Sub-genres of Horror

Before deciding what genre we would do for a coursework task we had to do a little background research on the different subgenres of Horror if we were to choose it. Here is a list of the different subgenres we found, a definition and examples of films in that subgenre.

Science-fiction Horror
This subgenre is based on scientific or technological advances, environmental changes, space and that
related to it such as life on other planets, travelling back in time and also science related disasters.

Examples of successful horror films in the science-fiction subgenre are:

Alien(1979) and Godzilla(2014)


                                   
Action Horror
This subgenre involves heroes and heroines challenging themselves through a series of events including fight scenes with lots of violence. They tend to feature a struggling victim facing life-threatening situation due to the actions of a villain, they generally have a happy ending where the conclusion is victory for the hero.

Examples of successful horror films in the action horror subgenre are:

Feast(2005) and Predator(1987)



Psychological Horror
This subgenre aims to create discomfort using emotional vulnerabilities and fears. Plot twists are often used within this subgenre to build tension and characters commonly face internal battles with subconscious desires which tend to end in a disaster.

Examples of successful horror films in the psychological horror subgenre are:

Rosemary's Baby(1968) and The Shining(1980)



Zombie Horror
This subgenre revolves around zombies, which are fictional creatures- usually portrayed as reanimated corpses or virally infected human beings. Distinct subgenres have been extracted such as 'zombie comedy' and 'zombie apocalypse'.

Examples of successful horror films in the zombie horror subgenre are:

Messiah of Evil(1973) and White Zombie(1932)



Gothic Horror
This subgenre is a type of story that contains elements of both goth and horror. It may include romance that unfolds in the setting of a horror tale, usually suspenseful. Lots of the earlier horror movies were of this subgenre.
Examples of successful horror films in the gothic horror subgenre are:

Dracula(1931) and Kill Baby Kill(1966)

Natural Horror
This particular subgenre may be confused with the adventure, action and science fiction subgenre due to the many similarities, According to Wikipedia, it involves horror films "featuring nature running amok in the form of mutated beasts, carnivorous insects, and normally harmless animals or plants turned into cold-blooded killers."

Examples of successful horror films in the natural horror subgenre are:

Bats(1999) and Alligator(1980)



Splatter Horror
This subgenre focuses on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence; they tend to display a large amount of interest in the vulnerability of the human body.

Examples of successful horror films in the splatter horror subgenre are:

Hostel(2005) and Train(2008)



Slasher Horror
This subgenre often involves a masked serial stereotypical killer who murders teenagers and young adults through violent means.

Examples of successful horror films in the slasher horror subgenre are:

Scream(1996) and Friday the 13th(1980)




Comedy Horror
This subgenre is a combination of elements from both comedy and horror fiction; it almost always crosses over the black comedy genre.

Examples of successful horror films in the comedy horror subgenre are:

Jennifer's Body(2009) and Teeth(2007)