horror (films)

Horror is a popular film genre designed to frighten and thrill with familiar elements (monsters, killers, vampires, zombies, aliens, mad scientists, the devil or demons, etc.), gothic qualities or settings (e.g., castles), psychological terror, etc. Initially influenced by German expressionism. Horror subgenre types include slasher films, occult films, and gore-fests; often combined with the sci-fi genre.