Horror Subgenres Explained: A Complete Guide for New Fans

Horror is far more than just jump scares and masked killers. The genre has evolved over more than a century of filmmaking into a rich ecosystem of subgenres, each offering distinct flavors of fear. Whether you're new to horror or looking to expand your horizons, understanding these categories can help you find exactly the type of scare you're craving.

The slasher subgenre exploded in the late 1970s and dominated the 1980s. Characterized by a masked or disfigured killer stalking and dispatching victims one by one, slashers gave us iconic villains like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger. These films often feature a "final girl" protagonist who survives through wit and determination. Modern slashers like the Scream franchise have added meta-commentary while honoring the traditions that made the subgenre legendary.

Supernatural horror deals with forces beyond our understanding: ghosts, demons, possessions, and hauntings. Films like The Exorcist, The Conjuring, and Hereditary tap into primal fears about what happens after death and whether evil forces truly exist. This subgenre often explores themes of faith, family trauma, and the thin veil between our world and whatever lies beyond.

Folk horror draws from rural settings, pagan traditions, and the unsettling nature of isolated communities. The Wicker Man (1973) is the quintessential example, while modern entries like Midsommar and The Witch have revitalized interest in this atmospheric subgenre. Folk horror excels at creating dread through beautiful yet menacing landscapes and the terror of outsiders encountering ancient customs.

David Cronenberg is the undisputed master of body horror, which focuses on the violation, transformation, or destruction of the human body. Films like The Fly, Videodrome, and more recently Titane explore our anxieties about physical autonomy, disease, and the boundaries of human identity. Body horror makes the familiar—our own flesh—terrifyingly alien.

Psychological horror relies on mental and emotional terror rather than explicit gore. Films like Black Swan, The Shining, and Get Out burrow into your psyche, making you question reality alongside the characters. This subgenre often deals with mental illness, paranoia, gaslighting, and the horrors that exist within the human mind itself.

Popularized by The Blair Witch Project in 1999, found footage horror presents itself as discovered recordings of real events. This format creates an immediacy and authenticity that traditional filmmaking can't match. Paranormal Activity, REC, and Host have proven that the subgenre continues to evolve, with filmmakers finding creative new ways to justify why characters keep filming during terrifying situations.

The beauty of horror's diversity means there's something for everyone. If you're squeamish about gore, psychological and supernatural horror offer intense experiences without excessive blood. If you love a good monster, creature features and body horror deliver transformative terror. And if you appreciate atmosphere over action, folk horror and slow-burn films reward patient viewers with unforgettable dread. The genre is vast—start exploring and find what haunts you best.