Ranking Horror Movie Tropes | Tier List

[@CodyLeachYT]

Stop data brokers from exposing your personal information. Go to my sponsor aura.com/codyleach to get a 14-day free trial and see how much of yours is being sold.

[@jaystanley9363]

Even still how can they know you are you...???..unless they see you

[@morcela-gamer6981]

Love this horror List man IS because or this man i watch thé best franchises i love IS reviews ....

[@Artdaclownindisbitch]

8:42 Like a vampire, you can't come in unless invited

[@thomasffrench3639]

My favorite bad trope is when the person sees the killer, recognizing them, and instead of calling them by their name, they call them "you" to hide the person's identity from the audience.

[@autisticDementia]

@thomasffrench3639 Go outside

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

True, but they have to do that or the movie would be done 😂

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@jeremiahallyn4603 I totally get that, and that’s kinda why it makes me laugh. It is literally only there for the audience so they don’t guess the killer. Quentin Tarantino made fun of it on a podcast with Eli Roth on Happy Birthday to Me.

[@LillyCortez3302]

Yessss!

[@kylemendoza8860]

In all fairness. " It was you". Is a practical thing to say in the moment. If in that situation. You would probably be more likely to say that. Than "Hey, John". "What's up"?

[@thomasffrench3639]

The worst part of dream fakeout is that it's almost always the scariest part of the movie, so it being fake just feels like such an insult.

[@ActuallyAlask]

Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 being a prime example.

[@petahoee8281]

​@@ActuallyAlask Omg fr, never thought about i that way

[@lynziewithaz5491]

💯

[@zachhaywood1564]

Yeah, when that happens in a movie, I just want to throw shit at the screen.

[@austinmorton9759]

It's a sign that the rest of the movie is probably going to be dog crap

[@LillyCortez3302]

Hospitals in horror movies that are completely deserted at night, or under construction with creepy plastic hanging everywhere

[@playedout148]

There's no emergency room in America not packed to the gills 24 hrs a day.

[@ConlanMayer]

The broken down/ empty hospitals has to end. Let’s add dangerous critically injured patients disappearing from the nurses care also.

[@esroach3501]

Halloween 2

[@taniajackson380]

Yesss! I have never seen a hospital empty 😭😭

[@janaford41]

The halls are never dark either in real hospitals

[@JamieRushing27]

The BIGGEST cliche I hate that I am shocked isn’t here: the killer always hovers where you’re hiding. Most of the time, they don’t actually know the protagonist is hiding there but the stop right in front of them and pause for tension. It’s not tense, it’s sooooo overused and annoying.

[@timexi5704]

Then the killer walks away only to jump the protagonist five seconds later even though they are staying in the same place.

[@H0lyMoley]

YES! I hadn't thought of it, but now that you say it, I agree so much with this take!

[@gustercc]

@@timexi5704exactly 😛!! They crap on the security they give.

[@colinbaldwin313]

That's a great point. What a stupid and cheap move.

[@collinkelleu5609]

The only time I can think of that I enjoyed that trope was actually in a game, "fears to fathom" and they use your mic to pick up on if you make any sounds while you're hiding under the bed

[@brandenzepeda9707]

Hey Cody, I felt like you should have included "sudden sequel death syndrome." It's that trope where characters who survived the previous movie suddenly dies in the next one. This trope always grinds my gears.

[@amyburt9193]

Good one! Sometimes I think it helps to make the movie scarier (I personally liked how Hostel did it), but most of the time it is frustrating bc you want more of the survivors

[@StonayBalogna]

Yeah it really irks me when they kill them off first thing in the sequel.

[@thomasffrench3639]

It really depends on the movie. I don’t mind it in Halloween Resurrection or F13 part 2, but it bothers the hell out of me in Maniac Cop 2.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@amyburt9193 I think it becomes a problem when people start surviving more than 2 movies. This is the main issue with Laurie in the Halloween series. She’s supposed to be a normal girl, but all of the sequels make her into a overpowered movie character. The only time where I think it worked was Tommy Jarvis, as he has sort of an Ash Williams vibe to him.

[@amyburt9193]

@@thomasffrench3639 The older I get, the more I realize that about Laurie too- 3 movies I think should be cap for her in Halloween (whichever timeline you go with). But I do think Scream did well with Sidney (for 1-5 anyway). The only reason that works is bc it's a different person each time.

[@EchoCT1409]

I also think the cat jumpscare was done really well in Alien, because its reason for hissing led to the real scare, adding to the buildup, it wasn’t hissing at Brett, but the Xenomorph, and Brett realizes it, just too late.

