Horror Films Reach New Heights as Audiences Seek More Than Scares

Horror has become a year-round box-office force, with its share of the domestic market rising from about 4.4% in 2015 to 15.5% in 2026. Globally, the genre is valued at $14.5 billion and is projected to double over the next decade. Its relatively low production costs can also make horror films especially profitable.

The latest crop includes films that rely less on graphic violence and more on ideas that unsettle viewers. “Obsession” and “Backrooms” were among the 10 top-grossing movies of 2026 so far. A documentary, “Black Zombie,” looks at the Haitian roots of the zombie figure and how Hollywood portrayals have shaped perceptions of Vodou, Haitians and immigration.

The genre’s appeal can extend beyond the thrill of being frightened. Filmmaker J. Celene Anderson argues that stories about people enduring danger can help viewers sit with difficult feelings. Some scholars describe horror as a way to practice facing anxiety, while viewers with trauma or anxiety may prefer to avoid frightening material.

A new adaptation of Stephen King’s “Carrie” has also drawn divided reactions. Supporters have welcomed its portrayal of Carrie as an innocent girl constrained by her parents, while critics object to changes in the climactic events and the series’ finale. The adaptation uses the story to address ignorance, restricted access to knowledge and social media’s capacity to humiliate.