Must-watch LGBTQ+ Halloween Movies
Entertainment
It's Halloween, AKA Gay Christmas, so we’ve come up with a list of must-watch LGBTQ+ horror movies, that will cater for all tastes to keep you entertained. With a fast-growing repertoire of queer Halloween films over the last few years, there are so many terrorific movies to choose from. So we’ve selected a few of our spooky favorites to suit practically every mood this Halloween.
So whether you’re looking for gory horror, a creepy classic, or a dark and mysterious thriller, this list has got it covered. We’ve even thrown in a few supernatural treats for our vampire-loving queer community, as well as a few Halloween comedies for those spending time with family and children.
GORY HORROR
Let’s start with some gory gay horror slasher options:
Hellbent (2004)
This horror movie was the first “gay slasher” genre horror film aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences. Set over a single tumultuous Halloween night in West Hollywood, the film follows a group of five gay & bisexual men – Joey, Chaz, Tobey, Eddie, and Jake – who dress up in quintessential gay costumes (cop, cowboy, leather, drag) and set out for a night of drinking and partying, only to find themselves stalked and murdered by a masked killer. Hellbent played the gay and lesbian film festival circuit throughout 2004 and 2005 before a limited theatrical release in September 2005 and is reported to have sparked a wave of "gay slasher" horror films.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
This queer cult horror movie stars Megan Fox as Jennifer, the popular girl at high school who gets possessed by a demon, seduces men, kills them and then devours their flesh. She also makes out with her best friend Needy (played by Amanda Seyfried). Jennifer’s Body was a rare and courageous effort to capture the complexity of female relationships, bisexuality, and methods of coping with male abuse within the horror genre well before the #MeToo movement. In an interview with the NY Times, Fox described Jennifer as a “cannibalistic lesbian cheerleader”.
Raw (2017)
For those hungry for gory queer horror, then Raw will not disappoint. Like Jennifer’s Body, this movie also explores cannibalism. This French coming-of-age movie is a story about a strict vegetarian college student who develops a voracious appetite for human flesh after a hazing ritual at her veterinary school. The once introverted young girl then starts to explore her body — and other people’s, thanks to her gay roommate, Adrien. This film, however, is not for the faint of heart, as some US theatres were reported to be handing out sick bags with tickets after too many people in the audience started to throw up.
Psycho (1960)
Norman Bates, the lead character in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, is an effeminate, cross-dressing serial killer who murders women that stay at his motel, after getting into arguments with his dead mother’s skeleton. Bates was driven mad by his mother and gender confusion, which ultimately led him to kill his female guests. Although Bates was never explicitly gay, there were plenty of clues that pointed towards his sexuality. In fact, Anthony Perkins, who played the lead role of Norman, was known to be gay, although he was not officially out.
High Tension (2003)
High Tension is another terrifying, yet clever French queer horror movie that does not hold back on the gore. It follows the story of two young women, Marie and Alex, who travel to Alex’s secluded farmhouse in the middle of nowhere for a weekend getaway. Soon after, a serial killer wakes them up in the middle of the night, butchers the family and kidnaps Alex. Marie, who managed to hide her presence from the madman, follows him to save her best friend, and the girl she is in love with. Terrifying and full of suspense, all is not how it seems. Intrigued? Watch it if you like a gory horror film packed with splattering blood.
CREEPY CLASSICS
If you’re in the mood for a creepy classic, then it’s worth checking out:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
This classical psychological thriller features gay icons and famed rivals Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Jane (played by Davis), is an ageing child star left to care for her wheelchair-bound sister Blanche (played by Crawford), who is also a former child actress. Stuck living together in a mansion in old Hollywood, Blanche plots to get even with Jane for the car crash that left her crippled years earlier. A must-watch melodrama of hate, revenge and murder which launched an entire genre of queer horror films.
Cat People (1942)
Another classical movie which tells the story of a Serbian immigrant named Irena who believes she has descended from a race of people that shapeshift into panthers when sexually aroused or angered. Irena meets and hastily marries an American man, but must abstain from intimacy, unless she wants to awaken a curse of her descendants. Her fears of giving in to him and resistance to consummating her marriage were interpreted by the movie-going queer community as repressed lesbian desire.
