Who doesn’t enjoy a spine-chilling horror movie or a heart-pounding thriller? The kind that leaves you gripping the edge of your seat with its mind-blowing plot twists, hair-raising visuals, and nail-biting suspense. And amidst all the excitement, there’s one element that never fails to mesmerize audiences: the jaw-dropping car crash scenes. It’s akin to a mesmerizing spectacle – impossible to tear your eyes away from, despite its unsettling nature. So, let’s delve into the realm of horror and thriller films and explore some of the most brutal and shocking car crashes and accidents ever brought to the silver screen.
1. Disturbia
Disturbia, which is loosely based on Hitchcock’s iconic Rear Window, starts off with a really intense and terrifying car crash. Kale and his dad, who were on their way back from a fishing trip, get caught up in a horrifying string of accidents caused by a reckless driver. Tragically, Kale’s father doesn’t survive. This devastating event becomes the catalyst for Kale’s troubled behavior, leading to his confinement at home and setting the stage for the story to unfold.
2. Halloween II
In John Carpenter’s original Halloween, Laurie Strode’s love interest, Ben Tramer, is mostly just mentioned by name. However, in the sequel Halloween II, things take a shocking turn when he becomes the victim of a tragic car crash.
The sequel picks up right where the first film left off, with Dr. Loomis desperately chasing after the surviving Michael Myers. Unfortunately for Ben Tramer, he ends up being mistaken for the masked killer by Loomis.
In a desperate attempt to avoid being shot by the doctor, Tramer is abruptly hit by a police car. The impact causes an explosion when the car collides with an ambulance, leaving poor Ben trapped between the burning vehicles. It’s a truly unfortunate and tragic end for him.
3. Pet Sematary Two
Pet Sematary Two may not be as well-remembered as its predecessor, but that doesn’t mean it lacks its own peculiar joys. One of its standout moments revolves around a reimagined version of the iconic death-by-truck scene from the original Pet Sematary.
Instead of a simple collision, Pet Sematary Two takes things up a notch. In this horror sequel, the undead version of Clancy Brown’s primary villain, Sheriff Gus Gilbert, relentlessly chases down his own wife and child as they desperately try to escape. Ultimately, he forces their station wagon into the path of an oncoming semi-truck, resulting in their tragic demise. The film presents this death with a darkly comedic twist, contrasting with the more tragic tone of the first movie. Nevertheless, it remains brutal and effectively unsettling.
4. Death Proof
Death Proof, Quentin Tarantino’s contribution to the pulpy double-feature project Grindhouse, delivers car-related carnage in its eye-catching poster. The artwork features Stuntman Mike’s (played by Kurt Russell) weapon of choice: a menacing blacked-out 1970 Chevy Nova. But this is no ordinary car. It has been modified and souped up to become ‘death proof,’ at least for the driver.”
“Throughout the film, there are several impactful crashes, but the first ‘kill’ scene in Death Proof truly takes the cake. In this scene, the maniacal Stuntman Mike unleashes a gruesome automotive death blow on a group of women believed to be the film’s protagonists.
5. Final Destination 2
The Final Destination series has a unique charm – it’s a cleverly crafted B-movie with death traps designed by Death itself, targeting a group of surprisingly resilient teenagers. Among the many memorable moments, one stands out: the exhilarating car crash sequence in Final Destination 2.
What’s fascinating about this scene is that the crash never really occurs. It turns out to be a premonition experienced by the main character, which kickstarts the intense game of escaping death. The sequence involves a logging truck causing chaos on the highway, with its load of wooden logs colliding with multiple vehicles and the people inside them.
The way this madcap doom choreography unfolds is truly a masterclass in suspense and tension. It’s a thrilling start to the movie, showcasing the ingenuity behind the series’ death traps.
6. Duel
Duel, Steven Spielberg’s first-ever film, showcases the distinctive stylistic elements that would later define his brilliance as a filmmaker. Even before establishing himself as one of cinema’s most influential artists, Spielberg’s genius was already evident. The movie centers around a man’s desperate attempt to escape a murderous semi-truck driver in his much smaller car, with the anticipation building towards a climactic car crash. And when that moment finally arrives, it doesn’t disappoint.
In the ultimate showdown, our brave driver decides to face his tormentor head-on, no longer running from the relentless and unapologetic semi-truck. The collision that follows can only be described as the vehicular equivalent of a descent into hell. Astonishingly, he emerges alive, with the only thing more breathtaking than the sunset marking the end of his horrific day, being the burning wreckage below him.
7. Talk to Me
Talk to Me” is a captivating story that follows the journey of Mia, a teenager who becomes entangled in a spine-chilling seance. This eerie experience is made possible by a cursed ceramic hand, which grants Mia the ability to communicate with the deceased. However, things take a dark turn when Mia’s involvement in the seance results in her best friend’s younger brother falling gravely ill.
As Mia grapples with the consequences of her actions, her grip on reality becomes increasingly fragile. The line between the world of the living and the realm of the dead begins to blur, pushing Mia to the edge. The culmination of this gripping tale is a heart-wrenching and cathartic car crash, intentionally orchestrated by Mia, leading to her own demise. In a surprising twist, the once-dying younger brother miraculously returns to his family. But is everything as it seems
8. Pet Sematary
The first adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel, Pet Sematary, has gained a significant following over time, almost as much as the original story itself. One of the reasons why the movie has remained in the public’s mind is its faithfulness to King’s knack for terrifying scares, exemplified by the horrifying demise of young Gage Creed.
Caught up in the excitement of flying a kite, Gage unknowingly strays onto the road, only to be tragically struck down by an unsuspecting truck driver. This chillingly brutal accident sets the stage for the supernatural horrors that unfold in the story. Consumed by grief over his son’s death, Dr. Creed performs a ritualistic burial of Gage’s body in the eerie, magic-infused soil of the cemetery that gives the movie its name. And thus, Gage returns… but not quite as the young boy his father remembered.
9. The Final Destination
In the last part of the film, the three brave teenagers who have miraculously evaded death throughout the story come to a devastating realization. Despite all their efforts, their plans prove to be in vain. By a stroke of terrible luck, a semi-truck unexpectedly crashes through the restaurant window where they are having a meal, heading straight for their table.
Right after this shocking event, the movie swiftly transitions to its signature x-ray vision, a feature commonly seen in the credits. This unique perspective allows us to witness the horrifying sight of the skeletons of the characters being squished, crushed, and scrunched by the terrifying truck.
10. M3GAN
In the opening scene, M3gan’s car crash is absolutely terrifying. It gives you a major scare even before the deadly doll makes an appearance on-screen. While sitting in the back seat, Cady witnesses her parents arguing. Unfortunately, one wrong move by her dad behind the wheel sends the car spiraling out of control in the most horrific manner.
As a result of the crash, Cady becomes an orphan, and this tragic event sets the stage for her to move in with her aunt Gemma.
11. A Cure for Wellness
Gore Verbinski’s much-anticipated return to the horror genre, A Cure for Wellness, didn’t quite hit the mark financially. However, it has steadily gained recognition in recent years. The story revolves around Lockhart, a finance executive entrusted by his company’s investors to bring back their elusive CEO from a secluded retreat center in the Swiss Alps. As expected, things take a sinister turn, and Lockhart’s efforts to meet with the CEO are met with unexpected obstacles.
But the real shock comes when Lockhart finally leaves the retreat. During his departure, his car collides with a wandering stag, leading to a terrifying crash that leaves Lockhart both injured and trapped at the wellness center.