[@kakiem2210]

Yes! I was thinking of Jonesy, too!

[@jamstonjulian6947]

Only question is how did it get in the cabinet

[@jonswecker6556]

Wouldn't that be pet warning also then?

[@niebo3179]

A very used trope is when one character has a very important piece information, calls the protagonist and says "I know who did it. But I can't tell you here. Let's meet at the lighthouse of the death at midnight". And, of course, the protagonist goes and finds him dead. Just say it at the phone, fucker! Or meet in a mall at 17:30, not in the darkest and farthest place in a very late hour.

[@daniellewillis2767]

Easy fix (at least irl) misunderstandings and stupidly omitted information are some of my biggest let it dies. Also vampires being cured pisses me off. Near Dark is only near perfect because of the very end. I would so much rather have seen Caleb Mae and the kid and Dad starting a new, more humane vampire family.😊

[@daniellewillis2767]

But THE worst most inexcusable idiocy has got to be having the villian unconscious or otherwise incapacitated and not killing them. Even having their weapon in hand and not even KEEPING it. Just dropping it in dumbfounded horror and running away, leaving it well within reach for whenever the killer wakes up!

[@Goated_SlimJesus]

What is the fartest place in the most dark hour? Thats why they DUDE THATS WHY, THE SMELL! ALL COMING TOGETHER RIGHT NOW

[@bicuriousdirtbikeboi2594]

Yeah like “Hey I think the person who’s the killer is about to kill me, let’s meet up in the busiest part of the city at 3pm so that doesn’t happen.”

[@adamhoward4775]

I love the black guy Joel from scream 2 who just walks out of the movie the first time that trope is mentioned

[@skyofthelivingdead]

Lmfaooo I always think of Scary Movie “reporting live from Black TV, white folks are dead and we’re getting tf outta here!”

[@wardenmagellan2643]

The actor pitched that idea to Wes Craven who didn’t know what to do with the character…

[@HeelSection3825]

​@@wardenmagellan2643The actor had the idea that he would call a cab to leave, and that's what he does!

[@kevin_ramirez2529]

Oh yeah the camera man right

[@LikeGod_ButBetterLooking]

​@wardenmagellan2643 this is why Wes was so great, willing to listen. He did the bitches be tripping trope once and his daughter told him it was stupid and he never did it again. True greatness comes from being willing to listen and learn from others :)

[@amyburt9193]

Zombie Bites. 1. The people who hide that they've been bitten. It's done too much. 2. Inconsistencies in how long it takes to turn. It's so annoying when it takes a short time for side characters, but they look ill & practically dead the whole time leading up to turning, and then you have a main character who takes forever to turn and never once looks ill, until they suddenly turn. Just be consistent!

[@fleshsuitman]

Train to Busan did it well where they changed based on how close to the brain the bite is.

[@DankrumStar]

I don’t remember where I heard this theory… But the theory for the inconsistent zombie turn date is someone’s immune system. Someone with a higher immune system may stay human longer. It’s still overdone, and most the time used for the important characters or to add drama. I still thought it was an interesting theory!

[@amyburt9193]

@@DankrumStar It definitely is interesting! I'd never heard that before- thank you for sharing 😊

[@nope19568]

i think the second one can work sometimes if its playing by rabies rules, ie its usually way faster acting when theres a quicker way directly to the brain (neck or shoulder bite) vs a leg bite or something on the hand where it has a longer travel time to hit the brainstem through the blood stream, kinda like train to busan

[@Usario321]

I completely disagree. It would make no sense. If zombies were real, MANY people would hide that they’ve been bitten, it’s realistic. Also, it makes no sense for everyone to turn into a zombie in the exact same time, every body is different. It’s like real world diseases. Some people take more or less time to get sick even if it’s the same disease

[@thomasffrench3639]

I don't mind incompetent cops if it fits the themes of the story, but them being competent makes things scarier.

[@Usario321]

Omg, incompetent cops are a pain to watch

[@esroach3501]

Ahem scream 4

[@Emily-qh9tj]

Hiding under the bed always makes me laugh. I’d have to shove suitcases, boxes, shoes to the side and still would have my ass hanging out

[@thomasffrench3639]

One thing I love about final girls is how much variety you have for them. You got virgins, sexually active ones, military-trained ones, weak girls who gain inner strength, party planners, etc. and it's not like they are all just the virgin goody-two shoes that people say they are.

