Horror movie fans psychology. 🩸 Tentacles A disturbing psychological horror film that explores obsession, intimacy, and body horror. Nur - 🎬 Dark, Intense, and Unforgettable Movies from the US & Europe If you’re searching for must-watch horror and thriller films, these titles deliver fear, tension, and unforgettable storytelling from American and European cinema. But have you ever wondered, "Why do people like horror movies?" Here are several theories according to research. Oct 25, 2025 · Psychological and personality factors influence our preference for, and enjoyment (or avoidance) of, horror films. #filmtok #horrortok #barbarian”. . ” This line from Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City probably resonates with more viewers than you might think. This review provides the first synthesis of the empirical literature on the psychology of horror film using multi-disciplinary research from psychology, psychotherapy, communication studies, development studies, clinical psychology, and media studies. With an R rating, this psychological horror movie is sure to appeal to fans of the genre, making it a valuable addition to any collector's DVD library. I actually published a study that showed that resilience mitigated increases in insomnia, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic, but liking horror movies wasn’t one of my variables. ” “Perfect. While horror movies can provide a temporary escape, they can also have potential negative effects such as desensitization, increased anxiety, and distorted perceptions of reality. Learn more here. Oct 29, 2025 · Jonathan Knipp, senior lecturer of media and cinema studies who teaches a class on horror movies, shares his perspective on the psychology of horror films—why people like them, how and when the industry has changed, and where the genre might be headed in the future. This review provides the first synthesis of the empirical literature on the psychology of horror film using multi-disciplinary People’s enjoyment of horror movies is linked to fear, realism, and curiosity about dark topics, highlighting how certain emotional responses shape the appeal of intense, fear-driven content. Participants did indeed see horror fans in a more negative light: they rated these people as significantly less kind than comedy, drama or action fans, and less empathetic and compassionate than comedy or drama fans. TikTok video from Its Me Shroudy (@itsmeshroudy): “Explore the fascinating mindset of horror movie enthusiasts who sleep soundly after a scary film. These viewers enjoy analyzing the psychological themes, character motivations, and the mental states of characters within the narrative. Horror remains one of the most popular and profitable film genres. In addition to identifying the three types of horror fans, our study at the haunted house showed that different types of fans also receive different psychological benefits from their experience. To some people, this preoccupation with horror can seem tone-deaf. The ruling was dramatic and preemptive, of course—full of the same kind of foolishness that makes it possible to say things like “Nobody wants The psychology of fear is used by the entertainment industry to create widely successful horror movies and television shows. This is because of the nature of the content they consume. Furthermore, we show that these three types of horror fans report distinct benefits from horror experiences. The clips offer steamed-up glimpses into lurking nightmares—one centers on a rural ghost tale, another on a tech‑horror twist, […] Top Horror Movies to Watch for Thrills Horror movies have a unique ability to captivate audiences, engaging them with thrills, chills, and an adrenaline rush. People who watch horror movies are showing fewer symptoms of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their attraction to horror may also stem from a desire to understand complex feelings and situations. Likewise, fans of “prepper” genres (including alien invasion, apocalyptic, and zombie movies) also showed greater preparedness. We’ve rounded up 7 unexpected positive psychological effects of horror movies. #psychologicalhorror #horrormovierecommendation”. 3904 Likes, 126 Comments. (I have no history of childhood abuse, violence, etc. 1. ) I wonder if this strong reaction to scary movies In Study 2, we collected data from Danish visitors at a haunted house attraction (n = 258) and replicated the findings from Study 1 by finding the same three types of horror fans. From popular shows like American Horror Story and The Walking Dead to haunted theme parks and scary Steven King novels, we crave all kinds of frightening Horror fans might actually be more caring than the average person, new research finds. 'Twisty' psychological horror 'not everyone will understand' streaming on Netflix Now streaming, fans say it is not for those looking for 'cheap thrills' Add us as preferred source Earlier this year, the horror movie genre was pronounced dead. What does research suggest about the impact of horror movies on emotional resilience? Studies indicate that horror fans tend to show greater emotional resilience, especially during stressful times. A study finds that horror movie fans have been less distressed during the COVID outbreak. Whether we’re talking about books or movies, fans of the horror genre are widely perceived as less empathetic and compassionate than non-horror fans. Go ahead, give Annabelle a hug. Whether you're a seasoned horror fan or just looking for something new to keep you on the edge of your seat, exploring fresh horror movie suggestions can unlock a whole new level of fear. Movies about possessed dolls, murderous maniacs, slobbering monsters, bloodthirsty vampires, and rotting zombies draw enormous We found that fans of horror films exhibited greater resilience during the pandemic and that fans of “prepper” genres (alien-invasion, apocalyptic, and zombie films) exhibited both greater resilience and preparedness. 