The enjoyment that some people get from fear is likely not from fear itself. Instead, thrills stem from the physical and emotional release that follows scary situations,  according to Seeker, a division of Discovery. For some horror fans, the desire to feel fear is a manifestation of an adrenaline-seeking personality.

So why do we like it? It is a combination of an adrenaline rush and an opportunity to learn about dealing with scary situations in a safe environment, researchers say. Clasen and his colleagues identified three broad types of horror fans: adrenaline junkies,  white knucklers  and dark copers.