Audience Research (General)

A horror film’s target audience is generally those in the age group 25-34. It is usually aimed at men as they are more likely to be able to interact with the characters on the screen. Women can also interact with those on screen but they tend to react differently. The secondary audience is dating couples, this is most likely to be either very close but not married couples, or couples on a first date. The violence, blood and gore in horror films tends to be appealing/entertaining to males, as opposed to females, who find this very unappealing and off-putting.  However, although the largest gender-age variable that watches horror films is 25-34 year old males, the film genre most prefers comedy films.

Figures from 2011

Genres associated with male audience tend to be violent, action-based and technology driven. Comic book, fantasy and horror films are also associated with male audiences aged 15-34, showing that age is a key factor in these genres.