The question was this: Why do some people not like horror movies? We know that most people say they enjoy horror, but there's still a sizeable chunk of the population — somewhere between a quarter and a third — who say they don't like the stuff (Clasen et al., 2020).

What percent of the population likes horror movies?

Horror movies have gotten more popular. And in one survey of more than 1,000 Americans, conducted by Clasen, 55 percent described themselves as horror fans.

Do most people enjoy horror movies?

Not everyone enjoys horror movies. In fact, there are many who stay away from the genre as much as possible. Psychology has provided some insight into the individual differences that make someone more likely to enjoy horror films.

What are the statistics for horror movies?

As of October 2022, almost one-third (32 percent) of adults surveyed in the United States said they preferred to watch classic horror movies, while little more than one-fifth (21 percent) said they preferred newly released films from that genre.

What percentage of girls like horror movies?

As of October 2022, approximately 35 percent of men surveyed in the United States said they had watched a horror movie in theaters between one and 12 months preceding the survey. Among female respondents, that share added up to 21 percent.

Why certain brains love horror movies

Which gender enjoys horror more?

One survey found that, on average, younger individuals tend to be more attracted to this scary genre; men are more likely to be fans of horror than women; and women versus men may like different aspects of a horror experience.

How many people don't like horror?

We know that most people say they enjoy horror, but there's still a sizeable chunk of the population — somewhere between a quarter and a third — who say they don't like the stuff (Clasen et al., 2020).

What is #1 horror movie?

1 The Exorcist (1973)

The tales are as legendary as The Exorcist itself, making them close to folklore. With its simple premise of a young girl possessed by demons, and the priests called in to exorcise them, no other horror movie has since impacted audiences the way this one did.

What age group likes horror movies the most?

As of October 2022, almost two-thirds (64 percent) of adults aged 30 to 44 surveyed in the United States said they either liked or loved the horror movie genre. Among respondents aged 18 to 29, that share was 10 percentage points lower, at 54 percent.

What age group watches horror the most?

“The usual age for the target audience of a horror film is 15- 25. The most common reason for this is that young adults and teenagers enjoy thrills.

Is it ok to not like horror movies?

And then there are those select few people who absolutely despise scary movies. Fortunately, if you're one of them, we have good news for you: it's totally normal. There are a few different factors contributing to why someone might hate the same scary movie that someone else might love.

What personality types enjoy horror movies?

In general, though, Analysts' combination of Intuitive Energy and Thinking Nature is ideal for enjoying scary movies. Intuitive personality types love to look for hidden meaning and tend to let their imagination run wild, and horror films stimulate those impulses in a way no other genre can.

Is liking horror movies a red flag?

No, enjoying horror movies is not a red flag that someone is a "nutjob." People have a wide range of interests and preferences when it comes to entertainment, and enjoying horror movies is just one of many possible tastes.

Why does Gen Z like horror?

The reason why the horror genre is growing popular amongst this generation is that it accurately anticipates and showcases themes that these young adults are interested in.

What are horror fans called?

Key points. Horror fans can be classified along three dimensions: Adrenaline Junkies, White Knucklers, and Dark Copers. Dark copers are a newly-identified type of horror fans, who use horror to cope with problems like feelings of anxiety. Adrenaline junkies get a mood boost from the intense experiences of horror.

Does Gen Z like horror movies?

Horror followed close behind, with 32% of Gen Zers selecting it among their favorite genres — 10 percentage points higher than the general population did.

What is the least popular movie genre?

Favorite film genres in the U.S. 2018

The findings reveal that 90 percent of respondents said that they had a very or somewhat favorable impression of comedy and adventure movies, making these genres the most popular among responding U.S. adults. The least favorable genres were horror and musicals.

Do people with anxiety like horror movies more?

Anxiety and Escapism: Why They Go Hand in Hand

It is for this reason that many with anxiety turn to movies. This is especially true regarding films with a higher level of intensity, such as horror movies. Horror movies can be a form of escapism for those struggling with anxiety.

Are horror movies losing popularity?

The graph above shows the average Rotten Tomatoes ratings of the 15 highest grossing movies of each decade. From the graph, it is clear to see that the average rating of popular horror movies has been declining steadily from an average of 82% in the 1960s to around 50% in recent years.

Which horror movie is banned?

11 The Exorcist (1973)

The film was banned upon release in different cities in the United States as well as the United Kingdom and remains one of the scariest horror movies of all time and an influential classic.

Why was The Exorcist banned?

With a bulk of the film revolving around religion, the Catholic Church were not happy with the release of The Exorcist and its release led to them citing the film was “unsuitable for a wide audience" and there were calls for the film to be banned.

What is the #1 best horror movie of all time?

1. The Exorcist (1973)

Do horror fans lack empathy?

That's certainly how horror fans have historically been portrayed, at least by some commentators. But a new study finds no evidence for this stereotype. Fans of horror films are just as kind and compassionate as everyone else, according to the preprint published on PsyArXiv — and in some respects may be more so.

Is horror bad for mental health?

Watching horrific images can trigger unwanted thoughts and feelings and increased levels of anxiety or panic, and even increase our sensitivity to startle-eliciting stimuli, making those of us who are anxious more likely to respond negatively and misinterpret the sensations as real threats.

Do people who like horror lack empathy?

Many people believe that horror fans have low empathy. The claim that horror fans lack empathy is rooted in a flawed interpretation of a 2005 meta-analysis. Some morbidly curious people score high in empathy. Horror fans and morbidly curious people may be less coldhearted than the average person, research suggests.