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The Future of Horror is on Your Couch!

Grab some popcorn and a few drinks and come along with us on a journey into the future of our beloved horror genre. We have peered into the crystal ball and all gns are pointing to the home video market for some of the best horror gems that 20 years ago would have made it to the lver screen.



Times are changing Bidites and as movie ticket sale prices continue to rise the profitability of movies in cinemas continue to decrease. Last year for example the industry witnessed a 5 year low for movie theater profits which included a tittle wave of films shot in 3D which, as we all know, raise ticket prices by some 30 percent. No matter how many comic book movies and James Cameron pictures they make, sales for theaters continue to decline.

This has many people in Hollywood clamoring for ways to salvage the nking ship. Deals like MoviePass, which recently announced a package to charge $50 to moviegoers to allow them to see as many films as they want in a 1 month time period are being thrown around. While this may be great for you and I, it has studios and investors up in arms wondering how they will turn a profit with such slim margins. This is just one example of movie theaters trying to keep their heads above water by hopefully getting people into the theaters, enticing them to pick up a $8 popcorn and $5 beverage.

So what does this slump have to do with horror? Unfortunately more than any other genre we are afraid. Horror films by default are generally cheaper movies to make. You would think this would be good news, right? Yes and no. On one hand it is great for the horror genre. Films like PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and INDIOUS were made on ridiculously low budgets and scored insane numbers at the box office. Great news on one hand but for every diamod in the rough you have other films (literally too many to list) that flop. Because of this Hollywood is leery of betting on horror and who can blame them?

Most horror films are inherently adult themed and thus are given a rated R standing. This is disastrous for many movie studios because it literally cuts profits in half. In the 70's and 80's film studios could get away with marketing rated R horror movies to a younger generation because the policy for allowing children into see them films were laxed. This was the same mentality that cigarette companies used with mascots like Joe Camel. They used old Joe to market to kids because although you were supposed to be 18 to buy a pack of smokes most stores weren't following the law. It wasn't enforced like it is today. This is the same conundrum that studios face when marketing a rated R horror film. The laws are much stricter and getting in to see SCREAM 4 at the box office if you're underage is much more difficult today than say it was to get in to see the original SCREAM in 1996.

So that brings us to the future. With movie tickets continuing to slide and with home theaters getting better and better we envion the future of horror blending into straight DVD/Blu-ray releases. This doesn't mean that horror will be out of the theaters entirely but you will see studios taking less and less risks as the years move on (much like they are now, betting solely on proven remake franchies).

This just means that we as a horror community have to be more vigilante with the future of horror. We need to make sure that the hidden home market gems get the attention that theatrical releases do today. It is already starting. The most notable example is the fantastic horror anthology TRICK R' TREAT which was shelved only to be released on DVD and Blu-ray. A film that not only should have been shown in theaters but would have probably dominated the box office for the month of October.

Its our duty to look into the future and make sure we keep pace with the changing times. No matter what happens horror is going nowhere and to be honest, a future of straight-to-video horror is not a bad thing. It will allow lower budget artists and directors the ability to shock and awe us much like they did back in the glory days. Yes, horror has a bright future. You just may need to lock your doors at home, put the kids to bed and turn off your phones to enjoy it.

Great story Justin. I always look forward to reading your editorial pieces.

Great story Justin. I always look forward to reading your editorial pieces.

i agree and also I for one don't think this is a bad thing. we don't have to watch the movies that hollyweird dumbs down for us and we can get the unrated and r rated horror movies most of us want. good article and it makes sense about the marketing aspect. never thought of it that way.

This is good stuff. I already find myself watching a lot more direct to video horror films rather than going to theaters

This is good stuff. I already find myself watching a lot more direct to video horror films rather than going to theaters Same here man! I usually feel more satisfied after watching a dvd horror film than in the theater because most mainstream horror films are a big disappointment. After leaving the theater feeling cheated and super dissapointed with Scream 4, it was really refreshing to watch INDIOUS and leave the theater happy. INDIOUS is one film that is a great exception but it's fun to borrow films from friends or take a chance and buy an indie horror dvd. I recently watched INDE on dvd for the first time and thought it was great. I wish we had more horror films like that film in the U.S. and theaters would probably benefit if they showed the UNRATED cut's of the film's. I'm ranting on but either way horror will never die...NEVER!

Great article.

I can count on one hand the number of horror movies I've seen in theaters in the past year.

