GITNUXREPORT 2025

Horror Movie Statistics

Global horror market valued at $9.3 billion, with diverse, fear-inducing films worldwide.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

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Over 60% of horror movie viewers report experiencing fear or anxiety while watching, according to a 2021 survey

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Women constitute approximately 65% of horror film audiences, highlighting the genre's broad appeal

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The horror genre is particularly popular among teenagers and young adults aged 15-25, accounting for nearly 40% of viewers

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The most common horror theme among teenagers is supernatural possession, according to a 2020 survey

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Horror movies with female protagonists have been shown to perform 15% better at the box office than those without, due to increasing gender diversity

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The most-viewed horror movie trailer on YouTube as of 2023 is for "The Nun 2", with over 85 million views

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Streaming platforms saw a 40% increase in horror movie viewership during October 2022, driven by Halloween interest

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The average age of horror movie viewers is approximately 29 years old, indicating a youthful audience base

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Approximately 78% of horror movies feature at least one jump scare

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In 2022, the horror genre accounted for about 17% of all film releases in the U.S.

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The average runtime of horror movies is approximately 90 minutes, making them shorter than many other film genres

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The 2013 film "The Conjuring" spurred a surge in haunted house movies, increasing by nearly 30% in the subsequent five years

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The use of psychological horror increased by 25% from 2010 to 2020, reflecting audience interest in mind-based terror

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The most common horror movie soundtrack element is eerie, high-pitched strings, used in over 65% of films to evoke fear

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The first Romanian horror film, "Beyond the Hills" (2012), received international acclaim and showcased Eastern European horror storytelling

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The use of daylight and natural lighting in horror movies has increased to create more unsettling atmospheres, according to filmmaking analyses

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The success of "A Quiet Place" (2018) demonstrated the marketability of horror films with minimal dialogue and sound, grossing over $340 million worldwide

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The horror genre is uniquely capable of blending with other genres, with over 50% of horror films incorporating elements of thriller, sci-fi, or comedy

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The longest horror movie marathon dedicated to watching horror films lasted over 24 hours

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The original "Psycho" (1960) is considered one of the first slasher films, influencing numerous subsequent horror films

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"The Exorcist" (1973) was banned in several countries upon release due to its disturbing content

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The earliest horror films date back to the silent film era with movies like "Le Manoir du Diable" (1896)

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"The Ring" (2002) popularized the Japanese horror remake genre in Hollywood, grossing over $249 million worldwide

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The "found footage" style became popular after "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), which had a budget of only $60,000 but grossed nearly $250 million worldwide

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The iconic horror character Freddy Krueger has appeared in 8 films since his debut in 1984

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"Get Out" (2017) was the first horror film to earn over $200 million domestically without a major franchise

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The use of practical effects in horror films has declined from 80% in the 1980s to around 25% today, with digital effects taking precedence

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"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) introduced the character Freddy Krueger, who has become a pop culture icon

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The "J-horror" movement led to a wave of Japanese horror movies like "Ju-On" (2002), which inspired Hollywood remakes

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The first 3D horror film was "House of Wax" (1953), which used stereoscopic technology to intensify scare effects

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The original "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) is credited with popularizing the zombie genre and had a low budget of $114,000, grossing over $12 million

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Horror films directed by women have increased by 20% between 2010 and 2020, signaling greater diversity in the genre

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The average budget for a Hollywood horror film is around $5 million, but some hit blockbuster status with budgets under $1 million

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The lowest-budget horror film to gain cult status is "The Blair Witch Project," made for $60,000 and earning nearly $250 million worldwide

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The global horror movie market was valued at approximately $9.3 billion in 2022

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The highest-grossing horror movie of all time is "It" (2017), with a worldwide gross of over $700 million

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The psychological horror subgenre has seen a 45% increase in popularity over the last decade

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The "Scream" franchise has grossed over $600 million worldwide since its inception in 1996

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The "Halloween" franchise has produced 13 films, earning over $700 million worldwide, becoming a staple of slasher horror

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The indie horror film "Hereditary" (2018) had a production budget of just $10 million but grossed over $80 million globally

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The "Paranormal Activity" series utilized the found footage format and grossed over $890 million worldwide across its six films

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The "Insidious" film series has earned over $540 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable horror franchises in recent years

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The "Conjuring" universe has grossed over $2 billion globally, making it one of the most successful horror franchises

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The annual horror film festival "Sitges Film Festival" attracts over 50,000 attendees from around the world, showcasing international horror cinema

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Key Highlights

  • The global horror movie market was valued at approximately $9.3 billion in 2022
  • The highest-grossing horror movie of all time is "It" (2017), with a worldwide gross of over $700 million
  • The longest horror movie marathon dedicated to watching horror films lasted over 24 hours
  • Approximately 78% of horror movies feature at least one jump scare
  • The original "Psycho" (1960) is considered one of the first slasher films, influencing numerous subsequent horror films
  • The average budget for a Hollywood horror film is around $5 million, but some hit blockbuster status with budgets under $1 million
  • "The Exorcist" (1973) was banned in several countries upon release due to its disturbing content
  • In 2022, the horror genre accounted for about 17% of all film releases in the U.S.
  • The psychological horror subgenre has seen a 45% increase in popularity over the last decade
  • Over 60% of horror movie viewers report experiencing fear or anxiety while watching, according to a 2021 survey
  • The earliest horror films date back to the silent film era with movies like "Le Manoir du Diable" (1896)
  • "The Ring" (2002) popularized the Japanese horror remake genre in Hollywood, grossing over $249 million worldwide
  • Women constitute approximately 65% of horror film audiences, highlighting the genre's broad appeal

Did you know that the horror movie genre is a $9.3 billion global industry, captivating audiences with iconic films like “It” and “The Exorcist,” while continuously evolving through innovative storytelling, diverse themes, and a youthful, predominantly female audience?

Audience Demographics and Preferences

  • Over 60% of horror movie viewers report experiencing fear or anxiety while watching, according to a 2021 survey
  • Women constitute approximately 65% of horror film audiences, highlighting the genre's broad appeal
  • The horror genre is particularly popular among teenagers and young adults aged 15-25, accounting for nearly 40% of viewers
  • The most common horror theme among teenagers is supernatural possession, according to a 2020 survey
  • Horror movies with female protagonists have been shown to perform 15% better at the box office than those without, due to increasing gender diversity
  • The most-viewed horror movie trailer on YouTube as of 2023 is for "The Nun 2", with over 85 million views
  • Streaming platforms saw a 40% increase in horror movie viewership during October 2022, driven by Halloween interest
  • The average age of horror movie viewers is approximately 29 years old, indicating a youthful audience base

Audience Demographics and Preferences Interpretation

With over 60% of viewers experiencing fear and young audiences predominantly skewing 15-25, horror films—bolstered by increased gender diversity and viral trailers like "The Nun 2"—continue to captivate a mostly youthful, largely female crowd that finds thrill and gender parity equally compelling in the genre's supernatural, anxiety-inducing embrace.

Genre and Subgenre Characteristics

  • Approximately 78% of horror movies feature at least one jump scare
  • In 2022, the horror genre accounted for about 17% of all film releases in the U.S.
  • The average runtime of horror movies is approximately 90 minutes, making them shorter than many other film genres
  • The 2013 film "The Conjuring" spurred a surge in haunted house movies, increasing by nearly 30% in the subsequent five years
  • The use of psychological horror increased by 25% from 2010 to 2020, reflecting audience interest in mind-based terror
  • The most common horror movie soundtrack element is eerie, high-pitched strings, used in over 65% of films to evoke fear
  • The first Romanian horror film, "Beyond the Hills" (2012), received international acclaim and showcased Eastern European horror storytelling
  • The use of daylight and natural lighting in horror movies has increased to create more unsettling atmospheres, according to filmmaking analyses
  • The success of "A Quiet Place" (2018) demonstrated the marketability of horror films with minimal dialogue and sound, grossing over $340 million worldwide
  • The horror genre is uniquely capable of blending with other genres, with over 50% of horror films incorporating elements of thriller, sci-fi, or comedy

Genre and Subgenre Characteristics Interpretation

With horror films making up 17% of U.S. releases and nearly 78% relying on jump scares—often set to eerie strings—it's clear that audiences crave a quick, chilling thrill, whether in haunted houses or quiet minimal-sound spectacles, highlighting the genre’s clever versatility and mounting psychological intrigue.

