When you think of the most iconic film directors, you can often discount their first couple of films — few filmmakers are geniuses out of the gate. Other directors start strong but end their careers with a painful series of flops. But almost no other director has had the rollercoaster trajectory that M. Night Shyamalan movies have had.
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Horror heads often scoff at jump scares. The technique can feel too easy: slap a loud sound effect on an unexpected thing in the dark and anyone will gasp– it’s glorified peek-a-boo.
But a great jump scare is undeniable. Done with taste, originality, and skill, the jump can deliver a scare that will linger with an audience for years to come.
Almost every horror film has a jump scare; it’s in the Constitution. But which horror films use the tool most effectively? These are movies that lean on jump scares, but not as a crutch: they simply work every time. Here are the fifteen best jump scare horror movies of all time.
M. Night Shyamalan Movies
Ranking M. Night Shyamalan
Some of his films are masterpieces, and some are just ‘pieces’, but he is one of the most fascinating Hollywood success stories. His films include thrillers, supernatural dramas, sci-fi experiments, and grounded family stories, each marked by his signature tone.
Born in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, M. Night Shyamalan often draws inspiration from quiet suburban environments that echo through his most haunting scenes. And if he’s shooting in a city, you better believe it’s Philadelphia.
I excluded his first feature Praying with Anger, because it’s unavailable and I’ve never seen it. But with every new M. Night Shyamalan movie, we get a chance to revisit his full legacy — the triumphs and the trainwrecks.
M. Night Shyamalan Movies
15. The Happening (2008)
“You think it could be plants?” • The Happening (2008)
The first time I saw The Happening, I was excited because I was convinced it was all going to be a joke. At one point in the screening, the boom mic dropped into the frame, and the whole audience burst up laughing.
This was due to the projectionist’s failure to mask the aperture properly, but we didn’t know that at the time. Alas, the end credits rolled, and there was no revelation that it was supposed to be terrible.
It just was.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES IN ORDER
Conclusion
The Happening is a bit of a headscratcher, to say the least. We will say this– it’s a fun watch, though perhaps not for the reasons intended.
M Night Shyamalan Movies in Order
11. The Last Airbender (2010)
“We could be friends, you know?” • The Last Airbender (2010)
The story and performances here are strangely bad. This is Shyamalan’s first big-budget feature as well as his first adaptation of very popular source material.
Can we give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest that he was simply out of his comfort zone? Again, like his other lesser films, there are praiseworthy elements, but the project as a whole is forgettable.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES IN ORDER
Conclusion
It’s one thing to make a bad movie, it’s another thing to make a bad movie based on a beloved franchise. Unfortunately, this is the latter.
Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies
13. After Earth (2013)
“Permission to go to my room, sir?” • After Earth (2013)
There are a lot of fascinating set designs in this film, but they are not enough to keep the film afloat. It also has some strong themes about the nature of fear, but the dots around that aren’t connected.
Word ‘round the campfire is that Will Smith hired Night and became The Overseer (get it?) over the entire project. So, perhaps Shyamalan didn’t have his hands on the wheel for this one. Either way, it lands far away from M Night Shyamalan’s best movies.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES RANKED
Conclusion
After Earth is a sci-fi vehicle for Will and Jaden Smith that lands with a thud. The father-son story is buried under lifeless dialogue and dull pacing. One of Shyamalan’s only truly boring movies.
M. Night Shyamalan Movies in Order
12. Wide Awake (1998)
“Kids in uniforms don’t smile very much.” • Wide Awake (1998)
Watching that trailer, it’s really hard to believe that it’s not just a clever SNL joke, but as we walk through these M Night Shyamalan movies in order, we start to see the patterns forming.
Nope, it’s real. It is a straightforward comedy-drama, a family film that succeeds at being just that.
There’s nothing glaringly good or bad about the film, it’s perfectly ok. It’s competently made, and that’s all it takes to beat out three of his other films. It does mark Shyamalan’s rather successful ability to work with child actors, despite whatever happened in Airbender.
SHYAMALAN MOVIES
Conclusion
Wide Awake wears its heart on its sleeve, but the tone wobbles between heartfelt and hokey. You can sense Shyamalan stretching toward something deeper, but not quite landing it yet.
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Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies
11. Lady in the Water (2006)
“Hello, Story, my name is Cleveland.” • Lady in the Water (2006)
It is inspiring to watch a director take chances. It doesn’t always work out, but you’ve got to admire the guts it takes to go as far out there as this film does. It is a meta-narrative that operates on a level above our pay grade (and probably above Shyamalan’s as well).
Casting himself as “the writer who will save the world” was too much for people to swallow, but there’s more to like with that particular misstep.
It’s the ultimate blank check movie (shout out to Griffin and David).
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN’S MOVIES IN ORDER
Conclusion
Lady in the Water is full of symbolism and sincerity, but it is seriously narratively muddled. It’s an interesting misfire, but a misfire all the same.
M. Night Shyamalan Movies Ranked
10. Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Get ready to get stressed • Knock at the Cabin (2023)
In case anyone’s forgotten– M. Night Shyamalan knows how to build tension. Knock at the Cabin is an exercise in tension, essentially keeping you on edge the entire runtime.
The production of the film may have been a bit tortured (Shyamalan swapped DPs halfway through the movie), but the end result is an air-tight and at times profound film about the end of days. Plus, it boasts Dave Batista’s greatest performance to date.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES RANKED
Conclusion
Knock at the Cabin may have some awkward pieces of dialogue, but overall it’s an incredibly solid movie from Shyamalan that will keep you riveted.
M. Night Shyamalan Movies in Order
9. The Visit (2015)
“Would you mind getting inside the oven to clean it?” • The Visit (2015)
It had been years since anyone made an interesting found footage film. When the first trailer came out, it felt like a giant palm-smack-to-forehead. No, Night, no! At this point, he had nothing to lose — it was do-or-die.
And then, Shyamalan found a way to use the medium to his advantage and crafted a horror movie with elements of comedy that surprised everyone.
It’s a very effective film that has its trademark big swings — the kind that define the most memorable Shyamalan movies. This time, they connected — and proved that every new M Night Shyamalan movie still has the potential to surprise.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES IN ORDER
Conclusion
The Visit is scrappy, sharp, and showed Shyamalan could still surprise us. It was the small-scale comeback that reminded everyone why he became a household name.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
8. Glass (2019)
“They always underestimate the mastermind.” • Glass (2019)
In his follow-up to Split and the conclusion of the Unbreakable trilogy, Shyamalan doesn’t exactly stick the landing. But he does give us a film with a lot to admire. McAvoy continues his exploration of Kevin Wendell Crumb, which is still captivating without developing it much further than what he did in Split.
The climax is a head-scratcher for a lot of people, but when you consider the foundation laid by Shyamalan’s Unbreakable and its refusal to meet our expectations of a superhero, it makes a lot more sense.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES RANKED
Conclusion
Glass is a crossover sequel that brings Unbreakable and Split crashing together. It’s bold and weird and worth a watch.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES RANKED
7. Trap (2024)
Dad’s a killer • Trap (2024)
So much of Shyamalan’s filmography investigates family— what we’re willing to do for our blood, how we communicate with the people closest to us, and what happens when we learn something uncomfortable about someone we thought we knew better than anyone else. Trap investigates all these questions and more.
You may not anticipate a movie about a serial killer to be Shyamalan’s most personal film, but in many ways it is. At its core, Trap is about a father-daughter relationship. That’s what elevates the movie above a fun genre exercise (which it also is) and what makes it one of Shyamalan’s finest entries to date.
NEW M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIE
Conclusion
Trap has a delightful concept, and executes it fantastically, and Josh Hartnett delivers an incredibly nuanced performance that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
6. Split (2016)
“Are you trying to trick me, et cetera?” • Split 2016
If this movie were just a supercut of James McAvoy’s scenes, it would be worth the price of admission. How that performance was ignored by the institutions tasked with handing out awards is beyond me. You can feel Shyamalan’s creative muscles flexing just like The Beast’s — the idea that The Visit wasn’t just a random blip of promise, maybe he’s back?
In addition to McAvoy’s performance, we have a film crafted and presented with the confidence and skill we haven’t seen from Shyamalan in far too long. There’s some very strong production design and directing choices.
For a lot of people, it might be too soon to start waving the Shyamalan flag, but go back and watch this again. It’s very good.
BEST M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
Conclusion
James McAvoy gives a tour-de-force performance as a man with multiple personalities. It’s tight, unsettling, and a return to form for Shyamalan.
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M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FILM
5. The Village (2004)
“Papa, I cannot see his color.” • The Village (2004)
What many consider the beginning of the end for Shyamalan is a lot better than that. Think of it this way: take out the unnecessary and unearned 2nd twist at the end, and what do we have left? A beautifully realized, tense, and well-crafted fable.
