Horror films have existed since the silent movie era, but saw huge revivals in popularity in the late 1970s through early 1980s with films like The Omen and A Nightmare on Elm Street. After declining popularity in the late 1980s and 1990s, the horror genre experienced renewed success starting with the 1996 film Scream. Horror films are designed to frighten and terrify audiences while also entertaining them, often focusing on disturbing events and preying on common human fears such as darkness and tension buildup.