Top 20 Southern Gothic Movies You Need to Watch

About this gallery:

For this list, we focused on movies that capture the dark, mysterious charm that defines Southern Gothic fiction – whether they fall into drama, thriller, or horror. If it’s dripping with eerie folklore, deep-rooted secrets, and a moody Southern aesthetic, it made the cut. To keep things neat, we’ve arranged the list in order of release year.

Think we missed an essential Southern Gothic film? Drop your favorites in the comments! We’re always up for more twisted tales from the deep South.

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

There are villains, and then there’s Robert Mitchum’s Reverend Harry Powell, a devil in preacher’s clothing with “LOVE” and “HATE” tattooed on his knuckles. This hauntingly poetic thriller follows two kids on the run from their mother’s sinister new husband, who’s after a hidden stash of cash. With German Expressionist-style visuals and an eerie, fairy-tale-like atmosphere, this film is as unsettling as it is mesmerizing. It’s a Southern Gothic fever dream wrapped in a horror movie, wrapped in a crime thriller – basically, a cinematic gift that keeps on giving. And let’s be honest, once you’ve seen Mitchum crooning a hymn while hunting children in the dark, you’ll never hear church music the same way again. | © United Artists

Deliverance (1972)

Ah, the great outdoors! A group of city boys set out for a canoe trip in rural Georgia, hoping for some good old-fashioned male bonding. What they get instead is hillbilly horror at its most nightmarish. From the infamous banjo duel to one of the most chilling (and quoted) lines in film history – “Squeal like a pig!” – this movie doesn’t just dip its toes into Southern Gothic, it cannonballs into the deep, dark end. At its core, Deliverance is a harrowing look at civilization vs. wilderness, man vs. nature, and Burt Reynolds vs. the tightest leather vest known to mankind. Whether you see it as a survival thriller or a cautionary tale about underestimating the locals, one thing’s for sure: you’ll think twice before your next canoe trip. | © Warner Bros.

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

What’s scarier than a horror movie? A horror movie based on a true story. This cult classic is inspired by the real-life Texarkana Moonlight Murders, a string of brutal killings that terrorized a small Southern town in the 1940s. The masked Phantom Killer is pure nightmare fuel, a lurking presence that turns moonlit nights into something out of a ghost story. The film itself is a fascinating mix of documentary-style narration, eerie crime reenactments, and straight-up slasher horror – think Zodiac meets The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but with a deep-fried Southern twist. While it might not be the slickest production, its rough-around-the-edges vibe makes it all the more unsettling. And let’s be real, after watching this, you’ll be triple-checking that your doors are locked. | © American International Pictures

Wise Blood (1979)

What happens when a young man comes back from war, declares himself a preacher, and decides to start his own religion with zero experience? You get Wise Blood, a darkly comedic, deeply bizarre adaptation of Flannery O’Connor’s novel. Brad Dourif (aka the voice of Chucky!) plays Hazel Motes, a man on a mission to spread the gospel of the “Church Without Christ.” Naturally, things go… poorly. This is one of those films that’s equal parts hilarious, disturbing, and weirdly profound. With oddball characters, deep theological questions, and that signature O’Connor mix of tragedy and absurdity, it’s Southern Gothic at its quirkiest. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to see Ned Beatty preach at a roadside zoo, well – here’s your chance. | © New Line Cinema

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Before vampires were brooding, sparkly teens, they were sexy, dramatic immortals draped in lace and existential dread. Enter Interview with the Vampire, the lush, gothic adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel that gave us Tom Cruise as a flamboyant, bloodthirsty Lestat and Brad Pitt as the saddest vampire in New Orleans. This film is pure Southern Gothic indulgence, from candlelit mansions to misty cemeteries, all soaked in decadence and despair. And let’s not forget a very young Kirsten Dunst, who delivers one of the most chilling child performances ever – because nothing says unsettling like a vampire trapped in a doll-like body. It’s beautiful, tragic, and just the right amount of melodramatic. Also, it single-handedly proved that vampires in frilly shirts are still terrifying. | © Warner Bros.

Eve’s Bayou (1997)

Steamy bayous, family secrets, and a touch of voodoo magic – welcome to Eve’s Bayou, where coming-of-age meets Southern Gothic in the most hauntingly beautiful way. Told through the eyes of young Eve (Jurnee Smollett), this film unravels the dark complexities of family, memory, and betrayal, all set against the lush, mysterious backdrop of 1960s Louisiana. Samuel L. Jackson is at his best as the charming yet deeply flawed patriarch, and Lynn Whitfield delivers pure, elegant devastation. The film is dreamlike and rich with folklore, proving that ghosts don’t have to be literal to haunt you. It’s an underrated gem that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll – kind of like a whispered secret you were never supposed to hear. | © Trimark Pictures

Cropped Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

Savannah, Georgia: a place where the moss hangs heavy, the cocktails are strong, and eccentricity is practically a currency. Based on the wildly popular true-crime novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is less about solving a murder and more about soaking in the strange, sultry world of the Deep South. Kevin Spacey plays the mysterious socialite with secrets, and John Cusack is the outsider trying to make sense of it all. But let’s be real – the real star here is Lady Chablis, a real-life drag queen who plays herself with so much charisma that she steals the entire movie. Clint Eastwood directs this slow-burn thriller with the patience of a storyteller who knows the South’s greatest secret: sometimes the atmosphere is more important than the plot. | © Warner Bros.

