Wilmington Named Top U.S. City for Horror Fans

A new study ranks Wilmington as the premier destination for horror movie enthusiasts across the United States.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Horror

Wilmington Named Top U.S. City for Horror Fans

Live Poll

Does a city's horror movie filming history make it a more attractive destination to visit?

Holafly identified Wilmington as the top-ranked city in the U.S. for horror movie fans, assigning it an overall score of 67.9. The city outperformed all other assessed locations, including second-place New Orleans, based on metrics like filming density and search demand.

Why it matters

The ranking highlights how specific cities leverage their cinematic history and local culture to attract fans of the horror genre. By analyzing factors like ghost tours and filming locations, the study reveals which urban areas offer the most immersive experiences for enthusiasts.

Wilmington boasts 24.4 horror movies filmed per 100,000 residents and 5.5 popular titles per 100,000 residents. The city also records 181.38 monthly search queries for horror filming locations and 4.7 ghost tours for every 100,000 residents.

The players

Holafly

The company conducted the analysis of 25 U.S. cities to determine the most appealing locations for fans of the horror genre.

The details

Researchers utilized location data from Wikidata to evaluate 25 cities through weighted categories including search demand and local ghost tours. Wilmington secured its top position despite scoring zero in the accessibility category for its three most-rated horror movies.

October 14, 2026: Data collection for the ranking study was completed.
2025: Population adjustments were calculated using Census Bureau figures.

Industry Dynamics

This study underscores the growing trend of niche cinematic tourism, where cities capitalize on their historical connection to specific film genres to drive engagement. By quantifying these attractions, urban centers are better positioned to market themselves to specialized fan bases.

Fans in Wilmington can utilize the high volume of local filming locations and ghost tours to enhance their engagement with the genre. These findings provide clear markers for travelers seeking to prioritize destinations that align with their cinematic interests.

The takeaway

Cities with rich histories of horror film production create unique opportunities for specialized local tourism. Fans can use these rankings to plan future trips that center on their favorite movie locales and regional ghost tours.