Hey everyone, here’s my updated list of southern gothic movies. I prefer the horror ones but I watched the trailers and I plan on watching all of them. I’ve actually seen some of these multiple times over the years, lol.
Out of the ones that aren’t checked off, which ones have you seen and loved?
\- \[x\] The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
\- \[ \] Angel Heart (neo noir horror, 1987)
\- \[x\] A Streetcar Named Desire
\- \[x\] The Skeleton Key (2005)
\- \[x\] Eve’s Bayou (1997)
\- \[ \] Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
\- \[ \] The Beguiled (1971)
\- \[x\] The Beguiled (2017)
\- \[ \] Frailty (2001) (MM)
\- \[ \] Killer Joe (MM)
\- \[x\] The Gift (2000)
\- \[ \] Deliverance (1972)
\- \[ \] Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
\- \[x\] The Devil All the Time (2020)
\- \[ \] Jeepers Creepers (2001)
\- \[ \] Jug Face (2013)
\- \[ \] We Are What We Are (2013)
\- \[ \] The Night of the Hunter (1955)
\- \[ \] What Josiah Saw (2022, Shudder)
\- \[ \] Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) (Spacey, Cusak)
\- \[ \] Monster’s Ball
\- \[x\] Interview with the Vampire
\- \[x\] Pearl (not quite but similar, A24)
\- \[x\] Cape Fear (1991)
I’m a fan of Frailty, with Matthew McConaughey. That one caught me off guard on the first watch to say the least. I put it up there with positive surprises like The Boondock Saints.
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
Yeah that just might be my next watch! (well either that or Deliverance) I saw The Gift last night, that one def caught me off guard.
1
CaptainStanbericaApr 1, 2026
+1
Staying in the MM lane, Killer Joe is definitely interesting to say the least. There are some truly uncomfortable moments in that film. Not your average MM film.
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
uncomfortable how? wait weren’t we talking about Frailty?
1
CaptainStanbericaApr 1, 2026
+1
We are, but Killer Joe was another unchecked box, and since they both feature McConaughey, I thought I would share a little.
1
useridhereApr 1, 2026
+1
Bill Paxton is great in this. Really has the viewer wondering about reality.
1
CaptainStanbericaApr 1, 2026
+1
Agreed. He has a solid history of acting in films he produced. He’s not the same guy in Frailty that we all love from Twister, that’s for sure.
1
pumpkinpatch1980Apr 1, 2026
+1
Don’t forget Mud, Runaway Jury, A Time to Kill, the Pelican Brief, Just Cause, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes, that’s just a few off the top of my head. By the way, loved The Skeleton Key and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
1
stuartsaysst0pApr 1, 2026
+1
These are just southern movies, not southern gothic
1
pumpkinpatch1980Apr 1, 2026
+1
Respectfully I disagree. These are all considered Southern Gothic movies.
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
Thanks for the suggestions and feedback. I’ve seen all of those except for Mud, which I actually saw the trailer for a couple of days ago and even though I enjoy MM, the plot and the trailer just didn’t sell me. Also, Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes are my feel good movies!! I’ve seen these 7+ times, they’re definitely not Southern Gothic, just set in the south, but amazing movies nonetheless. Maybe I’ll give Mud a chance once I finish the ones on my list.
1
the-largest-margeApr 1, 2026
+1
Beasts of the Southern Wild?
1
fadvexApr 1, 2026
+1
Watch Deliverance immediately
1
Human_Drummer4378Apr 1, 2026
+1
Deliverence & Killer Joe.
Also, where's the Billy Bob representation? "One False Move" and "Sling Blade" would be good additions.
1
itsathrowawayduhhhhhApr 1, 2026
+1
Killer Joe was my least favorite movie ever omg I can’t watch MM now
1
Human_Drummer4378Apr 1, 2026
+1
lol, that is also a fair response to seeing it.
1
Beautiful-Pair5522Apr 1, 2026
+1
why arnt Wiseblood and Southern Comfort on this list?
1
fadvexApr 1, 2026
+1
Deliverance and Southern Comfort make a perfect double feature.
1
Beautiful-Pair5522Apr 1, 2026
+1
100%
1
dakotanorth8Apr 1, 2026
+1
You mentioned Pearl but not “X”?
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
Good catch, didn’t think to add it when I made the list cuz I felt like it was kind of implied since it’s part of the trilogy. Pearl is def my fav but all 3 are AMAZING.
1
dakotanorth8Apr 1, 2026
+1
Totally, but Maxxxine isn’t southern and takes place in LA.
X is pretty much southern horror 70s style so yeah it’s a banger
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
oh yeah no i meant its implied that i watched that too 😅 not necessarily that the trilogy is southern gothic. fine. u win,ill edit the list and add “/X” next to Pearl.
this exchange reminds me of a back and forth I had with a coworker via email over a typo. 😂😂😂
1
ki11a11hippiesApr 1, 2026
+1
I’d add Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to this.
1
bindersfull-ofwomenApr 1, 2026
+1
My FYP brought me back, so I guess I'm invested in this journey now.
1
Physical-Compote4594Apr 1, 2026
+1
The DDL movie nobody has ever seen – Stars and Bars – belongs here, too
1
itsathrowawayduhhhhhApr 1, 2026
+1
Devil All the Time is phenomenal. Heavy but amazing
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
Agreed! LOVED it
1
heidismilesApr 1, 2026
+1
The limited series *Sharp Objects*
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
Fs, great watch, I have a separate list for series. Sharp Objects, True Detective S1, Midnight Mass, all on there.
1
bag_of_luckApr 1, 2026
+1
More midwestern gothic but the reflecting skin should be up your alley
1
stuartsaysst0pApr 1, 2026
+1
Your list is sorely lacking Stoker (2013)!
1
wouldudoitformeApr 1, 2026
+1
It is, good catch. I didn’t add because I personally didn’t love it. I saw it when it first came out. Love Park Chanwook’s work though.
1
bbb26782Apr 1, 2026
+1
You’ve gotta add Slingblade to this list.
1
B2DirtyApr 1, 2026
+1
Crazy in Alabama
1
antisuckApr 1, 2026
+1
Everyone should watch *Angel Heart*, southern gothic-ness aside. Top of the list.
38 Comments