The Gift (2000)

Cate Blanchett as a psychic in small-town Georgia? Say no more. In The Gift, she plays a widowed mother with supernatural visions, which, as you can imagine, is both a blessing and a serious curse – especially when she gets tangled in a local murder case. Keanu Reeves gives one of his most against-type performances as a terrifying abusive husband, while Hilary Swank and Katie Holmes add to the film’s eerie small-town drama. Directed by Sam Raimi, this one blends classic murder-mystery elements with a chilling sense of the unknown, all while capturing the swampy, secrets-buried-in-the-dirt vibe that defines Southern Gothic. If you like your ghostly premonitions served with a side of courtroom drama and small-town scandal, this one’s for you. | © Paramount Classics

The Skeleton Key (2005)

Nothing screams Southern Gothic quite like an eerie old plantation house, hoodoo rituals, and a secret you probably shouldn’t have discovered. The Skeleton Key follows Kate Hudson as a hospice nurse who takes a job in the Louisiana bayou, only to find herself tangled in supernatural horrors she’s definitely not ready for. The film leans heavily into the rich folklore of the South, with gorgeous yet decaying mansions, cryptic old people, and a slow-burning dread that refuses to let go. And then there’s that ending – without giving anything away, let’s just say it’s the kind of twist that makes you rethink everything. If you love a good old-fashioned haunted house story with a deeply Southern twist, this is your ticket. Just don’t mess with the hoodoo. Ever. | © Universal Pictures

In the Electric Mist (2009)

Tommy Lee Jones, haunted Civil War ghosts, and a Louisiana murder mystery? Yep, In the Electric Mist checks all the Southern Gothic bingo boxes. Jones plays a grizzled detective investigating a series of brutal killings in the bayou, but things take a turn when the past starts bleeding into the present – literally. Cue ghostly soldiers, cryptic visions, and a plot that’s as thick and tangled as the swamp itself. This one is all about atmosphere, mixing gritty crime storytelling with something more ethereal and unsettling. It may not be the fastest-paced thriller, but it oozes that deep-South mysticism that makes the genre so captivating. And let’s be honest – Tommy Lee Jones scowling his way through a murder case in Louisiana is always a win. | © Image Entertainment

Winter’s Bone (2010)

Before Jennifer Lawrence was slinging arrows in The Hunger Games, she was trudging through the unforgiving Ozarks in Winter’s Bone, a Southern Gothic mystery so gritty you can practically taste the dirt. She plays Ree Dolly, a tough-as-nails teenager trying to track down her missing father before their family home gets taken away. Along the way, she encounters a who’s who of shady backwoods characters, including a chilling turn by John Hawkes as her menacing yet strangely compelling uncle. This film is all about bleak landscapes, family secrets, and the kind of suspense that makes you feel like you’re watching something you shouldn’t be. It’s dark, it’s quiet, and it’s got that creeping dread that makes Southern Gothic so irresistible. Also, if you didn’t already know Jennifer Lawrence was a powerhouse actress, this movie will slap you with the truth. | © Roadside Attractions

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

If Beasts of the Southern Wild was a dish, it’d be a bowl of Louisiana gumbo seasoned with magic, mythology, and raw human emotion. This visually stunning indie film follows Hushpuppy, a fearless little girl living in the Bathtub – a forgotten, flood-prone stretch of the Louisiana bayou – where she and her father survive off the land, completely untethered from modern society. It’s part fable, part survival story, and part fever dream, with touches of magical realism that make it feel like a Southern Gothic fairy tale. And let’s talk about Quvenzhané Wallis, who gives a performance so fierce and unforgettable that she became the youngest-ever Oscar nominee for Best Actress. If you love movies that feel like poetry and hit you right in the soul, this one’s a must-watch. | © Fox Searchlight Pictures

Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Imagine Twilight, but with deep-fried Southern charm, Civil War ghosts, and way better dialogue. That’s Beautiful Creatures, a YA paranormal romance that drips with gothic atmosphere and small-town mysticism. The story follows Ethan, a regular teen in a sleepy Southern town, who falls for Lena, a girl from a long line of powerful witches (or "casters," as they prefer to be called). Naturally, their love is cursed, and things spiral into a supernatural battle between good and evil, complete with old mansions, family secrets, and a gloriously campy performance from Jeremy Irons. Is it a little over-the-top? Absolutely. But if you like your Southern Gothic with a side of teen angst and otherworldly drama, this movie delivers in spades. | © Warner Bros.

