Today we have an interesting question: Can horror movies make you lose weight? Horror film is one of the most popular genres today. It all started with books and reached its climax through cinema and video games. So, if a scary movie can help you lose weight, it’s the best way to lose weight for a horror fan. Let’s find out.

What is a horror movie?

First, we will take a look at the definition of what is a horror film. StudioBinder states, “Horror is a genre of storytelling intended to scare, shock, and thrill its audience. Horror can be interpreted in many different ways, but there is often a central villain, monster, or threat that is often a reflection of the fears being experienced by society at the time. This person or creature is called the ‘other,’ a term that refers to someone that is feared because they are different or misunderstood. This is also why the horror genre has changed so much over the years. As culture and fears change, so does horror.”

There are a few elements that define the horror genre:

1. It is often a reflection of what the people fear at the moment, such as a pandemic or a global nuclear catastrophe.
2. Besides killer and monster types, the characters often involve typical examples of heroes.
3. Scary settings, locations, or music are often used to build a suspenseful atmosphere.

Every horror movie has its angle and at least something unique that’s its own, but all of them share one single goal. That’s to strike fear, and as we know, fear is a powerful motivator. Especially if it’s a true crime.

Can horror movies make you lose weight?

Dr. Richard Mackenzie and his research team from the University of Westminster concluded that a 90-minute horror film could burn up to 113 calories. That’s the same calories you burn in a 30-minute walking session. The more adrenaline a movie has, and the scarier it is, the more calories it will help you burn. A film like The Shining, with a running time of 2 hours and 26 minutes and many jump-scare scenes, can burn up to 184 calories.

“As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenaline. It is this release of fast-acting adrenaline, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or, in this case, brought on by fear), which is known to lower the appetite, increase the basal metabolic rate, and ultimately burn a higher level of calories,” Mackenzie explained.

So it is true. And crazy. Watching scary horror movies can help you lose weight, all without exercise. Scare yourself to a six-pack. There is no better news for overweight horror buffs. Maybe I’ll even be able to get my girlfriend to start watching horror movies with me instead of hiding behind the blanket half of the time.

It’s nice to lose a couple of pounds by simply enjoying life. Indeed one of the easy ways to lose weight, but be aware that any snacking during the movie will annul the effect. So if you decide to snack on a small chocolate bar, you’ll return to ground zero. On a more serious note, tho, you should always include exercise and a healthy diet for weight loss. 

Best horror movies to watch

Before we end, here’s our list of the top 15 horror movies so scary you’ll lose calories in no time:

• The Shining (1980)
• Get Out (2017)
• Jaws (1975)
• The Exorcist (1973)
• The Lighthouse (2019)
• Psycho (1960)
• Let The Right One In (2008)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• The Others (2001)
• Alien (1979)
• The Invisible Man (2020)
• Halloween (1978)
• The Babadook (2014)
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
• The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

If you’re looking for more great films to spend quality time with, check out our list of the best movies and why is The Sopranos the best show ever. Or read our guides on how to lose weight without exercising the healthy way, what to drink after workout to lose weight, and gaining weight for men with fast metabolism.