Horror Subgenres Explained: A Complete Guide

Horror isn’t just one thing. From the shadowy halls of gothic castles to the neon-soaked thrills of slasher films, the genre has splintered into dozens of styles over the decades. These horror subgenres each bring their own flavour of fear, appealing to different audiences and creating space for endless creativity.

Why Horror Subgenres Matter

Understanding the subgenres of horror is valuable whether you’re a fan discovering new favourites, a writer looking for inspiration, or simply curious about why some stories terrify while others make you laugh. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the most popular and enduring horror subgenres, highlighting key traits and examples from horror movies and books, without spoiling the chills.

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Gothic Horror: Shadows and Decay

Few subgenres of horror are as foundational as Gothic horror. This style blends atmosphere, decay, and the supernatural with themes of madness and isolation.

Gothic horror emerged in the late 18th century, with Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764) often considered the first Gothic novel. Gothic horror reflects cultural anxieties about decay, morality, and the unknown, while pioneering many of the tropes horror still uses today: haunted and crumbling castles, candlelit corridors, family secrets, and ghostly atmospheres.

This subgenre grew out of Romanticism, blending medieval settings, supernatural forces, and human psychology. Writers like Ann Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis built the foundations, while later authors like Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) and Bram Stoker (Dracula) solidified gothic horror as a cornerstone of the genre.

Traits:

• Haunted or decaying settings.
• Themes of madness, repression, or family secrets.
• Intense atmosphere often outweighs gore.

Examples:

• Books: Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
• Movies: Crimson Peak (2015), The Others (2001).

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Psychological Horror: Fear of the Mind

Though horror has always tapped into fear of the mind, psychological horror solidified as a distinct style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Influenced by Freud and the rise of psychology, writers like Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The Yellow Wallpaper) and Henry James (The Turn of the Screw) explored perception, sanity, and paranoia.

Film later pushed this further with Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho) and Roman Polanski (Repulsion).

Psychological horror emerged alongside modern understandings of mental health, shifting the locus of fear from external monsters to the human mind itself.

Traits:

• Unreliable narrators.
• Blurring of reality and imagination.
• Emphasis on tension and unease rather than spectacle.
• A build-up of suspense rather than shock or jump scares.

Examples:

• Books: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
• Movies: Black Swan (2010), Hereditary (2018).

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Body Horror: Fear of Transformation

Body horror traces its lineage back to Gothic literature, especially Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818). But it blossomed in the 20th century with advances in science and anxieties about disease, mutation, and technology. The 1970s and 80s saw a golden age in cinema, with directors like David Cronenberg (The Fly, Videodrome) pioneering visceral depictions of bodily transformation.

Body horror mirrors cultural fears of science gone wrong, viruses, and the fragility of flesh; themes that resurface strongly during times of medical or technological upheaval.

Many creators and directors are continually striving to take it to the “next level” by depicting increasingly graphic themes, shocking ideas, and pushing the boundaries of grotesqueness.

While some people draw a line at a certain level of graphic, many enjoy seeing how far a movie or a scene can take it. Many revel in the shock factor and enjoy seeing how long it takes them to become thoroughly grossed out.

For others still, body horror is fascinating from a physical and scientific standpoint. Even when something is not possible in the real world, it can be interesting to fantasize about it.

Traits:

• Graphic depictions of the body.
• Themes of infection, mutation, transformation, or loss of control.
• Strong element of disgust mingled with fear.
• Not always bloody, but usually shocking and some level of disgusting.

Examples:

• Books: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Troop by Nick Cutter.
• Movies: The Fly (1986), The Thing (1982).

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Slasher Horror Subgenres: The Killer Next Door

While pulp crime and early horror films featured killers, the slasher subgenre crystallized in the 1970s. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) and Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom (1960) are proto-slashers, but John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) defined the modern formula: a relentless killer, teenage victims, and a final showdown.

The 1980s explosion (with films like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street) cemented the slasher as a dominant force, helping shape the writing of slasher horror for generations to come.

Slasher horror represents fears of vulnerability in everyday life; suburban homes, summer camps, and quiet towns suddenly become deadly. It’s also a form of fun and fantasy for some; how unique and creative can the kills get? What is each killer’s signature?

Slashers, even ones that are modern and polished, often come with some level of cheesiness or “camp,” which is what makes them fun. Viewers enjoy seeing things taken to the next level because it’s fake and it’s not taking itself too seriously.

Traits:

• A masked or otherwise distinct killer.
• High tension punctuated by bursts of violence.
• Characters are often archetypal (the skeptic, the rebel, the “final girl”).

Examples:

• Books: There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins.
• Movies: Halloween (1978), Scream (1996).

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Monster Horror: Beasts and Creatures

Monsters are as old as myth. From Beowulf’s Grendel to folkloric vampires and werewolves, monsters have always reflected cultural anxieties.

Monster horror as a horror subgenre solidified in early 20th-century cinema with Universal Studios’ Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Wolf Man (1941). Later, atomic-era fears gave rise to giant monster movies like Godzilla (1954).

Monster horror often personifies societal fears, disease, foreign threats, nature’s wrath, in physical form. It also taps into longstanding myths and legends (think the Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster) that evoke genuine fear and mystery, while naturally stretching people’s imaginations.

Traits:

• A central creature or force.
• Characters must survive, fight, or understand the monster.
• Can range from terrifying to action-oriented.

Examples:

• Books: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (for a gothic-monster blend).
• Movies: Jaws (1975), A Quiet Place (2018).

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Supernatural and Paranormal Horror: Beyond the Veil

Ghost stories are among the oldest horror tales, found in folklore across cultures. In Western literature, ghost stories experienced a surge in popularity during the Victorian era, with authors such as M.R. James and Sheridan Le Fanu becoming well-known for their contributions.

