Horror Movies Fun Facts

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We’ve created this list of 25 fun facts about Horror Movies for your enjoyment and for you to share with friends!

Horror Movies Fun Facts


Table of Contents

What Are Horror Movies

Horror movies are a genre of film that aim to elicit feelings of fear, dread, and terror in the audience. These movies often feature supernatural or paranormal elements, as well as graphic violence and gore.

Horror films can be subcategorized into various genres, such as slasher movies, zombie movies, haunted house movies, and psychological horror films. Many horror films are designed to shock and scare viewers, using jump scares, eerie music, and atmospheric lighting to create a sense of suspense and unease.

The horror genre has a long history in cinema, dating back to the silent film era, and remains a popular and enduring genre in contemporary film culture.

Fun Facts about Horror Movies

Here are 25 fun facts about Horror Movies:

  1. The first horror movie ever made was Le Manoir Du Diable (The House of the Devil) in 1896, directed by Georges Méliès.
  2. The first feature-length horror film was The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, released in 1920.
  3. The word “horror” comes from the Latin word “horridus,” meaning “bristling with fear.”
  4. The Exorcist (1973) was the first horror film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
  5. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) was the first movie to show a toilet flushing on screen.
  6. The infamous shower scene in Psycho took seven days to shoot and features 77 different camera angles.
  7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) was inspired by real-life serial killer Ed Gein.
  8. The name “Jason” from Friday the 13th (1980) was originally intended for the character of the killer’s mother.
  9. The Blair Witch Project (1999) was made on a budget of $60,000 but grossed over $248 million worldwide.
  10. The iconic mask worn by Michael Myers in Halloween (1978) was a Captain Kirk mask from Star Trek painted white.
  11. Jaws (1975) was the first movie to ever gross over $100 million at the box office.
  12. The Shining (1980) is said to be cursed due to strange occurrences on set and the fact that the hotel where it was filmed is believed to be haunted.
  13. The demonic voice of Pazuzu in The Exorcist was created by combining the voices of Mercedes McCambridge, a heavy smoker and recovering alcoholic, and a lion’s roar.
  14. The iconic shower scene in Psycho features no actual nudity.
  15. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is the only horror movie to ever win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
  16. The original title for The Thing (1982) was Who Goes There?
  17. The characters in The Evil Dead (1981) were originally intended to be high school students, but the age range was changed to college students due to budget constraints.
  18. The Babadook (2014) became a meme on social media due to its resemblance to the character of the “Gru’s Plan” meme.
  19. The Ring (2002) was a remake of a Japanese horror film called Ringu.
  20. The original cut of The Exorcist was over three hours long but was later edited down to its current runtime of two hours and 12 minutes.
  21. The Conjuring (2013) was based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
  22. The haunted house in The Amityville Horror (1979) was actually the scene of a real-life mass murder.
  23. The original title for Night of the Living Dead (1968) was Night of the Flesh Eaters, but it was changed due to a copyright issue.
  24. The creature in Alien (1979) was originally designed to have eyes, but director Ridley Scott thought it would be scarier without them.
  25. The slasher film genre was largely popularized by the success of Halloween (1978).

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about horror movies!

Most Popular Horror Movies – Horror Movie Fun Facts

Here are some fun facts about horror movies and the most popular horror movies of all time, in terms of box office success and critical acclaim.

  1. The Exorcist (1973) – grossed over $441 million worldwide
  2. The Sixth Sense (1999) – grossed over $672 million worldwide
  3. Jaws (1975) – grossed over $470 million worldwide
  4. A Quiet Place (2018) – grossed over $340 million worldwide
  5. The Conjuring (2013) – grossed over $319 million worldwide
  6. Psycho (1960) – grossed over $50 million worldwide (equivalent to over $500 million today)
  7. The Shining (1980) – grossed over $47 million worldwide
  8. The Ring (2002) – grossed over $249 million worldwide
  9. Get Out (2017) – grossed over $255 million worldwide
  10. Halloween (2018) – grossed over $255 million worldwide

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and popularity can vary based on a variety of factors, including release date, cultural relevance, and critical reception.

Most Popular Horror Directors – Horror Movie Fun Facts

Here are some fun facts about horror movies and the most famous horror movie directors throughout history.

  1. Alfred Hitchcock – known as the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock directed horror classics such as Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963).
  2. John Carpenter – a pioneer of the slasher film genre, Carpenter directed horror classics such as Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982).
  3. Wes Craven – known for his ability to subvert horror tropes and create new horror franchises, Craven directed horror classics such as A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Scream (1996).
  4. George A. Romero – credited with creating the modern zombie genre, Romero directed horror classics such as Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Dawn of the Dead (1978).
  5. James Wan – a modern horror master, Wan directed horror hits such as Saw (2004), The Conjuring (2013), and Insidious (2010).
  6. Dario Argento – an Italian horror icon, Argento directed horror classics such as Suspiria (1977) and Deep Red (1975).
  7. Guillermo del Toro – known for his unique visual style and love of monsters, del Toro directed horror hits such as Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and The Shape of Water (2017).
  8. Tobe Hooper – known for his use of gritty realism and social commentary in horror, Hooper directed horror classics such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and Poltergeist (1982).
  9. Sam Raimi – known for his innovative use of camera work and dark humor in horror, Raimi directed horror classics such as The Evil Dead (1981) and Drag Me to Hell (2009).
  10. Jordan Peele – a modern horror icon, Peele directed horror hits such as Get Out (2017) and Us (2019), which explore social and political issues through the horror genre.

