Lifestyle

This divisive movie-watching habit starts at childhood, new survey says

By
SWNS
Published Oct. 7, 2024, 12:33 p.m. ET

If your interest in horror started when you were a kid, chances are you still cღan’t get enough. 

A survey of 2,000 U.🌠S. adults who celebrate Halloween revealed more than two-thirds (68%) of Americans polled en🔯joyed horror movies when they were a child, and that number still holds strong at 73% today.

In fact, alm🀅ost two-thirds (65%) saw their first horror movie before they were 11 years old and another 60🅘% agree that watching your first scary movie at a slumber party is a right of passage.

But as adults, supernatural and paranormal movies (43%), along with psychological thr🍌illers (40%)𝓡 and slasher flicks (30%) tend to be fan favorites.

Infographic depicting a survey about American's enjoyment of horror movies, with a white mask with red spots as a visual element.
If your interest in horror started when you were a kid, chances are you still can’t get enough.  SWNS

A vast majority (84%) of respondentᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs agree that scary movies are a staple of the Halloween season.  

During the “ꦫspooky season,” Americans average watching five different scary movies, though 23% will enjoy 10 or more.

Almost half (46%) indulge in scary movies to get themselves into “spooky season mode,” while 43% wᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚill give themselves a fright for the sake of tradition.

Still, almost one-third (29%) admit that horror is their favorite genre, no m🍎a𝕴tter the season.

Conducted by Talker Research on beha🔯lf of , the survey aimed to create Halloween profiles based on their scary tolerance level.

Survey statistics on movie screen showing American adults' enjoyment of horror movies from childhood to present day
During the “spooky season,” Americans average watching five different scary movies, though 23% will enjoy 10 or more. SWNS

R🔴esults revealed that 19% consider themselves to be “go🍒re hounds” or those who seek out as much horror and blood as possible. These respondents also enjoyed a higher level of frights and fears than their peers as children (85%) and are most likely to enjoy gummy Halloween candy (34%).

“Kitch-y classic Carls” prefer the usual flicks and some B-grade horror (10%) and fruity candy (23%), while “Ghostbusters” (22%) find joy in all things paranormal, and were the s🐠econd most horror fans as children (78%). 

“Family-friendly Frans” (30%), on the other hand, tend to opt for flicks that the whole family can enjoy and most enjoy the Halloween tradition of going trick or treating (54%). “Scared-y cats” prefer as little horror as possible. Only 36% of those respondents enᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚjoyed ⭕scary movies as children and only 34% enjoy them today.

Infographic presenting survey results on US adults' enjoyment of horror movies, with percentage breakdowns of age when first watched and viewing as a rite of passage
A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who celebrate Halloween revealed more than two-thirds (68%) of Americans polled enjoyed horror movies when they were a child, and that number still holds strong at 73% today. SWNS

“Many respondents (23%) say that their favorite Halloween tradition is sharing their favorite parts of the holiday that they enjoyed as a child with their family today,” said Teruhiro Kawabe (Terry),꧒ Chief Representative for the USA & President,💮 CEO of Morinaga America, Inc. “Whether you enjoy watching scary movies or look forward to trick-or-treating, the Halloween season can bring families together with movies, traditions, candy and more.”

Regardless of their horror toleran♑ce, a majority of Americans believe that the best parts of Halloween are going trick or treating or giving out candy to tr🅷ick-or-treaters (55%), watching scary movies (54%) and decorating their homes (50%).

More than half (54%) even admit that their scary mo⛎vie preferences reflect in their Halloween decor choices.

Anoth𝔉er thing Americans can aꦆgree on is that scary movies are best enjoyed with a snack, such as popcorn (61%), chips (47%) and pizza (44%).

Green and orange poster presenting survey results about American adults' enjoyment of horror movies and consumption of wrapped vs loose candy during Halloween
Seven in 10 (71%) are also likely to opt for a bowl of candy to complement their Halloween movie viewing experience. The majority (77%) prefer individually wrapped candy compared to loose-leaf (15%). SWNS

Seven in 10 (71%) are also likely to opt for a bowl of c⛎andy to complement their Halloween movie viewing experience. The majority (77%) prefer individually wrapped candy compared to loose-leaf (15%).

In fact, it takes an av♛erage of jusﷺt 43 minutes into a movie before the candy bowl needs restocked.  

Acco✱rding to the results, family-friendly Halloween flicks pair best with gummyꦬ candy (21%), while paranormal and supernatural content should be enjoyed while eating something chocolatey (37%). 

Fruit candy is best with animated horror movies (20%) and if a🔯 slasher movie is on the screen, Americans are most likely to enjoy Halloween-themed candy (18%), such 💛as gummy spiders or chocolate eyeballs.

“Halloween and candy go hand-in-hand, and there are a variety of candy opti🗹ons to choose from to satisfy all preferences during the season,” said Kawabe. “Whether you prefer chewy, fruity, sour or gummy candy, you can’t go wrong with a mix of your favorites during the holiday festivities.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who celebrate Halloween; the survey was commissioned by HI-CHEW and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between August 9 and August 16, 2024.