Looking for a fright with your flight? Forget the standard capes and tights! For a true Halloween watchlist, you need a dose of the dark and the deadly. This list plunges into the grittiest, most gothic, and genuinely terrifying horror comic book movies ever made, complete with where you can stream them right now!
1) Blade (1998)
The half-human, half-vampire Daywalker, Blade (Marvel Comics), uses his superhuman strength and martial arts to wage a solitary, bloody war against a powerful, stylish vampire elite in the modern world. He must stop the ambitious Deacon Frost from summoning an ancient blood god to initiate a total vampire takeover of Earth.
Recommended Because: This R-rated, action-horror gem is the quintessential vampire slayer film. It features the gothic nightclubs, martial arts action, and genuine horror elements of a modern thriller. The unforgettable "blood rave" sequence and Wesley Snipes’ cool, intense performance make it a bloody good time.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus.
The Crow (1994)
A year after musician Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally murdered on Devil's Night (the night before Halloween), Eric is resurrected by a mystical crow with supernatural powers and a burning need for vengeance. Navigating a grim, rain-soaked city steeped in gothic decay, Eric hunts down the gang responsible for his tragic fate.
Recommended Because: Adapted from the graphic novel by James O'Barr, this is a profound and intensely dark revenge fantasy. It is the definitive gothic horror comic film, tied to the Halloween season and defined by its iconic makeup, tragic romance, and the deeply atmospheric world created by director Alex Proyas.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on Peacock Premium and the Criterion Channel.
Constantine (2005)
Based on the DC/Vertigo comic Hellblazer, chain-smoking occult detective John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) is tasked with maintaining the balance between Heaven and Hell on Earth. When a skeptical police detective’s sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Constantine is pulled into an apocalyptic plot involving the son of Lucifer and a desperate, global fight for humanity’s soul.
Recommended Because: This film is a stylish, action-packed supernatural noir that excels in religious and demonic horror. It delivers a fascinating, cynical take on the DC anti-hero, featuring memorable character designs for both angels and demons, and a vision of a literal Hell that remains chillingly effective.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on HBO Max (Max).
Hellboy (2004)
A demon infant, Hellboy (Dark Horse Comics), is rescued from Nazis and raised by a paranormal defense agency, the B.P.R.D. He must now become the unlikely super-powered agent defending humanity against supernatural and occult threats, including a Russian mystic attempting to bring about the apocalypse using ancient Lovecraftian horrors.
Recommended Because: This film, directed by Guillermo del Toro, masterfully blends superhero action with monster movie magic and rich folklore. It is celebrated for its spectacular, unique creature design—all rendered through phenomenal practical effects—creating a perfect blend of spooky and darkly fun fantasy.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on Paramount Plus and Philo.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Doctor Strange (Marvel Comics) must protect a powerful new ally, America Chavez, who has the ability to travel across the multiverse. When Strange discovers that a corrupted Wanda Maximoff—the Scarlet Witch—is hunting Chavez to steal her power, he is dragged across nightmare dimensions and forced to confront the dark side of magic.
Recommended Because: Director Sam Raimi (of The Evil Dead fame) fully utilizes his horror background, infusing the blockbuster with genuine genre elements. Look for jump scares, grotesque body horror sequences, and a third act featuring a terrifying "Zombie Strange" that delivers a truly frightening spectacle within the MCU.
Streaming Status: Available to stream exclusively on Disney+.
The Batman (2022)
In his second year as Gotham's vigilante, Batman (DC Comics) is forced into the role of a detective to track a sadistic serial killer known as The Riddler. As The Riddler targets the city's corrupt elite and exposes decades of institutional decay, Batman must descend into Gotham's grim, rain-soaked underworld to uncover the truth about his own family's past.
Recommended Because: Leaning heavily into the neo-noir and crime thriller genres, this film is a genuinely unsettling and atmospheric experience. Director Matt Reeves creates a perpetual sense of dread, drawing inspiration from films like Zodiac and Se7en to deliver a dark, grounded take on the superhero mythos that is perfect for a chilling night.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on HBO Max (Max).
30 Days Of Night (2007)
Based on the brutally visceral comic series by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith, the isolated, northern Alaskan town of Barrow prepares for its annual 30 days of continuous darkness. This unique condition attracts a vicious, intelligent clan of primal vampires who descend upon the town, cutting off all communication and forcing the remaining residents into a desperate, bloody fight for survival.
Recommended Because: This film stands out for its raw, unrelenting vampire horror. The vampires are presented as savage predators who speak in their own ancient language, creating a palpable sense of dread and isolation. The vast, dark landscape amplifies the terror, making it an excellent, gruesome horror entry.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on HBO Max (Max) and Tubi (free with ads).
Werewolf By Night (2022)
On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of the world's greatest monster hunters (Marvel Comics) gathers at the Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. They are forced into a ritualistic hunt for a powerful, magical relic, pitting them against each other and a ferocious, legendary beast.
Recommended Because: This Marvel Studios special presentation is a stylized, black-and-white homage to the 1930s and 40s Universal Monster classics. It uses stunning practical effects, features a score ripped right out of vintage horror, and offers a concise, action-packed story that is the ideal high-quality, spooky addition to your Halloween line-up.
Streaming Status: Available to stream exclusively on Disney+.
Darkman (1990)
Scientist Peyton Westlake is brutally attacked, disfigured, and left for dead by gangsters. He survives after an experimental procedure leaves him incapable of feeling pain and grants him bursts of superhuman strength. Driven by revenge and a desperate need to reclaim his old life, he assumes the vigilante persona Darkman (Universal Pictures/Original idea by Sam Raimi), using synthetic masks to torment his enemies.
Recommended Because: This is Sam Raimi's loving tribute to the classic Universal Monster movies like The Invisible Man, blended with the aesthetics of a comic book vigilante. It is a fantastic example of body horror meets action, featuring Liam Neeson in his breakout role and filled with Raimi's signature dark humor and frenetic energy.
Streaming Status: Available to stream on Philo and Peacock TV.
Spawn (1997)
After being betrayed and murdered by his own boss, CIA assassin Al Simmons makes a deal with the demon Malebolgia to return to Earth as a soldier of Hell, known as Spawn (Image Comics). Granted immense necromantic powers, he is pulled into a cosmic war, forced to choose between leading Hell's army and reclaiming the humanity he lost.
Recommended Because: As a definitive product of 90s comics, Spawn is a lurid, gothic spectacle defined by its high-contrast shadows, grotesque villains like the Violator, and a dark, tragic premise straight out of a horror comic. It’s a fun piece of dark superhero nostalgia that fits the Halloween theme perfectly.
Streaming Status: Available to rent or buy on most major platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV.
Whether you prefer the gothic tragedy of The Crow, the blood-splattered action of Blade, or the dark mystery of The Batman, this list proves that comic book adaptations have a dark side worthy of any Halloween binge. So dim the lights, grab your treats, and let the demons, vampires, and masked vigilantes show you a side of the superhero genre that’s more about the fright than the flight!
Have your own recommendation? Leave it below!