# Horror is big business in 2026 > Horror has become a tentpole across gaming, film, and television, with cheap production costs and blockbuster returns. - Title: Horror is big business in 2026 · The Verge | Shortify - Summary: Horror has become a tentpole across gaming, film, and television, with cheap production costs and blockbuster returns. Horror has grown from a niche genre… - Keywords: horror genre, resident evil, film industry, streaming services, video games, box office, youtube creators, technology, culture, Horror, big, business - Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/column/1008432/horror-popular-widows-bay-resident-evil - Author: Andrew Webster - Published: 2026-10-11T12:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: horror genre, resident evil, film industry, streaming services, video games, box office, youtube creators, technology, culture ## Resident Evil's 30-year reign continues Resident Evil Requiem sold eight million copies since launching in February, becoming Capcom's fourteenth best-selling game ever. A Resident Evil film reboot from director Zach Cregger is on pace to become the franchise's top-grossing movie. ## The franchise creates a virtuous cycle Six different Resident Evil game titles have sold at least three million copies so far this year. Capcom called it a virtuous cycle in which sales of both new and past titles grow together. > a virtuous cycle in which sales of both new and past titles grow together ## Horror was once niche, now it dominates Horror has grown from a niche genre into a dominant force thanks to YouTube, indie games, and viral memes. ## YouTube directors break box office records Obsession and Backrooms, directed by young YouTube creators, raked in nearly one billion dollars combined at the box office.They out-grossed Star Wars and films by Steven Spielberg despite costing a fraction of typical blockbuster budgets. ## Backrooms cost ten million, Obsession cost less Backrooms was made for an estimated ten million dollars, while Obsession cost less than one million. Iron Lung, another YouTube-centric horror film, managed to rake in more than fifty million dollars without major studio backing. ## October becomes streaming's horror battleground Every major streaming service released a tentpole horror series this year. Amazon released a Carrie remake helmed by Mike Flanagan, who made his name with five limited horror series on Netflix between two thousand eighteen… ## Netflix, Peacock, AMC Plus all compete Netflix released Below, a six-episode sea monster thriller starring Josh Hartnett and Charlie Heaton. Peacock has a Friday the thirteenth prequel called Crystal Lake starring Linda Cardellini, and AMC Plus released Yaga featuring Carrie-Anne Moss. ## Widow's Bay wins record Emmy haul Apple TV released the horror comedy hybrid Widow's Bay in April. The show won a record number of Emmys and remains a fixture on Apple TV's most-watched list. ## Horror games dominate streaming platforms Silent Hill has been on a steady run, highlighted by the Scottish spinoff Townfall this year. ## Horror content dominates Twitch viewership Twitch viewers watched two hundred eighty-seven million hours of horror content between January and September this year. The dedicated horror tag saw a six percent increase in viewership compared to last year. ## Studios hunt for the next Backrooms Kane Parsons has reportedly signed up for a Backrooms sequel, and Obsession director Curry Barker already has a new film due out next year. ## A24, Neon, Warner Bros. race for rights Both A twenty-four and Neon are working on competing movies set in the SCP Foundation universe. Warner Bros. has scooped up the rights to internet phenomenon Siren Head. ## Horror franchises lock in annual releases Silent Hill and Resident Evil have settled on a near-annual release schedule that shows no signs of slowing down. Capcom says the ongoing success of Resident Evil led to a new quarterly sales record. ## Low costs mean studios will keep taking risks Not every spooky meme will become a Backrooms-level success, but studios are taking the genre seriously because the potential exists and upfront costs are low. ## Key takeaway Horror has grown from a niche genre into a dominant force across film, television, and gaming, with studios investing heavily because production costs are low but returns rival major blockbusters.