LGBTQ+ Horror Watchlist!
Happy Pride! Queer filmmaking has always been an important part of the film industry but was often looked down upon. In fact, Hollywood prohibited queer representation for many years as part of their “Production Code”. However, the horror genre has continued to welcome the marginalized and unique. In fact, during the moral Reagan era, films like The Hunger were born. Giving birth to a whole new world in indie horror filmmaking.
Now more than ever, there has been an abundance of incredible horror films that continue to celebrate diversity and queer culture. Celebrate pride month by watching some of these incredible horror films and television shows that include LGBTQ+ representation!
American Horror Story (TV Series)
Created in 2011, co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk time and time again have given us terrifying and captivating tales of horror that always depict diversity and have provided us with rich LGBTQ+ characters.
If you have yet to watch AHS we highly recommend it! We love it! Murphy and Falchuck seem to always perfectly cast. Remarkable performances from Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Billie Lourd, Finn Wittrock, Lady Gaga, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Denis O’Hare and so many more! It’ll creep into your worst nightmares and you’ll keep coming back for more.
Fun Fact: Murphy, a gay male, grew up catholic and was in the choir which inspired his later work on Glee. He also secretly dated many football players in high school. I just love that…
Watch the trailer here. (For all 9 seasons)
Streaming: Hulu, Amazon Prime, and available for rental.
Bit (2019)
A transgender teenage girl goes to spend time with her brother on summer vacation in Los Angeles. She ends up fighting to survive after she falls in with four feminist vampires whose goal is to get rid of predatory men.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and available for rental.
Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981)
An orphaned teenager finds himself dominated by his aunt who’s obsessed with keeping him with her…no matter what it takes.
This film was so important for its time. It depicts an important gay supporting character and the struggles and homophobia he faces from his community. Can’t say much more than that without ruining the end but it’s so good!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC+, SHudder, Directv, Spectrum, rental.
Chucky (TV series)
In the continuation of the Chucky franchise, a vintage Chucky doll arrives at a suburban yard sale and is purchased by a young teen. A small American town is thrown into a series of horrific events as murders begin to expose the town’s hidden mysteries.
The lead protagonist in this SYFY original series is Jake (Zachary Arthur), an openly gay teen who is harassed and bullied on a regular basis by the most popular girl in school Lexy (Alyvia Alyn Lind). Amidst Jake discovering feelings for a mutual friend, Devon (Bjorgvin Arnarson), he and Lexy eventually have to find a way to join forces to defeat Chucky.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Peacock, Directv, USA, Fubo, Spectrum, rental.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Based on the R.L. Stine books by the same name, the film trilogy follows a group of teenage friends who encounter ancient evil they find is responsible for a string of brutal murders that have haunted their small town of Shadyside for over 3 centuries.
This series follows the lead protagonist Deena who’s a lesbian that’s in love with Sam and has not yet fully come to grips with who she is. Fear Street is a fun retro slasher series and also stars Maya Hawke and Sadie Sink of Stranger Things! Our favorite part in the series was Part three.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Freaky (2020)
Freaky follows a young troubled girl who discovers that she’s swapped bodies with a deranged serial killer. She discovers she has less than 24 hours before the change back to her old self before the change becomes permanent.
Freaky comes from the director Christopher Landon, who also did Happy Death Day (that we love!) This film seemly depicts a struggle with identity and coming into one’s self. Vince Vaughn who plays the killer is incredible in this in a way you’ve never seen him before. Kathryn Newton as the lead Millie is so nuanced with her duality and is just so convincing as these two very different characters. Misha Osherovich plays Josh, who is gay and is one of Millie’s close friends. Love this film!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: HBO Max, Directv, Spectrum, rental.
High Tension (2003)
In this French film directed by the renowned Alexandre Aja, Best friends Marie and Alexia go to spend a quiet weekend at Alexia’s parents’ isolated farmhouse in the country. However, the girls’ quiet getaway turns into an endless night of horror.
