It’s that time of year again. That time to get in the mood to feel a little bit terrified and watch your favorite scary movie. 

Junior Alle, a junior at State High says his favorite scary movie is Halloween Kills.

Scary movies have been around for over one hundred years. Horror movies or scary movies are drawn from superstitions, folk stories, and religious beliefs. Early stories involved witches, vampires, demons, werewolves, and ghosts.  

As children, we heard scary stories, whether they were made up and shared around the campfire, or read to us by our parents, we have always had a fascination with feeling scared. 

As we grow into teenagers, our fascination with horror only increases. In fact, a CBS News Poll  found that 71% of Americans under the age of 35 enjoy scary movies. Those numbers decrease as we get older. According to Partner Science Norway  “by watching horror films one can have a sense of control over both the situation, or viewing experience, and over the feeling of fear. It kicks us into survival mode. ¨Watching a scary film may also function as a distraction from other feelings.” As teens,¨ we all need a little bit of escape from everything else we face in our day to day lives.

Elsa Strickland, a junior at State High, said her favorite horror movie is Scream. Strickland loves a good Halloween spook scare and that burst of adrenaline only a horror movie can offer. She also said it’s a good bonding experience to watch these types of movies with other people. Healthline reported that scary movies can even do more than offer a good scare, they can also reduce stress and anxiety. 

Wes Craven, the director of A Nightmare on Elm Street, stated that “horror films don’t create fear, they release it.” That adrenaline rush that Strickland mentioned may actually be good for some viewers’ frame of mind. 

This doesn’t mean that horror movies are for everyone. Healthline reported that those who are more sensitive to anxiety could have increased feelings of stress or panic.ke Nate Price, a junior at State High, viewers may prefer comedy over horror. Perhaps you’re part of that 29% and the horror genre is just not for you.

Stephen King is one of my favorite scary people. He has written some of the most disturbing  books which have given us some of the most terrifying movies. Stephen King has said, “ we watch horror movies to show that we can, that we are not afraid, that we can ride the roller coaster.” It’s as simple as that; horror movies provide a thrill and feeling of bravery. Afterwards, we will probably tell our friends about the experience and want to do it all over again. I know I (and many others) will be tuning into my favorite horror movie this Halloween season.