Like you mentioned, studios are hedging their bets and leaning so heavily toward remakes/reboots that there mply aren't many horror movies I'm interested in paying to see at the theater these days, and the ones I would pay to see obviously don't appeal to the tween crowd, so studios drag their feet releang them.

I usually check in here and see if there are any new movies that people are raving about, then head to Netflix to see if I can stream them, or track them down elsewhere.

If skipping the theater altogether means I won't have to wait years to watch and incredible movie like Trick 'r Treat then I say go for it.

I enjoy watching horror movies on dvd,but there are certain film's that I want to see in the theatre and those are the big franchise film's such as A Nightmare on Elm street,Friday the 13th,Halloween,Hellraiser,Child's Play and The Texas chainsaw massacre.Other than those franchise's continuing hopefully several sequel's into the future Im hoping there will be more Redent Evil and Undeworld sequel's to cometo the theatre. Each of them has another sequel coming soon for both of those franchises.There's a new Halloween and Texas chainsaw massacre also coming next year.I would be content with the flag ship franchises being in the theatre representing the horror genre along with an original horror film every once in awhile.Everything else can go to direct to dvd.That sounds reasonable.The Scream franchise should get a few more sequel's in the theatre also because I saw Scream 4 when it came out and it was awesome seeing such a great movie on the lver screen.I can't hardly wait to see the new Halloween and Texas chainsaw massacre next year.Im really looking forward to those sequels to those blockbuster franchise's.

I enjoy watching horror movies on dvd,but there are certain film's that I want to see in the theatre and those are the big franchise film's such as A Nightmare on Elm street,Friday the 13th,Halloween,Hellraiser,Child's Play and The Texas chainsaw massacre.Other than those franchise's continuing hopefully several sequel's into the future Im hoping there will be more Redent Evil and Undeworld sequel's to cometo the theatre. Each of them has another sequel coming soon for both of those franchises.There's a new Halloween and Texas chainsaw massacre also coming next year.I would be content with the flag ship franchises being in the theatre representing the horror genre along with an original horror film every once in awhile.Everything else can go to direct to dvd.That sounds reasonable.The Scream franchise should get a few more sequel's in the theatre also because I saw Scream 4 when it came out and it was awesome seeing such a great movie on the lver screen.I can't hardly wait to see the new Halloween and Texas chainsaw massacre next year.Im really looking forward to those sequels to those blockbuster franchise's. Good point man, I also agree that the big franchise films should always get a theatrical release but I have to disagree with Scream 4 being a "great film" but hey to each their own.

Look Down for my response...

I for one LOVE independent movies. I love supporting an artist by buying, watching, and reviewing their film. It brings me much more joy then seeing something like Final Destination 4 (which I personally thought was kinda boring) that has the budget and does nothing with it. Don't get me wrong seeing Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy, ect. that's all fine and dandy, but I want ORIGINAL things. Sequels are great but I would rather watch a new, fresh original idea. I also like to buy or find old VHS tapes of independent films from the 80's to watch. All those old cheesy slashers bring me joy. I just like original stories. I don't care if it's ripped off of Halloween or it's a slasher, as long as it has that story and characters, I'm fine. To me it's still original. Like that movie Chaos is one of my favorite movies. Sure it's the rip off of Last House, but I still enjoyed it. I like to enjoy what I'm watching, no matter if it makes me cry, laugh, or be scared. Also, I want to talk bout people downloading bootlegs of movies on the internet. That's another reason no one goes to the movie's anymore. You can have the damn thing at your house on your tv in half an hour. I personally think that is the laziest thing. If you can't get your lazy ass up and go pay 8 damn dollars to go see and support your movies! Like with Scream 4. Damn, people had it on their TV's OPENING WEEKEND! Then when Scream 4 doesn't make enough money and so the Weinstein bros. don't want to try and make anymore, the people that downloaded the bootleg complain. I saw that movie 4 damn times in the theater trying, desperately to support it and give it money so we could see a Scream 5 and 6, while these lazy ass people get it off the internet in half an hour. That's ridiculous. People that do that are KILLING MOVIES they are KILLING FILMS do they not understand. When you download that thing and watch it with your family that's 4 people that could have gotten a ticket and supported that movie. Now all the Scream fans will have NO scream 5 or 6. Soon, we won't have anything and everyone will just go online and download a movie OPENING NIGHT! And then complain to me and other fans that saw Scream 4 in theaters MULTIPLE times on the forums that we won't have a Scream 4. I'm like "well how many times did you go to the theaters to see it?' They say "Oh no, I downloaded it". HOW WILL SOMEONE COMPLAIN ABOUT SCREAM 4 NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AND THEN TURN OUT TO NOT EVEN SUPPORT IT BY BUYING A TICKET?!?!?!?!? It's ridiculous. It's ashame. People don't even have enough respect for the people that worked their asses off to make that movie to buy a ticket. What is the world of movie-goers coming to?

