Jump Scares in The Funhouse (1981)

See below for the exact times and descriptions of the 18 jump scares in The Funhouse, which has a jump scare rating of 3.5.

Jump Scare Rating: The Funhouse combines all the expected jump scares every carnival Funhouse lover expects, then ratchets up the fear. Director Tobe Hooper invites the audience to stroll down the carnival’s midway, watch patrons play games, win stuffed animals, gorging on hotdogs, nachos, and cotton candy. Gaze upon the animatronic Fat Lady, perched atop the Funhouse, programmed to “send a message of mockery with creepy and annoying canned hoots and hollers.” This typical night at the carnival is anything but; a classic slasher-monster horror movie, inside a maze of animatronic creatures, blinding strobe lights, bleating smoke machines, heart-stopping recorded screams, and an unforgettable antagonist. Two foolish high school couples find themselves locked inside the Funhouse, navigating a maze of murderous booby traps and dead ends! “…Who will dare to face the challenge of the Funhouse? Who is mad enough to enter that world of darkness? How about you?”

Synopsis: After witnessing a gruesome murder, and stealing money, four teenagers willingly locked inside a Funhouse find themselves desperately looking for the exits, only to discover that two deranged carnies with serial killer instincts, show no mercy on innocent carnival patrons.

Contributor: Kelly Gajer contributed all the information on this page (Sign up now to become a contributor too! Learn more)

Jump Scare Times

The jump scare timings listed below are based on a theatrical viewing and are approximate only.

00:52:35 – Buzz bumps into a beam in the dark looking for an exit.

01:03:56 – A hand reached out under the Funhouse bunting and grabs Joey.

01:05:08 – The Funhouse electricity kicks on causing the animatronic monsters to move and the loud thunder and lightning sound effects to turn on.

01:08:51 – A skeleton leaps out of the floor and a rope drops around Richie’s neck.

01:11:10 – Liz falls screaming through a trap door.

01:19:00 – As Buzz attempts to comfort Amy, the monster-son falls between them and attacks Amy.

01:21:08 – The father, impaled on the sword grabs Buzz.

01:23:49 – Amy is started by the monster-son lurking amongst the Funhouse animatronic characters.

01:24:49 – The monster breaks through a locked door.

01:28:00 – A piece of equipment falls from the upper mechanical deck.

01:28:16 – A wooden ladder slam onto the floor in front of Amy.

01:32:10 – Even with the power cut, The Fat Lady starts moving and cackling and surprises Amy.

02:00:00 – The sound of steam releasing from a pump startles Liz.

05:35:00 – In an homage to both John Carpenter’s classic Halloween (1978) and Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) young Joey sneaks into the bathroom dressed as a maniacal clown, rips back the shower curtain, raises a knife, and surprises his horrified sister.

13:00:00 – The son of the carny tears his Frankenstein mask off revealing his disfigured face.

14:03:00 – Joey is startled by a menacing dog.

17:00:00 – A magician scares the audience when an volunteer from the audience steps into The Impaler and gets a stake hammered into the her heart.

17:33:00 – A creepy man offers Joey a ride then unexpectedly points a shotgun at him.

(Major jump scares in bold)

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