AOL Video-Fangoria Poll Reveals What Scares Us Most In Horror Movies

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It’s Halloween and it’s time to spend time with our favorite horror movies, including classics like Psycho, and more recent scary movies, like the Saw trilogy. So what is it about these flicks that make our hearts race and keep us coming back for more? According to a new survey from AOL Video and Fangoria magazine, it’s the sense of the unknown, cited by the majority of fans (26 percent) as the scariest element in a horror movie.

What else scares us? Horror movie fans also find they start to tremble when scary elements can’t be seen, but they know they are there (15 percent) and during scenes related to personal phobias, such as the fear of the dark (10 percent). Meanwhile, eight percent of fans are most scared when they see blood and gore, and also when they hear dramatic music (8 percent).

This new AOL® Video-Fangoria poll also surveyed fans to determine which character scares them the most. The poll found respondents equally scared of supernatural beings, such as werewolves, aliens and zombies, and serial killers (both 23 percent). The sinister child (17 percent), the slasher (10 percent) and the undead (8 percent) round out the top-five.

“We like to be scared, so horror movie fans, like me, actively seek out films that won’t let us down,” said Tony Timpone, Editor, Fangoria. “We look for movies that feature characters most likely to scare us, like aliens and serial killers, even clowns. Scary movies can offer a natural high for both the serious horror fan and the moviegoer who checks out the horror flick at Halloween.”

In this survey, respondents were also asked what makes a good horror movie. The leading responses included:

• Good storyline & script: 22 percent
• The build-up of suspense: 21 percent
• Realism, that it could happen to you: 21 percent
• Special effects: 10 percent
• Good actors: 9 percent

Finally, in the ongoing debate over which is a better horror movie, the big budget blockbuster (63%) blew away the low budget indy film (27%). The results were similar in the battle between the R-rated horror film (71%) versus the PG-13 scary movie (19%).

In reflecting on the movie elements and characters that scare us the most, AOL Video and Fangoria compiled the “Top-Five Scariest Horror Movie Moments” in a highlights reel available for free viewing at http://www.aolvideo.com/halloween. These frightening movie moments include:

1) “Psycho:” the famous shower scene

2) “The Exorcist:” Linda Blair projectile vomiting at the priest

3) “The Shining:” ‘Here’s Johnny…’

4) “Alien:” The alien bursting out of John Hurt’s chest

5) “Poltergeist:” The evil clown appears and chokes the boy

For more great horror moments on AOL Video, viewers can check out the In2TV™ Halloween Channel, which features free television programs like Freddy's Nightmares and Dark Realm, as well as free movies, including the original versions of The House of Wax and The Mummy. AOL Video also features dozens of pay-to-download, full-length movies, such as Psycho, The Thing, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. For even more horror content, check out www.fangoria.tv.

Methodology
Survey results are based upon a telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation among a national sample of 511 men and 509 women aged 18 years and older living in the continental United States. Interviews took place during the period October 19-22, 2006. Findings among horror movie fans are based on 337 people who have ever watched a horror movie.

About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs the country's largest Internet access business, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.

About Fangoria
Fangoria Entertainment owns and operates the renowned monthly horror publication FANGORIA Magazine and the horror genre’s #1 online destination Fangoria.com. Fangoria Entertainment also produces the popular weekly 3-hour live radio show FANGORIA RADIO airing Friday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio, hosted by renowned heavy metal frontman for Twisted Sister and horror film producer-actor Dee Snider with celebrated Scream Queen and radio veteran Debbie Rochon serving as Snider’s sidekick. Established in May 1979, FANGORIA Magazine and Website rank as America’s #1 source for horror news and entertainment. Both the magazine and the website remain the most sought-after source of movies, videogames, television series, books and toys that comprise the burgeoning world of horror entertainment. This October www.Fangoria.TV launched as a broadband horror network on the web, featuring original programming, classic movies and lots more. Fangoria Entertainment is also a prime producer of horror conventions held throughout the year in major cities nationwide. In addition, the Fangoria video label is home to a collection of contemporary horror film titles in distribution on DVD and VHS.