Explain It to Me

Why horror kills at the box office

47 snips
Sep 14, 2025
Join Paul Daguerrebedian, Head of Marketplace Trends for Comscore, as he dives into the booming horror film industry. Discover the psychological pull of horror movies and why they dominate the box office this year. Paul discusses the quirky success of sequels and the blend of humor with horror, showing how laughter can enhance fear. The conversation also touches on nostalgia and the evolution of horror cinema, exploring its cultural significance and lasting impact on audiences across generations.
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INSIGHT

Horror's Timeless Core

  • Horror's core is a sense of dread that hasn't fundamentally changed since silent-era films like Nosferatu.
  • That dread relies on communal theater energy and audiovisual cues to trigger fear in audiences.
ANECDOTE

Sneaking Into The Exorcist

  • Paul Daguerrebedian recalls being snuck into The Exorcist as a child and experiencing collective theater reactions.
  • He remembers the communal electricity of audiences collectively jumping at scares.
INSIGHT

Horror Is Bolstering The Box Office

  • Horror is now a major box-office driver and has already surpassed a billion dollars domestically in 2025.
  • Sequels and standout releases like The Conjuring Last Rites propelled the genre to record earnings.
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