People who love horror movies tend to exhibit certain personality traits, study finds

College students’ favorite film genres may offer insight into their personalities, according to new research published in the journal Cureus. The study found consistent associations between certain movie preferences and the Big Five personality traits, such as extraversion and conscientiousness. These findings may hold potential for future personality assessments and hiring practices, though more research is needed before applying them outside academic settings.

People often choose entertainment that matches their moods, values, or outlook on life. Past studies have indicated that media preferences may reflect certain personality traits. For example, some research has shown that those who enjoy romantic or comedic films tend to be more extraverted or agreeable. Others have proposed that people high in openness may prefer complex or unconventional narratives, like science fiction or mystery.

Given the increasing role media plays in everyday life, especially among young adults, understanding the relationship between personality and film preferences could offer new tools for psychological assessment. The authors of this study aimed to explore these connections in detail, using the Big Five personality model. In doing so, they also hoped to consider whether such preferences could inform recruitment or screening practices in the future.

The study involved 300 college students between the ages of 20 and 23. All participants were from India and fluent in English, which was the language used for the surveys. Before participating, students were asked to indicate whether they had a consistent film genre preference. Those who reported watching all types of movies equally were excluded from the sample.

Participants ranked six film genres—adventure, drama, comedy, romance, horror, and mystery—from most to least preferred. They also completed a 44-item personality questionnaire that measured traits based on the Big Five model: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The survey used a five-point scale, where participants rated how strongly they agreed or disagreed with various personality statements.

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The researchers then analyzed the data using correlation and regression techniques. They looked for statistically meaningful relationships between film preferences and personality traits, with a focus on results showing correlation values above 0.25 or below -0.25.

Adventure films were linked to higher levels of extraversion. Students who preferred these fast-paced and energetic genres tended to be more outgoing and sociable. These preferences also showed a negative relationship with both conscientiousness and neuroticism, suggesting that fans of adventure movies may be more spontaneous, less emotionally reactive, and less inclined toward structured behavior.

Drama films showed a different pattern. Those who favored drama scored higher in conscientiousness and neuroticism. This suggests they may be more responsible and emotionally sensitive. The genre also correlated negatively with extraversion, implying that drama fans may be more introverted and reflective.

Unlike the other genres, comedy showed no meaningful relationship with any of the personality traits. This finding indicates that comedy may appeal to a wide range of individuals, regardless of their personality characteristics.

Students who preferred romance films tended to score higher in neuroticism and openness. They were also less likely to be extraverted or agreeable. This combination suggests that romantic film fans may be emotionally responsive and open to new experiences but may also be more introspective and less socially cooperative.

Horror films were associated with higher scores in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These students appeared to be outgoing, cooperative, and organized, even while enjoying films that focus on fear and suspense. They also scored lower in neuroticism and openness, suggesting that horror fans may be less emotionally reactive and less drawn to unconventional or abstract ideas.

Students who liked mystery films scored higher in openness, aligning with the idea that these viewers enjoy mental challenges and curiosity-driven content. At the same time, they scored lower in conscientiousness and agreeableness, which could point to a greater focus on individual problem-solving over social harmony or structure.

The findings provide evidence that personality and film preferences may be related, but there are limitations to consider. The sample was limited to Indian college students in a narrow age range. This group was chosen for convenience and consistency, but the results may not apply to other populations, such as older adults or people from different cultural backgrounds.

Another limitation is that the study was cross-sectional, meaning the data were collected at a single point in time. This design makes it impossible to say whether personality influences film preference or the other way around. Long-term studies could help clarify this relationship.

The researchers also noted that while they used a well-established personality inventory, they did not assess how reliably it measured the traits in this particular sample. Including this type of information would strengthen future research.

Lastly, while the authors suggest possible applications in hiring and screening, such uses should be approached with caution. Film preferences can be influenced by many external factors, including culture, peer influence, and mood.

The study, “Association Between One’s Preferred Film Genres and Personality Traits: A Cross-Sectional Study,” was authored by Arjun S. Menon, Chaitra M. S., Srinivasulu Naidu, and Naladala Disha Chowdary