[@jordansweet8054]

That was a great slight tweak in Cabin in the Woods.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@jordansweet8054 i actually was not referring to Cabin in the Woods

[@alib6615]

So, the "Pet Warnings" made me think of when I was in college. I had a dog and was living in a house with two other roommates. One night I was all alone because both roommates were staying at their respective boyfriend's apartments. Now, my dog was always my shadow. She almost never left my side; so, it was weird when she walked out of my bedroom randomly. I went to see what she was doing because she had not come back after a few minutes and she was standing at the foot of the stairs with the hair on her back standing up, and growling that low, guttural, growl, and just staring at the top of the stairs. I immediately grabbed her, grabbed my cell phone, and went outside on the side porch. I called my boyfriend at the time while looking at the stairs just waiting for someone to come walking down them. My boyfriend (who thought I was overreacting - that didn't last too much longer) came over and looked all around the house and found nothing. Did I feel silly...hell no. I would rather have trusted my dog than have been sorry. I still think about what that could have been. She never acted that way ever again in her 12+ years. ALWAYS. TRUST. YOUR. PETS.

[@mikeroberts9299]

My dog is very quiet. He doesn't bark at the neighbors dogs I think I've heard him bark outside 5 times in the 5 years I've owned him. Once in a while inside he'll bark once or twice if he hears the neighbors car doors but that's it. So when I wake up to him barking like crazy or growling I'm thinking something is up I'm clearing the house yard everything every time.

[@TheJokesterSCR]

What I liked about how Scream handled the running up the stairs thing is that they explained WHY Sidney made that decision. She tried to go out the front door but the chain lock was on it and that was the only other place she could go in a split seconds notice, LOL! That's why I love Scream. Even if they're making fun of a cliche, they find a way to make sense out of why the character would make that decision.

[@HeelSection3825]

For years now, I've just called those great big kitchen knives "Michael Myers knives." Signature weapons are an absolute MUST if you want to create an iconic horror villain!

[@preknife]

It's just a chief knife

[@grenouillesupreme]

No, just look at art, he doesn't have a signature weapon and he's pretty iconic

[@ReeceHorne-c1w]

​@@grenouillesupreme He is not nearly as iconic as Michael. Besides, his icon status relies mostly on shock value. Once the shock wears off, and it will eventually wear off, so to will his popularity.

[@grenouillesupreme]

@@ReeceHorne-c1w i never said that he was as popular as michael myers is but saying that he's not just because he doesn't have a "signature" weapon is just not true at all, it's just that he isn't as old as michael myers is and he doesh't appear in as many movies, oh and also, people like him for his personality and his design not because of shock value, i know it because i like him but i wasn't shocked watching any horror movies ever so i don't care about shock value

[@michaelkendall1263]

​@ReeceHorne-c1w his iconic status relies more on his charisma/humor/body, facial expressions to me. Love the kills as well

[@mikebennett1461]

OMG, I feel that not being able to enter someone's house without knocking, including relatives like you said.

[@beautifulmidnight]

I finally convinced my best friend to just come in when he gets to my house after years, and he still sort of awkwardly comes inside. It cracks me up.

[@ansichart]

Dude's literally a vampire

[@thomasffrench3639]

"Based on a true story" is literally created for the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre to be a satire on government lies and media misrepresentation. Then people played it straight for Amityville Horror, and thanks to that movie, we are stuck with that terrible trope.

[@esroach3501]

Well it is a true story.... I guess I don't know what you're trying to say?

[@LineupLARRY-69]

@@esroach3501 TCM is "based on a true story" because there was a killing in texas. It has nothing to do with any of the events in TCM but because the "based on a true story" is there, people automatically assume that the events that took place are true events showing the media's misrepresentation.

[@brian_b_music]

@@esroach3501It was based on Ed Gein, just like Psycho.

[@maigle.4136]

The "children drawing creepy things" is a cliché that I had to go through in real life. I was once an art teacher in a summer camp and there was a kid that was always drawing weird things and strange messages like "this is who I am and this is who I want to be" pointing to a drawing of a black and red monster. He used to put them on the walls of the classroom and asked me to leave them there. It got to a point where I considered talking with my boss about that, I was worried that maybe he was going through some things at home. I was also renting a room at a big 19th century creeky house because with the pandemy there was nothing else available, so there was only me and the old woman who rented the rooms living in this enormous old house with dolls, African masks, a room that was burned in a fire, old black and white photographs that a previous owner bought at a second hand store, an old basement that was sealed with wooden planks many years ago and many other horror films clichés.

[@Pop-CultureMan]

Geez, you had the whole setup and premise for a horror flick 😭😭😭

[@mikeroberts9299]

You could've saved someone so many hauntings. You let the demon child live. Shame.

[@alib6615]

Also, this could be combined with the following: "Double Tap", "I Dropped the Weapon", or "Nobody Carrying", but there are SO MANY horror movies where someone willingly throws the perfectly good weapon they have away after they have injured, slowed down, or even knocked out the baddie that is after them. They toss the weapon and run away. Also, to combine with something else on your list, when they "run away" they usually just hide somewhere, or stop and look back. If you are not going to kill them...JUST KEEP RUNNING!!! Great tier list!

[@davidkalisz9341]

Just watched eden lake, it was comical how quickly they dropped or even threw every weapon they touched

[@Jeaner42]

So what you’re saying you’re a vampire ? Need to be invited in lol 😂

[@DanWandin]

That's what I've told my friends. I'm a vampire, I need to be invited in. Don't give me this "Don't even knock" business.

[@harryparsons2750]

I never knocked on my girlfriend’s door I always just walked in lol

[@CourteousKitsch]

Perhaps Jacob's Ladder is one example where it was all a dream worked. Or was it all in his head? Or the hallucinations of a dying man?

[@CodyLeachYT]

Yeah kind of a combination of both. That’s a great movie.

[@iamjackspyramidshapedhelmet]

It’s pretty clear it’s a purgatory-type situation, especially if you take into account the title of the movie

[@Jasper_Ray16]

Someone send this to Hollywood so they could pump out good quality horror films.

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

Lol, I wish that would work. Seems like these days it's all the same old tired clichés. I don't even care about new horror movies because they all look like the same old tired crap.

[@RobertParks-h7r]

You need to watch more horror films.Hereditary,Smile,Barbarian,Malignant,Reinfield,Abigail,Cobwebs,Sting.There are plenty.

[@michaelkendall1263]

​@@jeremiahallyn4603 there's so many interesting/unique horror movies coming out every year

[@matty__ice]

The original Candyman is the perfect example of how to properly use horror tropes. Helen is a badass final girl, signature hook weapon, Calibrini Green Projects is a great take on the “creepy town” being realistic yet making Helen an outsider, T+A, black guy IS the villain, pretty effective at making Helen look crazy and could see how it could be all in her head, Candyman teleports when you call him, useless husband, historical premonition based on a legend is great for exposition, best use of a mirror scare. Honestly an underrated movie.

[@leiaelkins5656]

Agreed with you on the bully thing. I've always said that when I adopt kids in the future, they can be gay, straight, ace, bi, trans, be friends with anyone from any religion, race, ethnicity, whatever they feel makes them happy, but the one thing I will not tolerate is them being a bully.

[@Welshman336]

The key one... i feel like the bigger sin is the person at the door, trying every key on their keychain trying to unlock it, or their car. Like, do you not know which key opens your house and/or car? But people being in cars and the person in the passenger seat is like "Well, start it and let's go!" And the driver is like, "I lost the keys..." and then they see them in the beam of the headlights lmao. Or when they have to get keys or something off the killer, and instead of just killing them, they slowly try to get the keys out their pocket or hand. Like in Scream 2, the cop car scene... like instead of trying to straddle the killer to get out the window, just find something to bash his brains in then get out at your leisure. You know it's a human that can easily die. Its insane.

[@kylemendoza8860]

In the examples I can think of. They're not familiar with the keys. But yeah if it's supposed to be their own damn house key. That would be pretty freaking weird.

[@Welshman336]

@@kylemendoza8860 It usually is unknown keys, but there are a lot of times someone is fumbling with their keys to get into their car or something. It's usually unknown keys in building and stuff.

[@harryparsons2750]

Easily?

[@Welshman336]

@@harryparsons2750 If you are talking about Ghostface, then yes, they can easily be killed. They are humans. Hell, the heroes are tougher to kill than the killers now. Radio Silence ruined Scream.

[@daltonvalero2772]

you are easily the best horror youtuber out there. always doing different and interesting takes/rankings/series and just an overall different idea and feel to the videos. keep up the awesome work man

[@CodyLeachYT]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[@gh0st.with.the.m0st]

Nobody does tier lists like you Cody. You take it to a whole other level and I appreciate your dedication.

[@thomasffrench3639]

I'm so happy that you mentioned the black guy never dying first, because it's a joke I'm sick of people getting wrong.

[@eldiosdelosninosesclavos9773]

Outside of Scream 2, I don't think I've ever seen this trope unless the movie in question had an all or mostly black case.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@eldiosdelosninosesclavos9773 The only example is Friday the 13th part 3 and New Years Evil.

[@lynnkingpin]

Not to sound judgemental but the first kill is a over zealous white person ..black dude isn't going to explore those noises.I wouldn't either lol 🤣

[@Clm19789]

Yes, I never understood the "black guy getting killed first" because I could never remember a movie where it happened--except NOES 4 and technically Kincaid was one of the last surviving dream warriors. Glad Cody cleared it up

[@bulb9970]

The only example I can think of this is The Shining

[@luckyzwrx]

The tripping thing is annoying but it's actually pretty realistic. When your adrenaline is pumping, especially from pure fear, you turn into Bambi. There's a million videos of people doing this too and it's hilarious.

[@sarahpettipher1759]

The worst example IMO of the “keep running” one is Sarah Mitchell Gellar character in “I know what you did last summer,” she was so close to escaping🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

[@laynasia2711]

I agree wholeheartedly

[@littleblockser8d840]

That was so infuriating oml

[@thomasffrench3639]

Jump scares are fine in movies, but they need to be used correctly and help heighten the tension instead of deflating it.

[@Abasedbymygrief]

The se7en sloth jump scare is awesome!

[@KingsNerdCave]

Sinister, Insidious, Exorcist 3, The thing, there are definitely times where jump scares are impactful and truly terrifying, sadly most horror films over use them and often make them fake outs anyways.

[@H0lyMoley]

@@KingsNerdCave I love that we both came up with "The Thing" as an example of the perfect jumpscare. Pure Fuchs...

[@KingsNerdCave]

@@H0lyMoley When that stomach turns into a mouth I remember my mom gasping first time she saw it lol

[@H0lyMoley]

@@KingsNerdCave Oooh we're thinking of two different jumpscares. Although I think both are fantastic.

[@exodia5715]

Lmao “not going down there, I definitely hear something breathing”

[@MPerfect92]

Yeah the “cop hastily running into an incredibly dangerous situation without any backup or alerting any dispatcher” cliche really f’ing grinds my gears. No cop would do that, and backup is at most 15 minutes away (and that would be in a remote location. City it would be 2-4 minutes).

[@Make_A_ChangeKYSelf]

Or they'll leave their patrol car door wide open or abandon a character they are supposed to be protecting

[@jimmyhayes6017]

One of the only KZbinrs when I see a 30 plus minute video and get excited rather than nauseated by the run time, keep up the good work! 🙌

[@CodyLeachYT]

Haha that’s awesome

[@Dontannoyme34894]

Red herring is my favorite. I just love when a movie tries to fool you into thinking someone is one way, then ends up being completely different.

[@CodyLeachYT]

If they can actually fool you, I agree. Most times nowadays I think they show their hand.

[@thomasffrench3639]

I honestly love it when there's like 5 different red herrings where every single person has the same gloves/stopwatch/scarf.

[@H0lyMoley]

@@CodyLeachYT This is the worst one of the lot for me. It's spoiled so many movies (and not just horror. Again, "Incredibles 2" and "Toy Story 2" both had this.) The villain could only possibly be one of two characters, and the film concentrates completely on one of them (often to the detriment of their character. Look at poor Whistler in Blade 2, brought back from the dead, only to basically have everything we liked about him in the first film removed so he could be used as a red herring for f--king Scud. Did anybody NOT think Scud was a traitor from basically the first minute he was onscreen?) I wish they'd stop using this one but it just keeps cropping up.

[@cynzix]

Scary movie remains the best one IMO

[@ReeceHorne-c1w]

A red herring that I really like is the creepy gas station attendant in the cold open for Urban Legends. It works because of the biases of the first victim and the audience, and I think it's really well done.

[@TheNumbersGuy-bm6bt]

I will this about the Dark Basement trope, the best use of that trope is without a doubt Barbarian where Justin Long doesn't even care if it dark or creepy, He just wants that square footage. also, that scene was the hardest I have ever laughed at a horror movie 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jorgehernandez4098]

As an elementary school teacher I can tell you that the creepy drawing thing is pretty accurate. A lot of kids express trauma through drawings. I had a kid where I found a drawing on his notebook of an angry screaming face and he gave it pointy teeth, later we found out his parents had a very mutually abusive relationship and fought in front of the kids a lot. He was a first grader and had a younger brother and he always felt like he had to protect him so when his parents would fight he’d stand in front of his brother so he would see them fight. So the drawing was the way his parents looked to him when they fought.

[@valarmis]

Ok but I had loving parents who rarely argued or got angry and I also sometimes drew angry screaming faces with sharp teeth. I think that's correlation and not necessarily causation, kids just like to draw weird or morbid things, they don't see it as creepy, it's just, at least I can say for myself, that slightly "edgier" things makes you feel more like a big kid, more mature.

[@tmarie69]

I’m such a fan of these tier list. Keep em coming Cody!!

[@manicpanic3544]

Newhart TV show ending : it was all a dream. Newhart wakes up from a dream and he's in bed with his previous tv wife from the original The Newhart Show as if Newhart was all just a dream.

[@Joker_JAK]

First thing I thought of.

[@ashlielove6513]

Can always rely on Cody to drop a huge video when I dont feel well to try to relax. You're the best.

[@Miika_Hakalahti]

"Has any sex scene ever had a serious point?" The one from The Terminator comes to mind. It just might be the most necessary sex scene ever. If anyone ever complains over that one (I'm sure some already do) they are just being silly.

[@ChibiProwl]

Yep. Sarah O'Connor being naughty with the dude, (I forget his name), allowed her to give birth to the man who'll stop the machines.

[@nathanslay6342]

Hey Cody! This was a great idea for a video here! I love your stuff and you're one of my go-to guys when it comes to hearing opinions about horror movies. You're a great critic and I am sure you know more horror movie tropes than I do. I have only been watching horror movies for three years.

[@VeroSD]

I think the ending of Dead of Night (1945) worked for me, with how the protagonist has an eerie feeling of deja vu and slowly realizes he has dreamt about the inn and the people in it. Only to wake up at the end with a sense of dread, and go on to repeat the day. The cyclicity worked for me, like he was trapped in purgatory/hell. Maybe not exactly "it was all a dream" but a nice spin on it. That movie had a lot of tropes, but I would assume it was innovative at the time, so I loved every single trope in it.

[@ambergerber5162]

Sounds good! I need to check it out? Is it streaming anywhere or do u know how to find it?

[@jrod112278]

When bringing up horror tropes always makes me think of the Good Choices commercial from Geico 😂😂 Great tier list as usual.

[@Hisfaithful_Berean]

Yes, I love that commercial!

[@GrimShawTV]

Absolutely love this kind of content Cody! Thanks for all the great videos

[@sighbatsu]

A perfect video to start my shift at work, doing the tier list along with these videos is always super fun. Once you explained the double tap category I immediately went "ohhh" because I thought you meant when you actively make sure the killer is dead DEAD. Like in "Sick" when the girls go crazy making sure the killers are dead by bashing they shit in. The useless husband and parents trope is so crazy to me because if you first instinct isn't to protect your spouse/kids you deserve anything awful that happens to you.

[@nathanslay6342]

The only movie that actually nails the "it was all a dream" trope is Mulholland Drive by David Lynch. But since it is from David Lynch, it is not a movie for everyone.

[@zachwhite4482]

I second this. I would like to see Cody review more of his films, but I doubt he’d like most David lynch stuff.

[@R8RSnCeltics]

Normally put dropping the keys under let it die. But then I thought about it, as much as I drop my keys in real life, I’m putting it in the tolerate because it’s very realistic, whether you’re in situation or not.

[@Angeldeath007c]

08:40 Bro is a vampire.

[@MichaelTomsyck]

I can’t imagine the editing process of one of these mammoth tier list videos. Nonetheless, that doesn’t make these videos any less entertaining and impressive!

[@erikschwartz1214]

The black character always dies is easily explained by them not being the main character. Almost always everyone except the main character dies.

[@Sate12]

My mom used to watch a lot of life time movies and when the main character finds out who the bad person is. Hero usually knocks them down then runs. I always screamed "Double tap"

[@billyddavis]

The ONLY "It was just a dream" ending I can forgive is Krampus only because they add in the Krampus bell. I dig it cause its already been said that Krampus didn't give that luxury to grandma and the family in denial can use that excuse.

[@TheValoisMadness]

My favorite "Call In An Expert" trope use in a "horror" movie is Hank in Club Dread. I know it's not technically a horror movie, but I loved it. It also works for the "Caricature Cast" one.

[@dariusporter358]

47:55 I don’t know if this counts since it technically wasn’t in the mirror but I like the scene in Candyman when Helen was in the medicine cabinet and you think he’s gonna appear in the mirror but his hook just rips through the actual cabinet.

[@elijahelm]

I love this channel just due to all the original video ideas you have

[@CodyLeachYT]

Glad you like them!

[@HollabackCoy]

It isn't quite "it was all a dream" but American Psycho ending with not really knowing how much of what we saw was or wasn't just in his head is a pretty good ending in my opinion

[@erikschwartz1214]

I actually find it pretty clear cut. The only stuff thats in his head is when he blows up the cop car and thinks a helicopter is looking for him. The lawyer not recognizing Bateman is just another instance of mis-identity thats all over the film.

[@Foolio949]

Every time I see the cat jump scare, I think of that scene from Community. "IS SOMEONE THROWING IT!?!?!"

[@thomasffrench3639]

I don't like killer teleports, with the exception of Michael Myers, because the shape feels like he moves in and out of reality, so it is very fitting to the supernatural aspect of his character. Jason should just run.

[@jimmyhayes6017]

Jason used to run very fast on screen in part 2, 3, and 4 in 5 and onward he apparently gained an unexplained teleport power

[@AlexTVFortitude]

This is such an interesting idea for a tier list ranking Cody! Super excited to watch & see what shows up!

[@TrainerZenjamin]

Just saw Last Stop in Yuma County. Loved it, thanks for the rec!

[@TheJrod482x]

This is such a great idea for a tier list and enjoyed a lot of your takes. Great job, Cody.

[@TheJokesterSCR]

In I Know What You Did Last Summer, it was explained in the sequel that Julie had been having nightmares of Ben Willis still coming after her. The opening scene was her in a church confession booth confessing what happened in the first movie and it was Ben Willis she was talking to. So... that actually falls into the "it was all a dream" trope LOL! So, I assume it was the same at the end of the sequel. Just another dream.

[@SupererDuperer]

this!

[@AnaheimElectronicsInc.]

Cody you gotta do ranking the BEST horror movie character decisions next :D. Love your content!!

[@aaronedson8188]

It is the vampirism (not politeness) in Cody that prevents him from entering a family member’s home without permission.

[@playedout148]

Have we seen a video of Cody outside in the daytime?

[@ThomasGidley-kv2uj]

The call is coming from inside the house works well for older movies.

[@LyleVSXyle]

I love how out of pocket these tier lists are. It’s refreshing

[@Nicolas-fo8qd]

I live and breathe for videos like this. Keep em comin!

[@jonswecker6556]

My favorite good jumpscare is the lawnmower kill from Sinister

[@JustChrisWillDoTa]

Nice. Was really pleased when I saw this vid. Always enjoy the content, and I got smashed up and left with broken bones and bruised ribs and lungs in a motorbike crash a couple of days ago, and a nice long vid like this is just what I need while I'm resting up recovering. Cheers

[@MSinger4472]

My least favorite trope is seeing animals, usually a beloved pet, get killed. I hate seeing animals die in films.

[@th3ron07]

OK cody this is buy far the most interesting video of yours by a mile and I love all your video's but I could watch this over and over again to break down each category on this list, well done sir 👏

[@CodyLeachYT]

Wow, thank you! Glad I’m keeping things fresh.

[@th3ron07]

that's what we need man, keep it coming 👍

[@weirdguy1495]

Right off the bat, I appreciate that the thumbnail for Jump Scare is from Five Nights at Freddy's 1. That is the go-to example of a jump scare to me,

[@Sirlance87]

Hats off to you. This was awesome!! You took time to think about these 🎉🎉🎉

[@thomasffrench3639]

Let's split up is not actually that common in horror films as I thought. Either they are oblivious to the killer, or they stick together. I cannot think of one example where people know they are in danger, and they split up aside from Scooby Doo.

[@MSinger4472]

They split up a lot in the Scream movies lol. Repeatedly. Also, it drove me nuts when they did it in The Strangers when Scott Speedman runs off into the woods and leaves his wife alone and defenseless with killers harassing them.

[@TheKingOfAllHorror]

Somewhat discredited as a trope

[@amandapoe5735]

Just wanted to drop by and say I am enjoying the video. Something about your videos is calming for me. Thank you 🙏

[@CodyLeachYT]

You are so welcome

[@DarthHonor]

The mirror scare trope reminded me of the refrigerator door closing and the killer being behind it trope.

[@StarWarsNerd00]

9:09 I'm the same way 😅 my best friend tells me every time "dude just walk in you're like my brother" and I'm just like......nah imma knock and let you know I'm here

[@CodyLeachYT]

I can’t do it! Lol

[@mmmmaya1350]

along w the cat-scare trope i feel the same about random bird-scares. no reason for a bird to hit the window but they often do

[@blink182life]

The family pet needlessly being killed. That is my HATED trope, and it’s one that will either make me knock points off or stop watching a movie all together. It’s never in service to the story, it doesn’t have a reason to be there. It’s just there to be carelessly mean and to ‘try and scare’ us. That doesn’t scare the audience, it pisses us off.

[@blink182life]

@menmonstersmachines that’s literally what I was doing. But ok

[@garrettjvb]

The mirror scare has been done to death so much, you know it will happen any time somebody is in their bathroom. By now, it's more effective as a fakeout. Because everyone sees it coming

[@Kiernanglynn20]

What’s crazy is George Romero usually had the black guy as the lead or ending survivor. You said the night of the living dead already, but also dawn of the dead (78), day of the dead, night of the living dead remake, dawn of the dead remake, and land of the dead the black guy is the main zombie.

[@katie.g.]

Chefs kiss , kosher video, Cody. Love nerding out to these 🤘🏻

[@Nyctm91]

I love your ranking videos

[@blakemack2877]

“I am a heterosexual male” as your explanation just killed me😂😂😂 also, a mirror scare that I really appreciate its CandyMan!

[@ReapeeRon]

I wouldn't consider Jacobs Ladders ending to all be a dream, but that is probably the best example I can think of that mostly works.

[@coreycarnegie5990]

Was my pick too

[@edensicking6172]

I have a bed with space to crawl under it. I think the hide under the bed trope works with kids because it was an instinct several kids I knew had when we were young.

[@scottv8124]

"Hi, horror trope, how are you? Its been 5 minutes"

[@supastar25]

Cody your ideas are top tier, such a fun idea and I filled out my own tier list...there's a lot of tropes out there that need to die...but the good thing about horror is that even those tropes can still work...creative writers and directors always find some way to make them work somehow. Great job.

[@jordanoah]

Click had a good “it was all a dream” ending 😂

[@NancyVasta]

Put this in the category of Let It Die.The lead bad guy who happens to be an evil genius and is also completely psychotic,usually a serial killer,loves opera and classical music only.I lost track of how many horror movies and TV shows I have watched where this device is constantly used.This is my favorite type of music and I find it to be highly insulting.Unless it is a horror movie about inbreds,then ditch the opera immediately and play some tune on the banjo instead.

[@TristanTucker-dd1qf]

Rodger in Night of the Demons(1988) walks out to the end.

[@bonedrone9869]

The old hand-on-the-shoulder false jump scare is so dumb. Especially when the characters are in a tense situation, why would you sneak up on someone and grab their shoulder without announcing yourself?

[@thomasffrench3639]

Caricature cast I feel like isn't that prevalent until the mid-late 80s when they realized that horror fans didn't care about writing. Most characters in horror films have some sort of way to make them unique and different (for example The Funhouse, the virgin is about to get it on with her date before shit hits the fan) and the caricatures weren't common in that period.

[@omegapuppyttv]

PUTTING T + A THAT HIGH WAS SO REAL OF YOU THOUGH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY.

[@kakiem2210]

I’m going to back you up on the T&A ranking and provide you some cover from a female perspective. One example I’ve heard women complain about as far as an “unnecessary” semi-naked scene is at the end of (my favorite horror movie) Alien when Ripley strips down. Aside from the fact that I wish she had been wearing big girl panties, the thought of vulnerable exposed flesh up against pointy teeth, claws, knives, etc., increases the anxiety 10-fold. Everyone feels at their most vulnerable when naked, so it completely makes sense in a horror setting. Once the alien’s hand pops out, I can’t breathe again until she gets that space suit on. It’s like - “OK, now I’m prepared to tackle this bullshit. Bring it on!” Obviously, that’s not always the director’s INTENTION, and it’s about throwing a bone to the guys (pun intended). But regardless, it’s incredibly effective at increasing the terror. BTW, it’s adorable/hilarious when you go out of your way to be extra diplomatic around certain issues (gender, race, etc.). And I definitely know WHY (hostile accusatory comments in 3…2…1…), but I think you do a terrific job with it. I always agree with you on that stuff and appreciate your efforts to be respectful to everyone. ❤️

[@thomasffrench3639]

Oh I agree that nudity can be a fantastic way to show vulnerability. It’s a legit artistic choice that can add a lot. It’s just that a lot of horror movies just use it for titillation, although there is so many different examples of it being used well

[@CodyLeachYT]

lol it’s such a slippery slope when you approach saying something that can be misconstrued or taken out of context. Like cartwheeling through a minefield. Thanks for the backup on T&A!

[@politefan8141]

I just say I'm equal opportunity and would like to see more male skin to balance the scales.

[@kakiem2210]

@@politefan8141 agreed! It’s ALWAYS half-dressed women. Seeing half-dressed guys would be just as effective. I feel cheated.

[@freecstyle4784]

I understand 💯% about the "one last scare." I'm with you on that one, fully. They did sort of explain in the beginning of I Still Know that that shower scene at the end of the first one was a dream sequence, but I also understand that could be classified as lazy writing. Great tier list!

[@themagicpancakes]

Growing up, I said 'CRAN' instead of crayon too. Don't feel bad lol.

[@KingdomHeart556]

My man you’re never gonna run out of tier list ranking ideas I can tell for sure 😮