Sub-genres of horror movies

Sub-genres are a category within a genre, e.g. A horror movie would be a genre, and a psychological horror movie would be referring to the sub-genre of psychological- but still within the horror genre.

Some of the sub-genres found within the horror genre are:

Psychological - Where the main character is mentally ill, has hallucinations and usually commits a murder or crime unknowingly. The audience usually witness the 'normality' or equilibrium, and then the character having a mental break down of sorts and then committing the murder. Examples of this sub-genre  are 'The Uninvited' and 'Gothika'. Twists in the narrative is a convention, commonly found in psychological movies.

Comedy-horror - Horror movies involving comedy have become more popular in the 2000's such as 'Scary Movie 1,2,3,4 and 5'. Audiences usually are fans of horror movies and want to experience something new and more entertaining. The comedy-horror movies aim to scare the audience but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their own fears and insecurities. Examples are 'Zombieland' and 'Shaun of the Dead'. As it can be seen in the 'Zombieland' poster the words 'Nut up or shut up' appear, an attention grabbing device, which the target audience should appreciate.

Supernatural/Paranormal- Supernatural and Paranormal sub-genres have also become increasingly popular recently and particularly the series of 'Paranormal Activity' movies. Audiences are no longer worried about radiation and half beast half humans, they are now frightened by things that cannot be explained, the supernatural and paranormal. Supernatural movies often involve an element of religion, the afterlife, the devil and demonds possesing people. Some examples of this are 'The Exorcist' and 'The Omen'.

Slasher- Slasher sub-genres usually involve a killer who brutally kills their victim, with a large weapon of sorts e.g. a chainsaw or axe. A lot of fake-blood and gore is employed adding a shock factor and feeling sympathetic towards the victim. A Slasher film will devote more screen time to portray murder and mayhem than a traditional Horror film. Examples include: 'Halloween', 'My Bloody Valentine' and 'Black Christmas'.

'Teen Horror'- A sub genre that revolves completely around a teenager or group of teenagers. These movies usually have a large cast and focus on traditional teenage issues, e.g. prom, parties and dating- turning these relatively small simple issues into suspenseful and frightening situations. Examples include: 'Scream' and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer'.

Further exploration of sub-genres can lead to the following: 

(These tend to be found in older movies)

Mythical Legends, Futuristic and Monsters. 

 Vampires and Werewolves were popular in the 1920's and 1930's due to stories passed through generations and audiences of that time found them frightening. These evolved to half human, half creatures in the 1940's and later to half human half creatures being created as a result of radiation or nuclear activity- or monsters. As audiences realised the threat of nuclear damage and radiation were no longer threats they became worried about what man kind would and could do. Much later on movies such as 'One Missed Call' focused on the rapid change of technology and what it might later lead to.