25 Best Horror Movies That Explore Sexuality

While mental health and trauma are two of the most tackled topics in horror, gender and sexuality do not fall far behind. This proves that, when combined with captivating dramatic narratives, the fan-favorite genre can be so much more than its chilling jumpscares and unsettling atmospheres. From The Love Witch to The Handmaiden, these are some of the best horror films about sexuality.

25 'Society' (1989)

Directed by Brian Yuzna

While an overlooked film compared to other more popular watches on this list, Brian Yuzna's Society is worth checking if you're looking for thought-provoking horror movies that deal with themes of sexuality. The story centers on an ordinary teenage boy (Billy Warlock) who discovers the truth behind his family's strange behavior: they are part of a gruesome orgy cult that blurs the lines between sex, power, and consumption.

Society resorts to the horror genre and sexuality-related topics to deliver a sharp critique of the class system, social norms, and the commodification of the human body. Its shocking narrative and disturbing imagery are metaphors for the themes it deals with; at its core, Yurzna's unnerving film challenges viewers to question their understanding of pleasure and power, using sexuality not only as a form of exploitation but also as social commentary on how the rich feed off the bodies of those with less power.

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24 'Crimes of the Future' (2022)

Directed by David Cronenberg

Starring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart, Crimes of the Future is set in a dystopian future where human evolution has accelerated and resulted in radical changes in the human body. It mostly centers around Mortensen's character Saul, a celebrity performance artist who, along with his partner (Seydoux), participates in avant-garde performances where he showcases the metamorphosis of his organs.

Like many David Cronenberg films, the body horror Crimes of the Future explores sexuality in unconventional ways that provide food for thought, with the characters' modifications often being illustrated as intense and erotic experiences. At its core, Crimes of the Future offers viewers an unsettling exploration of the blurred lines between pain and pleasure, stepping away from traditional notions of intimacy and offering audiences a fresh outlook. It received mixed reviews from critics but is often praised for Cronenberg's bold, unique vision.

23 'May' (2002)

Directed by Lucky McKee

Lucky McKee's psychological horror film delves into themes of identity and isolation while also tackling the desire for human connection. At its center is May, played by Angela Bettis, a socially awkward woman who struggles with forming real, meaningful bonds. Her increasing obsession with the perfect partner leads her to spiral into a disturbing path of self-destruction.

Whether you're a fan of psychological films or body horror, May is a great choice, as it seamlessly combines the two. McKee's movie delivers an intriguing portrayal of sexuality, particularly sexual alienation, as the protagonist's desire for closeness unfolds in both an innocent and terrifying manner. While it is not one of the strongest entries mentioned on this list, May is still a chilling exploration of how one can spiral out of control emotionally, particularly when shaped by isolation and societal expectations, and offers a unique narrative.

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22 'Cat People' (1982)

Directed by Paul Schrader

This remake of the 1942's Cat People follows Irena Gallier (Nastassja Kinski) as she unearths her mysterious heritage: she learns that she and her brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell) belong to an ancient race of werecats who transform into fearsome panthers when sexually aroused. As the movie progresses, Irena struggles with embracing her identity while also navigating her deep feelings for zoo curator Oliver (John Heard).

While Cat People was not extremely well-received upon release, it has garnered a cult following over the years for its unique take on the genre, particularly in the niche category of erotic horror films. Tackling identity and forbidden desire, Cat People effectively explores sexuality and highlights the fear of sexual awakening, as well as repressed sexuality and societal pressures.

21 'Teeth' (2007)

Directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein

Combining the comedy and horror genres (more specifically body horror), the unconventional coming-of-age story Teeth stars Jess Weixler as a naive high school student, Dawn, who discovers that she has a physical advantage when she becomes the object of unwanted male attention.

Teeth is very straightforward in its approach to female sexuality. Although it does not appeal to everyone’s taste, it ultimately delivers an important lesson on consent, condemning sexual predators and embracing monstrous femininity and self-love in general, with Dawn being drawn to exploring her body instead of feeling ashamed of it after learning about her new “superpower.” Even if labeled as a comedy, this satire is an interesting story of self-discovery that deals with relevant themes.

20 'The Hunger' (1983)

Directed by Tony Scott

Directed by Tony Scott, The Hunger is based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Whitley Strieber. The plot sees a love triangle between a vampire couple, Miriam (Catherine Deneuve), her lover John (David Bowie), and a hematologist named Sarah (Susan Sarandon), with whom Miriam starts a relationship while seeking a cure for John’s rapid aging.

Praised for its visually stylish direction, The Hunger is certainly an atmospheric horror film worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of vampire movies. The performances, particularly by Deneuve and Bowie, are also worth noting. At its core, The Hunger deals with themes of eternity, obsession, and immortality while also offering audiences an intriguing erotic side to the story; vampirism is often intertwined with sensuality, with Miriam’s fluid character also playing a part in it.