Why People Like Horror Movies

Here are another 25 random fun facts about Earth:

There are several reasons why people enjoy watching horror movies, and these can vary from person to person. In addition to the fun facts about horror movies, here are some of the most common reasons:

  1. Adrenaline Rush: Horror movies can create a sense of excitement and suspense that can trigger the release of adrenaline in the body, which can be an exhilarating experience.
  2. Escapism: Horror movies can provide a temporary escape from reality and allow viewers to immerse themselves in a different world.
  3. Catharsis: Watching horror movies can provide a sense of emotional release, as viewers can experience fear and anxiety in a safe and controlled environment.
  4. Social Bonding: Horror movies can be a shared experience among friends and family, creating a sense of community and shared excitement.
  5. Thrill Seeking: Some people simply enjoy the thrill of being scared, and horror movies can provide a controlled way to experience fear.
  6. Psychological Exploration: Horror movies can explore deeper psychological themes, such as fear, trauma, and the human psyche, which can be intellectually stimulating for some viewers.

It’s important to note that not everyone enjoys horror movies, and some people may find them too frightening or disturbing.

The First Horror Movie

Here are some fun facts about the first horror movie.

The first recognized horror movie is generally considered to be “Le Manoir du Diable” (“The House of the Devil”), a silent short film directed by Georges Méliès in 1896.

The movie is just over three minutes long and features several supernatural elements, including bats, witches, and a demon. In the film, a man enters a spooky castle and is tormented by various supernatural creatures until he finally defeats the devil himself.

While the film may not be as scary as modern horror movies, it was groundbreaking for its time and set the stage for the horror genre to come. It was also notable for its use of special effects and innovative techniques, which were pioneered by Méliès himself.

Horror Movie Records – Horror Movie Fun Facts

Here are some more horror movie fun facts about horror movie records.

  1. Highest Grossing Horror Movie: It (2017) currently holds the record for the highest grossing horror movie of all time, having earned over $700 million worldwide.
  2. Longest Horror Movie Franchise: The Godzilla franchise currently holds the record for the longest horror movie franchise, with over 35 films released since the first movie in 1954.
  3. Most Expensive Horror Movie: The most expensive horror movie ever made is reportedly The Wolfman (2010), with a reported production budget of $150 million.
  4. Most Successful Horror Movie Franchise: The most successful horror movie franchise in terms of box office earnings is the Resident Evil series, which has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide across its six films.
  5. Most Awards Won by a Horror Movie: The most awards won by a horror movie is currently held by The Silence of the Lambs (1991), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
  6. Most Horror Movie Sequels: The horror movie franchise with the most sequels is the Friday the 13th series, which has 12 sequels in addition to the original film.
  7. Most Consecutive Horror Movie Sequels: The Hellraiser franchise currently holds the record for the most consecutive horror movie sequels, with nine films released in a row from 1987 to 2011.

Horror Movie Awards – Horror Movie Fun Facts

Horror movies are eligible for many of the same awards as other genres, including major awards like the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. However, there are also several specialized awards given specifically for horror movies. Here are some more fun facts about horror movie awards.

  1. Saturn Awards: The Saturn Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films to honor the best in science fiction, fantasy, and horror across film and television.
  2. Fangoria Chainsaw Awards: The Fangoria Chainsaw Awards are presented by the horror magazine Fangoria to honor the best in horror across film and television.
  3. Scream Awards: The Scream Awards were an annual awards show presented by Spike TV from 2006 to 2011 to honor the best in horror, sci-fi, and fantasy across film, television, and comic books.
  4. Horror Writers Association Bram Stoker Awards: The Bram Stoker Awards are presented annually by the Horror Writers Association to honor the best in horror writing across various categories, including novels, short stories, and screenplays.
  5. Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies): While not specifically for horror movies, the Golden Raspberry Awards are presented annually to honor the worst in film, and many horror movies have been nominated for (and sometimes won) Razzies over the years.

Horror Movie Quotes

In addition to the fun facts about horror movies, here are some quotes about them:

  1. “Horror movies are the best date movies. There’s no wondering, ‘When do I put my arm around her?’ You’ve got your arm around her the whole time.” – Vince Vaughn
  2. “Horror movies are the most important genre in cinema.” – Guillermo del Toro
  3. “Horror movies are like a massage for the adrenal gland.” – Wes Craven
  4. “Horror movies don’t exist on their own. They’re like a virus. They get into you, and they make you feel ill.” – Dario Argento
  5. “Horror movies are the most fun to make because you’re constantly coming up with new ways to scare people.” – James Wan
  6. “Horror movies tap into our primal fears and desires. They give us a controlled way to experience our deepest fears and face them head-on.” – Jordan Peele
  7. “Horror movies are a way of confronting our fears and anxieties in a safe and controlled environment. They allow us to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche.” – Stephen King
  8. “Horror movies are like roller coasters. They give you a controlled thrill ride that you can get off at any time.” – Eli Roth
  9. “Horror movies are an escape from reality, but they also reflect the anxieties of our time.” – John Carpenter
  10. “Horror movies are the ultimate form of entertainment. They make you laugh, they make you cry, and they make you scream.” – Robert Englund

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about horror movies!

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Horror Movies Fun Facts

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about horror movies!

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