If you were captivated by the eerie and groundbreaking silent film Häxan (1922), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 movies and shows that share its dark, mystical, and visually stunning qualities. Whether you're drawn to its historical depiction of witchcraft or its avant-garde storytelling, these picks will satisfy your craving for the macabre and the surreal.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Description: A pioneering work of German Expressionism, featuring surreal, distorted sets and a nightmarish atmosphere that delves into themes of madness and control.
Fact: The film's twist ending was one of the first of its kind in cinema, influencing countless psychological thrillers. The angular, painted sets were designed to reflect the characters' unstable mental states.


Nosferatu (1922)
Description: An unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, this silent horror film uses shadow and eerie visuals to create a haunting, otherworldly tone.
Fact: The film was almost lost forever due to a lawsuit from Stoker's estate, which ordered all copies destroyed. Max Schreck's portrayal of Count Orlok remains one of the most iconic vampire performances.


The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Description: A grand, gothic tragedy with elaborate sets and makeup, focusing on themes of isolation and societal rejection.
Fact: Lon Chaney's transformative makeup as Quasimodo took hours to apply and was so painful he could barely eat. The film's massive Notre Dame set was one of the largest ever built at the time.


The Hands of Orlac (1924)
Description: A chilling tale of a pianist who receives the hands of a murderer, blurring the line between reality and madness.
Fact: The film's premise has been remade several times, including as 'Mad Love' in 193The expressionist visuals heighten the protagonist's paranoia and descent into horror.


The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Description: A visually opulent horror film with a disfigured, tragic villain and a labyrinthine underground lair.
Fact: Lon Chaney designed his own makeup for the Phantom, which was kept secret until the film's premiere. The unmasking scene is one of the most famous moments in silent cinema.


Faust (1926)
Description: A visually stunning adaptation of the German legend, filled with dark, fantastical imagery and themes of temptation and damnation.
Fact: The film's special effects, including a giant demon spreading its wings over a town, were groundbreaking for the time. It was one of the most expensive German films of its era.


The Cat and the Canary (1927)
Description: A classic haunted house mystery with gothic overtones, combining humor and horror in a visually striking silent film.
Fact: The film was one of the first to popularize the 'old dark house' trope in horror. Its success led to numerous remakes and imitations over the decades.


The Unknown (1927)
Description: A dark, psychological thriller set in a circus, exploring themes of identity, obsession, and physical deformity.
Fact: Lon Chaney, known as 'The Man of a Thousand Faces,' performed his own stunts, including one where he appears to have no arms. The film's twist is considered one of the most shocking in silent cinema.


The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
Description: A crime-horror hybrid about a criminal mastermind who continues to orchestrate crimes from beyond the grave, featuring eerie, atmospheric visuals.
Fact: The film was banned by the Nazis for its perceived criticism of authoritarianism. It was one of the first sequels in cinema history, continuing the story from 'Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler.'


Vampyr (1932)
Description: A dreamlike horror film that blends surreal visuals with a slow, creeping sense of dread, exploring the supernatural and the unknown.
Fact: The film was shot on location in real castles and villages, adding to its eerie authenticity. Many scenes were intentionally underexposed to create a ghostly effect.
