When it comes to horror flicks, UAE cinema-goers have proven that they like a side order of scares with their popcorn.
With horror one of the most popular cinematic genres in the region, the movie It, in which a killer clown terrorises the children of the town of Derry in Maine, has beaten the likes of 1979 classic, Alien, and 2002's Resident Evil to be named the UAE's most popular horror film.
The 2017 movie It, which starred Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the killer clown and Stranger Things actor, Finn Wolfhard, beat out the opposition by a wide margin with 266,000 searches, compared to second place The Conjuring II with 23,200 searches and Alien in third place with 20,600.
The research was carried out by Premier Inn, the UK’s largest hotel brand, which analysed the number of online searches made every October for over 80 popular modern and classic horror movies across 15 countries around the world.
'Alien' and 'The Shining' take global top spots
"We know at this time of year that people like to frighten themselves with a spooky movie, and we were curious to compare which movies were most popular in the UAE, and then see how it compared to other places across the globe," a spokesperson from Premier Inn commented. "We hope the research gives some frightfully good movie inspiration for anyone looking to give themselves a little scare this Halloween."
And when it comes to how the UAE's tastes in horror compare to the rest of the world, the movie this region relegated to third place, Alien, proved the most popular globally.
Coming in first place in England, New Zealand, Spain, France, Germany, Norway and Wales, the classic Oscar-winning flick, which starred Sigourney Weaver as the legendary Ellen Ripley proved an enduring choice.
Elsewhere, another film based on a Stephen King novel, 1980's The Shining, earned the top spot in the US, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
The UAE’s most searched horror movie list in full
- It (266,000 searches)
- The Conjuring II (23,200 searches)
- Alien (20,600 searches)
- Annihilation (13,170 searches)
- The Conjuring (13,100 searches)
- Gerald's Game (11,410 searches)
- Hereditary (10,600 searches)
- Insidious (10,600 searches)
- Resident Evil (10,300 searches)
- A Quiet Place (10,220 searches)
- Zombieland: Double Tap (9,900 searches)
- The Shining (9,500 searches)
- The Babysitter (9,160 searches)
Find out how your favourite horror films fared around the world here
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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