Film followed with classics like The Innocents (1961), and the 21st century brought franchises like The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity.

Supernatural horror reflects belief in, and fear of, forces beyond human control, often tied to religion, mortality, and tradition. Supernatural and paranormal stories are so popular because we don’t truly know what’s out there.

While many have firsthand experiences, studies have been conducted, and certain “proof” has been found, there’s still much mystery about what lies beyond.

This leaves the door wide open for writers and creators to tap into typical fears, stretch existing legends, or come up with something entirely new to terrify audiences with.

Traits:

• Spirits, hauntings, curses, or unexplained phenomena.
• Reliance on atmosphere, sound, and tension.
• Often tied to religion, folklore, or cultural fears.

Examples:

• Books: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, Hell House by Richard Matheson.
• Movies: The Conjuring (2013), The Ring (2002).

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Cosmic Horror: The Fear of the Unknown

Cosmic horror (or “Lovecraftian horror”) emerged in the early 20th century through H.P. Lovecraft’s work. Unlike gothic horror’s supernatural entities, cosmic horror emphasizes incomprehensible, indifferent forces.

Its philosophical foundation: humanity is insignificant in a vast, uncaring universe. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu (1926) set the tone, later influencing books, films, and games.

Cosmic horror resonates during times of scientific discovery and existential questioning, reflecting fear not of monsters, but of our own fragility.

Traits:

• Indifferent or incomprehensible cosmic entities.
• Emphasis on atmosphere and philosophy.
• Fear comes from not understanding, and not being able to.

Examples:

• Books: The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft, The Fisherman by John Langan.
• Movies: The Mist (2007), The Color Out of Space (2019).

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Comedy Horror: Scares with a Smile

Blending humour and horror goes back further than many think; even early Gothic novels sometimes poked fun at themselves. In film, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) is an early example. However, the subgenre gained momentum with satirical films like An American Werewolf in London (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and later meta-horror films like Scream (1996).

Comedy horror thrives on poking fun at our fears, offering release while still delivering thrills. It often becomes a commentary on the genre itself. While many excellent original works exist in this genre, there’s also a sub-sect of “spoof” movies that would be classified as comedy horror.

This is when a movie takes an existing film and “remakes” it, but swaps the scares for sillies. The Scary Movie franchise is an excellent example of this. These movies spoof multiple classic horror films simultaneously, providing fans with a good laugh while referencing their favourite characters, stories, and iconic scenes.

Traits:

• Self-aware humour about horror clichés.
• Balance of tension and comedic relief.
• Can be campy, satirical, or slapstick.
• Can still be a little spooky, but not too much.

Examples:

• Books: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix, My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix.
• Movies: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010).

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Cozy Horror: Spooky but Safe

Cozy horror is a relatively new label, emerging in the 2010s and 2020s alongside the rise of cozy fantasy and cozy mystery. While stories like Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book (2008) and movies like Coraline (2009) predate the label, they embody the style: spooky yet whimsical; eerie yet comforting. The rise of “spooky season” culture, BookTok, and genre blending has created a clear space for cozy horror.

Cozy horror expands the genre by welcoming readers who enjoy the aesthetic of horror but prefer a less traumatic or gory experience. It’s horror for the faint of heart, or those who just want pumpkins and ghosts with their tea.

Traits:

• Whimsical or familiar settings with eerie twists.
• Relatable, likable characters.
• Low or no gore, with themes of connection and community.
• A positive overall message.
• A happy or at least neutral ending.

Examples:

• Books: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck (witchy fantasy with cozy horror vibes).
• Movies: Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), Hocus Pocus (1993).

Horror Subgenres at a Glance:

Subgenre	Core Traits	Examples
Gothic Horror	Decay, haunted settings, atmosphere over gore, family secrets, madness.	Dracula, The Haunting of Hill House, Crimson Peak.
Psychological Horror	Paranoia, unreliable narrators, blurred reality, dread without monsters.	The Yellow Wallpaper, Hereditary, Black Swan.
Body Horror	Transformation, infection, mutation, loss of control, graphic imagery.	Frankenstein, The Thing, The Fly.
Slasher Horror	Masked killer, rising body count, archetypes, suspense + shock kills.	Halloween, Scream, There’s Someone Inside Your House.
Monster Horror	Central creature, survival vs beast, allegory for deeper fears.	I Am Legend, Jaws, A Quiet Place.
Supernatural / Paranormal	Ghosts, curses, hauntings, unexplained forces, eerie atmosphere.	The Turn of the Screw, The Conjuring, The Ring.
Cosmic Horror	Indifferent universe, incomprehensible forces, existential dread.	The Call of Cthulhu, The Fisherman, The Mist.
Comedy Horror	Humor + horror tropes, satire or parody, scares softened with laughs.	Shaun of the Dead, Tucker & Dale vs Evil, Horrorstör.
Cozy Horror	Spooky but safe, whimsical settings, low gore, warmth + fear balanced.	The Graveyard Book, Coraline, Hocus Pocus.

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Why Horror Subgenres Keep Thriving

The beauty of horror is its adaptability. Each subgenre reflects the cultural fears of its time: gothic horror’s obsession with decay, body horror’s fascination with mutation, cosmic horror’s dread of insignificance. With newer categories like cozy horror gaining popularity, the genre continues to evolve.

Exploring different horror subgenres helps readers find stories that align with their tastes and enables writers to discover the tools best suited to their ideas. Whether you want psychological unease, campy fun, or creature-feature thrills, there’s a horror subgenre for you.