Must-watch LGBTQ+ Halloween Films: Supernatural Treats & Spooky Family-Friendly Fun

We’re fast approaching 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 LGBTQ+ favorites to suit practically every mood this upcoming freakend.

So whether you’re looking for gory horror, a creepy classic, a nail-biting, suspense-packed dark and mysterious thriller, a supernatural treat, or a family-friendly Halloween comedy, our lists have got it covered. Today, we focus on supernatural and more light-hearted spooky, yet fun, Halloween movies.

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, this freakend.

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.

Don’t forget to check out our lists of favorite gory gay slasher horror movies, queer creepy Halloween classics, and nail-biting suspense-packed dark thrillers, if you missed them earlier this week. Check back in for our final list tomorrow!