HBO Max’s scary movie lineup just overtakes Paramount+ for the most requested streaming service as Halloween approaches
As October approaches, the peak time of the year for horror content, it looks like a close confrontation between HBO Max and Paramount+ to be the platform with the catalog of horror films the more requested. HBO Max leads the ranking of US video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming services in terms of total horror movie demand on the platform, but demand for the total horror movie catalog on Paramount+ was lower by less than 5% at HBO Max. — according to data from Parrot Analytics, which takes into account consumer research, streaming, downloads and social media, among other engagements.
Last month, HBO Max had the highest share of demand for its total catalog of movies, so it’s no surprise to see it top the charts in the horror genre as well. However, Paramount+’s close second place finish was an improvement over its overall relative position last month and shows what a particular strength the horror genre is for the platform.
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While it’s a tight race between the two platforms with the most in-demand horror catalogs, there’s a noticeable gap between Paramount+ and third-ranked Amazon Prime Video. In September, total demand for horror movies on Amazon was only 73.3% of total demand for HBO Max’s horror catalog. The most requested horror film on Prime Video for the month was “A Quiet Place Part II”. However, this was also available to stream on Paramount+, so Amazon doesn’t get any exclusive benefits from this title to help attract subscribers.
Horror Movies Total Demand by Streamer, US, September 2022, US (Parrot Analytics)
Demand for horror movies on Hulu lagged other platforms. However, it seems to take good advantage of the “Predator” franchise. The latest film in the franchise, “Prey”, is a Hulu original and was the most requested horror film on the platform in September with 19.14 times the average film demand. “Predator” and “Predator 2” rounded out the top three most-requested horror films on Hulu in September, and “Alien vs. Predator” ranked No. 5. Once the schedule flipped to October, Hulu launched its brand “Huluween”. to better highlight these genre titles.
Shudder is an interesting example of a niche platform that has built its entire offering around the horror genre. Despite this, total demand for all horror movies available to stream on Shudder still trails most other streamers, even though Shudder had the highest number of horror movies available to stream on the above platforms. . The fact that the quantity of horror titles on Shudder does not correspond to a greater total demand compared to other streamers shows that its horror films target a niche horror audience compared to the stimulating horror blockbusters. demand for the genre on other platforms.
Streamers in the US seem to be missing out on some of October’s most requested horror content. The most requested horror film in September was Jordan Peele’s “Nope,” which had 50.57 times the demand of an average film. “No” will eventually get an exclusive streaming window on Peacock, but until then (a date is still not announced), audiences will have to rent or buy it to stream or see it in theaters. Even without “No,” Peacock seems well positioned with the most requested horror movie that was available to stream on SVOD in September. “The Black Phone” should make the platform a destination for horror lovers looking for this movie.
10 most requested horror movies to stream, September 2022, US (Parrot Analytics)
“Don’t Worry Darling,” which enjoyed huge buzz ahead of its Sept. 23 premiere, will eventually be available to stream on HBO Max, but not until Halloween. The streaming loss is the theater gain in this case. Horror is a genre that succeeds in bringing audiences to theaters for the common experience of being scared. As an example, “Smile” was originally slated for streaming-only release on Paramount+, but did so well in test screenings that Paramount decided to release the film theatrically.
While these numbers show which platforms are about to have a spooky October, there’s still plenty of action in the horror genre around Halloween, so expect things change. For example, in the first four days of October, “Hocus Pocus 2” was the most requested “horror” movie in the United States with 59.39 times the average movie demand. Surprising as it may seem, that — plus the release of Marvel’s unique “Werewolf by Night” — could make Disney+ a streaming destination for Halloween fans.
Christofer Hamilton is Principal Analyst at Insights and Daniel Quinaud is Principal Data Analyst at Parrot Analytics, a WrapPRO partner. To learn more about Parrot Analytics, visit the Data and Analysis Hub.
