A third of NYCs 41 major theaters are empty Can horror movies save struggling Broadway?

It’s spooooooky on Broadway. And not only because of the cost of a glass of wine.Fifteen of 41 houses are dark right now, and those drafty old buildings are being haunted by the ghosts of Cee Cee Bloom, “Queen of Versailles” Jackie Siegel and Lea Michele.But some actual, fictional spirits are inhabiting the August Wilson Theater on 52nd Street: those of the new play “Paranormal Activity,” based on the popular horror movie franchise.Like most ghouls, I’m of two worlds — theater and film.

And over the past several years, I’ve watched as the horror genre became the only product that consistently beckons paying audiences to the movies.“Sinners,” “Weapons,” “Backrooms” and “Obsession” are notable examples, yes, but also pulling their weight are established franchises such as “The Conjuring,” “Final Destination” and the “Halloween” reboot series.

People demonstrably want to scream.It’s easy to see why.Horror especially appeals to young audiences, and Gen Z (ages 14 to 29) comprises the majority of moviegoers today.

Plus the flicks provide atmosphere.Scary movies go down much better blown up and in the dark than in bed and on a laptop.

And, at the risk of sounding like a Nicole Kidman ad, the cathartic release after a good fright feels better in a packed group. That’s what makes “Paranormal Activity,” which has already played London, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, DC and Boston, such an enticing prospect. Broadway desires all the same things that the movie industry does — enthusiastic young ticketbuyers, a product that sells itself, repeat business — while charging ten times more for the privilege.Hollywood, for all its issues, is far, far better off today than stumbling Broadway is. Could horror help?Thrillers actually were once a popular fixture on Midtown stages.

Think Frederick Knott’s “Wait Until Dark” (1966), his “Dial M for Murder” (1952) and Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap” (1978).But they tapere...