedge animals come alive. However, translating this element to film proved challenging, so Stanley Kubrick ingeniously substituted it with a never-ending hedge maze, creating a hauntingly iconic final confrontation.

4/ Marilyn Burns as Sally Hardesty in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Marilyn’s terrifying ordeal might be the most brutal on this list. Stranded alone in the Texas woods as her friends vanish, she’s chased by the ominous sound of a chainsaw roaring. Her piercing screams are guaranteed to send shivers down your spine, cementing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s cult classic status.

3/ Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers in Scream 2 (1997)

Gale’s got more lives than a cat, and she’ll need them all as she navigates a maze-like recording studio with Ghostface closing in, right before Scream 2’s intense climax.

2/ Tara Reid as Sasha Thomas in Urban Legend (1998)

Sasha’s radio show turns deadly when she’s stalked by an axe-wielding killer in Urban Legend. This scene is elevated by three chilling elements: her awkward flight in huge platform boots, her raw, raspy cries for help, and the fact that her headset remains live, broadcasting her chase to listeners. Tara Reid delivers a standout performance, putting up a fierce fight for survival in this iconic scene.

1/ Sarah Michelle Gellar as Helen Shivers in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s role as Helen Shivers in I Know What You Did Last Summer cements her slasher royalty status. She earns the crown, and not just for winning the Croaker Queen Pageant, but for delivering a flawless, emotional, and thrilling chase sequence – one that’s widely considered the crème de la crème of horror movie chases.

Hope you’re not out of breath! Tell us your favourite horror movie chase scene in the comments below.