Spoiler Alert! Half of us won’t watch horror movies without looking up plot spoilers this Halloween

• Research from Three UK reveals 68% of Gen Z admit to ‘Second Screaming’- using their phones to look up the plot of a horror film at the same time as watching it
• Leading psychologist Dr Charlotte Armitage explains the science behind why Brits are obsessed with looking up horror spoilers
• Three customers can get up to 24 months of Paramount+ access included in their phone plan, to stream their favourite scary movies & TV shows

As Halloween fast approaches, the nation will be pressing play on their favourite horror classics. However, research released by Three UK today reveals many will already know the ending of a chosen horror film before sitting down to watch it.

This October, the UK’s Fastest 5G Network*, reveals we’re a nation increasingly obsessed with spooky spoilers, with half (49%) of horror fans admitting they frequently look up the endings on their phones before they watch them. The younger generation is setting this new trend with three-quarters (75%) of Gen Z indulging in this new behaviour, vs just a quarter (24%) of Gen X and only 13% of Boomers.

Gen Z are clearly taking their spoiler obsession to the next level, with two-thirds (68%) admitting to ‘Second Screaming’- using their phones to look up the plot of a horror film at the same time as watching it, compared to just a quarter (23%) of Gen X, and 10% of Boomers. 

Whether it’s the classics or something new to stream on Paramount+, this new generation of horror fans are turning to their phones for comfort, with 43% of Gen Z saying they’d be terrified if they didn’t know what happened in a scary film before watching it. 

For a Halloween that sends shivers down your spine, research reveals there is a ‘spooky science’ to the films most likely to keep us up at night, with jump scares (56%), unexpected twists (40%) and suspense (27%) topping the list of scariest horror film moments.  

Psychologist Dr Charlotte Armitage explains this latest trend: “In an age where information is at our fingertips, it’s no wonder that our viewing habits as a nation are evolving. For younger generations, to focus and pay attention for long periods of time, such as waiting until the end of a film, could feel like too long a time to wait. However, what we’ve seen in this research is that whilst 35% cite impatience as a reason for looking up spooky spoilers, the notion of using your phone during a horror film is also providing people with a comfort blanking by taking away the suspense.”

Beyond looking up spoilers, Brits admit to further coping strategies such as: 

• Grabbing a snack (20%)
• Watching horror in the daytime (19%) 
• Reaching for our phones to distract ourselves (18%) 
• Hiding behind a pillow (18%)

Despite our best efforts, many of us still find ourselves terrified after watching a scary film. Brits report having to check the house for intruders (23%), being scared to go to the bathroom (23%) or even having nightmares (18%) because of watching too much horror. 

Psychological thrillers are crowned by Brits as the most terrifying horror theme (26%), followed by real-life (19%), supernatural (17%) and slasher (13%).

With Three, customers on a Value or Complete airtime plan can get up to 24 months of Paramount+ access included on Three Your Way plans. Whether its blockbusters, new originals, exclusive series or hit shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – all on super-fast 5G. 

Research conducted with 2,500 nationally representative horror film fans between 11th-14th October 2024, via 3Gem. 

* Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data.