There’s nothing particularly scary about a mirror. But there’s nothing particularly scary about a television or telephone, either. At least, not until you’ve watched The Ring.
The best scary movies have a way of turning everyday objects into nightmare material. So we thought we’d do our part to make you afraid to sneak a peek at the mirror the next time you walk by one. What better way for the company that makes Magic Mirror Televisions to celebrate Halloween with all of you?
Here are five horror movies with scary mirror moments, ordered mildest to scariest, so you can build a malignant mirror Halloween marathon…and tap out whenever you like.
1. Dracula (1931)
Rating: Unrated | IMDb
Mirror Terror Level: 2/10. No wonder he dresses so funny.
Remember the first time you noticed that Dracula has no reflection? He walks past a mirror, and the reflection shows an empty room. This is where it all began. It’s a moment so iconic that it’s been stolen by nearly every vampire movie since. In this original, the mirror scene is quiet and nondescript, and still unsettling, nearly a century later. The perfect way to ease into the evening.
2. Poltergeist (1982)
Rating: PG | IMDb
Mirror Terror Level: 4/10. Mother always says to not pick at your face.
You’ve settled in with a goofy haunted house story. Then a minor cast member steps in front of the bathroom mirror to clean up, and the movie takes an unforgettably sharp turn. Fair warning: it’s the grisliest moment in the film, so if you’re squeamish, this is your cue to hide behind your popcorn. On the other hand, this scene is the epitome of early-eighties special effects. So you might just laugh, instead.
3. Phantasm (1979)
Rating: R | IMDb
Mirror Terror Level: 7/10. Built-in gorilla hands? Sure, why not.
We’ll keep the spoilers to ourselves on this one. Just know that this is one of the best-known jump scares in horror – even the New York Times says so. So we promise that you’ll jump even if you know it’s coming. On a more personal level, we’re going to ask our engineers to build this sort of feature into our next wave of Magic Mirror Televisions. Stay tuned.
4. The Shining (1980)
Rating: R | IMDb
Mirror Terror Level: 7/10. Don’t look in the mirror, Mrs. Torrance.
The Shining is a movie full of mirrors, and they’re never pleasant. Our favorite mirror scene is when Wendy sees REDRUM reflected in the mirror and suddenly understands how bad things are about to get. But at least there aren’t any mirror scenes involving those two creepy girls. I don’t think I could handle working at a Mirror TV company if there were.
5. Oculus (2013)
Rating: R | IMDb
Mirror Terror Level: 10/10. Mercifully, this mirror looks nothing like our TVs.
We’re not going to say a lot about this one. Except that mirror…. What a jerk.
Now What About Our Magic Mirror Televisions?
It’s okay. Our Magic Mirror Televisions are only haunted when you play a scary movie on them. And then when the movie’s over, I guess. If it’s one of these movies. And then maybe kind of always after that, I suppose.
Anyway, here’s how to choose a mirror TV if you’d like a scary-movie-ready screen of your own. Or if you simply want to gaze at yourself in the living room, bathroom, bedroom, wherever. Just don’t pick at your face.
