If you thought your next movie night couldn’t count as a workout, think again. A fascinating study suggests that watching horror films could actually help you burn calories — turning fear into a fitness aid. So this Halloween, skipping the gym for a fright-filled flick might not be as bad an idea as it sounds.
The science behind the scare
According to a 2012 study by researchers at the University of Westminster, reported by The Guardian, viewers who watched a 90-minute horror movie burned up to 113 calories — roughly equivalent to a 30-minute walk or a small chocolate bar. The reason lies in the body’s natural reaction to fear.
As your pulse quickens and adrenaline surges during moments of suspense and terror, your body enters a state similar to that triggered by short bursts of intense activity. This adrenaline rush not only heightens alertness but also increases metabolism and suppresses appetite, leading to a temporary rise in calorie expenditure.
The scarier the movie, the higher the burn
Not all horror films are created equal. The Westminster team found that movies packed with jump scares — sudden shocks that make your heart skip a beat — were the most effective at boosting calorie burn. The higher your heart rate, the more energy your body expends.
Leading the fright-fitness chart was Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, which topped the list with an impressive 184 calories burned per viewing. Other calorie-torching classics included Jaws (161 calories), The Exorcist (158), and Alien (152). Even cult favorites like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project gave viewers a decent metabolic boost, burning over 100 calories each.
A catch for serial screamers
There is, however, one chilling catch. The more horror films you watch, the more your brain begins to predict jump scares, dulling the element of surprise and reducing the calorie-burning effect. In other words, becoming a seasoned horror fan might make you braver — but not fitter.
Before you swap your treadmill for a movie marathon, experts caution that this shouldn’t replace regular exercise. Still, it’s a lighthearted reminder that the human body responds to emotion and excitement in unexpected ways.
So the next time you press play on The Shining or Jaws, remember — you might just be sweating your way to fitness without even leaving the couch.
The science behind the scare
According to a 2012 study by researchers at the University of Westminster, reported by The Guardian, viewers who watched a 90-minute horror movie burned up to 113 calories — roughly equivalent to a 30-minute walk or a small chocolate bar. The reason lies in the body’s natural reaction to fear.
As your pulse quickens and adrenaline surges during moments of suspense and terror, your body enters a state similar to that triggered by short bursts of intense activity. This adrenaline rush not only heightens alertness but also increases metabolism and suppresses appetite, leading to a temporary rise in calorie expenditure.
The scarier the movie, the higher the burn
Not all horror films are created equal. The Westminster team found that movies packed with jump scares — sudden shocks that make your heart skip a beat — were the most effective at boosting calorie burn. The higher your heart rate, the more energy your body expends.
Leading the fright-fitness chart was Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, which topped the list with an impressive 184 calories burned per viewing. Other calorie-torching classics included Jaws (161 calories), The Exorcist (158), and Alien (152). Even cult favorites like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project gave viewers a decent metabolic boost, burning over 100 calories each.
A catch for serial screamers
There is, however, one chilling catch. The more horror films you watch, the more your brain begins to predict jump scares, dulling the element of surprise and reducing the calorie-burning effect. In other words, becoming a seasoned horror fan might make you braver — but not fitter.
Before you swap your treadmill for a movie marathon, experts caution that this shouldn’t replace regular exercise. Still, it’s a lighthearted reminder that the human body responds to emotion and excitement in unexpected ways.
So the next time you press play on The Shining or Jaws, remember — you might just be sweating your way to fitness without even leaving the couch.
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