19 'Antichrist' (2009)

Directed by Lars von Trier

Lars von Trier's deeply disturbing Antichrist, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, sees a grieving couple retreat to their cabin in the woods in hopes of repairing their broken marriage and grieving hearts. However, things become gradually sinister when the two embark on a bizarre journey into their deepest fears, where the man begins experiencing strange visions and the woman engages in increasingly violent sexual behavior.

The arthouse horror Antichrist is not an easy watch (like many of Lars von Trier's works); it is gruesome, raw, and violent. However, the way Antichrist explores depression and sexuality is possibly unlike anything viewers have ever witnessed before. While far from a masterpiece, Trier's work is undoubtedly affecting and equally repulsive due to its graphic imagery.

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18 'Audition' (1999)

Directed by Takashi Miike

This splatter horror movie by Takashi Miike provides audiences with an intriguing look at power dynamics. The plot centers around a widower (Ryo Ishibashi) who takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. Trouble ensues when the one he fancies (Eihi Shiina) is not who she appears to be after all.

Audition's plot is driven by sexuality, as Aoyama's objectification of women is a big part of the storyline. However, it is through Shiina's character, who is revealed to have had a traumatizing past that shaped her understanding of intimacy, that the film deeply explores darker themes. While entertaining and even comedic at times, Audition is a compelling meditation on how trauma can ultimately shape someone.

17 'Crash' (1996)

Directed by David Cronenberg

With James Spader and Holly Hunter at its center, Crash provides audiences with a highly unconventional perspective on car crashes. In the film, a television director finds himself allured by the sub-culture of car crash victims who use car accidents and the sexual energy they produce to improve his intimate life with his wife.

David Cronenberg's 1996 movie is equal parts strange and creative, meditating on humankind's fascination with romanticizing and even eroticizing danger. It is almost impossible to be unphased by the film, even if only fascinated by the way it tackles such themes. While Crash possibly leans toward the thriller genre more, it still features a creepy atmosphere and some horror elements.

16 'Videodrome' (1983)

Directed by David Cronenberg

Also brought to you from the mind of David Cronenberg, Videodrome is another film by the filmmaker that examines sexuality in a unique way. The body horror flick sees a programmer (James Woods) at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment search for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.

Sexuality takes the front stage in Cronenberg's 1983 feature that critiques the commodification of sexuality in mass media. Videodrome is a great horror film because of how it explores and suggests that mankind's relationship with sexuality is not just about pleasure but rather control, as well as the unsettling ways it shapes us. It is a haunting film throughout, even if not exactly a conventional one in the horror genre.

15 'Jennifer's Body' (2009)

Directed by Karyn Kusama

This Megan Fox-led is one of the obvious choices when it comes to movies that explore sexuality. The must-see Karyn Kusama film, which has garnered something of a cult following over the years, centers around a newly possessed high-school cheerleader, Jennifer Check, as she unearths a new craving: male classmates. Her best friend, played by Amanda Seyfried, attempts to stop her from causing havoc with interesting results.

Despite the fantasy elements, Jennifer's Body is not a film you want to show kids. It is gory, gritty, and totally fabulous. Jennifer's story — especially as she becomes the vessel for a succubus — deals with sexuality in intriguing ways, tackling anti-patriarchal themes and reflecting on female agency and sexual awakening. Despite its mixed reviews, Jennifer's Body is a must-see horror cult classic that flipped the way audiences typically viewed female characters.

14 'The Love Witch' (2016)

Directed by Anna Biller

An often overlooked feature that deserves more love, The Love Witch is a creative film that benefits from its stunning visuals. The story follows the main character, Elaine Park (played by Samantha Robinson), a modern-day witch who navigates through life using spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her with disastrous results.

Directed by the talented Anna Biller, this stylized and underrated witch movie makes for a cozy fall watch, especially given that it perfectly emulates a very characteristic vintage look that isn't seen in many modern films. With immersive storytelling and retro production design, The Love Witch is a fascinating sexual thriller, mystical horror, and, in a way, a fantastic love letter to 1960s cinema.

13 'Stoker' (2013)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

From the mind of Oldboy and The Handmaiden's director, Park Chan-wook, Stoker is a refreshing take on the genre with unique direction and visuals added to its unconventional storytelling. Starring Mia Wasikowska in the lead role, Stoker sees a young girl become slowly infatuated with her uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who she never knew existed, following the death of her father.

Complex sexuality is one of the most poignant themes in Stoker's twisted narrative, which sees Wasikowska's quiet and contemplative character undergoing a major self-discovery journey while coming of age and being groomed by her uncle. Featuring plenty of memorable moments filled with erotic tension (namely that one scene where she's playing the piano alongside her uncle), the layered and undeniably unique Park Chan-wook picture thrives through its stunning visuals and amazing performances, ranging from Wasikowska, through Good, to Nichole Kidman, who shines as India's competitive mother.

12 'Ginger Snaps' (2000)

Directed by John Fawcett

The violent and gory Canadian film Ginger Snaps stars Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle as two morbid young sisters whose relationship is tested when Ginger is attacked and bitten by a bizarre creature. In the meantime, they must attempt to the tragic consequences of the occurrence.

John Fawcett's satire combines horror and drama while tackling themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and womanhood through an engaging tale. Additionally, it makes a very solid point to highlight puberty and female teenage sexual awakening in a compelling way — in fact, Ginger Snaps serves as a hyperbole for sexual desire gone wrong. No doubt, Ginger Snaps is one of the most memorable werewolf (and teen) films to date.

11 'Raw' (2017)

Directed by Julia Ducournau

The first film on this list directed by Julia Ducournau, Raw is a thoughtful meditation on identity and sexual awakening. The story follows Garance Marillier's Justine, who is raised as a vegetarian and joins her sister (Ella Rumpf) at a veterinary school. After being forced to eat a raw rabbit kidney, Justine's behavior undergoes a major transformation, leading to a series of disturbing events as the character tries to grapple with her newfound urges.

It's no surprise that cannibalism and sexuality have walked hand in hand in all forms of media, particularly in horror, in various ways and for a while now: In Raw, Justine's cannibalistic urges are closely linked to her sexual desires. Ducournau's beautifully shot, bold, and creative movie intriguingly explores the complexities of female sexual desire and depicts it as a terrifying, almost uncontrollable force.

10 'Hellraiser' (1987)

Directed by Clive Barker

With a new film released just last year, Hellraiser endures as a popular horror franchise. Often considered a horror classic, the first film arguably endures the best. In the Clive Barker movie, a woman (Clare Higgins) finds her sexually deviant brother-in-law's (Sean Chapman) freshly revived body. She then begins to kill in order to give him the strength he needs to escape the demonic creatures that are seeking him after he breaks free from their cruel underworld.

While Hellraiser is definitely not for everyone, it is an undeniably stylish and captivating 1980s film, especially known for analyzing sadomasochism and pain as a source of pleasure. With that being said, the Clive Baker film is filled with sexual undertones, providing a provocative message on sexual liberation.

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9 'It Follows' (2014)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

With so many people truly adoring it, It Follows has become a cult classic at this point (and a sequel is on the way). The David Robert Mitchell movie centers on a 19-year-old young woman (played by Maika Monroe) who is followed and tormented by strange visions of an unknown supernatural force after having a sexual encounter.

In the same vein as last year's incredibly disturbing horror flick Smile, in which the protagonist is, too, haunted by a sinister presence, this fan-favorite film has captured the attention of many, mostly given its refreshing narrative and creepy atmosphere. At its core, Robert Mitchell's visually alluring horror sheds light on the loss of innocence and emerging sexuality. It also subtly tackles sexual assault, especially considering that the unnamed entity is passed on from victim to victim through sexual intercourse.

8 'Under the Skin' (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

Featuring one of Scarlett Johansson's best performances, this visually stunning arthouse film is a horror science fiction mystery that centers around an extraterrestrial who disguises herself as an attractive young woman. She then lures lonely men into her van during the night in Scotland.

With a very intriguing, creative premise, Jonathan Glazer’s R-rated Under the Skin tackles important topics, such as self and gender identity. While it is a polarizing movie that may not appeal to some (some viewers even find it a bit tedious), Glazer's film is worth checking — its absorbing, immersive imagery and haunting environment make for an unforgettable watch. Additionally, one of Under the Skin’s most valuable assets is the way it handles male-female sexual dynamics, shining a light on feminist themes.

7 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975)

Directed by Jim Sharman

It's not for no reason that The Rocky Horror Picture Show endures a must-see treasured film in the genre. The LGBTQ+ 1975 film follows a couple (Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick) who take shelter in a castle nearby, only to be taken on a psychedelic ride alongside the unconventional Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Tim Cury in an iconic performance.

Satirizing the horror genre, this cult classic staple has become a fan-favorite over time and one of the longest-running films in history. After all these years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show endures high in popularity; that is also thanks to the eccentric way the Jim Sharman movie addresses sexuality, particularly sexual liberation and fluidity. It is based on the 1973 musical stage production of the same name.

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6 'Titane' (2021)

Directed by Julia Ducournau

Titane tells the story of a girl who undergoes a massive head injury as a child and has a titanium plate inserted into her skull. When Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) comes of age, she starts working at a car show in order to relieve her traumatic experience with cars. What's more, she develops an unconventional, bizarre attraction to automobiles over time.

A masterfully directed film by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, the shocking Palme d'Or horror winner offers audiences a never-seen-before premise that reflects on universal themes, including family dynamics. Still, one of Titane's most defining elements is sexuality, and how it is often connected with deep-rooted trauma. With surrealist tones and top-notch cinematography, this body horror is certainly worth a look. It is also worth noting that Raw, another film by Ducournau, also fits the bill.