Hollywood Horror Films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apocalyptic events, and religious or folk beliefs. Cinematic techniques used in horror films have been shown to provoke psychological reactions in an audience. Horror films have existed for more than a century. From origins in silent films and German Expressionism, horror only became a codified genre after the release of Dracula (1931). Horror is particularly prominent in the cinema of Japan, Korea, Italy, and Thailand, among other countries. Despite being the subject of social and legal controversy due to their subject matter, some horror films and franchises have seen major commercial success, influenced society, and spawned several popular culture icons.