Oooo so sorry about that rant there. That's just my view of that subject. Very good article though.

I for one LOVE independent movies. I love supporting an artist by buying, watching, and reviewing their film. It brings me much more joy then seeing something like Final Destination 4 (which I personally thought was kinda boring) that has the budget and does nothing with it. Don't get me wrong seeing Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy, ect. that's all fine and dandy, but I want ORIGINAL things. Sequels are great but I would rather watch a new, fresh original idea. I also like to buy or find old VHS tapes of independent films from the 80's to watch. All those old cheesy slashers bring me joy. I just like original stories. I don't care if it's ripped off of Halloween or it's a slasher, as long as it has that story and characters, I'm fine. To me it's still original. Like that movie Chaos is one of my favorite movies. Sure it's the rip off of Last House, but I still enjoyed it. I like to enjoy what I'm watching, no matter if it makes me cry, laugh, or be scared. Also, I want to talk bout people downloading bootlegs of movies on the internet. That's another reason no one goes to the movie's anymore. You can have the damn thing at your house on your tv in half an hour. I personally think that is the laziest thing. If you can't get your lazy ass up and go pay 8 damn dollars to go see and support your movies! Like with Scream 4. Damn, people had it on their TV's OPENING WEEKEND! Then when Scream 4 doesn't make enough money and so the Weinstein bros. don't want to try and make anymore, the people that downloaded the bootleg complain. I saw that movie 4 damn times in the theater trying, desperately to support it and give it money so we could see a Scream 5 and 6, while these lazy ass people get it off the internet in half an hour. That's ridiculous. People that do that are KILLING MOVIES they are KILLING FILMS do they not understand. When you download that thing and watch it with your family that's 4 people that could have gotten a ticket and supported that movie. Now all the Scream fans will have NO scream 5 or 6. Soon, we won't have anything and everyone will just go online and download a movie OPENING NIGHT! And then complain to me and other fans that saw Scream 4 in theaters MULTIPLE times on the forums that we won't have a Scream 4. I'm like "well how many times did you go to the theaters to see it?' They say "Oh no, I downloaded it". HOW WILL SOMEONE COMPLAIN ABOUT SCREAM 4 NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AND THEN TURN OUT TO NOT EVEN SUPPORT IT BY BUYING A TICKET?!?!?!?!? It's ridiculous. It's ashame. People don't even have enough respect for the people that worked their asses off to make that movie to buy a ticket. What is the world of movie-goers coming to?

Oooo so sorry about that rant there. That's just my view of that subject. Very good article though.It was a long rant but a much needed one, I too agree! Although I went opening night to see Scream 4, it really didn't do much for me but that's my opinion. INDIOUS is a film that people should support, I went to the screening they had last night and got to meet James Wan and Leigh Whannel, it was awesome! I was waiting to see if I was going to win the dvd for free on here but didn't so now I will go buy instead of downloading it. Another reason I like to buy the dvd's instead of downloading them is because I like to see the special features and the artwork.

It was a long rant but a much needed one, I too agree! Although I went opening night to see Scream 4, it really didn't do much for me but that's my opinion. INDIOUS is a film that people should support, I went to the screening they had last night and got to meet James Wan and Leigh Whannel, it was awesome! I was waiting to see if I was going to win the dvd for free on here but didn't so now I will go buy instead of downloading it. Another reason I like to buy the dvd's instead of downloading them is because I like to see the special features and the artwork.

I didn't get to see it in theaters, so the day it came out I watched it on OnDemand and then the next day I have an email saying I won it on here I was like YES SPECIAL FEATURES l0l! I'm with you though, I love holding the DVD in my hands and then watching everything on it like commentary, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, interviews, ect. I just love all that stuff!

And with SCRE4M, I thought it was good, but you know, it was just one of those movies you see because of the ghostface mask, I mean I saw it 4 times, once on opening night, saturday, sunday, then next saturday with friends haha. It was just a movie that had re-watch value IMO. But at least you went out and saw it, some ppl downloaded it and had watched it before I had even gotten to the theater, it's ashame.

