Defining Horror Subgenres: An Exploration of Terror’s Many Faces, Part 1: Introduction

Horror thrives by confronting us with our deepest fears and darkest nightmares. It also offers food for thought, and can surprise us with its psychological and philosophical depth, and with the full spectrum of non-fear based emotions. It can elicit every kind of reaction in the audience – from laughter to tears.

It’s a genre defined not by uniformity but by its ability to mutate and adapt. Like a life-threatening virus, each horror subgenre has its own distinct flavour of fear. And, like certain viruses, horror subgenres can merge with each other, or with other genres of film entirely.

They can form countless hybrids (take as an example the zombie romantic comedy or zom-rom-com). As a general rule, each horror subgenre focuses on a slightly different fear or storytelling style, but often the same film exemplifies two or more subgenres.

Below is a list of the main ones, some of which we’ll take a closer look at in the future. Please feel free to post in the comments if we’ve missed any, or let us know which horror subgenres are your favourites and why!

We’ve included some examples from our inaugural dedicated Raindance Horror weekend, which will run from 8.30 PM on Thursday 19 June until Sunday night, 22 June 2025. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

Here is a list of common horror subgenres:

1. Psychological Horror

Focuses on the mental, emotional, and psychological states of characters. Rather than relying on jump scares, these films delve into fears of madness, delusions, and deep-seated trauma.

Examples: Roman Polanski’s Repulsion (1965), Black Swan (2010), The Babadook (2014)

Our Happy Place (2024), the directorial feature debut of Paul Bickel, will have its International Premiere at Raindance on Friday 20 June, at 3.30 PM.

Buy a ticket to Our Happy Place here

Or buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

2. Supernatural Horror

Involves otherworldly elements like ghosts, demons, or hauntings. The fear comes from the unknown or entities beyond human understanding.

Examples: Poltergeist (1986), Ju-On: The Grudge (2002), A Tale of Two Sisters (Janghwa, Hongryeon) (2003)

 

 

3. Slasher

Features a killer who stalks and murders a group of people, usually in a graphic and violent manner. Often, the killer has an iconic weapon or method of killing.

Examples: Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A blend of slasher, satirical horror, and all-out wild ride, Deformelody (2025), a directorial feature debut from Joshua Rivera, will have its International Premiere at Raindance on Thursday 19 June, at 8.30 PM.

Buy a ticket to Deformelody here

Or buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

4. Body Horror

Focuses on grotesque transformations, mutilations, or extreme physical abnormalities. The horror comes from the human body being altered or destroyed in disturbing ways.

Examples: The Fly (1958), Videodrome (1983), The Substance (2024)

Thinestra (2025), the directorial feature debut of Nathan Hertz, will have its World Premiere at Raindance on Friday 20 June, at 1 PM.

Buy a ticket to Thinestra here

Or buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

5. Folk Horror

Explores rural or isolated settings with elements of folklore, rituals, and often paganism. The fear often stems from tradition, isolation, or the clash between modern and ancient beliefs.

Examples: Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971), The Wicker Man (1973), Midsommar (2019)

Loner (2005), a directorial feature debut by Charlie Robb and Douglas Tawn, will have its World Premiere at Raindance on Saturday 21 June, at 10.30 AM.

Buy a ticket to Loner here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

Dirty Boy (2024), the psychological folk horror directorial feature debut of Doug Rao, will have its UK Premiere at Raindance on Sunday 22 June, at 6.45 PM.

Buy a ticket to Dirty Boy here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

6. Gothic Horror

Combines horror, romance, and tragedy, often set in eerie, atmospheric locations like haunted castles or old estates. Themes of death, the supernatural, and cursed families are common.

Examples: The Phantom of the Opera (1962), The Woman in Black (1989), Crimson Peak (2015)

7. Found Footage Horror

The story is presented as if the footage was discovered after being recorded by the characters, lending a sense of realism. It’s often shaky and raw, creating tension through its ‘authenticity’.

Examples: Cannibal Holocaust (1980), The Blair Witch Project (1999), Cloverfield (2008)

The Lost Episode (2024), directed by Nick Wernham, will have its European Premiere at Raindance on Sunday 22 June, at 9.30 PM.

