A significant proportion of adults, more than half, claim that watching horror movies helps them to relax and unwind.

A survey of 2,000 film enthusiasts found that over half of horror fans choose to watch a horror movie when they need to de-stress, while 77% say that the genre helps them escape reality.

More than 41% of respondents enjoy watching horror films, with the genre experiencing a surge in popularity, as one in four fans discovered their passion for horror within the last three years.

Additionally, one in three fans enjoy the tension and suspense, while 27% get a thrill from the scares and jump shocks.

Aside from relaxation, 80% of fans enjoy the adrenaline rush that horror movies provide, with 38% finding the thrill and suspense to be the most appealing aspects of the genre.

The study was commissioned by Beavertown, which is launching its Halloween film series with a spooky 'Dead Carpet' event at London's Prince Charles Cinema, featuring horror icons on the blood-red carpet, marking the start of "Beavertown Screamings," a week of horror classics from 23rd to 31st October.

The average horror fan watches a staggering 36 horror movies per year, with 53% saying that this number increases during October.

A spokesperson for the brand commented: "Horror movies have a unique way of captivating viewers from the suspense of the unknown to the shocking jump scares."

Spine-tingling scenes from classic horror films have been named as the most terrifying of all time, with the infamous chest-burster scene in Alien taking the top spot. According to a survey, the iconic head spin in The Exorcist and the "Here's Johnny!" moment in The Shining are also among the most frightening moments in horror movie history.

While some people enjoy watching scary films alone, nearly half of those surveyed prefer to have others with them to share in the fear. Most of those polled feel a thrill of excitement after watching a horror film, with 39% saying they feel spooked but in a good way.

The study also revealed the top 30 scariest films of all time, with The Silence of the Lambs taking the top spot, followed closely by Alien and The Exorcist. When it comes to what makes a horror film truly terrifying, psychological fear, creepy atmospheres, and paranormal entities were voted as the most effective scares.

A spokesperson said: "Halloween and horror have always been a huge part of our DNA and this year we wanted to take it to the next level by truly celebrating the nation's love for all things spooky - whether they're using it to unwind or for a dose of adrenaline."