A Gothic Film for Every Mood

for the hopeless romantics, dark dreamer, and those who find beauty in being haunted.

Oct 27, 2026

This may contain: a woman in a white dress is walking up some stairs at night with her hand on the railing

I have always found Gothic cinema alluring. There is something about those old homes, the beautiful, intricate costumes, the family secrets, and the feeling that something is lurking about. They can be unsettling but beautiful. The Gothic genre has the power to draw you in and keep you in its world. And I love that.

While I do love a good ghost story, it isn’t the horror that draws me in. Most of the time it's the atmosphere. Other times, it’s the romance, the melancholy, the attire or a character that is so wonderfully strange that I can’t help but to become fascinated by them.

That’s what I enjoy most about Gothic films. They can be frightening, seductive, whimsical, tragic, soul searching, haunting, and occasionally even comforting. You can watch one because you are in the mood for a love story that borders on obsession, or because you want to escape a dull afternoon.

I’ve been busy enjoying my October, so I haven’t been writing much. But I want to share one tradition we try to keep alive in our household every October: watching one spooky movie a day for the whole month. So, instead of giving you an extensive list of all the films you should watch this Halloween. I wanted to curate a collection according to mood. You know, sometimes I want to watch a film that will make me cry, so I put on The Iron Giant. Other times, I want watch something that will give me a boost of hope so I play an episode of Parks & Recreations. I suppose that's how I've always approached films. I don't necessarily choose what to watch based on genre, but rather on what I'm in the mood to feel.

Whether you are feeling hopelessly romantic, or a little melancholic, there’s a Gothic film waiting for you.

For the Hopeless Romantics

There is something about Gothic romance that makes an ordinary love story feel too tame and dull. Maybe it’s the yearning, the longing or the stolen glances across a ballroom. Or maybe it’s the idea of loving someone so desperately that even death seems like a minor inconvenience. I know, I know, these romances rarely end without heartbreak, but isn’t that part of their appeal? Sometimes you just want a love story that aches a little.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

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Eternal and obsessive. At some point of the year I always watch this one. I know it by heart; it’s truly a classic film. I love the costumes and the staging. I appreciate the effort they put into making it. I’ll be honest, though, one of the reasons it’s my favorite is that Keanu Reeves is in it. Please, tell me you have seen him in Constantine.

Crimson Peak (2015)

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A decaying mansion, secrets hiding behind every door and the most beautiful, intricate costumes imaginable. I could write a whole piece on the clothing alone. I have yet to meet a Guillermo del Toro film that I don’t love. He gives us a ghost story wrapped in the most sumptuous Gothic Romance. A masterpiece!

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

If you want an evening with candlelight, a dramatic declaration of love, and a romance that is as haunting as its music, start here. Also, speaking of Emmy Rossum, have you been watching her new show, Furious? It’s good. Give me a serial killer show any day.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

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It’s more of a slow burn and bohemian take on the genre, and its beautiful. Two vampire lovers, Adam and Eve, ponder their place in modern society. At its heart, this story is about a love that has endured for centuries. It’s different, and not everyone likes this take, but I do.

Obviously, this is not a complete list. There are so many others, such as Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, and Edward Scissorhands. But these are the ones I go back to throughout the years.

For Those Who Love a Haunted House

One of the best characters in a Gothic film is always the house itself. Usually decaying and haunted, with grand staircases and portraits of people who look as though they’re watching your every move. Of course, I would never willingly spend a night in one, but I’ll happily spend an afternoon watching someone else make that mistake.

The Others (2001)

What can I say? It’s just a really good ghost story. Nothing like lots of fog and a secluded country state which is entirely lit by candlelight to give way to supernatural story. It’s great for people who don’t enjoy being constantly startled or terrified.

The Innocents (1961)

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Set in a sprawling English estate, this black-and-white Gothic classic turns garden paths and childhood innocence into something deeply unnerving. It’s the sort of film that makes you question what you’ve actually seen. If you are tired of watching the same movies every year try this one.

The Haunting (1963)

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Hill House is an imposing old mansion with a reputation that should be enough to keep anyone away. But it obviously doesn’t. Always start with the original and then move on to the series on Netflix: The Haunting of Hill House. They both use the same source material. I love the series. I would love to meet the director or producers. I have so many questions for them.

The Woman in Black (2012)

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An isolated manor surrounded by marshland and a thick fog. It’s wonderfully atmospheric, especially if you enjoy a traditional ghost story with a good dose of dread. Not enough people talk about this film or recommended, I don’t know why. Daniel Radcliff is in it, in case you’re a fan.

For the Deliciously Macabre

Who says Gothic movies have to be serious all the time? Sometimes I want my horror served with a little humor and some eccentric characters sprinkled in.

The Addams Family (1991)

A peculiar family living in a grand Gothic mansion, where the morbid is ordinary and the ordinary is positively dreadful. It’s dark and witty. I swear my best friend is just like Wednesday Adams, with the same energy and personality. I’ll be honest, the second film is my favorite, but the first one is a classic.