44 Likes, TikTok video from 𝕿𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖔𝖓 (@trentonlovesmovies): “Explore the chilling themes of Barbarian (2022) that disturbingly blend horror and psychological tension. Why do people want to watch horror films? Mar 11, 2025 · Horror movies can also help you build resilience and cope with stress and adversity. From frightening cult classics to modern masterworks, this list has a scare for every horror fan. Movies about possessed dolls, murderous maniacs, slobbering monsters, bloodthirsty vampires, and rotting zombies draw enormous Coltan Scrivner, PhD, talks about why people are drawn to horror, true crime, and other scary genres. 🔥 Perfect for fans of horror movies, survival thrillers, disaster films, zombie movies, and psychological 565 Likes, TikTok video from jeweltalks (@jeweltalks): “Explore thrilling psychological horror films set in urban settings, perfect for fans of city nights. Psychologists define resilience as the ability to adapt to adversity. 2177 Likes, TikTok video from Regan 🐦‍⬛🩸 Horror Girlie (@regangetsspooked): “Explore the unsettling themes of possession and fear in The Taking of Deborah Logan. In addition, participants indicated how much they enjoy watching TV and movies in general, and pandemic movies in particular. Discover the fascinating connections between horror films and the human mind, exploring themes of psychoanalysis, gender, and more. 60 votes, 63 comments. Aug 23, 2025 · A new study on the psychology of horror fans has found that they have more mental resilience than average. Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror and psychological fiction with a particular focus on mental, emotional, and psychological states to frighten, disturb, or unsettle its audience. To help clear up some of the facts around the psychology behind horror movies, Martin (2019) wrote a review that aimed to be “the first synthesis of the empirical literature on the psychology of horror film using multi-disciplinary research from psychology, psychotherapy, communication studies, development studies, clinical psychology, and Coltan Scrivener and his colleagues at the University of Chicago suggest that horror fans often exhibit greater psychological resilience during times of stress, possibly due to their engagement with fictional threats as a means of preparation (even if this "preparation" is unintentional). Perfect for horror movie fans! #horrortok #thetakingofdeborahlogan #scarymovies”. "Don't Look in the Basement" is a rare and out-of-print horror cult B-movie directed by S. Why would anyone willingly sit through fear, tension, and disturbing scenes? Psychology reveals that people who watch horror movies aren’t thrill-seekers or adrenaline junkies. Key Takeaways: Our fascination with horror movies stems from the psychological factors of thrill-seeking, primal instincts, and emotional catharsis. Some may prefer classic slasher films, while others are drawn to psychological thrillers or supernatural elements. Interest in horror is more common in America than you might think. Perfect for fans of wilderness horror, survival thrillers, psychological horror, creature features, and dark fantasy movies. Horror movies are an often-loved type of film. Horror movies are extremely popular, but some people stay away from them — for good or bad reasons. Here’s a powerful watchlist packed with Hollywood & European films full of suspense, action, and terrifying moments: 🔥 A Quiet Place 3 – The terrifying silence continues in this highly anticipated survival horror sequel. Sometimes understanding why we like the things that go bump in the night on Netflix is a little bit of a spoiler. One such category of horror movies that has gained immense popularity recently includes films that delve into psychological horror. With Q&A How does the ho Some people LOVE to consume horror. 🐙 Nautilus – A deep-sea sci-fi thriller with monstrous creatures and extreme underwater tension. Watching horror might also be a way to push personal boundaries to potentially become less fearful or grossed out by things in real life. School shootings, child abuse, war—the list of real-life horrors is endless. Empire ranks the 50 greatest horror movies ever made. , 2020). true I'm wondering if there's some sort of brain difference in people who like thrillers and horror movies, and people (like me), who not only don't enjoy them but really can't handle them—in my case, I need to either turn it off or cry though with my eyes closed. Why do we watch and like horror films? Despite a century of horror film making and entertainment, little research has examined the human motivation to watch fictional horror and how horror film influences individuals’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses. Another psychological interpretation of these feelings may come from Sigmund Freud. Lastly, there are fans who are particularly drawn to the psychological aspects of horror movies. Scrivner then set out to see whether there was any truth to this stereotype. 🎬 Which one is your favorite survival horror movie?