by Jimmy Mcgregor

Created on: October 15, 2007

Horror movie interest and production has increased over the last five years. There are several factors responsible for this renewed interest including, video games, revivals, mainstream acceptances cheaper production costs and even the music industry. All of these factors have led to a renewed interest.

Is the increase in horror movie interest a result of the video game industry? Many new horror movies have their roots as video games. Movies like, "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill," started out as a video game and crossover into your theaters. This crossover increased viewership by exposing a whole new generation to horror movies.

Then there is the music connection. Rob Zombie's, "Devils Rejects," and "House of a Thousand Corpses," has led to a music crossover. People who like his music flock to his movies, increasing viewership, throwing new viewers into the fray.

In addition DVD format and cheep production cost, have flooded the market with new horror movies. The reasonable cost of renting as well as the cheaper retail allows viewers to take more chances. Movies that would not have rented in the past are rented or purchased. In addition DVD format has led to some movies not even having to make it to theaters. Many new horror movies go directly to DVD, bypassing the theaters and increasing profits.

In turn this has led to horror movies entering the mainstream. People, who don't normally watch horror movies, are flocking to movies like, "Hostel" and "Saw." My wife, who hates horror movies, saw a trailer of "Resident Evil 3," and wanted to go and see it. This is not only happening in our household, but is happening all over the world.

These movies have always been there, but most did not notice. This renewed interest in horror movies causes revivals of older horror movies. Films like, "Frankenstein, Dracula," and "The Wolf man, "are finding their way into Generation X DVD collections. In turn this drives the market to produce even more horror movies.

The days of sneaking into the theater, to avoid neighbors seeing you buy a ticket for, "Friday the 13th," are gone. Not only are we as horror movie fans able to be open purchase tickets, our neighbors are watching these movies with us. All of these factors have created a virus like resurgence of horror movies. This virus is spreading throughout all forms of media. Infecting everything from TV shows to music. While the renewed interest may slow, just like the bird flu, there will be outbreaks from time to time and there is no cure.

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