The Exorcist, a horror film with a haunting soundtrack, is the scary movie that many fans claim they will never watch again due to its terrifying nature.

The 1973 film, which was banned in the UK for 25 years, tells the story of a young girl believed to be possessed by the devil and stars Max von Sydow as the exorcist.

A recent study conducted by Specsavers found that 32% of horror movie fans have vowed never to watch a particular film again because it was too frightening.

The poll of 2,000 horror fans ranked Saw, starring Tobin Bell as Jigsaw, as the second most terrifying film, followed closely by The Conjuring and the 1996 classic, Scream.

More recent films, such as Smile and the tense sci-fi horror A Quiet Place, also made it onto the list of the top 30 most terrifying movies.

A significant 45% of respondents wished they could erase certain scenes from their memory, while 37% regretted hearing certain sounds.

The study revealed that loud noises are the most likely to make viewers jump during a horror film, with 7 in 10 agreeing that they are the most frightening aspect.

Interestingly, 38% of respondents admitted to being just as likely to cover their eyes as they are to plug their ears during the scariest parts of a movie.

Gordon Harrison, Specsavers' chief audiologist, commented: "Some people love the feeling of fear. Whether it's the terrifying visuals or the spine-chilling soundtracks, our latest poll reveals how these movies test your senses to the limit."

"While it's natural to want to cover your eyes or plug your ears during a scary movie, it's essential to remember that doing so could lead to some frightful complications."

Nearly six out of 10 people tend to watch more horror films in the run-up to Halloween, with a whopping 67% saying their Halloween isn't complete without watching something that sends chills down their spine.

Data from OnePoll.com reveals that a dedicated horror film enthusiast watches an average of four scary movies per month.

The ingredients for the perfect horror film, according to the survey, include a suspenseful storyline (49%), eerie and haunting music (45%), and an unpredictable ending (40%).

Moreover, 47% of respondents say that the suspense and unpredictability are what make them 'true' fans of the genre.

Gordon Harrison, commenting on the habit of fans watching movies through their fingers, warned: "Touching your eyes with unwashed hands can introduce harmful bacteria, leading to infections for example."

"Similarly, inserting objects into your ears can cause damage or push earwax further in, potentially leading to hearing issues."

"As a reminder, we advise against putting anything smaller than your elbow in your ear, including tissue paper or cotton wool. For a safer experience, consider using earplugs or hearing protection to manage the sound."