Halloween Film and TV Viewing Habits 2024

As Halloween wrapped up, horror fans worldwide settled in with their favourite scary movies and chilling TV shows, creating a unique snapshot of what horror content captivated audiences this spooky season. Using JustWatch‘s October 2024 streaming charts, we take a look at the horror viewing habits of the UK and the US, highlighting the most popular movies, series, and streaming platforms where fans got their fright fix.

Horror TV Shows: US vs. UK Favorites

When it comes to horror TV shows, the United States and the United Kingdom each had their own preferences, though some series were popular across both countries. Here’s a breakdown of what Halloween TV binge-watching looked like on both sides of the Atlantic.

Top TV Shows in the United States

In the US, JustWatch’s data shows that viewers gravitated toward a mix of new releases and cult horror classics. The top TV show was From, a mystery-horror series about a nightmarish town that traps anyone who enters. Its high ranking reflects a growing trend of horror shows that mix supernatural elements with psychological dread.

Coming in second was Yellowjackets, a genre-bending thriller that combines survival horror with supernatural themes, which has amassed a strong following since its debut. Rounding out the top three was AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, a fresh adaptation of Anne Rice’s iconic vampire saga. The updated series appears to have reignited interest in gothic horror, appealing to those craving a dark and atmospheric viewing experience for Halloween.

Other fan-favorites in the US included HBO’s The Last of Us, based on the acclaimed video game, and the classic The Twilight Zone, which continues to be a Halloween staple. Shows tied to The Walking Dead universe also remained popular, with The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and Fear the Walking Dead both making the list. This enduring zombie obsession reflects the resilience of apocalyptic horror among American audiences.

Top TV Shows in the United Kingdom

Across the pond, British audiences had slightly different tastes, though some overlap with the US is clear. At the top of the UK’s horror streaming chart was The Last of Us, indicating that the gripping story of survival in a zombie-ridden world resonated with UK viewers as much as it did with those in the US.

From also took second place in the UK, demonstrating the show’s universal appeal with its high-tension, mystery-based horror. Rounding out the UK’s top three was Attack on Titan, the popular anime series where humanity battles monstrous Titans in a post-apocalyptic world. This is an interesting addition, as it suggests a significant audience in the UK for horror-infused anime.

Other favorites included the comedic vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, which placed fourth and seems to appeal to audiences looking for humor in horror. The UK’s list also featured The Terror and American Horror Story, two anthology series with distinct themes, which speaks to the British appetite for varied storytelling styles in horror.

Horror Movies: Top Scares in the US and UK

Moving on to horror movies, there were some striking differences between the top picks in the UK and the US, though a few films emerged as favorites in both regions. Halloween 2024 offered a wide range of horror films for every taste, from extreme gore to psychological terror.

Top Movies in the United States

In the US, Terrifier 2 claimed the top spot, proving that this slasher sequel still has a dedicated fan base. Its gruesome, over-the-top kills have helped Art the Clown become a cult icon among gore-hounds, and Terrifier 2 continues to thrive on streaming platforms each Halloween season. And this was no doubt helped by the recent release of the controversial third part of the franchise, which will have sparked new interest in Art’s antics.

The second most-watched movie was Five Nights at Freddy’s, which taps into nostalgia and animatronic horror. This adaptation of the popular video game franchise managed to pull in audiences with its combination of jump scares and familiar characters, showing the appeal of horror aimed at gamers and younger viewers.

Other hits in the US included Talk to Me, an Australian supernatural horror that’s quickly gained international acclaim, X, a ‘70s-inspired slasher that appeals to fans of vintage horror aesthetics, and A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel to the beloved A Quiet Place series that kept audiences on edge with its tense, monster-laden storyline.

Interestingly, the US also saw high rankings for some intense, disturbing films like A Serbian Film and the classic Halloween. Rounding out the top ten were indie horror films like Late Night with the Devil and Midsommar, showcasing the enduring appeal of A24’s brand of psychologically intense horror.

Top Movies in the United Kingdom

In the UK, Halloween viewers preferred a mix of horror classics and recent thrillers. Late Night with the Devil, an indie horror film set during a 1970s talk show, topped the charts. Its unique format and retro feel seem to have struck a chord with British audiences looking for something fresh yet nostalgic.

Train to Busan, a South Korean zombie thriller, secured the second spot, indicating a strong interest in international horror. This high-octane, emotional ride through a zombie apocalypse has cemented itself as a modern classic with a dedicated UK fan base.

Other top movies included American Psycho, A Quiet Place, and Five Nights at Freddy’s. British viewers also gravitated toward psychological horror, as seen with The Menu and Nope, two recent releases that offer suspense and dark social commentary. Classic horror made its way into the UK top ten with The Wicker Man and Terrifier, suggesting an ongoing interest in both vintage and cult horror.

Where Horror Fans Found Their Scares

The data from JustWatch also provides insight into where horror fans were streaming their movies this Halloween season. The distribution between streaming platforms reveals some interesting trends in both the UK and the US.

United Kingdom: Prime Video Dominates

In the UK, Prime Video held the crown for horror content, accounting for a massive 82.2% of available horror movies. Netflix trailed far behind at 10.9%, while ITVX, Disney+, and NOW TV offered only small slivers of the horror catalog. This data suggests that UK horror fans rely heavily on Prime Video for their spooky streaming, which may reflect Amazon’s investment in acquiring a broad selection of horror titles.

United States: Prime Video Still Leads, But Competition Grows

In the US, Prime Video also led the way with 68.5% of horror titles, but competition was a bit stiffer. Peacock followed at 13.6%, likely due to its robust lineup of Universal horror classics, including Halloween titles. Hulu, Max, and Netflix also accounted for smaller shares, but the data shows a more diverse array of options for American horror fans.

The Takeaway: A Diverse Halloween Experience Across the Globe

This year’s Halloween viewing trends reveal a fascinating snapshot of horror preferences in the UK and the US. While audiences in both countries leaned into familiar franchises and cult classics, there were also clear differences. British viewers were drawn to international horror and unique formats, while Americans favored a mix of extreme slashers, supernatural thrillers, and game-based horror.

As the horror genre continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that streaming services are playing a crucial role in shaping global horror culture. With Halloween 2024 in the rearview, horror fans around the world are already looking ahead to next year’s thrills, chills, and streaming charts.