The Next Big Vertical Genre: Horror on the Rise

As vertical storytelling continues to dominate the digital space, creatives, writers and platforms are all asking ourselves the same question: what’s the next big genre to break through? With Halloween right around the corner, it seems fitting that the answer creeping onto our 9:16 screens is… horror.

Why Horror Fits Vertical So Well

The horror genre naturally thrives on the elements that vertical content does best:

  • Tension & Cliffhangers: Horror is built on suspense, and vertical’s bite sized, episodic style is perfect for edge of your seat storytelling.
  • Big Reactions: Whether it’s a scream, a jump, or a gasp, horror demands strong performances, a perfect match for the intimate feel of a vertical frame.
  • Immersive Experience: Watching horror vertically on your phone makes the experience more personal. The scares feel closer, almost unavoidable.

 

Mike Myers from the 'Halloween' film series. He stands inside a dimly lit doorway.

 

Is Horror Here to Stay?

The real question is whether horror will become a permanent fixture in vertical storytelling, or if it’s destined to remain a seasonal trend around Halloween. While some platforms are already experimenting with horror shorts, the appetite for fast, shocking, and shareable content suggests horror could carve out a lasting space.

It’s also a relatively risk free leap for the platforms to make when they think about the similarities between dramas and horror, with werewolf and vampire stories already taking stage. Horrors lend themselves to romantic scenes alongside the gore to amp up the story.

Looking Ahead

Horror may just be the start. As vertical platforms mature, we’re likely to see more niche genres find their footing. But for now, the chills and thrills of horror feel like the perfect next step in the evolution of vertical drama.

What do you think? Is horror the future of vertical storytelling, or just a passing fright? Let us know!