10 gothic horror movies you must watch

In this list, we’re looking at gothic films that encapsulate the very best of what horror has to offer. What makes a horror movie gothic? The gothic genre is centered around aesthetics that include a grand setting that is usually haunted, elements of the supernatural, ominous weather, and emotional/moral stress of characters. Sometimes the gothic can be hard to define or put into one category, but here are the movies that give us that gothic feeling!

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Dracula is cursed to live his very long life alone after the tragic death of his wife until Jonathan Harker is looking to make a deal. Harker’s wife, Mina, bears a striking resemblance to Dracula’s wife. Dracula imprisons Jonathan and goes in search of Mina, his one true love.

Bram Stoker's Dracula is the epitome of gothic literature turned film. The setting is one of true horror, with the gigantic creepy castle, vampiric elements, and of course the Victorian era.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

A London barber is wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit because of a corrupt judge. Sweeney Todd returns 15 years later to fulfill his revenge plot of all those who wronged him, working his way to kill the judge that ruined his life. 

Sweeney Todd is a classic musical/horror retold by Tim Burton, who is known for adding gothic elements to his movies. The gothic elements seen here are the costume design and the morality of the characters, especially the choices of Sweeney Todd.

Crimson Peak (2015)

After Edith marries Sir Thomas Sharpe and moves into his mansion, she tries to settle into her new life. This means getting along with Sharpe's sister, Lady Lucille. The mansion is home to a few ghosts that Edith can communicate with, who warn her of the dangers looming within the house. 

The gothic mansion is the perfect setting for this movie, along with the supernatural elements that really add to the aesthetic of Guillermo del Toro's style.  The morality of Lady Lucille and Sir Thomas Sharpe is also called into question as Edith unravels the mystery.

Dark Shadows (2012)

In the 18th century, Barnabas Collins accidentally breaks the heart of a witch who curses him with immortality and buries him alive. In 1972, his grave is dug up, and he finds himself in a strange new world, returning to find his family, who harbors secrets of their own.

Similar to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Dark Shadows follows in the footsteps of vampirism and the love of creepy mansions. There are plenty of supernatural elements to be found in Dark Shadows, but this movie leans more toward comedy than dramatic horror.

Van Helsing (2004)

Another story that spins off of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is Van Helsing. Van Helsing is a monster hunter who is sent to Transylvania to partner with Anna Valerious. The duo is tasked with killing Count Dracula and his newfound accomplice, Frankenstein’s monster.

The same elements that appear in Bram Stoker’s Dracula appear in Van Helsing but with more monsters. Not only are there vampires, but there are also werewolves, and of course the famous Frankenstein’s monster.

The Nun (2018)

A priest and a novitiate are sent to Romania to investigate a suicide at an abbey. The pair begin to realize that the ground is anything but holy, and something dark threatens to take their lives as well.

In the Conjuring anthology, The Nun stands out against the rest, serving as a prequel. In The Nun, we get another unsettling location: a monastery. The supernatural element is slightly different, considering it’s not a vampire or even a ghost but rather a demon. The demon taunts the characters and reveals their worst fears to them.

The Craft (1996)

After moving schools, Sarah befriends a group of outcasts who have been rumored to be witches. Sarah herself possesses the gift of telekinesis, allowing her to become the fourth in a powerful ritual. After the girls gain immense power, they start to abuse it.

The Craft is not an obvious gothic movie but has been deemed the movie for the goths! We still get the supernatural element as the plot centers around the use of witchcraft. We can also see the moral struggles within the characters themselves, specifically Sarah. 

Underworld (2003)

Underworld is a popular film series that focuses on the war between vampires and werewolves. Selene, a trained killer, must save her vampire bloodline before the Lycan leader ends them all.  

Underworld is gothic based on the visuals alone. The movie is shot in blue and gray tones, creating a gloomy and dark atmosphere. Obviously, supernatural elements are present in the vampire and werewolf feuds. 

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow is set in 1799 and is loosely based on the 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. The legend of Sleepy Hollow is that the town is haunted by a headless horseman. Although the story is a mix of folklore, horror, and fantasy, it is also a story of romance. 

Sleepy Hollow is directed by Tim Burton, who focused on the supernatural and gothic elements of the short story. In addition, the film is shot with a gloomy filter to really add to the atmosphere.

Nosferatu (1922) and (2024)

Nosferatu is one of the original creature features that jump-started the fear of vampires. It's a silent film in black and white that tells the story of Count Orlock and Thomas Hutter. Orlock requests Hutter to his castle in Transylvania to purchase more land. But then, Orlock begins to reveal his dark secret and plagues the town, all while seeking Hutter’s wife Ellen.

Nosferatu is another adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and one of the first vampires on screen. This movie is also considered to be a gothic classic because of the genius filmmaking and production design that is centered around telling the vampiric story of Nosferatu.

Nosferatu is getting a remake that hits theaters on Dec. 25, 2024. True to the classic, the 2024 version is set to be a gothic horror movie. Robert Eggers spoke with Empire and said this about his upcoming film, “Yeah, it’s a scary film. It’s a horror movie. It’s a Gothic horror movie, and I do think that there hasn’t been an old-school Gothic movie that’s actually scary in a while. And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case.”

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