gothic horror films

It's one of my favorite genres and I wanted to share some of the films I enjoyed, it's also a way to organize them so you can find them more easily. I'm using the following definition for this list: Gothic horror is a style of Horror film that incorporates Gothic imagery, such as architecture and dress, and deeply relies on a bleak, uneasy, and dreamlike atmosphere. These films have been influenced by the Gothic literature that originated in the mid- to late-18th century, as well as stage melodramas and German Expressionism. 

Films of the genre are usually set on desolate landscapes and in inescapable situations, placing an emphasis on the audience response. They present striking visuals and symbolism while exploring morality, philosophy, religion, and sexuality.

Enter freely and of your own free will.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) - ★★★★★

Francis, a young man, recalls in his memory the horrible experiences he and his fiancée Jane recently went through. Francis and his friend Alan visit The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, an exhibit where the mysterious doctor shows the somnambulist Cesare, and awakens him for some moments from his death-like sleep.

Nosferatu (1922) - ★★★★★

The mysterious Count Orlok summons Thomas Hutter to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen. After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock, prepares for his master to arrive at his new home.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - ★★★★★

The deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House causes murder and mayhem in an attempt to make the woman he loves a star.

The Fall of the House of Usher (1928) - ★★★★

A stranger called Allan goes to the House of Usher. He is the sole friend of Roderick Usher, who lives in the eerie house with his sick wife Madeleine. When she dies, Roderick does not accept her death, and in the dark night, Madeleine returns.

Dracula (1931) - ★★★★★

British estate agent Renfield travels to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula, who is interested in leasing a castle in London. After Dracula enslaves Renfield and drives him to insanity, the pair sail to London together and Dracula, a secret vampire, begins preying on London socialites.

Frankenstein (1931) - ★★★★★

Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his creation’s violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) - ★★★★★

Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug, it is already too late.

Vampyr (1932) - ★★★★★

A student of the occult encounters supernatural haunts and local evildoers in a village outside of Paris.

The Old Dark House (1932) - ★★★★

In a remote region of Wales, five travelers beset by a relentless storm find shelter in an old mansion.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - ★★★★

Dr. Frankenstein and his monster both turn out to be alive, not killed as previously believed. Dr. Frankenstein wants to get out of the evil experiment business, but when a mad scientist, Dr. Pretorius, kidnaps his wife, Dr. Frankenstein agrees to help him create a new creature.

Black Sunday (1960) - ★★★★★

A vengeful witch, Asa Vajda, and her fiendish servant, Igor Jauvitch, return from the grave and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of the witch’s beautiful look-alike descendant: Katia. Only a handsome doctor with the help of family members stand in her way.

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) - ★★★★

In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister’s death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor.

At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul (1964) - ★★★★★

Zé do Caixão is an undertaker in a small Brazilian town, searching for the perfect woman to bear him a superior child. Unable to conceive with his wife, he kills her and sets out to find someone else.

This Night I’ll Possess Your Corpse (1967) - ★★★★★

Coffin Joe, the unholy undertaker, is back in town to continue his quest for the perfect woman, embarking on an even more brutal campaign of terror, aided and abetted by his hunchbacked assistant.

Alucarda (1977) - ★★★★★

A young girl’s arrival at a convent after the death of her parents marks the beginning of a series of events that unleash an evil presence on the girl and her mysterious new friend, an enigmatic figure known as Alucarda. Demonic possession, Satan worship, and vampirism follows.

Beauty and the Beast (1978) - ★★★★★

Julie, the youngest daughter of a bankrupt merchant, sacrifices her life in order to save her father. She goes to an enchanted castle in the woods and meets Netvor, a bird-like monster. As Netvor begins to fall in love with Julie, he must suppress his beastly urge to kill her.

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) - ★★★★★

A real estate agent leaves behind his beautiful wife to go to Transylvania to visit the mysterious Count Dracula and formalize the purchase of a property in Wismar.

Vampire Hunter D (1985) - ★★★★★

In a far-future time ruled by the supernatural, a young girl requests the help of a vampire hunter to kill the vampire who has bitten her and thus prevent her from becoming a vampire herself.

Shadow of the Vampire (2000) - ★★★★

Director F.W. Murnau makes a Faustian pact with a vampire to get him to star in his 1922 film “Nosferatu.”

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) - ★★★★★

D, a legendary dhampir competes with a motley family of bounty hunters to track down Charlotte Elbourne, a young woman who has seemingly been abducted by vampire nobleman Meier Link.

The Lighthouse (2019) - ★★★★★

Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.

Nosferatu (2024) - ★★★★★

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake. Can you tell I like Nosferatu?

Frankenstein (2025)

This one has not released yet, but it's worth a mention so I included it here. According to early reviewers it's going to be very faithful to the book, I believe it's going to be a good adaptation. I will change this description once the film releases.