Top 10: Dream scenes #1

Last Updated on July 27, 2021

Dream sequences are commonly
seen in the horror genre. Not only are they considered to be apart of the group
of huge movie clichés, they are also (in most cases) put in the film simply to
frighten the audience with the ever so popular “boo scare.” They are also
typically shown in the final frames of the movie to leave room for a sequel.
(LAME!)

Although there are tons of
predictable and unoriginal dream sequences in a lot of horror films, there are a
few that are able to create the eeriness, mood, and atmosphere dreams and
nightmares can bring. So here is my top ten list of memorable dream sequences in
horror that I found stood out from the rest.  Spit bullets below for your own
suggestions!

WARNING – SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!

10.
Jeepers Creepers 2

I loved Jeepers Creepers, and even though the
sequel was nothing compared to the original, it still had some good bits in the
film, particularly the dream sequence that brought Darry (Justin Long) back from
the dead. Unlike most dream sequences in horror that are completely coherent,
the scene with Darry guiding the cheerleader through the cornfield had a very
creepy and dream-like feel to it.  It also pleased the fans of the original film
to see the only likable character in the series make one last appearance.

9.
Bad Moon

Bad Moon
is one of my favorite werewolf movies. It is a film
that is filled with genuinely scary moments, but nothing scared me more than the
dream sequence at the end of the film where Janet (Mariel Hemingway) dreams of
her heroic dog, Thor turning into a werewolf.  Sure, it had “cheap shot for one
last scare” written all over it, but it worked on me! I almost had a heart
attack after watching that scene for the first time, and I still have to turn
the volume down for that scene in multiple viewings of the film.

8.
Severance

When Richard
randomly stabs Harris in bed, because he thinks Harris has played a mean
practical joke on him, I was completely baffled and the words, “what the f*ck?”
escaped my mouth repeatedly. When it’s revealed that it was just a nightmare, I
was impressed by how the scene was so cleverly shot.  That’s why I loved this
British horror comedy so much.  It was able to poke fun at the horror genre, and
yet still have the audience guessing what kind of horror film they were in for.

7.
Rosemary’s Baby

With all the movies
containing torture porn these days, we tend to think films made thirty to forty
years ago were so much tamer than the horror we see today.  That’s why it’s
always surprising to see a scene in an older movie that is disturbing to watch
even for today’s standards.  This can be said about the creepy dream sequence in
Rosemary’s Baby when Rosemary (Mia Farrow) gets raped by Satan.
Although the movie is very dated now, that scene still is uncomfortable watch.

6. Prince
of Darkness

The scenes of the recurring
dream in John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness always sent chills down my
spine. (Especially when the shadowed figure appears in the doorway.)  Of course,
I was less scared once I saw who the figure really was, but it still made for a
good twist! I won’t ruin it for those who still haven’t seen the second
installment in Carpenter’s Apocalypse trilogy.

PART 2 OF THIS LIST IS COMING SOON!