GREENLIGHT SIGNALS
The hidden signals that reveal which films make money
features
DISCOVER THE INSIGHTS
SHARP DATA THAT GETS TO THE POINT AND AIDS WITH DECISION-MAKING
WHAT GENRE DATA REVEALS
See how audience reactions, creative choices, and financial outcomes connect. The reports uncover which signals are linked to stronger box office returns, and where patterns consistently appear.
pricing
Two formats
Single genre
Designed for brands and marketers wanting clear, actionable insights into filmmaker engagement.-
In-depth PDF report on your chosen genre
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Analysis of audience reviews and commentary
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Links between creative choices and financial outcomes
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Signals that consistently predict success in the genre
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Insights for filmmakers, distributors, and researchers
All genres Package
Designed for professionals seeking the complete picture across the industry.-
Instant access to all available genre reports
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Comparative insights across genres and budgets
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Full coverage of recurring signals and unique patterns
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A resource for strategy, development, and research
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Best value for industry-wide decision making
testimonials
Testimonials on past reports
John August
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Reece Shearsmith
I have loved reading the book ! Page upon page of incredible and often surprising insights. The new book has incredible, strange and revealing insights on every page. Relentlessly enjoyable. So many intriguing trends and statistics that I never knew I needed to know. Examines every dark corner of Horror films with a jaw dropping new perspective.
Neal Edelstein
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Jason Blum
I can't get enough horror, and I really enjoyed reading The Horror Movie Report. 27,000 titles studied and analyzed over decades by Stephen Follows. Can't imagine the work it took to pull this together. It's a fascinating read and great insight on the industry.
Thomas Vanbrabant
I’m a starting horror filmmaker from Antwerp, Belgium, and I really enjoyed reading your report. The amount of data is astonishing. For me, the correlations you made were the most interesting part. It was also a great decision to add some real-life examples.
Daniel Tuck
The report has been extremely useful to me. I'm currently doing a Masters in Screenwriting, and though I didn't directly reference your report, I found it a very interesting and enlightening read. Thank you for this hugely useful resource - I couldn't find anything else that even came close online.
Shant Hamassian
There is so much information to go through and I think it’s brilliant for filmmakers who are taking this route very seriously. I greatly appreciate the value of this and it shows.
Kristen Longfield
Your horror movie poster trope section was pure gold. The whole report is well worth the read. I'm recommending the report to everyone I know who works in or cares about horror.
Al Carretta
It is an invaluable resource. Being able to understand the types of horror movies at a glance is incredibly helpful. I found the deconstruction of the movie posters a fascinating insight into the visual marketing required to help identify your film against familiar tropes. It is a go-to document for reference, insight, and inspiration.
Nick Lean
I'm astonished that you have managed to enhance what I consider to be an already exceptional resource. It's a truly fundamental resource for any aspiring filmmaker, and it will remain my go-to resource when packaging anything new for prospective investors and production entities.
Bertha Mira
The Horror Report was very helpful. I was writing a business plan for someone creating a horror film, and the stats and graphs helped me show investors that horror productions can be profitable. Thank you for all the hard work, I can tell that it was meticulously created.
Dr. Jonathan Wroot
I found the Horror Report to be very illuminating. There is just so much information. It is particularly useful at this time as I am assisting with an edited collection on horror cinema in the 21st century. Of particular note to me were the horror poster trends - great work on the illustrations, as well as the stats!
Rhys George-Lewis
The report is fantastic. My production company, Red Ruin, is aimed at horror features in the micro- to low-budget bracket. This report is invaluable in setting a context for the horror genre, and the information will hopefully allow us to pitch our projects in a more professional manner. Not only that, but as a genre fan first and foremost, it is fascinating to see the stats!
Brian M. Wixson
VERY detailed and thorough. This report certainly would benefit a producer and such of that level in how to put the film together from poster to marketing and such. GREAT work!
about the author
Stephen Follows
Stephen Follows is a leading film industry analyst known for his extensive research on film statistics, which has been featured in major publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Hollywood Reporter.
- Consultant for Guinness World Records
- Work regularly covered in major newspapers and magazines
- Taught at leading film institutions, including NFTS and NYU
- Advises major studios and independent filmmakers
Stephen's film data analysis has been featured in
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Each Genre Report is a detailed PDF that focuses on one film genre, bringing together audience data, box office results, and creative choices. The goal is to show how particular themes, tropes, or decisions have correlated with financial performance in the past, giving you a clearer sense of patterns within that genre.
The All-Genres Package gives you instant access to the entire set of reports across all genres. This allows you to compare findings across categories and budget levels, highlighting where signals differ or remain consistent, and providing a more complete picture of the film landscape.
The reports are built from large-scale analysis of audience reviews, online commentary, and box office performance. Using statistical methods, the research identifies recurring correlations between what appears on screen and how films perform financially, without relying on personal opinion.
No. These findings are entirely data-led, drawing only from measurable audience reactions and financial outcomes. The reports do not claim to dictate what films should be made, but instead outline what has tended to happen in the market.
They are designed for filmmakers, producers, distributors, researchers, and investors who want clearer signals about what tends to drive or weaken performance. Whether you are planning a first feature or managing a slate of productions, the reports provide context for creative and commercial decisions.
No report can guarantee success, because the film industry will always be a mix of business and art. These reports highlight correlations with profitability in past films, but every project is different, and originality, timing, and bold choices can also pay off.
The insights should guide your thinking, but not replace it. They can highlight risks, blind spots, or opportunities, but they cannot decide for you what stories to tell, especially as being first to market or taking creative risks can be rewarded.
Not necessarily. The extent to which you let market data shape your choices depends on the size of your budget, the expectations of your investors, and your tolerance for risk. Data can sharpen strategy, but filmmaking remains an art form where brave and original projects can change the landscape.
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a download link immediately. The report is delivered as a PDF, ready to be used for research, development, or planning.