Why Are People So Drawn to Horror?

Fear is one of the most intense emotions we can feel, and it’s one of the main reasons that people are drawn to horror entertainment.

If we didn’t love to be scared, we wouldn’t want to visit haunted houses during the Halloween season, horror movies wouldn’t be as popular as they are, and we would turn away when something gross, unrealistic, or scary shows up on the screen. Many people flock to the movies to see actors play a part that ends with mutilated bodies, extreme graphic scenes, and unnatural events.

What Makes a Horror Movie Great?

The most popular aspect of entertainment that scares people can be found on the big screen with a horror movie playing. It’s a bit cliché and maybe a little sexist, but many a young man has been told to take his date to a horror movie to have her cling to him when the scary scenes show up on the screen. The feeling of fear from what’s happening right in front of us can often trigger the fight-or-flight response that we all have ingrained in our psyche.

With the response of trying to find comfort in another person, what do moviemakers create to make these movies so interesting and entertaining? Classic horror movie scenes often involve spooky low music that signals something bad is about to happen, the main characters running for their lives, and the monster of the movie chasing close behind. Too often, this part of the story gives us one of the groups that become the sacrificial lamb either through an accident or through bravery, which is typically the first scene when we know we’re watching a horror film.

Depending on the movie, some can feel completely unrealistic and impossible, while others seem like something that just might happen in real life. As crazy as it might sound, for some people, experiencing the feeling of fear and invoking the flight-or-fight response which gives them an adrenaline rush that they love to feel.

Three Reasons People Enjoy Horror

Studies have been done to find out why we are so drawn to horror. Three main reasons have been found, which are: tension, relevance, and unrealism. What do these three things mean? Let’s explore.

Tension

Some head to the scary movies to see a mystery unfold in front of them that can be something unexpected and a bit shocking. Some movies in this category crossover into the action and mystery genre but have enough blood and gore to certainly be considered horror films.

Relevance

As shocking as this might be, some people want to watch horror movies to find elements of the movie they can relate to. They are looking for something that could plausibly happen and might become real. There might be a dark event in their past that they want to think about or bring about feelings from.

Unrealism

Probably the most popular and classic reason for some people to enjoy horror movies is the unrealism. We know that zombies aren’t real (at least not yet), that certain characters could not exist, and that toys don’t spring to life and start killing people. This allows for an escape into the unreal world and for moviegoers to simply be entertained by horror movies.

What are Some of the Most Popular Horror Movies?

If you’re drawn to horror movies and want to find out what some of the most popular ones are, we have a list for you. Let’s take a look.

Host

This 2020 thriller is a movie we can all relate to as the entire movie takes place during a Zoom call gone wrong. A group of women light candles, and then something appears in the background in places where these women are supposed to be safe but are they?

Saw

This is the original version of Saw, and it’s a horror delight that makes the actors choose how to save their lives while giving up something they value, typically limbs. Play the game along with Jigsaw and experience the gore and gruesome nature of the sick game that’s being played.

The Birds

Head back to 1963 for a horror classic and let The Birds be the movie that scares you in a way you would never expect. One of the greatest fears that we have as humans are put on display in this movie. The fear of open water and the unknown below is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dawn of the Dead

Another classic that many who are drawn to horror movies have loved is Dawn of the Dead. The hungry dead horde of zombies makes their appearance in this 1978 classic that has brought about the idea that undead people would be infected and want to feast on the brains of living humans.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Get ready to experience the world of Freddy Krueger, and his dream world will make it hard for you to go to sleep at night. Just imagine a world where it’s possible you might actually die because Freddy invades your dreams. Check it out and see how well you sleep tonight.

The Cabin in the Woods

Here’s a horror movie that brings you a bit of comedy along with the fright, gore, and blood that you’re after. If you want to have your phobias tickled, this is a movie that will do just that for you. During this movie, you could be laughing one minute and screaming the next.

It Follows

This might be a movie you’ve never heard of but will certainly enjoy if you’re drawn to horror movies. You’ll love the scary, chilling, and unsettling way this movie takes you through a labyrinth of feelings and frightfulness. Get ready to peel yourself off the ceiling after watching this movie.

Halloween

Another classic on this list is the original Halloween movie that came out in 1978. The spookiness of this movie is unmatched as the characters continue to show up in different shadowy locations while picking off the actors one at a time. You’ll want to leave all the lights on in the house after watching this horror movie.