It was a long rant but a much needed one, I too agree! Although I went opening night to see Scream 4, it really didn't do much for me but that's my opinion. INDIOUS is a film that people should support, I went to the screening they had last night and got to meet James Wan and Leigh Whannel, it was awesome! I was waiting to see if I was going to win the dvd for free on here but didn't so now I will go buy instead of downloading it. Another reason I like to buy the dvd's instead of downloading them is because I like to see the special features and the artwork.

I didn't get to see it in theaters, so the day it came out I watched it on OnDemand and then the next day I have an email saying I won it on here I was like YES SPECIAL FEATURES l0l! I'm with you though, I love holding the DVD in my hands and then watching everything on it like commentary, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, interviews, ect. I just love all that stuff!

And with SCRE4M, I thought it was good, but you know, it was just one of those movies you see because of the ghostface mask, I mean I saw it 4 times, once on opening night, saturday, sunday, then next saturday with friends haha. It was just a movie that had re-watch value IMO. But at least you went out and saw it, some ppl downloaded it and had watched it before I had even gotten to the theater, it's ashame. I'm kind of dissapointed that there aren't more special features on the dvd but either way, I'd rather have the dvd case to look at than a blank dvd that says INDIOUS on it in my crappy hand writing haha

I'm kind of dissapointed that there aren't more special features on the dvd but either way, I'd rather have the dvd case to look at than a blank dvd that says INDIOUS on it in my crappy hand writing haha

I haven't gotten my copy yet (it's being shipped from horrorbid) but dvd's don't really have a lot of special features now-a-days. I don't know why, but dvd's have really become lackluster IMO But yeah, I would still like to have a phycal copy.

I for one LOVE independent movies. I love supporting an artist by buying, watching, and reviewing their film. It brings me much more joy then seeing something like Final Destination 4 (which I personally thought was kinda boring) that has the budget and does nothing with it. Don't get me wrong seeing Ghostface, Michael Myers, Jason, Freddy, ect. that's all fine and dandy, but I want ORIGINAL things. Sequels are great but I would rather watch a new, fresh original idea. I also like to buy or find old VHS tapes of independent films from the 80's to watch. All those old cheesy slashers bring me joy. I just like original stories. I don't care if it's ripped off of Halloween or it's a slasher, as long as it has that story and characters, I'm fine. To me it's still original. Like that movie Chaos is one of my favorite movies. Sure it's the rip off of Last House, but I still enjoyed it. I like to enjoy what I'm watching, no matter if it makes me cry, laugh, or be scared. Also, I want to talk bout people downloading bootlegs of movies on the internet. That's another reason no one goes to the movie's anymore. You can have the damn thing at your house on your tv in half an hour. I personally think that is the laziest thing. If you can't get your lazy ass up and go pay 8 damn dollars to go see and support your movies! Like with Scream 4. Damn, people had it on their TV's OPENING WEEKEND! Then when Scream 4 doesn't make enough money and so the Weinstein bros. don't want to try and make anymore, the people that downloaded the bootleg complain. I saw that movie 4 damn times in the theater trying, desperately to support it and give it money so we could see a Scream 5 and 6, while these lazy ass people get it off the internet in half an hour. That's ridiculous. People that do that are KILLING MOVIES they are KILLING FILMS do they not understand. When you download that thing and watch it with your family that's 4 people that could have gotten a ticket and supported that movie. Now all the Scream fans will have NO scream 5 or 6. Soon, we won't have anything and everyone will just go online and download a movie OPENING NIGHT! And then complain to me and other fans that saw Scream 4 in theaters MULTIPLE times on the forums that we won't have a Scream 4. I'm like "well how many times did you go to the theaters to see it?' They say "Oh no, I downloaded it". HOW WILL SOMEONE COMPLAIN ABOUT SCREAM 4 NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AND THEN TURN OUT TO NOT EVEN SUPPORT IT BY BUYING A TICKET?!?!?!?!? It's ridiculous. It's ashame. People don't even have enough respect for the people that worked their asses off to make that movie to buy a ticket. What is the world of movie-goers coming to?

Oooo so sorry about that rant there. That's just my view of that subject. Very good article though. I completely agree with everything you said. Whatever happened to original ideas? I enjoyed Orphan which sadly was hated on by most people I talk to....

Very good article. It's correct in every aspect. Especially this part:

"This just means that we as a horror community have to be more vigilante with the future of horror. We need to make sure that the hidden home market gems get the attention that theatrical releases do today."

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