Stoker (2013)

Take a Hitchcock thriller, dip it in Tennessee Gothic, and add some seriously unsettling family dynamics, and you get Stoker. Mia Wasikowska plays India, a quiet, eerie young woman whose life takes a turn for the weird when her mysterious uncle (Matthew Goode) moves in after her father’s death. Oh, and he might be a murderer, but, you know… details. Directed by Park Chan-wook (Oldboy), this film is a slow-burning, beautifully shot psychological horror that simmers with creepy tension. Nicole Kidman also delivers a killer performance as India’s emotionally fragile mother, making this a twisted family drama where no one can be trusted. If you love movies that feel like a Southern-fried fever dream, this one’s got you covered. | © Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Beguiled (2017)

Southern Gothic doesn’t get more deliciously tense than The Beguiled, a film so steamy, eerie, and beautifully shot that it feels like watching a fever dream in slow motion. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this Civil War-era thriller follows a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) who stumbles into a secluded all-girls school in Virginia, where Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning take him in. What starts as a tale of kindness and curiosity quickly shifts into something much more dangerous as jealousy, desire, and power dynamics bubble to the surface. The whole movie is bathed in eerie candlelight, soft whispers, and the kind of tension that makes you want to fan yourself with a lace handkerchief. And when the claws finally come out, let’s just say – y’all better watch your step. | © Focus Features

Cropped The Perfect Host A Southern Gothic Tale

The Perfect Host: A Southern Gothic Tale (2018)

Imagine inheriting your grandmother's old mansion in the deep South – sounds charming, right? Well, not for our protagonist, who discovers that this eerie estate comes with more than just antique furniture. In The Perfect Host: A Southern Gothic Tale, a young woman arrives to settle her late grandmother's affairs, only to find herself entangled with a matriarch whose hospitality hides sinister intentions. The film drips with atmospheric tension, featuring creaky floorboards, shadowy hallways, and the kind of Southern charm that makes you question every sweet tea offer. It's a slow-burn thriller that reminds us: sometimes, the past should stay buried. | © Fabled Motion Pictures

The Devil All the Time (2020)

If you're craving a cinematic experience that's equal parts unsettling and star-studded, look no further than The Devil All the Time. Set in the post-World War II American South, this film weaves together multiple storylines of corrupted faith, violence, and moral decay. With a cast including Tom Holland shedding his Spidey suit for a darker role, Robert Pattinson delivering a preacher performance that's as slimy as it is captivating, and Sebastian Stan as a crooked cop, the movie serves up a buffet of flawed characters. It's a grim reminder that sometimes, the devil doesn't just lurk in the details – he's right there in the pews. | © Netflix

What Josiah Saw (2021)

Family reunions can be awkward, but in What Josiah Saw, they're downright haunting. The film centers on the Graham family, who reconvene at their decrepit farmhouse after two decades, each sibling carrying their own baggage of trauma and secrets. As they confront their shared past, eerie occurrences and buried sins bubble to the surface. The movie masterfully blends psychological horror with Southern Gothic elements, making you question what's more terrifying: the ghosts in the house or the ones in their minds. It's a chilling exploration of how the past never truly stays dead. | © Independent Production

Pearl (2022)

Ever wondered what happens when you mix Technicolor dreams with pitch-black desires? Enter Pearl, a prequel to the horror hit X, which dives into the backstory of its titular character. Set in 1918, the film follows young Pearl, trapped on her family's isolated farm, yearning for a glamorous life beyond the confines of her reality. As her ambitions are thwarted, her suppressed darkness begins to surface, leading to a symphony of mayhem. With Mia Goth delivering a mesmerizing performance, Pearl is a twisted tale that proves sometimes the most vibrant dreams cast the darkest shadows. | © A24

Sinners (2025)

Hold onto your crucifixes, folks – Sinners is poised to redefine Southern Gothic horror. Directed by Ryan Coogler, this supernatural thriller stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers Elijah and Elias. Set in the 1930s Jim Crow South, the twins return to their hometown seeking a fresh start, only to confront an ancient, malevolent force that has been eagerly awaiting their return. With Hailee Steinfeld portraying the enigmatic Mary, whose intentions are as murky as the swampy bayous, the film promises a chilling blend of historical context and spine-tingling horror. Mark your calendars for April 18, 2025; this is one sin you'll want to commit. | © Warner Bros. Pictures