Beetlejuice (1988)

This may contain: a woman with red hair and black dress holding her arms out in front of the camera

A deceased couple, an eccentric new family, and an obnoxious spirit with questionable manners. I love how Tim Burton turned the afterlife into a wonderfully chaotic playground of Gothic absurdity. I love the sets designs, the costumes, and the music. As Halloween gets closer, I play “Day-O” once a day. Please tell me I’m not the only one.

Corpse Bride (2005)

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I know, another Tim Burton movie. But I see him as one of the founding fathers to this genre. I guess, I should say he is one of the filmmakers who helped popularize this particular style of Gothic fantasy. How can I not include him? It’s about a shy groom who accidentally finds himself engaged to a bride who is dead. It’s a perfect family friendly movie. With its melancholy atmosphere and beautiful stop-motion animation, it’s a Gothic fairy tale with plenty of heart. It has one of my favorite color palettes from the Tim Burton universe.

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

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Can we really think of this genre and not picture Johnny Depp first? Because he is the first actor that pops into my head when I think of Gothic cinema. Depp plays a vengeful barber who returns to Victorian London, where his plans for revenge take a rather gruesome turn. It’s theatrical and full of the sort of macabre humor that makes you feel slightly guilty for laughing.

For the Dark Dreamers

I’ve always loved fairy tales, especially because they make the best cautionary tales. I love how whimsical they can be, with settings that can transport us to another dimension or a haunted forest. It’s fascinating the way Gothic fantasy takes childhood stories and reminds us just how strange and frightening they can be.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

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A mist-covered village, a mysterious series of murders, and a headless horseman who seems determined to keep everyone indoors after dark. Tim Burton creates a beautifully eerie world of superstition, and mystery. Whoever was responsible for the set design deserves an Oscar, or an Emmy, whichever applies, because, oh my God! The village is stunning, the forest is so creepy and spooky, and the costumes? Chef’s kiss. All of it. Chef’s kiss.

The Company of Wolves (1984)

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This film is so different from what we see in cinema today, and it is refreshing. It’s a dreamlike retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, where the forest is filled with wolves, temptation, and warnings about trusting strangers. It’s a strange Gothic fairy tale that feels as though it wandered straight out of an old folklore book.

Coraline (2009)

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A black cat, a curious girl and a tunnel to another dimension. Coraline discovers a hidden world that appears to offer her everything she’s ever wanted. But beneath its colorful charm lies something far more sinister than she can imagine. It’s a cute film not scary, I keep seeing people on TikTok say its scary. It’s not.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

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Words cannot express how much I love this film. It follows a young girl who encounters a mysterious labyrinth and a world of ancient creatures. Guillermo del Toro does a magnificent job blending the brutality of reality with the beauty and terror of fairy tales, creating something both magical and heartbreaking. It’s just so sad. Beautiful, but sad. So be ready. You will cry.

For the Beautifully Melancholic

There’s a kind of sadness in Gothic cinema that I’ve always found strangely comforting. If there’s one kind of I love, it’s a melancholic one. Add a little Gothic atmosphere to it and I’m sold. Perhaps it’s the way the past never seems to stay buried, or how a house can hold the memory of someone long after they’ve gone. These stories are often filled with people who can’t quite let go, whether it’s of a lost love, a happier time, or a life they once imagined for themselves. And while I don’t always want to spend an evening crying over fictional characters, sometimes a little melancholy is exactly what I’m in the mood for.

Rebecca (1940)

They don’t make movies like this anymore. A young bride arrives at a grand English estate only to discover that the memory of her husband’s first wife still lingers in every room. Alfred Hitchcock creates a beautifully unsettling story about jealousy, insecurity, and the difficulty of living in someone else’s shadow. I know, I keep recommending older films but I’m tired of seeing the same movies. I need something a little different these days.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

A young widow moves into a seaside cottage and discovers that its former owner, a rather opinionated sea captain, has never quite left. What begins as an unusual arrangement becomes a tender, bittersweet story about companionship, longing, and love. Honestly, I would have moved into that cottage too. A house by the sea, a little solitude, and a ghost who keeps me company? I could think of worse arrangements.

The Orphanage (2007)

This may contain: a woman walking down a dark hallway in an old building

This is my mom’s favorite film. Now this is my kind of scary movie. It’s not terrifying or gruesome. Yes, there are ghosts. Basically, a woman returns to the orphanage where she grew up, hoping to create a home for children in need. But unsettling events begin to disturb her plans. Beneath its supernatural mystery lies a deeply emotional story about motherhood and grief. Trust me it’s worth watching. I would encourage you to watch it with subtitles so you can hear the emotions in the actors’ voices. I don’t like the English dubbing.

Until Our Next Haunting

In Gothic cinema there’s always something to suit the mood you’re in. Some evenings call for an extravagant romance and others for a good old-fashioned ghost story. I hope there are some films you haven’t seen yet. Hopefully this list helps you in Halloween night.

I find myself enjoying older films more because the sets are so intricate. You can see the amount of work that was poured into them. Also the lighting! Not necessarily in these films, but when I watch older movies from the ‘90s and 2000’s, the first thing I notice is the lighting, whether it looks natural and how the shadows are used. I appreciate those details much more these days.

And if there’s a Gothic movie you think deserves a place on this list, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always looking for another beautifully strange story to get lost in.

- Lily Hawthorne

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