Content Americas 2026 has officially kicked off in Miami, and the atmosphere is electric. What started as a burgeoning market back in 2023 has rapidly consolidated into the premiere destination for international TV professionals focusing on Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic markets. For those of us in the horror community, this isn't just a business story; it’s the blueprint for a terrifying new era of regional storytelling that is ready to haunt a global audience.
The Miami Powerhouse: A Hub for the Macabre
The numbers don’t lie. According to reports from Variety TV, Content Americas saw 2,278 delegates in 2025, and this year, all exhibition space has completely sold out. This rapid growth signals a massive shift in how content is produced and consumed across the Southern Hemisphere. For horror enthusiasts, this signifies a professionalization of the genre that we haven't seen on this scale before. As the market expands, so does the budget and the appetite for high-quality genre content.
Latin America has always been a fertile ground for the supernatural. From the haunting legend of La Llorona to the terrifying urban legends of the Southern Cone, the folklore is rich, deeply rooted, and ready for global export. The fact that the industry is ‘reinventing itself’ suggests that we are moving past traditional broadcast models and into a more daring, experimental territory where horror can truly thrive. With the industry coming together in Miami, we are seeing the infrastructure being built to take these local nightmares and turn them into international streaming hits.
Vertical Video and the Evolution of Jump Scares
One of the most intriguing trends emerging from Content Americas is the industry's pivot toward 'vertical video addiction.' While often associated with social media fluff, the implications for the horror genre are profound. We have already seen the rise of 'analog horror' and short-form found footage on platforms like TikTok. By embracing vertical video as a legitimate medium for professional production, Latin American creators are tapping into a visceral, intimate way of scaring audiences.
Imagine a high-production-value slasher series designed specifically for the smartphone screen—claustrophobic, immediate, and impossible to look away from. This isn't just a gimmick; it’s a retooling of the cinematic language of fear. By meeting younger audiences where they are, the industry is ensuring that horror remains the most innovative genre in the digital age. The narrow field of view in vertical video is perfect for hiding monsters just out of sight, creating a sense of dread that traditional 16:9 formats simply cannot replicate.
Retooling Novelas: From Melodrama to Macabre
The 'retooling of novelas' mentioned in industry reports is another massive opportunity for genre fans. The traditional telenovela format, known for its high stakes, intense emotional drama, and massive episode counts, is the perfect skeleton for a horror narrative. We are starting to see a shift away from the standard romantic tropes toward what some insiders are calling ‘Gothic Novelas.’
By infusing the soap opera structure with elements of folk horror and psychological suspense, creators can keep audiences hooked over long-form narratives that allow for deep character development and slow-burn dread. This isn't just about changing the story; it's about changing the culture of TV production. When you combine the narrative stamina of a novela with the visceral impact of modern horror, you get a hybrid that could dominate streaming charts worldwide. As we look toward the rest of 2026, the message from Miami is clear: Latin American TV is no longer just following global trends—it is setting them. For the horror industry, this means a flood of fresh, diverse, and genuinely terrifying content is just around the corner.