Yakima Listeners Reveal Childhood Nightmares: 'Communion' Tops List of Scariest Movies

From 'E.T.' to 'Poltergeist,' locals share the films that still haunt their dreams.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:20pm

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In a recent survey, listeners in Washington's Yakima Valley shared the movies that terrified them the most as children, with the 1989 film 'Communion' starring Christopher Walken emerging as the clear winner for the scariest childhood movie memory.

Why it matters

The responses highlight how certain films can leave a lasting psychological impact, even decades later, and shed light on the power of horror and sci-fi movies to tap into our deepest childhood fears.

The details

Listeners shared a wide range of scary movie memories, from classic slasher franchises like 'Friday the 13th' to more unexpected choices like 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Clash of the Titans.' But two films stood out above the rest - the original 'IT' miniseries, which instilled a fear of clowns in many, and 'Poltergeist,' which featured a particularly terrifying scene with a clown doll. However, the movie that traumatized the most Yakima residents was 'Communion,' the 1989 alien abduction thriller starring Christopher Walken.

  • The survey was conducted in April 2026 with listeners in the Yakima Valley region of Washington state.

The players

Whitley Strieber

The author whose book 'Communion' was adapted into the 1989 film that topped the list of scariest childhood movie memories for Yakima listeners.

Christopher Walken

The acclaimed actor who starred in the 1989 film 'Communion,' which was cited as the scariest movie from childhood by the most Yakima listeners.

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What they’re saying

“E.T. scared the hell out of me, mainly because Drew Barrymore is close to my age, and I had a crush on her growing up, and E.T. sent power tools after my hopeful girlfriend!”

— Listener

“The scene of the alien poking his head into the door frame still haunts my dreams to this day.”

— Listener

What’s next

The station plans to follow up with listeners to explore the lasting psychological impact of these childhood movie scares and how they may have shaped their views on horror, sci-fi, and the paranormal.

The takeaway

The responses from Yakima listeners underscore how certain films can leave an indelible mark, tapping into our deepest childhood fears in ways that continue to haunt us years later. This survey provides a window into the power of cinema to shape our psyches from a young age.