7 Must-Watch Horror Movies If You Loved ‘Sinners’
It’s always an exciting time whenever a new horror movie captures mainstream audiences’ attention.
Such is especially the case when it’s a film as captivatingly powerful as Ryan Coogler’s Sinners – an extraordinary period drama that juxtaposes its vampire-centric horror with a 1930s Southern backdrop.
Earning rave reviews from both mass audiences and appreciative critics alike, Sinners has gone on to rival the success of Coogler’s previous work on Black Panther or Fruitvale Station, with some even going so far as to name it one of the best films of 2025 yet. As undeniably terrific as Coogler’s latest thriller is, many viewers might be hungry for additional horror content by the time Sinners’ end credits have begun to roll. From chilling vampire horror films to seething Southern Gothic mysteries, here are seven worthwhile movies to watch after seeing Sinners in theaters.
Bones and All (2022)
Bones and All might not cast vampires in a central role, but it does feature a unique emphasis on individuals with an uncanny craving for human flesh. A tasteful horror film that alternates between nauseating scares and sweeping romance, Bones and All achieves lasting success as one of the most original movies of the 2020s yet. Though its stomach-churning subject matter might leave some audience members a bit light-headed and woozy, Bones and All nevertheless deserves to be seen by every prospective viewer, thanks in large part to its creative central storyline, period setting, and the energetic performances of its lead cast.
Frailty (2001)
Firmly rooted in psychological horror, Frailty might not have any folkloric creatures like werewolves or vampires anywhere in its 99-minute runtime. What it lacks in supernatural thrills, however, it more than makes up for with cerebral chills. A simmering Southern horror film characterized by morally ambiguous characters and twists and turns throughout, Frailty has a way of capturing and maintaining viewers’ interests from its opening moments onwards, forcing us each to pay close attention to its haunting story and equally terrifying main characters.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Certain vampire films have a way of achieving lasting popularity in the annals of pop culture, whether discussing a film as fabled as Dracula or as comparatively recent as The Lost Boys. With the latter film, The Lost Boys manages to reinvigorate the vampire mythology through its contemporary ‘80s settings, portraying them as an enigmatic band of California teens instead of an aristocratic nobleman from Eastern Europe. The results pave the way to a film as biting as it is extraordinarily suspenseful, balancing out its constant thrills with a surprisingly approachable sense of humor.
From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
On the surface, one might almost describe From Dusk till Dawn as the dirtier, grittier, slightly kitschier predecessor to Sinners’ main narrative. As with director Ryan Coogler’s latest venture, From Dusk till Dawn finds a group of eclectic individuals struggling to withstand an army of vampires hellbent on recruiting them into their undead ranks. Relying on Quentin Tarantino’s sharply written script and his signature propensity for blood, gore, and fast-paced dialogue, it’s a rip-roaring horror epic that starts off as a simple enough crime thriller — before suddenly transforming into a harrowing survival film right around the halfway mark.
Nope (2022)
The most recent film from comedian-turned-director Jordan Peele, Nope achieves a similar dramatic feat as Peele’s previous work on Us and Get Out. Brilliantly melding horror with plenty of socially relevant topics and discussions, Nope somehow finds a way to unnerve audiences even as it encourages them to think about its main narrative events. Capturing an electric atmosphere reminiscent of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, and Jurassic Park, it’s a masterful sci-fi horror film that might cause viewers to look to the sky with renewed skepticism (and more than a little fear, to boot).
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
It’s impossible to talk about the vampire genre without mentioning 1994’s Interview with the Vampire. Based on the successful series of novels by Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire provides an enticing period piece centered around three disparate individuals in late 18th century Louisiana. Evoking the Gothic charm of Bram Stoker’s Dracula through its distinctly Southern settings, Interview with the Vampire serves up an unforgettable historical drama marked by a fascinating story, immersive soundtrack, and a trio of superb performances from Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and a scene-stealing Kirsten Dunst.
Near Dark (1987)
What better combination is there than Western cowboys and blood-sucking, hyper-violent vampire drifters? Ingeniously fusing the traditional Western genre with a sleek and stylish horror overhaul, Near Dark offers up the best of both worlds, achieving a fascinatingly Southern Gothic atmosphere unseen in most other horror films of its day and age. Dark, disturbing, yet incredibly engaging throughout, it’s that rare horror movie capable of appealing to a universal audience of viewers, serving as an incredible companion piece to everything from Sinners and Dracula to From Dusk till Dawn and The Lost Boys.
