A horror film is one that seeks to elicit fear in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films additionally aim to evoke viewers' nightmares, revulsions and terror of the unknown or the macabre. Initially inspired by literature from authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, and Mary Shelley, horror has existed as a film genre for more than a century. Horror may also overlap with the fantasy, supernatural fiction, and thriller genres.
Plots within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage into the everyday world. Prevalent elements include ghosts, extraterrestrials, vampires, werewolves, mummies, demons, Satanism, The Devil, evil clowns, gore, torture, evil witches, demonic possession, Oujia boards, monsters, zombies, disturbed children, cannibalism, psychopaths, natural forces, cults, dark magic, dystopian or apocalyptic worlds, and serial killers.
An example of sub-genre is psychological horror.
