7 Main Reasons Why People Enjoy Horror Movies — The Explanation for Our Love of Horror

From the start of storytelling times, the horror genre has been super popular with audiences. As one of the most famous film genres, many people are drawn to horror stories and tales. Though it often doesn’t appeal to some people, especially with its gruesome effects and jumpscares, many enjoy such horror movie aspects.

But if you still need clarification as to why some people watch horror movies and enjoy them, you’ve come to the right place. Or you might be someone seeking answers to your strange horror addiction, which is not weird at all. Everyone has preferences, and yours happen to be horror movies. Here are 7 main reasons why people enjoy horror movies.

1.  Thrill Seeking

The thrill factor is the most fundamental reason for the love of horror movies. Horror movies evoke strong emotional responses from the audience, including anxiety, suspense, and fear. Such emotions produce a feeling of excitement and uncertainty, which is quite thrilling for the viewers. They crave the adrenaline rush of watching an addictive horror movie repeatedly.

2.  Catharsis

Catharsis is the release of strong emotions, and it can be pretty addictive for horror fans. Similar to the lovers of sad movies, they want to feel the thrill of the unknown. A scary movie can be their haven to confront and process their fears in a controlled environment – without the danger of the physical presence of harm. This is a good way to practice the worst-case scenario while enjoying a good movie.

3.  Escapism

For some viewers, horror movies are a form of escapism from the stress and challenges of their actual life. By indulging in the anxiety of a fictional movie, they can forget about the deadlines and problems of their world. Watching a scary movie is a distraction or a portal to a different world for a temporary break.

4.  Social Bonding

A way to strengthen relationships with friends or family is through horror movies. A shared experience of seeing a horror movie together can boost relationships. The fear and excitement of the movie can create a sense of companionship and shared emotion that can be difficult to imitate in other contexts.

5.  Admiration of Special Effects

Watching a horror movie can be a way to encourage the creativity and talent of filmmakers. Since many scary movies are famous for their incredible special effects and real-looking makeup, the viewers take this opportunity to appreciate the film crew. The amount of art and thought it takes to make certain scenes is impressive, even to people who are horror fanatics.

6.  Intellectual Stimulation

Horror films are thought-provoking as well. Several horror movies examine in-depth subjects and concepts, including mortality and the origins of fear. Some viewers find that getting viscerally and emotionally involved with these deeper ideas while viewing a horror film is amusing.

7.  A Sense of Nostalgia

Last but not least, watching horror films can be a means for many people to relive memories from their youth. As a result of its recurring connections with childhood and the teenage years, horror films frequently evoke nostalgia in their viewers. The experience helps viewers reminisce about old times when they watched scary movies with friends or family or talked about a rumored ghost in their institution.

Which Horror Movies Are Worth Watching?

You may be convinced why some people prefer watching horror movies and love the thrill. Did it make you feel like you should give horror movies a chance? Well, good thing we came up with a good list of horror movies that you can watch easily on Hulu or YouTube TV.

YouTube TV is a streaming platform generally unavailable in countries outside the USA. So make sure you know how to get YouTube TV in Spain, to get full access to YouTube TV in your location.

Prey (2022)

The movie centers on friends on an island where a terrible predator lives. Tensions increase as they try to survive; they must face their worst fears to outlast them. Prey is a must-see as a horror movie, thanks to its breathtaking cinematography and compelling plot.

Hatching (2022)

In the movie, a couple finds an odd egg that hatches into a terrifying creature. They become aware that they might be in over their heads as they work to contain the creature and devise a means of destroying it. Hatching is a tense and unsettling horror movie that will leave you apprehensive.

Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan is a film that psychological horror fans must watch. This movie depicts a dancer who starts to lose her sense of reality as she practices for the lead part in a staging of Swan Lake. Black Swan is a masterpiece of psychological horror with breathtaking images and a mesmerizing score that will make you wonder what is real and what is not.

Piggy (2022)

Another 2022 horror release that is not for the faint-hearted is Piggy. In the movie, a group of pals go on a weekend trip to the country but end up at the hands of a sadistic killer wearing a pig mask. Piggy is a gut-wrenching horror movie with graphic violence and gripping tension that will leave you distraught and devastated.

Thelma (2017)

A Norwegian horror film, Thelma follows the story of a young woman who experiences strange otherworldly phenomena after leaving her strict religious home to attend university. She becomes aware that she might be in danger as she digs deeper into her past and the origin of her talents.

To Wrap Up

The remarkable selection of horror films on Hulu caters to all types of horror fans. Horror films may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they offer distinctive and fascinating entertainment for those who do. So, dim the lights, gather snacks, and prepare for a Hulu marathon of spine-tingling horror films.

READ MORE: 10 Classic Horror Movies to Stream