Buy a ticket to The Lost Episode here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

8. Zombie Horror

Centres around the reanimated dead, usually depicted as mindless, flesh-eating monsters. The horror typically comes from the collapse of society and the fear of becoming part of the horde or being devoured by it.

Examples: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972), The Rezort (2015)

9. Creature Feature / Monster Horror

Features monstrous animals or mutated creatures terrorizing humanity. These films are often driven by action and survival rather than psychological fear.

Examples: King Kong (1933), Jaws (1975), The Host (2006)

10. Home Invasion Horror

Focuses on the terror of being attacked in your own home. The fear here is often grounded in reality, playing on the vulnerability and safety we associate with domestic spaces.

Examples: Funny Games (1997), Jackals (2017), The Strangers (2018)

11. Torture Porn

Known for its extreme depictions of violence, gore, and suffering. These films often prioritise shock value and visceral reactions over plot, but the best ones constitute powerful cautionary tales with a strong moral or philosophical message.

Examples: Saw (2004), Hostel (2005), WAZ (a.k.a. The Killing Gene) (2007)

12. Comedy Horror

Balances scares with humour, sometimes subverting traditional horror tropes. These films can blend physical comedy with gruesome imagery.

Examples: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010), Cockneys vs Zombies (2012), The Invisible Raptor (2024)

Snatchers (2024), the directorial feature debut of Craig Alexander and Shelly Higgs, will have its World Premiere at Raindance on Saturday 21 June, at 8.30 PM.

Buy a ticket to Snatchers here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

13. Survival Horror

Focuses on characters who must survive against dangerous forces, whether it’s nature, monsters, or other humans. The emphasis is often on desperation, tension, and fear of death.

Examples: The Descent (2005), Black Water (2007), Frozen (2010)

The Run (2025), an interactive film by Paul Rashid will have its World Premiere at Raindance on Friday 20 June, at 6.45 PM. The audience gets to vote on what actions the protagonist takes, ultimately determining who will survive!

Buy a ticket to The Run (interactive film) here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

14. Techno-Horror / Cyber-Horror

Explores fear related to technology, artificial intelligence, or the digital world. These films tap into anxieties about our reliance on machines and technological advancement.

Examples: Demon Seed (1977), Dream House (1998), Cell (2016)

15. Science Fiction Horror

Combines elements of horror with sci-fi concepts like space exploration, aliens, or dystopian futures. The horror often stems from the unknown or existential threats.

Examples: Alien (1979), The Thing (1982), Event Horizon (1997)

16. Vampire Horror

Focuses on the bloodsucking undead as supernatural predators. These films often explore themes of immortality, seduction, and predation.

Examples: Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1958), Let the Right One In (2008)

17. Werewolf Horror

Features lycanthropy, where humans transform into werewolves, usually tied to primal urges and uncontrollable transformation.

Examples: An American Werewolf in London (1981), Ginger Snaps (2000), Late Phases (a.k.a. Night of the Wolf) (2014)

18. Lovecraftian Horror / Cosmic Horror

Centres around the idea of forces beyond human understanding, often involving ancient, god-like beings. The fear comes from confronting the insignificance of humanity in the grand cosmos.

Examples: the Dunwich Horror (1970), The Void (2016), The Color Out of Space (2019)

Srishti (2025), the directorial feature debut of Paul Antar, will have its World Premiere at Raindance on Saturday 21 June, at 6.00 PM.

Buy a ticket to Srishti here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

19. Occult Horror

Focuses on witchcraft, black magic, and demonic rituals. Often features secret societies or individuals dabbling in forbidden knowledge.

Examples: Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), The Omen (1976)

Shaman (2024) by Antonio Negret will have its European Premiere at Raindance on Saturday 21 June, at 1 PM.

Buy a ticket to Shaman here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

20. Post-Apocalyptic Horror / Apocalyptic Horror

Set after a global disaster (natural, supernatural, or human-made), where survivors face not only the collapse of society but often horrifying creatures or circumstances.

Examples: Mad Max (1979), I am Legend (2007), The Road (2009)

21. Rape Revenge

Involves the victim of sexual assault taking revenge on the perpetrators. The revenge may be taken by the victim’s loved ones (often if the victim is murdered by the perpetrators). Overlap with exploitation films and vigilante thrillers.