Dracula’s Daughter (1936)
Like Cat People, this melodramatic sequel to 1931's Dracula, also revels in repressed desire and passion. Gloria Holden who plays the sultry Countess Marya Zaleska, in this slow, yet moving classical horror drama, believes that by destroying Dracula’s body, she will be free of her father’s blood-thirsty ways and be able to live normally. But will she succeed and be freed from the urge of feasting on human blood? Watch it to find out.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
This is the sequel to the 1931 classic Frankenstein. The plot follows a chastened Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to abandon his plans to create life, only to be tempted by his old mentor Dr Pretorius, and coerced by threats from the Monster, into constructing a mate for the Monster. The film, starring gay/bisexual actors Colin Clive (as the good doctor) and Ernest Thesiger (playing Dr Pretorius), revels in high-camp humor. A must-watch classic for Frankenstein fans.
Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)
The second part of Nightmare on Elm Street has become a cult classic since it came out in 1985. The film follows Jesse, a teenager who begins having recurring nightmares about Freddy Krueger after moving into the former home of Nancy Thompson from the first film. Described by many as “the gayest slasher film ever made”, Freddy’s Revenge is a must-watch for anyone with an interest in queer themes in film. Although it doesn’t have any outright queer characters, the script was intentionally queer, claimed director David Chaskin. You can’t help but notice the sexual tension between lead character Jesse – starring openly gay actor Mark Patton – and fellow student Ron (played by Robert Rusler).
For those of you who prefer some dark nail-biting suspense, then check out these mysterious thrillers:
Stranger by the Lake (2013)
This dark erotic French thriller follows an older man, Franck, who falls in love with a dangerous man called Michel at a cruising spot for men, in the South of France. He discovers Michel drowning another man in a lake but doesn’t report it because he fancies him. Although both men become suspects, they continue to pursue each other. The movie about a doomed, dark liaison scooped the Queer Palm award, and Alain Guiraudie won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.
Black Swan (2010)
This American psychological horror film, revolving around a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet by the New York City Ballet company. Nina, played by Natalie Portman, is a ballerina whose passion for dance rules every facet of her life. When the company's artistic director decides to replace his prima ballerina for their opening production of Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But she has competition in newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis). The rivalry between the two dancers turns into a twisted friendship, and Nina's dark side begins to emerge. The film, which contains a rather raunchy scene between the two women, attracted a huge number of complaints that year.
Les Diaboliques (1955)
This French psychological thriller follows the intense relationship between two women working at a boarding school, who conspire to kill the beastly headmaster. One of the women is married to him, and the other is his mistress. This Alfred Hitchcock film, often compared to “Psycho”, was a huge success in France. The boarding school setting, suggestive costumes and close friendship between the two main women contributed to making Les Diaboliques a queer-coded film.
B&B (2017)
Gay couple Marc and Fred embark on a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast. They were turned away by the religious owner the year before who refused them a double bed at the remote Christian guest house. So they sued for discrimination and won their case, after which they return to that very B&B for the romantic retreat they never got to enjoy the year before. But events take a deadly turn when another guest arrives, who has something more sinister in mind. Intrigued?
Perfection (2019)
This horror-drama thriller is often compared to Black Swan, as it also focuses on the dangerous liaison between two competitive young women trying to succeed in the ruthless world of art. The Perfection sees Allison Williams in the role of Charlotte, as an unhinged former star cellist who targets her old academy's current star pupil. Charlotte was a talented young cellist before she was forced to leave Bachoff, a prestigious Boston music school to care for her terminally ill mother. After her mother's death years later, Charlotte reaches out to Anton, the head of the academy, and travels to Shanghai to join him and his family, and other musicians. There she befriends Lizzie, (played by Logan Browning), Anton's current prized cellist. After meeting and professing mutual adoration for each other’s work, Charlotte seduces Lizzie and they make out. The following morning things get even weirder and the encounter leads down a sinister path – involving a grueling bus journey in China’s outback – with shocking consequences. A must-watch, especially for classical music lovers.
SUPERNATURAL TREATS
For the witch and vampire lovers amongst us, here are a few supernatural treats you may wish to savor this freakend:
The Craft (1996)
This supernatural Halloween favorite follows a group of outcast teenage girls with supernatural abilities. Nancy, Bonnie, Rochelle and Rachel pursue witchcraft for their gain, and as a result have to face the consequences, leading to a terrifying finale between the two main characters, Rachel and Nancy. Although the film isn’t explicitly queer, their coven feels like a group of LGBTQ youth who are coming to terms with their identity. They even have a witchy “safe space” where they get together, something that most queer and marginalized communities can relate to. If you do, then this is a must-watch this Halloween weekend.