This film is SO GOOD! You will be nail-biting the entire way through. High Tension gets RIGHT to it. You will find no slow ACT 2 here.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC+ with The Roku Channel, Tubi, Redbox, PLUTO TV, and available for rental.
The Hunger (1983)
Directed by Tony Scott, The Hunger tells the tale of a love triangle between a beautiful and dangerous vampire Miriam (Catherine Deneuve), her companion John (David Bowie), and a gerontologist scientist Sarah (Susan Sarandon). Sarah tries to discover the secret behind John’s rapid aging and in turn gets twisted in Miriam’s games.
The Hunger is such an important film for its time and is so original in its storytelling for vampire films of the same era.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Lizzie (2018)
Based on the well-known infamous murders, Lizzie is a psychological thriller based on the notorious 1892 murders of Lizzie Borden’s family.
Starring Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart. This adaptation of this terrifying tale is tantalizing and riveting. Both Sevigny and Stewart in their own right have become icons in the LGBTQ community.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Tubi, Vudu, The Roku Channel, PLUTO TV, and available for rental.
Into the Dark:
Midnight Kiss (2019)
A group of friends go to Palm Springs for a fabulous weekend to ring in the new year and are stalked by a mysterious stranger who has a revenge plot to pluck them off one by one.
Midnight Kiss is part of the series “Into the Dark” produced by Blumhouse was really good and delves into the complicated relationships between friends and partners.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Hulu.
The Perfection (2018)
Starring Allison Williams of Get Out, who plays a troubled musical prodigy who seeks out her successor. What happens next is a disturbing series of revelations.
I really can’t say anymore without ruining what happens in the film but The Perfection is one of the top choices on this list. Watch it today!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix
Raw (2016)
In this French film by director Julia Ducournau, a young student and strict vegetarian studying to be a veterinarian, develops a disturbing craving for flesh…of any kind.
Raw is incredible and is a critically acclaimed film and I recommend maybe not watching it close to mealtime…
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental.
The Retreat (2021)
In this terrifying tale, a lesbian couple goes to a pre-wedding retreat to work on their budding relationship. They end up fighting for their lives when they discover they’re being watched…and hunted.
So scary! Whenever you add peril to isolation it’s a reason for all the goosebumps!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Fubo, Showtime, Showtime with Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel, DirecTV, and available for rental.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Brad and Janet, a newly-engaged couple, find themselves stranded in an isolated area and seek help at the home of Dr. Frank N. Furter. They soon get a lot more than they ask for in return.
Okay, I can’t say how much I love this Richard O’Brian classic. So groundbreaking for its time! Originally panned, Rocky Horror has become a huge cult hit unparalleled to anything that’s come after it. Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick. If you haven’t seen this musical comedy-horror yet…stop reading this and do it now.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Spiral (2019)
Starring Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman of Unreal, American Horror Story: 1984, and RuPaul’s Drag Race fame. Spiral follows a gay couple and their daughter as they move into a small town. Everything starts to unravel when bigotry & homophobia come to light…but it goes even deeper than that.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, Shudder with Amazon Prime Video, DirecTV, AMC+ with The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video, and available or rental.
Titane (2021)
The film follows a series of unexplained murders and crimes, and as a result, a father is miraculously reunited with his son who went missing 10 years ago.
This synopsis doesn’t really even cut it describing Titane! Directed by Julia Ducournau this film is like nothing you’ve ever seen!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Hulu and available for rental.
What Keeps You Alive (2018)
A female couple retreats to the mountains for their one-year anniversary and one partner soon discovers her partner is not at all who she thought she was.
This film is utterly unsettling! It makes you wonder if you ever really know anyone…
Fun Fact: Originally this film was to star a cis-gendered couple and they changed direction.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, DirecTV, AMC+ with Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel, and available for rental.
More from Married to Horror
Looking for more? You can find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and lists. Take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
Did we miss any of your favorites? Comment below or email us at contact@marriedtohorror.com! Follow our Facebook group Married to Horror and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @marriedtohorror.
