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Five Nights at Freddy's, released in 2014, made the jumpscare its signature moment, with an animatronic suddenly appearing on screen accompanied by a loud scream. Early Let's Play videos on YouTube spread that moment far beyond players of the game, and clips of the scare were reused in compilations, memes and horror edits. The sound later became shorthand for a sudden shock in short-form video, where creators use it to mark reveals, pranks and failed challenges. Its familiarity is part of the appeal, since many viewers recognise it instantly.
About this sound
The sudden, distorted scream from Five Nights at Freddy's jumpscares, used in horror edits and reaction videos to shock viewers at a reveal.
This is the sharp, terrifying shriek that plays when an animatronic lunges at the camera in Five Nights at Freddy's, a short burst of distorted screaming layered over a harsh mechanical screech. It starts instantly, with no build-up, and peaks in under two seconds, which makes it feel abrupt and inescapable. The sound is loud, grating and deliberately unpleasant, designed to jolt a player who thought they were safe. In videos it works the same way, cutting through quiet footage to make a jump scare land harder and leave viewers startled, laughing nervously or covering their ears.