The Covenant (2006)
Featuring Hollywood hotties Sebastian Stan, Taylor Kitsch and Chase Crawford, The Covenant is basically the guys’ version of The Craft. The movie, which is basically about a witch fight between good and evil follows a group of baby-faced teenagers with spiky hair cuts at a prestigious prep school. Like The Craft, they also belong to an ancient magical covenant that endows them with supernatural powers. Although they have romances with girls, the film has been claimed as queer because of the way the camera objectifies the shirtless male bodies onscreen.
Fright Night (1985)
In Fright Night, a teenage boy finds out that his new next-door neighbor, Jerry, is a closeted vampire and becomes obsessed with him. He becomes so engrossed with him, that he starts to ignore his girlfriend. Interestingly, Jerry also has a live-in man servant, Billy, who he curates antiques with. Jerry and Billy actually pretend to be a posh gay couple to get accepted by the neighbors. The issues in this film will resonate with many in the LGBTQ+ community, as the life of Jerry mirrors the experience of being a closeted gay man who must hide who he really is.
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
This gothic romantic horror movie recounts the intense lifelong relationship and power struggle between love and hate between two vampires, Lestat and Louis. Lestat (Tom Cruise) and Louis (Brad Pitt), not only fight over another man but co-parent a child together. Interview With The Vampire has been described as one of the most successful gay films of all time, although it was never actually explicitly stated when it was made.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPOOKY FUN
For those of you spending time with families and children, then this selection of spooky, yet more light-hearted and entertaining Halloween comedy will not disappoint.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Those of you that haven’t seen this kinky, rock 'n roll, rock-opera queer horror-comedy yet are in for a real treat. The story centers around a young couple, Brad and Janet, whose car breaks down on a rainy night near a castle where they seek a telephone to call for help. They come across a castle owned by gender-bending scientist Dr Frank-N-Furter who’s having a party to celebrate his latest creation: Rocky Horror, a man-made Adonis capable of providing absolute pleasure. Throughout the night, they have fun meeting his weird entourage in fabulous and weird costumes. Not only does Frank seduce both Brad and Janet, but Janet makes out with Rocky! The film has a massive worldwide following, with fans often dressing up as the characters during Halloween and recreating the many musical numbers. In fact, the Rocky Horror Picture Show boasts being one of the longest-running theatrical releases in film history, spanning four decades.
The Addams Family Halloween (2019)
They’re creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, but the macabre Addams Family has always been a huge hit with many in the LGBTQ community. The producers of the 2019 animation delighted queer fans by featuring same-sex parents in the trailer’s description of what an average normal family looks like before they released The Addams Family Halloween in October 2019. Although they didn’t change the story or characters just to show support for LGBTQ+ families, they did demonstrate inclusion and support for non-traditional families. There are so many movies/series to choose from about this fictional household created back in 1938, featuring Gomez and Morticia Addams, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, including Uncle Fester, Grandmama and butler Lurch. In the 2019 animated film, the eccentric family – who are completely oblivious to the fact that other people find them bizarre and frightening – move to a bland suburb, where Wednesday’s friendship with the daughter of a hostile, local reality show host creates conflict between the families. A great one for those of you entertaining kids over Halloween.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
A curious youngster moves to Salem in Massachusetts where he struggles to fit in, and accidentally awakens a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century. Gay icons Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy feature in this camp tale of three resurrected witch sisters who then wreak Halloween havoc on Salem. Hocus Pocus is full of great laughs and inspiration for a Halloween costume, to wear later if you go out to play trick or treat, with the young and old.
Here Come The Munsters (1995)
This horror-comedy tells the story of the Munster family's arrival in the US from Transylvania. It’s based on the main characters of the US classic supernatural sitcom of the 1960s. After their peaceful home in Transylvania came under siege from confused and bigoted local peasants, the misunderstood family leave Europe for the land of opportunity. Grandpa, Herman, Lily, Eddie and their fire-breathing dragon Spot pack their bags and head off to visit Aunt Elsa and Uncle Norman in America. On arrival, they hear that Uncle Norman has mysteriously disappeared and Aunt Elsa has fallen into a catatonic state, and their plain cousin Marilyn has been left to cope alone. Like The Addams Family, it’s another great kid-friendly movie, offering great ideas for costumes for those going trick and treating or partying in your neighborhood. Some interesting facts:
- Herman Munster was considered to be TV’s first gay Monster.
- The Munsters was also remade into Mockingbird Lane, where Lily Munster was played by gay icon Portia de Rossi, wife of chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.
- Another adaptation of the 1960s creep show comedy is currently being made by director Rob Zombie.
So, an ample selection of spooky horror movies to keep you entertained whatever-ever you’re in the mood for this Halloween.
Happy Halloween from the team at myGwork!
