October has arrived, the nights are drawing in, and spooky season is officially upon us.
Few genres have such a fascinating relationship with LGBTQ+ audiences as horror. Long before openly queer characters became commonplace on screen, horror films were telling stories about outsiders, hidden identities, transformation and survival. Whether consciously or not, generations of LGBTQ+ viewers saw themselves reflected in misunderstood monsters, final girls and people forced to hide who they really were.
Today, queer horror is thriving. From sapphic cult classics and blood-soaked vampire romances to trans-led thrillers and psychological nightmares that explore identity, there has never been a better time to dive into the darker side of LGBTQ+ cinema.
So grab the popcorn, light a pumpkin-scented candle and settle in. Here are 10 of the best queer horror films and horror-adjacent chillers to add to your October watchlist.
1. I Saw The TV Glow (2024)
Arguably the defining queer horror film of the decade.
Director Jane Schoenbrun's surreal coming-of-age nightmare follows two teenagers bonded by their obsession with a mysterious late-night television series. As reality begins to blur with fantasy, the film becomes a devastating exploration of repression, identity and the cost of living a life that isn't truly your own.
For many trans viewers, the film has become an emotional touchstone.
Why watch? A haunting, trans-coded masterpiece that lingers long after the credits roll.
2. Jennifer's Body (2009)
Once misunderstood, now rightfully recognised as a queer cult classic.
Megan Fox delivers a career-best performance as Jennifer, a high-school queen bee possessed by a demonic force. Much of the film's emotional power comes from the complicated relationship between Jennifer and her best friend Needy, played by Amanda Seyfried.
Funny, sexy and surprisingly sharp, it's one of the most beloved horror films among LGBTQ+ audiences.
Why watch? Camp perfection with undeniable sapphic energy.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The ultimate queer midnight movie.
Tim Curry's unforgettable Dr Frank-N-Furter remains one of cinema's most iconic gender-bending characters, helping generations of LGBTQ+ people discover a world beyond conventional norms.
Half a century later, Rocky Horror still feels rebellious, ridiculous and completely irresistible.
Why watch? Because no queer Halloween is complete without it.
4. Bit (2019)
One of the most underrated queer horror films ever made.
Trans actress Nicole Maines stars as Laurel, a transgender teenager who moves to Los Angeles and finds herself recruited into an all-female vampire gang.
Rather than focusing on trauma, Bit centres friendship, empowerment and chosen family, while still delivering plenty of vampire mayhem.
Why watch? A rare horror film with a trans protagonist that's genuinely fun.
5. Knife + Heart (2018)
A bloody love letter to queer cinema.
Set against the backdrop of Paris's gay pornography industry in the late 1970s, this stylish French slasher follows a producer whose performers are being targeted by a mysterious killer.
Part murder mystery, part romance and wholly mesmerising, it's one of the most visually stunning films on this list.
Why watch? Gorgeous queer horror with genuine emotional depth.
6. Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Three films, countless murders and a queer love story at the centre of it all.
Netflix's hugely successful adaptation of R.L. Stine's books delivers witches, slashers, cursed towns and enough blood to satisfy any horror fan. Crucially, the emotional heart of the story is the relationship between teenage couple Deena and Sam.
It remains one of the strongest examples of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream horror.
Why watch? Perfect for an entire weekend horror binge.
7. Hellbent (2004)
The Halloween slasher queer audiences deserved.
Set during a West Hollywood Halloween celebration, Hellbent follows a group of gay friends being stalked by a masked killer.
Unlike many horror films of its era, queer characters aren't coded sidekicks or punchlines. They're simply the heroes of the story.
Why watch? A genuinely groundbreaking piece of LGBTQ+ horror history.
8. Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Before queer vampires became fashionable, there was Louis and Lestat.
Anne Rice's gothic classic drips with homoerotic tension as two immortal companions navigate centuries of obsession, heartbreak and desire.
The recent television adaptation has made the queerness even more explicit, but the original film remains essential viewing.
Why watch? Elegant gothic horror and beautifully tragic romance.
9. Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
A horror comedy tailor-made for the social media age.
When a group of wealthy young friends gather at a remote mansion during a storm, paranoia turns deadly. Featuring queer characters, bisexual tension and razor-sharp satire, it's one of the funniest horror films of recent years.
Why watch? Equal parts slasher and savage comedy.
10. Titane (2021)
Strange, unsettling and utterly unforgettable.
Julia Ducournau's Palme d'Or-winning body horror film defies easy categorisation. Exploring themes of gender, identity, transformation and belonging, it pushes the boundaries of what horror can be.
Some viewers will love it. Others will leave deeply confused.
Both reactions are entirely valid.
Why watch? Horror at its most daring and transgressive.
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion