Queers love horror, that’s a fact. The Venn diagram of horror fans and the queer community is, well, not exactly a circle, but pretty damn close. So, here’s a list of horror films for every queer watcher to enjoy this Halloween. 

Queerness and horror have always been tied to each other. It is widely considered that Bram Stoker, writer of the iconic horror Dracula, was actually gay, and one of many LGBTQ+ artists who wrote as an outlet to express their experiences in a world that wouldn’t allow them to show queer love. Instead, they showed the pain of secrets, otherness, being considered taboo and a monster. It allows the audience to feel those feelings, see them exaggerated, and feel less alone.

Horror is also an excellent vehicle for the trans experience, where body horror can be a metaphorical depiction of gender dysphoria. If there’s one thing that connects queer people to the world of horror, it’s trauma. Horror films are a safe space to experience fear, and we queers love a safe space. Here are some safe spaces (queer horror films) to enter this Halloween.

The Parenting (2025)
The concept of this horror-comedy is a cracker. What is scarier than spending a weekend with your partner’s parents? How about a weekend with your parents and your partner’s parents, and there’s a 400-year-old poltergeist? This is a fun one full of tricks and treats for sure.

I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
I don’t want to bring the mood down, but being trans can feel like a real-life horror film with all of the attempts to eradicate trans people from existence right now. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There are many shining lights, like Jane Schoenbrun and her work, including this hauntingly beautiful and hypnotic psychological horror. It will move you like a U-Haul.

Knock at the Cabin (2023)
This horror-thriller, based on The Cabin at the End of the World, starring Jonathon Groff, Ben Aldridge, and Dave Bautista, and directed by none other than M. Knight Shyamalan, explores family inclusively and asks impossible questions. It grips you like you wish Bautista would, and will leave you stirred like a witch’s potion for days.

Swallowed (2022)
Cooper Koch as a wanna-be gay porn star sounds more like a fantasy than a horror, but this dream quickly turns into a nightmare body-horror when he meets a dark underbelly. It’s hot, it’s gay, and it will make you tingle in different ways. It breaks ground in disturbing ways and might make you gag. It’s kind of romantic, too. A must-watch queer horror film for this Halloween.

They/Them (2022)
Horrors are camp, and camps are horror. Finally, non-binary representation as serial killers! Just kidding. “They Slash Them”, starring Kevin Bacon and featuring the lovely Cooper Koch, sends a bunch of queer and trans teenagers to a conversion camp and sets loose a serial killer.

Together (2025)
This one is mostly only queer because it was censored. The LGBTQ+ community has a long and continuing history of being censored. Earlier this year, a Chinese distributor used AI to make a gay kiss straight in this freaky flick. It stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie (bisexual icon) in an unhealthy co-dependent relationship that turns into gruesome and gory body horror. We all know some couples that could spend a little less time together, actually. Invite them over to watch Together together this Halloween!

Clown in a Cornfield (2025)
This surprisingly gay Shudder release is fun for all the family, or at least chosen adult family. It’s got representation, and all of the scariest things: clowns, teenagers, tradition. It’s a non-stop laugh and slash-riot, with some creative deaths, creepy characters, shirtless hunks, and body chunks. This one’s definitely a fun film to watch with queer friends this Halloween.

Bad Things (2023)
If you missed this super queer homage to The Shining, it’s about time to fix that. A queer couple, portrayed by Hari Nef and Gayle Rankin, go to an abandoned hotel for a lovely weekend with their exes. It’s like the Queer Eye guys got a hold of Stephen King, but more like Stewart Thorndike got her directorial hands on him.

