Horror movies are one of the most popular genres in the film industry. In fact, horror movies are so popular that there is even a holiday dedicated to them—Halloween. But why do people like horror movies?
There are many reasons why people enjoy watching horror movies. We look at 11 of them below.
Why Do People Like Horror Movies?
1. Suspense
Horror movies are full of suspense and tension, and this is because they are designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.
Since the emotions that come with suspense aren’t something we typically experience regularly, horror movies can be both exciting and frightening.
As such, it’s fun to watch horror movies, whether alone or with friends or family. So if you enjoy feeling suspenseful, then horror movies are definitely for you.
Just be sure you don’t overdo it. Although rare, there are reports of people dying from heart attacks while watching horror movies.
2. Scares
Horror movies are also full of scares, which is why people enjoy watching them.
Scares can come in many forms, such as jump scares, gory violence, and creepy scenes. They are designed to make you feel scared, shocked, or even disgusted.
And like suspense, the fear that comes with being scared is not something we experience regularly. As such, watching a horror movie and seeing how much fear we can handle can be exhilarating.
It’s interesting to point out that scares in horror movies existed long before the advent of modern special effects. Something about being scared just appeals to us, no matter how the scare is achieved.
Thanks to the power of the human imagination, you can watch old black and white horror movies and get just as scared as you would with a modern horror movie.
3. Violence
Horror movies are also often violent, which is why some people enjoy them.
Violence can be anything from characters being killed to scenes of torture. It is usually graphic and can be disturbing for some viewers.
However, others find violence thrilling and exciting. This violence is what makes horror movies thrilling to watch.
4. Special Effects
Another reason why people enjoy watching horror movies is because of the special effects.
Horror movies often have very realistic special effects, making the scares and violence more believable and, thus, more terrifying.
Many viewers like to see what the special effects team can accomplish with their budget and SFX department.
Today’s horror movies usually excel in this area, as special effects are lightyears beyond what they used to be.
At one time, effects were created using physical materials like latex and fake blood. Nowadays, computer-generated imagery (CGI) helps artists create realistic effects that are sometimes hard to tell apart from reality.
5. Death
Death is a common theme in horror movies. Characters are often killed in gruesome ways, such as being decapitated or disemboweled.
For some people, death is a morbid curiosity; they want to see how people die in different ways and what happens to the body after death.
Such depictions aren’t things we witness in our everyday lives. So when a horror movie graphically shows death, it can be both shocking and fascinating.
If you’re not too squeamish and have a strong stomach, you may enjoy watching horror movies featuring death.
6. Evil
Horror movies often feature evil beings, such as monsters, ghosts, witches, and zombies. These creatures often get depicted as being very powerful and dangerous.
For some people, watching these evil beings terrorize characters on the screen is fun. It is also a way to experience fear without actually being in danger vicariously.
Moreover, watching the good guys triumph over evil in the end can be satisfying. Not all horror movies end this way, and many viewers prefer this approach.
It’s sometimes highly satisfying to watch total destruction and devastation to everyone, not just the bad guys.
7. The Unknown
Horror movies often deal with the unknown or the unexplained. This can be anything from supernatural forces to aliens to government conspiracies.
The unknown is usually scary because we don’t know what to expect. This is what makes horror movies so suspenseful and scary.
For some people, watching a horror movie is fun and trying to figure out what is going on. It is also a way to explore our fears of the unknown in a safe environment.
Other people prefer to stay on the edge of their seats throughout horror movies and take whatever comes their way.
But regardless of how you like to watch horror movies, the unknown is one of the reasons why people enjoy them.
8. Thrills
Horror movies are often thrilling, and this is because they are full of suspense, scares, and violence. As such, they can be exciting to watch.
Some people enjoy the thrill of being scared or seeing graphic violence, and others enjoy the suspense of not knowing what will happen next. Either way, if you’re looking for a thrill, then horror movies are definitely for you.
When done right, horror movies can be exciting, suspenseful, and even scary. They are a great way to experience fear and the unknown vicariously.
So if you enjoy feeling scared or want to explore your fears, horror movies are definitely for you.
9. Escapism
For some people, horror movies are a way to escape their lives’ reality. This is because horror movies can be so different from our everyday lives.
They can be a way to forget about our problems and simply enjoy being entertained. Sometimes, you need to take your mind off of the daily struggles that life presents.
Horror movies can provide that much-needed escape from reality. So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed with life, consider watching a horror movie.
10. Fun
For many people, horror movies are fun to watch. They can be suspenseful, scary, and thrilling but are also usually entertaining.
They are a great way to pass the time and partake in a unique experience. That’s not to say that all horror movies are fun.
On the contrary, many are downright terrible and not worthy of your time. But if you find a good horror movie, it can be a lot of fun.
Moreover, there are many different types of horror movies. So if you dislike one type, you can always try another. There’s bound to be a horror movie out there that you’ll enjoy.
11. Entertainment
At the end of the day, horror movies are entertainment and are meant to entertain the viewer. Evidence of this is in the many unique horror movies available today.
Horror movies range from serious to comedic and everything in between. As such, there’s something for everyone in the horror genre. What kind of horror movie do you prefer?
Do you like to watch horror movies? Why or why not?
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why Michael Myers wears a mask, why Michael Myers is evil, and why music is so loud in movies.
Conclusion
Horror movies are popular because they are entertaining, suspenseful, and often thrilling. They can also be a way to escape reality or have a good time.
So if you’re looking for an excellent movie to watch, consider watching a horror movie, and you may find that you enjoy it.