Sure, you can give a lot of credit to Roger Deakins’ painterly images, but everything else around them is also rock solid. Bryce Dallas Howard’s performance is impeccable, Joaquin Phoenix brings a quiet intensity to his role, William Hurt’s speech patterns are curious but fascinating, and the music sings.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES IN ORDER
Conclusion
The Village has an eerie premise and an infamous twist that split audiences. It’s beautifully shot and thematically rich, and its ambition is undeniable.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FILM
4. Old (2021)
“Let’s just all start slowing down.” • Old (2021)
The best of Shyamalan’s second renaissance, Old plays like a greatest hits of what makes M. Night such a special filmmaker. Of course, there’s the high-concept script with some delightful twists and turns. There’s the heart-felt and earnest performances. There are truly terrifying horror elements.
But there are also new skills that make Shyamalan’s resurgence so exciting. The camerawork in the film is unlike nearly anything else being released theatrically– it is borderline avant-garde. The typical cringiness of Shyamalan’s dialogue has been honed into something of its own genre, where it feels deliberate and elevated.
BEST M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
Conclusion
Old is one of Shyamalan’s greatest films. It will terrify you, make you laugh, and break your heart. It’s a testament to why, love him or hate him, Shyamalan is one of the most unique directors working today.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FILMOGRAPHY
3. The Sixth Sense (1999)
“I don’t wanna be scared anymore.” • The Sixth Sense (1999)
Shyamalan’s third feature and breakout phenomenon with the best plot twist ending ever. Like many of his early works, the genre is just an outer covering for a deep and resonant drama. The suspense is top-notch, with just the right amount to keep us on edge but not enough to get in the way of the film’s heart.
The final scene with Cole and his mother in the car is superbly written and performed. It is scenes like this that turn an “almost gimmick” into a film worth watching and re-watching.
The twist would not have worked, and the film would not have become cemented into our cultural fabric if it didn’t have substance — a lesson sharpened in Shyamalan’s Unbreakable just one year later.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES RANKED
Conclusion
This is the one that made him famous. It’s tight, chilling, and deeply human— the high-water mark he’s been measured against ever since.
M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
2. Signs (2002)
“This is exactly what the nerds want.” • Signs (2002)
Signs lands high on this list for one simple reason: it captures a range of emotions and tone. Shyamalan doesn’t typically get credit for humor in his films, but this is Shyamalan’s funniest movie. It is also his most emotional. And, after all that, it is a fat slice of suspense.
To balance any one of these tones in a single film is a tall order. To bring all three together like this is masterful. It’s a B-movie with more heart and drama than...a drama. It is also one of Shyamalan’s strongest directorial movies. Long takes, utilizing complicated blocking, and using all 3 planes of space to tell different stories. There is a LOT to watch in this movie.
Again, he went for a “WOW” ending, and it doesn’t quite stick, but there is way more in this movie to like — but Shyamalan’s Unbreakable remains the more mature expression of his directorial vision.
BEST M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
Conclusion
An alien thriller told at farmhouse scale, Signs deftly tackles Shyamalan’s favorite themes of faith and family. Shyamalan’s ability to mine tension from the smallest spaces is on full display.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN FILMOGRAPHY
1. Unbreakable (2000)
“We’re on the same curve, just at opposite ends.” • Unbreakable (2000)
Shyamalan’s Unbreakable may be a comic book movie, but it’s certainly not an insult. It is proof that a story about superheroes can also be about real people. The relationships in the Dunn family ground this story. The mythology is just present enough to give the movie its edge, but never overwhelms the human drama, grounding what could’ve been a flashy superhero origin story in emotional realism.
Bruce Willis gives another somber performance, but it fits so well in this world with this character. Acting that isn’t “show-y” often gets overlooked, and understatement doesn’t earn headlines. This is also one of Sam Jackson’s best performances, with the “Samuel L Jackson Dial” turned down to a 3 / 10.
The filmmaking is confident and mature, as bold as it is subtle. It is an exhibition of restraint on all fronts. The action is a footnote, Bruce Willis’ performance is somber and internal, and the bar for the subgenre is set high. Shyamalan’s confidence as a director matches David Dunn’s newfound strength.
This is widely considered the best of all M Night Shyamalan movies — a subtle, powerful film that balances mythology and restraint.
BEST M NIGHT SHYAMALAN MOVIES
Conclusion
Unbreakable is a moody, slow-burn take on superhero mythology before it was trendy. Its atmosphere is hypnotic, and the story creeps up on you with real power.
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A Guide to Denis Villeneuve Movies
Every new M. Night Shyamalan movie is known for elaborate plot twists — none more structurally daring than the reveal at the end of Shyamalan’s Unbreakable. Another filmmaker who loves a twist ending is Denis Villeneuve. With films like Sicario, Prisoners, and Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve is on a hot streak, and his films are filled with inspiring directorial choices. In this article, we’ve analyzed some of Villeneuve’s techniques and strategies, making him one of today’s best filmmakers.
Up Next: Denis Villeneuve Filmmaker's Guide →
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