To Scream or Not to Scream: Why Do We Love Being Scared?

The Psychology Behind Fear and Fun

By Dr. Ashleigh Clarke

Recently, I was carpooling with one of our Psychology Interns, who happens to be quite the movie buff. Naturally, our conversation turned to movies, and with Halloween approaching, I asked whether he was a fan of horror films. As it turns out, he absolutely is.

Me? Not so much. Now, I love a good true crime documentary or series. I can spend hours learning about criminal behavior, trying to understand what motivates people, and following the twists and turns of an investigation. But put me in front of a horror movie? No, thank you.

That conversation got me thinking. Why do some people genuinely enjoy being scared? Why would someone voluntarily sit through two hours of suspense, jump scares, and terrifying imagery, only to walk away saying they had a great time? And why do others, like me, prefer to experience our suspense a little differently?

As a psychologist, I find this fascinating because fear is an emotion we typically associate with danger. It's our brain's way of telling us to pay attention, be cautious, and sometimes get ourselves out of a situation as quickly as possible. Yet every October, people line up for haunted houses, venture into dark corn mazes, and settle in for horror movie marathons, all in pursuit of that very feeling.

So, what makes fear enjoyable for some people and downright unpleasant for others?

The answer involves a fascinating combination of brain chemistry, personality, emotional experiences, and one particularly important detail: knowing we're actually safe.

What Happens When We Get Scared?

Whether you're watching a horror movie, walking through a haunted house, or hearing an unexpected noise in the middle of the night, your brain is constantly evaluating potential threats.

When something registers as frightening, your body's alarm system kicks into gear. Your heart may start racing, your breathing changes, your muscles tense, and your attention narrows. Stress hormones such as adrenaline help prepare you to respond.

What's interesting is that many of these physical sensations also occur when we're excited.

Think about the butterflies you might feel before riding a roller coaster, going on a first date, or stepping onto a stage. Your heart races, your stomach flips, and you feel a rush of energy. Depending on the circumstances, those sensations might be interpreted as excitement, fear, or a little of both.

Our brains don't experience emotions in isolation from what's happening around us. The meaning we give those physical sensations matters.

The Thrill of Being Scared (When We Know We're Safe)

One of the biggest differences between enjoyable fear and genuinely distressing fear is our sense of safety and control. When you're watching a horror movie, you know the danger isn't real. The masked villain isn't actually coming after you, and you can turn off the television whenever you've had enough. That awareness creates an interesting emotional experience. Your body can respond to the suspense and perceived danger while another part of your brain recognizes that you're safe.

For some people, that combination is exhilarating. They enjoy the anticipation, the sudden surge of adrenaline, the suspense of not knowing what's coming next, and especially the relief when the frightening moment passes. There's something satisfying about going from Oh no, what's going to happen? to Whew, that was close! And sometimes, the best part isn't the scare itself. It's laughing afterward, grabbing the arm of the person sitting next to you, or talking about how badly a scene made you jump. Fear can become a shared emotional experience, and those moments of connection can be just as enjoyable as the thrill itself.

Why Doesn't Everyone Enjoy It?

Of course, not everyone finds those experiences fun. Some people naturally enjoy intense stimulation and seek out activities that create excitement or strong emotional reactions. Others prefer predictability, calm, or experiences that don't leave their nervous system on high alert.

Neither response is inherently better or healthier.

People also differ in how they interpret and tolerate the physical sensations associated with fear. One person might experience a racing heart as an exciting rush, while another finds that same sensation deeply uncomfortable. Our past experiences, sensitivity to frightening imagery, personal preferences, and even our mood on a particular day can influence how much fear feels enjoyable. This is also why enjoying true crime doesn't necessarily translate into enjoying horror movies. Although both can involve frightening subject matter, they offer different emotional experiences. True crime often emphasizes curiosity, investigation, human behavior, and understanding how events unfolded. Horror films frequently place the viewer directly into an experience of suspense, uncertainty, or anticipated danger. For me, the mystery of human behavior is captivating. Being startled by something jumping out of a dark hallway? I'll pass.

Can There Be Something Positive About Feeling Scared?

Interestingly, enjoyable fear can offer more than just a temporary adrenaline rush. Some researchers have explored how recreational fear, such as watching horror films or visiting haunted attractions, allows people to experience intense emotions within a setting they recognize as relatively safe. For some, there's satisfaction in moving through those emotions. They feel nervous, anticipate something frightening, experience the scare, and then notice the feeling gradually settle. There's also the sense of accomplishment that can come afterward. Someone might leave a haunted house laughing and thinking, I can't believe I made it through that!

These experiences may give people opportunities to become more familiar with their emotional reactions, explore their limits, and discover what kinds of excitement they enjoy. That doesn't mean everyone needs to expose themselves to frightening experiences, or that watching horror movies automatically makes someone better at managing anxiety. It simply highlights something interesting about human emotions: we don't always seek experiences because they feel pleasant from beginning to end. Sometimes, we enjoy the entire emotional journey.

So, Are You a Horror Fan?

 As Halloween approaches, I keep coming back to that conversation with our intern.

Some people will spend October watching every scary movie they can find, visiting haunted attractions, and looking forward to their next good jump scare. Others will happily carve pumpkins, enjoy the fall weather, and avoid anything involving creepy dolls or masked strangers.

And some of us will be watching true crime documentaries instead. The fascinating thing is that we're all responding to the same basic human emotion, just in different ways.

Fear is part of being human. Sometimes it protects us, sometimes it challenges us, and occasionally, under just the right circumstances, it can even be fun.

Let us know: what is your favorite Halloween movie? And remember—it’s OK if your answer is It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown