Watching horror films is a very popular form of entertainment – for some people. Research on horror films suggests which elements are particularly scary, and reveals the kinds of people who are attracted to horror films, and those who tend to avoid them.

What Makes Horror Movies Scary?

Fear of Death . This is ultimate human fear , both existentially and psychologically. There are very few horror films where people don’t get killed, or at least face the possibility of death.

The Dark. We develop a fear of the dark in our early childhood years – not the dark itself, but what it might hide. Most horror films take place at night, and watching them in a darkened theater, or a dark living room, makes them even scarier.

Suspense. The very best horror films are suspenseful (think Alfred

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