Examples: Last House on the Left (1972), I Spit on Your Grave (1978),  Savaged (a.k.a. Avenged) (2013)

Zhaza (2024), by Darkhan Tulegenov, will have its European Premiere at Raindance on Sunday 22 June 2025, at 2.00 PM.

Buy a ticket to Zhaza here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

22. Portmanteau / Anthology Horror

Consists of several short films or segments linked together (often by a common theme or framing device) to form a whole.

Examples: Tales that Witness Madness (1973), Cat’s Eye (1985), Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Dui Shaw (2025) by Nuhash Humayun will have its UK Premiere at Raindance on Sunday 22 June, at 10.30 AM.

Buy a ticket to Dui Shaw here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

23. Meta Horror

Horror that is self-aware and comments on the horror genre itself.

Examples: Scream (1996), The Cabin in the Woods (2011), The Final Girls (2016)

24. Giallo / Horror-Thriller

Hailing from Italy, these are horror-thrillers known for their stylish camerawork, and violent crime narratives. They often feature elements of mystery, suspense, lavish murder scenes, and jarring musical scores.

Examples: Blood and Black Lace (1964), Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972), Deep Red (1975)

Saturnalia (2024), the directorial feature debut of Daniel Lerch, has its World Premiere at Raindance on Friday 20 June, at 9.30 PM. It is a fitting tribute to the films of Italian masters like Dario Argento, with music by legendary giallo composer Claudio Simonetti.

Buy a ticket to Saturnalia here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

25. Cannibal Horror

These films generally fall under the wider umbrella of extreme horror (formerly known as ‘video nasties’) and often have jungle or rainforest settings.

Examples: Last Cannibal World (a.k.a. Cannibal, a.k.a. Jungle Holocaust) (1977), Cannibal Ferox (1981), The Green Inferno (2013)

26. Mad Scientist / Mad Doctor Horror

Centres on scientists experimenting with dangerous and unethical procedures, often resulting in horrific consequences. These films explore themes of scientific ambition, abuse of power, the dangers of tampering with nature or the unknown.

Examples: The Tingler (1959), Re-Animator (1985), The Human Centipede (2009)

27. Hoodie Horror

Epitomising fear of the feral underclass bubbling up to the surface, these films typically feature hooded working-class youths terrorising respectable middle-class people.

Examples: Them (2006), Eden Lake (2008), F (2010)

28. Arthouse Horror / Art Horror / Elevated Horror

These films experiment with artistic uses of horror, often exploring psychological themes, the depths of human fear, and the subconscious. They frequently push boundaries with cinematography, sound design, and editing.

Examples: Eraserhead (1977), Suspiria (1977), Antichrist (2009)

29. Splatter / Gore

The focus is on explicit portrayals of gore and graphic violence. These films, usually through the use of special effects, display a fascination with the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation.

Examples: The Wizard of Gore (1970), Demons (1985), Tokyo Gore Police (2008)

30. Schlock Horror

Often characterized by being excessive, over-the-top, and intentionally bad or cheesy, but in a way that is still entertaining. These films frequently lean into campiness and self-aware silliness, often with low budgets and amateur acting.

Examples: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957), Bad Taste (1987), Frankenhooker (1990)

31. Animated Horror

Made using techniques like hand-drawn animation, stop-motion, or computer animation. All types of horror, from classic ghost stories, cosmic horror and psychological horror to rape revenge. Includes Horror Anime, often adapted from Manga.

Examples: Belladonna of Sadness (1973), Watership Down (1978), Perfect Blue (1997)

32: Backwoods Horror / Hicksploitation / Hixploitation

Centres on the dangers and terror lurking in remote, rural wilderness areas, often far from civilization. It typically involves characters encountering monstrous or savage individuals, groups, or situations that thrive in the isolated setting.

Examples: The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Wrong Turn (2003), Wolf Creek (2005)

33. Musical Horror / Horror Musical

Blends the genres of horror and musical theatre. These films typically feature elements of both – such as scary storylines, suspenseful atmospheres, and musical numbers, often incorporating songs into the narrative.

Examples: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006), Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)

34. Erotic Horror

Blends sensual or sexual imagery with horrific elements. It can explore the darker side of human relationships, including power dynamics and sexual attraction, within a context of psychological suspense and danger.

