With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to get in the spooky spirit with a queer horror film! Whether you want to re-watch an old classic or sink your teeth into a new title, this list is bound to offer you the perfect choice.

So without further ado, lock your door, grab a snack and don’t answer the phone – it’s time to find a new favourite queer horror film to watch this Halloween!

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, Evil Dead Rise follows two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons. The monsters thrust the pair into a primal battle for survival as they face a twisted version of family.

My Animal (2023)

In this genre-bending supernatural love story, we follow Heather as she navigates romance while being tormented by a hidden family curse. Starring Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Amandla Stenberg (who also appears in Bodies Bodies Bodies featured later in this list), this new werewolf tale is one to watch.

Doctor Jekyll (2023)

Starring trans actor Suzy Eddie Izzard, this film is based on the 1886 novella The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. It follows an ex-convict after he takes the carer position for the infamous Nina Jekyll. Little does he know, he’s part of an evil master plan devised by Jekyll’s alter ego Rachel Hyde. This one will be released in cinemas on October 27, making it a perfect queer film to check out this Halloween.

Bad Things (2023)

In this thriller, a group of queer friends go for a weekend getaway and soon discover that women do “bad things” at their hotel. This female-led film gives us a healthy dose of lesbian horror!

Knock at the Cabin (2023)

From visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Knock at the Cabin follows a young girl and her parents as they are taken hostage by four armed strangers. The family are made to make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse and must decide what they believe before all is lost.

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.

Scream (2022)

The newest instalment of Scream includes the franchise’s first openly queer protagonist, Mindy Meeks-Martin. The film includes a few unexpected twists and plenty of jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat.

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).

Hellbent (2004)

This queer slasher film follows a group of gay men who are trying to survive their Halloween adventures while being stalked by a killer wearing a devil mask.

Cat People (1942)

Although created during an era that censored LGBTQ+ characters, loads of queer themes are present in this film. The plot begins as a romance, but when the protagonist is put under an ancient curse that causes her to transform into a cat whenever she becomes intimate with her new partner, things get violent.

The Lost Boys (1987)

In this old time classic, Michael befriends a dangerous biker gang and becomes a vampire. Expect an excellent ’80s soundtrack, and all the normal horror that high school adolescence entails.

B&B (2017)

With a new twist on the story of Christmas, a gay couple is turned away from an inn, or rather, a B&B, due to the Christian owner’s religious views. The couple wins a discrimination lawsuit against him, but for reasons no one understands, they decide to visit the B&B again.

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.

They/Them (2022)

Cleverly named, They/Them follows a group of teenagers at an LGBTQ+ conversion therapy camp, where a mysterious masked killer is on the loose. Although the plot of the film initially sparked concern for its setting, it has been praised for its queer representation, empowerment and survival.

Fear Street trilogy (2021)

Described as Scream meets Stranger Things, this three-part slasher follows a teenage lesbian couple striving to break an ancient curse on their hometown. The trilogy takes place across three decades, beginning in 1994, and this time travel thriller doesn’t disappoint.

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.

What Keeps You Alive (2018)

What Keeps You Alive follows a lesbian couple celebrating their first wedding anniversary with a weekend away in a mountain cabin. Jackie’s mood is unusual, and her wife, Jules, gradually becomes more and more suspicious about her behaviour. Ultimately, this leads to a cat-and-mouse style fight for survival that doesn’t shy away from slayer gore. This heart-pounding psycho-drama speaks to the fear of not truly knowing the person you love the most and effectively breaks gender expectations.

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.

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Not a horror in the traditional sense but an absolute queer gem packed with iconic songs, sex, gore and a pretty inspirational life motto in the end – “Don’t dream it, be it”. Over 45 years since its original debut, the Rocky Horror Picture Show still manages to be an absolute cult classic. If you’re not re-watching it, are you even celebrating Halloween?

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.

Women Who Kill (2017)

This plot screams lesbian stereotypes. After their break-up, exes Morgan and Jean maintain their connection by co-hosting a true crime podcast about female murderers. When Jean gradually begins to suspect that Morgan’s new dating interest could be a serial killer, the horror comedy plot thickens. This film has been described as unpredictable and the “best lesbian horror-comedy ever”.

That concludes our list of queer films to check out this Halloween. Watch at your own risk!