Historical Developments and Milestones

  • The longest horror movie marathon dedicated to watching horror films lasted over 24 hours
  • The original "Psycho" (1960) is considered one of the first slasher films, influencing numerous subsequent horror films
  • "The Exorcist" (1973) was banned in several countries upon release due to its disturbing content
  • The earliest horror films date back to the silent film era with movies like "Le Manoir du Diable" (1896)
  • "The Ring" (2002) popularized the Japanese horror remake genre in Hollywood, grossing over $249 million worldwide
  • The "found footage" style became popular after "The Blair Witch Project" (1999), which had a budget of only $60,000 but grossed nearly $250 million worldwide
  • The iconic horror character Freddy Krueger has appeared in 8 films since his debut in 1984
  • "Get Out" (2017) was the first horror film to earn over $200 million domestically without a major franchise
  • The use of practical effects in horror films has declined from 80% in the 1980s to around 25% today, with digital effects taking precedence
  • "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) introduced the character Freddy Krueger, who has become a pop culture icon
  • The "J-horror" movement led to a wave of Japanese horror movies like "Ju-On" (2002), which inspired Hollywood remakes
  • The first 3D horror film was "House of Wax" (1953), which used stereoscopic technology to intensify scare effects
  • The original "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) is credited with popularizing the zombie genre and had a low budget of $114,000, grossing over $12 million
  • Horror films directed by women have increased by 20% between 2010 and 2020, signaling greater diversity in the genre

Historical Developments and Milestones Interpretation

From silent origins to 3D scares and blockbuster breakthroughs, horror cinema's evolution reflects both our enduring fascination with fear and the industry's shifting reliance from practical effects to digital illusions—all while showcasing a rising diversity that proves terror is truly a universal language.

Industry and Production Insights

  • The average budget for a Hollywood horror film is around $5 million, but some hit blockbuster status with budgets under $1 million
  • The lowest-budget horror film to gain cult status is "The Blair Witch Project," made for $60,000 and earning nearly $250 million worldwide

Industry and Production Insights Interpretation

Despite Hollywood's typical $5 million price tag, the real scream comes from ultra-low-budget gems like 'The Blair Witch Project,' which proves that when it comes to horror, it’s not the size of the budget, but the size of the fright that truly counts.

Market Size and Revenue Trends

  • The global horror movie market was valued at approximately $9.3 billion in 2022
  • The highest-grossing horror movie of all time is "It" (2017), with a worldwide gross of over $700 million
  • The psychological horror subgenre has seen a 45% increase in popularity over the last decade
  • The "Scream" franchise has grossed over $600 million worldwide since its inception in 1996
  • The "Halloween" franchise has produced 13 films, earning over $700 million worldwide, becoming a staple of slasher horror
  • The indie horror film "Hereditary" (2018) had a production budget of just $10 million but grossed over $80 million globally
  • The "Paranormal Activity" series utilized the found footage format and grossed over $890 million worldwide across its six films
  • The "Insidious" film series has earned over $540 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable horror franchises in recent years
  • The "Conjuring" universe has grossed over $2 billion globally, making it one of the most successful horror franchises
  • The annual horror film festival "Sitges Film Festival" attracts over 50,000 attendees from around the world, showcasing international horror cinema

Market Size and Revenue Trends Interpretation

As horror films churn out over $9.3 billion globally—highlighting that whether it's clowning around with Pennywise or stalking audiences with "Insidious," death and dread remain reliably profitable, especially when a low-budget indie like "Hereditary" proves terrifying enough to gross eight times its cost, all while the shows of fear pack out festivals like Sitges with 50,000 thrill-seekers: the genre’s market isn't just surviving—it's thriving on both scares and sales.