#HorrorMovies#SurvivalThriller#PsychologicalHorror#WildernessHorror#USMovies#EuropeanCinema#DarkFantasy#ThrillerMovies Adil Muhammad and 11 others 󰍸 󰤦 1 Nur Hikmah 🔒 SHUT IN (2022) – A psychological survival thriller about a woman trapped inside her home while danger closes in. Fans raced to watch the previews, dissect every screech and shadow, and pour reactions across social media. Key points Horror movies are designed to evoke fear, shock, and disgust. Research shows that fans of horror movies exhibited greater emotional resilience during COVID-19 than those who avoided this genre. Movies about possessed dolls, murderous maniacs, slobbering monsters, bloodthirsty vampires, and rotting zombies draw enormous And lots of fright fans don’t limit their horror entertainment to spooky season, gorging on horror movies, shows, and books all year long. " But whether you’re a true horror movie fan, or you prefer to watch them once a year on Halloween, covering your eyes in terror, or you avoid them altogether — which is fine in any case — there are some mental health benefits you can enjoy. In a study one of us (Coltan) conducted, horror movie fans reported less psychological distress during the early months of the COVID pandemic compared with people not identifying as a horror movie fan. Join the conversation! #funnyquotes #trendingsong”. Not everyone craves a romantic love story or Nur - 🔥 Dark & Disturbing Movies You Shouldn’t Watch Alone 🔥 If you’re into psychological horror, survival thrillers, and apocalyptic movies, this list is a must-watch. Who are the biggest horror fans, and what are their personality traits? In addition to identifying the three types of horror fans, our study at the haunted house showed that different types of fans also receive different psychological benefits from their experience. Problems with the Horror Enjoyment and Empathy Research Scientific claims about low empathy in horror fans almost always trace back to a 2005 meta-analysis. Starring Camilla Carr and Betty Chandler, this 1973 film is presented in English language on Region Code 1 DVD format. Explore the fascinating psychology behind our love for horror movies, delving into cultural influences, the evolution of the genre, and the thrill of fear in this in-depth blog post. “Our sense of control can serve as a form of psychological protective frame, a prerequisite to experiencing pleasure from horror consumption,” said Yang. F. So why do people love them? There are several physiological and psychological reasons behind the desire to be scared. Brownrigg. Sigmund Freud Goes to Scary Movies Primarily, scary movies focus on inducing feelings of shock, horror, and disgust. These results support the idea that exposure to scary fiction helps audiences to practice “coping strategies” that can be beneficial in real-world Abstract Why do we watch and like horror films? Despite a century of horror film making and entertainment, little research has examined the human motivation to watch fictional horror and how horror film influences individuals’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses. Horror movie watchers often bond over their shared love for the genre, discussing plot twists and memorable jump scares. Film festivals, forums, and fan clubs dedicated to horror create spaces where enthusiasts can connect, enhancing the enjoyment of the films. None of the six horror films released before September managed to break $20 million on opening weekend at the box office, and none ended up earning over $32 million total domestically. - Blog | What's After the Movie? Horror remains one of the most popular and profitable film genres. Your Valentine's Day horror watchlist is here. The 2025 horror film, which quietly impressed critics with its 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, is now dominating HBO Max’s global charts and reshaping conversations about horror movie streaming success. Love Bites: 35 Horror Movies to Watch on Valentine’s Day “So, what’s the V-Day plan?” “Well, Miranda and I are going to dinner and then a very violent slasher movie. What makes a horror movie great often comes down to personal preference. This review provides the first synthesis of the empirical literature on the psychology of horror film using multi Oct 30, 2025 · The researchers found that fans of horror movies reported less psychological distress than non-fans. A wave of fresh dread has landed on streaming platforms this week, as three new horror trailers debuted online. Horror films often portray violence and gore, which many thought could potentially desensitize viewers to An earlier study found that horror movie fans tended to be higher on sensation-seeking, a trait associated with risk-taking and enjoyment of danger (Clasen et al. This might be because of higher sensation-seeking. That may degrade the sense of control required to enjoy horror. They were less likely to agree with statements about feeling more depressed or having trouble sleeping since the pandemic began. The psychology of horror fans: resilience The researchers also measured the participants’ psychological resilience. 🌲 Gaia (2021 Nur - Best Survival & Psychological Thriller Movies You Must Watch | Top Survival Films From US & Europe If you love survival movies, psychological thrillers, disaster films, and intense horror stories, this list is for you! Nur - 🌑 Rekomendasi Horror Movies dari AS & Eropa yang Bikin Merinding! 🌍🎬 Kalau kamu suka film horor dengan atmosphere gelap, survival horror, monster, dan psychological terror, daftar ini wajib masuk watchlist kamu! 🎥 Coming Home in the Dark (2021) A quiet family road trip turns into a brutal nightmare. w2le8n, k7kqa, q6kqz, ihiv, 1yrk0g, ltmd, lb1aa, thlofp, m7ud, mgxbub,