If you’ve been a horror movie fan since you were a kid, you’re not alone. A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 68% of Americans who celebrate Halloween enjoyed watching scary movies as children, and that number has only grown to 73% in adulthood. Notably, 65% of respondents saw their first horror film before age 11, and 60% say that watching a scary movie at a slumber party was a childhood rite of passage.
As adults, horror enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards supernatural/paranormal films (43%), psychological thrillers (40%), and slasher flicks (30%). Nearly 84% of participants agree that horror movies are a Halloween staple, with most Americans watching five different scary films during the spooky season—and 23% even manage to watch 10 or more.
People watch horror for different reasons: 46% say it gets them into Halloween mode, while 43% watch for tradition. However, 29% enjoy horror year-round, making it their favorite genre regardless of the season.
The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HI-CHEW, revealed that Halloween movie-watching preferences can vary based on childhood experiences. Some 19% of respondents identified as “gore hounds,” people who actively seek out blood and scares. These individuals were more likely to have enjoyed horror as kids (85%) and have a sweet tooth for gummy candy (34%).
Other profiles include:
- “Kitch-y Classic Carls” (10%): Fans of B-grade horror who prefer fruity candy (23%).
- “Ghostbusters” (22%): Paranormal lovers who enjoy ghostly tales and were big horror fans in their youth (78%).
- “Family-friendly Frans” (30%): Those who favor family-friendly Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating (54%).
- “Scared-y Cats”: A group that prefers to avoid horror altogether, with only 36% having enjoyed scary movies as kids.
Aside from movies, the majority of respondents agree that the best parts of Halloween include trick-or-treating or handing out candy (55%), watching horror films (54%), and decorating homes (50%). Interestingly, 54% say their movie preferences influence their Halloween décor.
When it comes to snacks, the survey revealed that scary movies are best paired with popcorn (61%), chips (47%), pizza (44%), or candy (71%). Interestingly, candy preferences change depending on the type of horror movie:
- Gummy candy pairs best with family-friendly Halloween flicks.
- Chocolate complements paranormal/supernatural films (37%).
- Fruit candy suits animated horror movies.
- Halloween-themed candy (e.g., gummy spiders or chocolate eyeballs) is the go-to for slasher films.
No matter your horror tolerance, candy, and Halloween go hand-in-hand, with 77% of respondents preferring individually wrapped treats over loose candy for their spooky season binge-watching.