Hellbent (2004)
Listen, if you’re going to get hunted by a killer in West Hollywood on Halloween night, he better at least be buff. This film is widely regarded as the first gay slasher, inspiring a whole wave in its wake. It’s cheesy, buff, spooky and camp like the batsuit with the nipples designed by Jose Fernandez for Batman & Robin and Batman Forever.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
This A24 comedy horror centres around a group of young women, including some great LGBTQ+ characters. It follows these wealthy Gen-Z friends to a party in a mansion where they decide to play a murder mystery game that quickly evolves into a real-life crime scene. This is an excellent queer slasher film, perfect for Halloween!

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

The world was not ready for this storyline in 2009, but it’s since become a feminist classic with a queer following. Jennifer’s Body is ultimately about queer friendship, empowerment and revenge kills.

ParaNorman (2012)
An absolute gem from Laika Studios, Paranorman, although not fully a queer movie, is an absolute joy to watch, and it features the first openly gay character in a mainstream animated movie. The film follows Norman, a misunderstood boy with a special gift: he can see and talk to ghosts. When a centuries-old curse is unleashed on his sleepy town, he will have to step up and side with a bunch of kids to save the day. Not your average horror movie; this will hit you hard (in a very good way).

Bit (2019)
In this comedy horror, a transgender teenager moves in with her brother after transitioning and befriends four queer feminist vampires. Together, they take it upon themselves to rid their city of predatory men because “men can’t handle power”.

The Perfection (2019)
The Perfection is full of mystery, hallucinations and brainwashing. When a talented cellist travels to Shanghai to reconnect with her mentor, she also begins a relationship with another student and agrees to follow her across rural China. From there, pure horror ensues.

Strange by the Lake (2013)
This film begins with a classic ‘boy meets boy’ love story on a French gay cruising beach. Everything is going well, and they decide to pursue their romantic relationship with only one concern: they both become murder suspects.

The Craft: Legacy (2020)
The sequel to the ’90s classic follows four high school friends who create a coven of witches and use their magical powers for love spells and witchcraft. Like any good reboot, it honours the original film and introduces some lovely queer characters, making it a perfect addition to this list.

Spiral (2019)
This Shudder original tells the chilling story of a gay couple who move to a small town looking for a quiet place to raise their teenage daughter. Needless to say, things are not as they seem in the picturesque neighbourhood, as the couple soon discover. Featuring openly gay actor and reality TV star Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Spiral makes for a pretty creepy watch.

Knife + Heart (2018)
Set in the gay porn world of the ’70s, Knife + Heart follows the story of adult film producer and director Anne. When Anne’s editor and girlfriend Lois breaks up with her, she tries to win her back by shooting a more ambitious film with the flamboyant Archibald. However, after one of her actors is brutally murdered, Anne finds herself tangled in a bizarre investigation that turns her life upside down.

Wir sind die Nacht (We Are The Night) (2010)
Wir sind die Nacht follows the story of an all-female vampire trio in Berlin who are taking in a fourth member. Sexy, fast-paced and surprisingly deep, it touches on themes of love, depression and immortality. This critically acclaimed low-budget German film is definitely a queer horror not to be missed. Also, the soundtrack is kick-ass.

Thelma (2017)
Thelma is a supernatural thriller about a young woman who is struggling with health issues and beginning her first year of college. While adjusting to being away from her family, she is also falling in love for the first time and figuring out her sexuality. Full of unpleasant childhood flashbacks, this coming-of-age thriller features a powerful young queer female lead with a story that is both captivating and empowering.

Haute Tension (High Tension) (2003)
This is an absolute wild ride of a horror, and definitely one to add to your watchlist. Haute Tension follows best friends Marie and Alexia, who find themselves relentlessly stalked by a sadistic killer. It’s fast-paced, extremely gory and unpredictable, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. We can’t say much without spoiling the end, but be warned: not for the faint-hearted.

The Hunger (1983)
The Hunger tells the story of a love triangle between a doctor who specialises in rapid ageing research and a vampire couple. Sexy, stylish and with an incredible cast (Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie), this cult classic still stands today.

We hope that’s enough horror film recommendations to keep you queer and in fear this Halloween!