A rising force across mediums
Once viewed largely as a niche category, the horror genre has expanded into a dominant force spanning gaming, film, and television. Fuelled by factors like the influence of indie games, viral memes, and online platforms such as YouTube, horror now commands sales figures and box office returns that rival major blockbusters while often requiring lower production budgets.
Success in film and streaming
The genre’s commercial strength is evident at the box office, where films from young directors who started on YouTube—such as Obsession and Backrooms—have raked in nearly $1 billion combined despite modest budgets. Meanwhile, independent projects like Iron Lung have drawn more than $50 million without major studio backing.
Streaming services have similarly leaned into the genre, treating October as a competitive window for horror releases. Platforms have rolled out high-profile series, ranging from Amazon’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie helmed by Mike Flanagan to Netflix’s sea monster thriller Below, Peacock’s Friday the 13th prequel Crystal Lake, and Apple TV’s Emmy-winning horror-comedy hybrid Widow’s Bay.
Gaming and future outlook
In the gaming sector, franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill continue to drive substantial revenue. Capcom reported a quarterly sales record tied to the ongoing popularity of Resident Evil, noting a virtuous cycle where new and past titles grow together. According to Twitch data, viewers watched 287 million hours of horror content between January and September, marking a 6 percent increase in viewership over the previous year.
With low upfront investment costs and high potential returns, studios and publishers are continuing to back new horror projects, including upcoming sequels, adaptations of internet phenomena like Siren Head and the SCP Foundation, and upcoming titles for consoles and streaming.
By the way
- Success in one medium does not always cross over; while Silent Hill found renewed strength in games, its recent film adaptation received less traction.
- Studios are actively pursuing internet-born horror properties, though adaptations involving Creative Commons material have occasionally sparked controversy.
- Streaming platforms are also experimenting with interactive horror formats, such as Netflix’s Unhinged and a Conjuring spinoff.
