Disney+ Hotstar has launched its “Agatha All Along” miniseries, a “WandaVision” spinoff that plunges viewers into the world of witches, while the movies “Smile 2” and “Terrifier 3″ are proving to be North American box-office hits.
Indeed, horror is in vogue on both the big and small screens. And while “spooky season” is in full swing this month, 44% of survey respondents report watching these kinds of movies all year long, according to a new study commissioned for horror film production company Blumhouse, reported by Variety.
Only 6% wait until Halloween to delve into the world of horror movies. In fact, separate research by Parrot Analytics showed that, against all odds, the best season for new horror movie releases in US cinemas is in the summer months between June and August!
The viewing habits of horror fans often begin very early: 52% of respondents said they started watching horror films before the age of 12. Among millennials, 42% were introduced to the genre by a family member, as were 30% of Gen Z participants.
“Halloween”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “The Exorcist”, “Jaws”, and “Friday the 13th” are the most-cited “first” horror movies watched.
Fans of horror films particularly appreciate psychological thrillers, survival horror films, those about the paranormal, horror comedies, and stories that mix science-fiction and horror. The movies most closely associated with these sub-genres were “Split”, “The Road”, “The Conjuring”, “Scary Movie”, and “Alien”, respectively.
As far as generational differences are concerned, baby boomers prefer psychological thrillers, as do Generation X and millennials, while Gen Z leans more towards survival horror.
The results of this survey show that the genre is much more than just a seasonal distraction – it’s a cultural phenomenon that transcends generations and continues to evolve with technological innovations and creative concepts.
For horror-film fans, each viewing is a unique experience, often marked by childhood memories and moments shared with family. And 45% of respondents agree that horror movies have improved since their introduction to the mainstream movie market.
Among them, 49% attribute this improvement to better production quality, 44% to advanced technology and special effects, and 39% to more original and creative concepts.