When it comes to genres in film, silly movies simply can’t compare with the unique place that scary movies have in the film industry. Horror movies are not just more entertaining to watch but often are meaningful experiences. 

The eerie sounds, unexpected jumps, and heart-pounding moments create an intense emotional experience. During these moments, your flight or fight response is activated and the adrenaline hormone is secreted. While there are many theories as to why this experience is so satisfying, Penn Medicine suggests that it is due to the “emotional thrill”, and the ultimate sense of relief at the end that sends you back for more. This experience often leads to more value due to the memorable shared experience you create with those watching the movie with you. 

Horror films frequently use allegory to convey messages about real-world issues—societal fears, mental health struggles or existential crises. For instance, classic films like “Get Out” (2017) or “Us” (2019) by director Jordan Peele, address racial tensions and grief in ways that resonate on a deeper level. With these kinds of films, the message isn’t thrown directly at your face. It’s kind of like reading something assigned by your English teacher, you thought you understood it completely, but there was a completely different perspective to look at. 

Silly movies might entertain with meaningless, or sometimes hurtful humor, but they often lack the rich layers of meaning that horror can provide while also being an escape from the real world.

For some, scary movies cause laughter amidst the terror. The absurdity of certain horror tropes or the exaggerated reactions of characters can cause laughter. While watching a movie like “Scream” (1996) you can’t help but roll your eyes and laugh a bit while this movie follows the common trope of stupidly falling right into the hands of the killer. This experience makes you want to scream at the screen but also can’t help but laugh at the stupidity of the characters. This enhances the overall experience, allowing viewers to appreciate the humor in fear.

While you can watch silly movies all year long, horror thrives in the fall season. The crisp air and falling leaves compliment the eerie atmosphere that scary movies provide. During this season, people tend to embrace fear and it creates a nostalgic feeling. The combination of complex emotion, adrenaline, nostalgia and meaning that is unmatched in scary movies, creates a much more memorable and valuable cinematic experience.