Is it just me, or have there been more horror movies being made than normal? With social media algorithms programmed to show you more of what you like, than just show you what’s going on, it’s harder to tell these days. It’s hard to tell if it’s me or the circles I run in. But I swear horror has been on the rise, and in a big way lately. Not just in films, but in comics as well. Since I wasn’t quite sure, I turned to the one thing that could give me the answers I was looking for: Google.
Turns out, I was right on the mark. Horror is indeed in a sort of “golden age.” I started to notice it in the past couple of years, especially with these A24 movies coming out. A24 is a studio that specializes in artsy horror. Scary movies that tend to be more cinematic while still being terrifying. An example would be Midsommar, a psychological horror movie that’s weird AF and mostly takes place in broad daylight. It seems to me A24 is advertising a new horror movie to me every three or four months or so. I mean, how fast are they making these films?
Which is a good question. Although, I don’t know how fast, I did find some stats on the rise of horror movies:
The number of horror movies made each year has been growing steadily, but in the past two decades or so, there’s been a notable shift. In 2000, around 200 horror films were produced, but by 2016, this number had risen to more than 1,000, according to The Horror Report. The genre now makes up more than 10% of all feature films made.
Virginmedia.com
And those numbers were pre-pandemic. I think that number has probably increased since then. But, that rise isn’t just in movie theaters. I think comics have shown evidence of the same trend. Although, horror and comics have always been great bedfellows.
The 1970’s brought us Swamp Thing. “Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson’s creature creation has served as an avatar for society’s eco-awareness, or lack thereof. When Alan Moore took over Swamp Thing, Vol. 2, he continued the environmental themes while also addressing issues like identity crises.”-syfy.com. The 1990’s introduced us to Gaiman’s The Sandman and took risks that can still shock today’s readers. And then there’s the world we live in today:
Now here we are, at a time that is as turbulent a period in American history as we’ve seen. The present day resembles the upheaval of the early-to-mid-’70s, with a president facing a potentially impeachable scandal, economic divisiveness at a precarious peak, and overall uncertainty over the nation’s global standing. Back then, horror comics as well as feature films like The Exorcist were planting a flag in the zeitgeist. Is it a coincidence that during a similarly tumultuous time we’re seeing the same sort of stories gaining a foothold?
Mike Avila from syfy.com
Horror comics are indeed having a moment, but that shouldn’t be a surprise.
What is surprising is that I’m finding myself wanting to read those stories more and more. Full disclaimer. I’m not a horror movie fan. I mean, I’ve seen several of the classics: Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and so on. But I don’t seek out horror movies like others do. Except zombie movies. I love a good zombie flick, but I can do without the rest. They’re just not how I want to spend a couple hours of my time.
And yet a few of my favorite writers are either horror writers, or are involved in writing horror stories. James Tynion IV has been on a hot streak for years now. What with his titles: Something is Killing the Children, The Nice House on the Lake and The Department of Truth, all being bestsellers. I’m currently reading Night of the Ghoul by Scott Snyder, which is better than I thought it was going to be. As well as a series by R.L. Stine-yes, that R.L. Stine of Goosebumps fame-who is writing a series called Stuff of Nightmares. I’m even writing a horror-thriller comic of my own. I know! I was as surprised as you are!
“Watching a scary movie or reading a horror comic provides the chance to get the fear out of our system and then safely compartmentalize it,” says Mike Avila from Syfy.com. Maybe that’s what’s going on with me. Maybe I’m trying to exercise those demons. It’s possible I’m using it to better understand the crazy that’s out in the world. Whatever the case may be, the resurgence of horror’s popularity implies that I’m not alone. And that in itself is comforting.
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