Blumhouse Productions is a powerhouse in the horror genre, known for delivering spine-chilling films that resonate with audiences across generations. They wanted to understand how their films were connecting families, particularly how older generations were introducing younger audiences to the tradition of horror film appreciation.
Sage Outcomes, with its expertise in uncovering deep audience insights, was tasked with exploring the multi-generational fandom of Blumhouse films to inform future content strategies and marketing initiatives. The goal was to uncover how Blumhouse films could continue to unite families in their shared love for horror.
Blumhouse Productions approached us with a specific challenge: to explore and understand if and how horror films create family bonds and traditions across generations. They wanted to know if their content resonates differently among various age groups and if the tradition of horror appreciation is passed down within families. Understanding this would allow Blumhouse to continue developing content that speaks to the emotional core of family bonding through horror.
• Explore the connections horror films create among families
• Understand if and how older generations introduce their children and grandchildren to horror films to create a tradition of horror film appreciation.
• Identify key family bonding activities related to horror film watching and explore how these insights could inform future film development and marketing efforts.
To uncover the deep insights Blumhouse was seeking, we conducted a comprehensive online survey with 1,655 self-identified horror fans. Our goal was to gather robust data on their movie-watching habits, preferences for Blumhouse films, and how horror movies are integrated into family bonding activities.
The survey collected data across several demographic segments, including gender, age, and family structures, allowing us to map the multi-generational influence of horror films on family life. Our analysis also focused on understanding the cultural and emotional significance of horror in the context of family traditions.
Key areas of exploration included:
• Horror movie-watching habits and preferences, broken down by age and family dynamics.
• How respondents’ love for horror films was influenced by their parents, siblings, or children.
• The impact of horror films on family bonding activities, including shared rituals and traditions.
Based on the publicly released insights from Blumhouse Productions in The LA Times article:
1. Multi-Generational Appeal of Horror Films:
Blumhouse Productions discovered that their films resonate strongly with a younger audience, particularly teens and tweens, which has been a key demographic in their growth strategy. This younger audience, according to The LA Times article, is deeply connected to their parents’ introduction of horror films, demonstrating that Blumhouse has succeeded in creating a tradition of horror movie watching passed down through generations.
2. The Role of Parents in Horror Fandom:
The research highlighted that parents often introduce their children to Blumhouse’s horror films, creating a shared family experience. This finding supported Blumhouse’s belief that horror movies are not only individual experiences but also serve as important family bonding activities, fostering a new generation of horror fans.
3. Family Bonding Through Horror:
The report mentioned that parents, especially mothers, play a significant role in shaping their children’s horror tastes. This insight helped Blumhouse focus on marketing strategies that emphasize horror as a family bonding activity, particularly targeting families with teens and tweens.
This study provided Blumhouse Productions with valuable insights into how horror movies function as a tool for family bonding, particularly with younger audiences. These insights will help Blumhouse tailor their content to continue appealing to multi-generational audiences, creating films that cater to both nostalgic parents and their thrill-seeking children.
The findings, as highlighted in The LA Times article, reinforced the notion that Blumhouse Productions has a unique ability to create films that resonate across age groups and generations. This understanding has informed their future content strategies, ensuring that their films continue to unite families in their love for horror.
Sage Outcomes’ research has equipped Blumhouse Productions with the insights needed to deepen their connection with audiences across generations. By understanding how horror films bring families together, Blumhouse can create more impactful, emotionally resonant content that transcends age and continues to foster multi-generational fandom.
This project highlights Sage Outcomes’ commitment to guiding clients through complex audience dynamics and uncovering the powerful human truths that drive brand growth. Our collaboration with Blumhouse exemplifies how meaningful insights can lead to creative, strategic decisions that shape the future of media.
Want to know more about how we uncovered these deep insights for Blumhouse Productions? Check out the full LA Times article here and explore how horror films are connecting families across generations.
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