Examples: Daughters of Darkness (1971), Possession (1981), Nekromantik (1987)

35. Inanimate Object Horror

Focuses on the terrifying power or agency of non-living things to cause harm or terror. This subgenre often explores themes of the uncanny, where familiar objects take on a sinister or unnatural presence.

Examples: Christine (1983), The Refrigerator (1991), The Drone (2019)

36. Historical Horror / Period Horror

These films are set in the past, exploring themes and settings from historical periods. They incorporate elements of horror (the supernatural, psychological suspense, or gore), while also reflecting the culture and societal anxieties of the time.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Black Death (2010), The Witch (2015)

37. Nazi Zombie Horror

Zombie films featuring Nazi soldiers reanimated by scientific experiments or occult rituals (typically to fight for the Third Reich) have become a popular subgenre in their own right. They explore the lingering threat of Nazism and the potential for evil to resurface.

Examples: Shock Waves (1977), Outpost (2008), Dead Snow (2009)

38. Horror Westerns

Blend the themes and settings of the Western genre with elements of horror, such as supernatural creatures, or extreme violence. They often feature classic Western tropes like cowboys, outlaws, and frontier settings, but add a layer of fear and suspense.

Examples: Curse of the Undead (1959), John Carpenter’s Vampires (a.k.a. Vampires) (1998), Bone Tomahawk (2015)

39. Liminal Horror / Liminal Space Horror

Focuses on creating a sense of unease and dread through unsettling environments that exist in a transitional or undefined state. Locations that feel both familiar and foreign (eg., endless corridors) induce a feeling of being disoriented, untethered from reality.

Examples: Lost Highway (1997), Donnie Darko (2001) (premiered at Raindance), Silent Hill (2006)

40. Fantasy Horror

Incorporates magical elements, mythical creatures, or alternate worlds, typical of fantasy, alongside horror elements like suspense, jump scares, and disturbing imagery. Dark in tone, these films explore themes of fear, death and the unknown.

Examples: Nightbreed (1990), Solomon Kane (2010), The Shape of Water (2017)

41. Social Horror / Social Commentary Horror / Socially Conscious Horror

Magnifies real-world societal issues, transforming them into the central source of fear to highlight just how broken society truly is.

Examples: They Live (1988), The Purge (2013), Get Out (2017)

White Guilt (2025) by Marcus Flemmings has its World Premiere at Raindance on Sunday 22 June 2025, at 4.30 PM.

Buy a ticket to White Guilt here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

42. Horror that defies catogorisation

Once in a while a horror film comes along that doesn’t fit neatly into any one subgenre. Or two. Or ten.

Hole (2024) by Dejan Babosek will have its UK premiere at Raindance on Saturday 21 June, at 3.30 PM. It has been described as a dark comedy spaghetti western crime caper horror-slasher, inspired, among other things, by exploitation films of the 1970s and 1980s. But that epithet still doesn’t capture the spirit of the thing. We hope you’ll be able to join us at the Vue Piccadilly and perhaps post in the Comments how you would categorise it.

Buy a ticket to Hole here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

A Final Note on Regional Horror

As the list of horror subgenres continues to mutate and spawn ever more monstrous offspring, horror films from different regions have developed distinct stylistic and thematic identities, becoming subgenres of their own. Perhaps the best known examples are: J-horror (Japanese Horror), which, with its eerie atmosphere and psychological dread, often explores supernatural folklore and lingering spirits, and K-horror (Korean Horror), which brings a mix of brutal realism and societal critique.

Our J-horror at Raindance this year is The Invisible Half (2024), a World Premiere and directorial debut from Masaki Nishiyama. It will screen on Friday 20 June, at 10.30 AM.

Buy a ticket to The Invisible Half here

Buy a Raindance Horror Pass for ALL the Horror Features – Just £75 – HERE

From Ozploitation (Australian) Horror, which leans into the raw, violent, and sometimes surreal qualities of the Australian outback, to Southern Gothic Horror, with its dilapidated mansions, murky bayous, and dark secrets of the American South, the evolving landscape of horror subgenres is as diverse and disturbing as the real world in which we live.

Here’s to keeping horror where it belongs – on our screens!

Let’s keep the list going!

Yours in Horror,

Aunt Agony