The most searched horror movies for Halloween in each state, according to Google study

Get Out is the most Googled horror movie this Halloween, topping searches in 9 states, including Arizona, Illinois, and Georgia.

Jaws remains a fan favorite nearly 50 years later, ranking first in 4 states, including New Jersey and Connecticut.

The Shining and The Exorcist tie for third place, dominating searches in 3 states each.

27 states showed a preference for classic horror movies made before 2000, compared to 23 favoring modern releases.

Horror continues to be a Halloween tradition, with searches peaking in the two weeks leading up to the holiday, proving America’s enduring obsession with the spooky and strange.

Every October, millions of Americans turn off the lights, grab some popcorn, and hit play on their favorite scary movies. Whether it’s the nostalgic pull of The Exorcist or the psychological twists of Get Out, horror movies have become an essential part of how the U.S. celebrates Halloween.

New research by casino.online analyzed Google Trends data from the last two weeks to reveal the most Googled horror movie in every state. By compiling over 200 of the top-rated horror films from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, the study looked at what people across the country are searching for when they need a fright.

‘Get Out’ dominates the nation’s fearful hearts

Topping the list is Get Out (2017), which claimed the number-one spot in nine states, including Arizona, Illinois, Georgia, and Ohio. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut redefined the horror genre with its mix of psychological suspense, biting social commentary, and unforgettable performances. Its enduring popularity could be tied to its chilling realism, the horror of the human mind rather than monsters or ghosts, making it a modern classic just eight years after its release.

‘Jaws’ still makes waves nearly 50 years later

In second place, Jaws (1975) continues to terrify audiences despite being released nearly half a century ago. It was the top-searched film in four states, including New Jersey, South Carolina, Connecticut, and Kentucky.

Steven Spielberg’s shark thriller still haunts viewers with its suspenseful score and slow-burn terror, proving that sometimes what you don’t see is scarier than what you do. It’s no surprise that coastal states continue to resonate with this sea-born nightmare, perhaps because they’re a little too close to the water for comfort.

‘The Shining’ and ‘The Exorcist’ tie for third

Taking third place are two of horror’s greatest cornerstones, The Shining (1980) and The Exorcist (1973), each leading searches in three states.

The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King’s iconic novel, unsurprisingly ranks top in Colorado, the setting of the eerie Overlook Hotel. Its psychological horror and haunting cinematography make it a perennial favorite for those seeking an intellectual scare.

Meanwhile, The Exorcist continues to terrify nearly 50 years on, taking top spots in Tennessee, Idaho, and Mississippi. Often hailed as the scariest film ever made, its disturbing story and revolutionary special effects cemented its legacy, even inspiring a wave of spiritual and supernatural horror that still influences the genre today.

Modern horrors and cult favorites find their place

Beyond the top three, The Conjuring (2013), A Quiet Place (2018), IT (2017), and Trick ‘R Treat (2007) all appeared as the most searched horror films in two states each, showing the enduring appeal of both ghost stories and modern creature features.

Cult favorites like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, and Halloween also topped searches in several states, proving that fans still love revisiting the classics that defined the genre. Meanwhile, others, like Psycho in New York, Hannibal in California, and The Babadook in West Virginia, reflect each state’s own eerie identity, from psychological thrillers to monster metaphors.

Old vs. new: The battle of the horror eras

When the data was divided by release year, the study found that 27 states preferred pre-2000 horror movies, while 23 favored modern titles. It seems nostalgia still packs a punch, as older films continue to dominate Halloween searches nationwide. The practical effects, eerie music, and unsettling atmosphere of vintage horror continue to offer a slow-building dread that CGI-heavy films sometimes lack.

Yet the recent rise of directors like Jordan Peele (Get Out), John Krasinski (A Quiet Place), and James Wan (The Conjuring) shows that modern horror is thriving, exploring new fears that hit closer to home in today’s world.

Why can’t Americans get enough of fear?

It’s no coincidence that horror movies surge in popularity every October. According to surveys, nearly 70% of Americans watch at least one horror film during Halloween week, making it one of the most binge-worthy genres of the season. The shared thrill of being scared, safely, from behind a blanket, offers a cathartic escape and a way to embrace the spooky spirit of fall.

From small-town movie marathons to drive-in horror nights, the tradition endures because fear brings people together. Whether it’s an old VHS copy of The Shining or streaming Get Out on Netflix, one thing is certain: horror will always have a home in America’s heart, especially in October.

Full list of the most Googled horror movies for Halloween in each state:

Methodology

The research team at casino.online compiled a list of 200+ top-rated horror movies from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes and analyzed Google search volume over the past two weeks leading up to Halloween.

For each movie, they tracked specific keyword phrases, including “watch [movie name],” “stream [movie name],” and “where to watch [movie name]”, to identify which film had the highest number of searches in each U.S. state.

Data was sourced from Google Trends, IMDb, and Rotten Tomatoes to ensure accuracy and recency.