With my love of performance, costumes, and goth, Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday. It doesn’t hurt that it comes just days after my birthday. To get in the mood every Spooky Season, I love settling in for a night of horror films, especially of the homosexual persuasion. If you’re looking to get spooked for the season, or any other time of the year, here are a few gay horror films to stream.
Actually Gay
Otto; or Up with Dead People
Directed by: Bruce LaBruce
Synopsis: Otto is a handsome zombie in the middle of an identity crisis when he auditions for a zombie film.
Standouts: With the freshest looking zombies that somehow coexist with humans, this low budget film offers a few humorous moments of camp with a maniacal guerilla filmmaker and one character who inexplicably is a film projection of a silent movie actress.
Why you should watch it: You have a love for the truly bizarre.
Where you can see it: Amazon video, Tubi
Hellbent
Directed by: Paul Etheredge-Ouzts
Synopsis: A group of gays celebrate Halloween by checking out a recent murder scene. They’re followed by a serial killer who’s been terrorizing West Hollywood and soon moves onto them.
Standouts: This movie stocks up on eye candy with a gay for pay cast of hunks and a leather daddy villain with a glass eye fetish.
Why you should watch it: It’s a seriously fun slasher from the early aughts.
Where you can see it: Amazon video
You’re Killing Me
Directed by: Jim Hansen
Starring: Matthew Wilkas, Matthew McKelligon, James Cerne
Synopsis: George starts dating a handsome new man, who comes out as a serial killer.
Standouts: Gratuitous shirtlessness.
Why you should watch it: It’s worth a few laughs.
Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV
Homoerotic
The Covenant
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Chace Crawford, Sebastian Stan
Synopsis: It’s basically a male version of the Craft.
Standouts: Shirtlessness.
Why you should watch it: You probably shouldn’t. Or maybe hit the mute button and listen to my Halloween playlist.
Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV
The Forsaken
Directed by: J. S. Cardone
Synopsis: On a cross country trip, Sean picks up a hitchhiker who he learns is a vampire hunter. The pair soon cross paths with a vampire crew eager to make them their next meal.
Standouts: The bromance between heroes Sean and Nick.
Why you should watch it: The cast is packed with late 90s/early 00s teen idol hunks.
Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2
Directed by: Jack Sholder
Synopsis: Much like the original, Freddy Krueger terrorizes teenagers by entering their dreams.
Standouts: The high school coach meets his untimely demise in a suspect leather club.
Why you should watch it: Freddy Krueger is a classic horror film villain. What have you got to lose?
Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, Apple TV
Camp
Fear No Evil
Directed by: Frank LaLoggia
Synopsis: A flamboyant teenage boy discovers that he’s the antichrist.
Standouts: TBH, I had a difficult time finding a standout moment.
Why you should watch it: Maybe don’t.
Where you can see it: DailyMotion
Fright Night
Directed by: Tom Holland
Synopsis: A teenage boy discovers his flamboyant neighbor is a vampire but no one will believe him.
Standouts: The film is packed with queer-coded Easter eggs that are an absolute treat to discover. Amanda Bearse, IRL lesbian icon, in the role of Charley’s girlfriend gets caught into a love triangle with the suave vampire Jerry.
Why you should watch it: Campy humor alone is reason enough to watch, but the real star is the delightfully gay subtext in Jerry’s relationship with his familiar Billy—complete with hints to their domestic life and cheeky nods to sexual intimacy that make this vampire tale all the more fabulous.
Where you can see it: Hulu
The Brotherhood
Directed by: David DeCoteau
Synopsis: A secret fraternity of hunky vampires tries to recruit a college freshman.
Standouts: There’s plenty of Y2K era beefcake being served and an uncomfortably long MMF vampiric feeding scene.
Why you should watch it: Sure, the dialogue may be cheesy, the acting is a bit stiff, and the production design feels like it had a negative budget, this campy take on the homoerotic side of vampire stories is still horrifically entertaining.
Where you can see it: Plex
Sapphic Scares
The Hunger
Directed by: Tony Scott
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, Susan Sarandon
Synopsis: Susan Sarandon plays a sleep and aging research doctor who finds herself in a love triangle with a chic vampire couple.
Standouts: The movie opens with a goth club scene that will have you clamoring for an all black wardrobe.
Why you should watch it: Aside from the sapphic vampire storyline, you’ll actually enjoy the film.
Where you can see it: YouTube, Amazon video, iTunes
Did you uncover new queer chills or have a favorite cult classic that I missed? Share your favorite gay horror films with me! And if you’re into tales from beyond the stars, don’t miss my list of queer-themed sci-fi movies.
