If you loved the stylish, retro-feminist horror of 'The Love Witch' (2016), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and shows that capture its unique blend of dark humor, witchcraft, and vintage aesthetics. Whether you're drawn to its visual flair or its subversive themes, these recommendations will keep you spellbound.

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
Description: A campy, over-the-top exploitation film that mixes satire with melodrama, featuring bold visuals and a subversive take on gender roles, similar to the exaggerated and theatrical style of certain cult films.
Fact: The screenplay was written by film critic Roger Ebert, marking his first foray into screenwriting. It was originally intended as a sequel to 'Valley of the Dolls' but became its own standalone story.


Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)
Description: A surreal fairy tale that blends Gothic horror with coming-of-age themes, creating a dreamlike and visually poetic narrative reminiscent of the lush, stylized aesthetics found in cult cinema.
Fact: The film is often interpreted as an allegory for female adolescence and sexual awakening. It was banned in several countries upon release due to its provocative imagery.


The Beguiled (1971)
Description: A Southern Gothic drama that explores themes of desire, power, and repression within an isolated setting, much like the claustrophobic and psychologically intense narratives of certain cult films.
Fact: The film was based on a novel by Thomas Cullinan and was later remade by Sofia Coppola in


Daughters of Darkness (1971)
Description: A stylish vampire film that combines eroticism with Gothic horror, featuring a decadent and visually sumptuous atmosphere that echoes the glamorous yet sinister tone of certain cult classics.
Fact: The film was shot in an actual abandoned hotel in Belgium, adding to its eerie atmosphere. It has since become a cult favorite for its unique blend of horror and art-house sensibilities.


The Wicker Man (1973)
Description: A folk horror film that blends pagan rituals with psychological tension, featuring a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the stylized, retro aesthetic of many cult classics.
Fact: The film was initially marketed as a straightforward horror movie but has since been recognized for its deeper themes of religion and sacrifice. Many of the pagan rituals depicted were based on real historical practices.


The Hunger (1983)
Description: A stylish vampire film that blends eroticism with existential dread, featuring a sleek, modern aesthetic and a focus on the darker aspects of immortality, similar to the hypnotic and visually arresting qualities of certain cult favorites.
Fact: The film features an iconic opening sequence with Bauhaus performing 'Bela Lugosi's Dead.' It was director Tony Scott's feature film debut.


Ginger Snaps (2000)
Description: A horror film that uses lycanthropy as a metaphor for female adolescence, blending dark humor with body horror in a way that mirrors the subversive and feminist undertones of certain cult classics.
Fact: The film was shot in just 25 days on a modest budget. It has since gained a cult following for its unique take on the werewolf genre.


Jennifer's Body (2009)
Description: A horror-comedy that explores themes of female friendship, sexuality, and empowerment through a satirical and visually stylish lens, much like the campy yet subversive tone of certain cult films.
Fact: The screenplay was written by Diablo Cody, who won an Oscar for 'Juno.' The film was initially marketed as a teen horror movie but has since been reevaluated as a feminist cult classic.


The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: A visually striking film that explores themes of beauty, obsession, and femininity through a surreal and often unsettling lens, much like the stylized and hypnotic approach of certain cult favorites.
Fact: The film's color palette was heavily inspired by neon lights and 1980s aesthetics. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received polarized reactions for its provocative content.


The Lure (2015)
Description: A dark musical fantasy that reimagines mermaid lore through a surreal and often grotesque lens, featuring bold visuals and a subversive take on fairy tales, similar to the dreamlike and stylized approach of certain cult films.
Fact: The film is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid' but takes a much darker and more adult-oriented approach. It was Poland's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards.
