10 Movies & Shows Similar to Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Description: Poltergeist shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the theme of supernatural forces invading a family's home/life through technology (TVs/animatronics). Both feature child endangerment by supernatural forces and explore the dark side of seemingly harmless technology.

Fact: Steven Spielberg wrote the story and produced the film. The film was allegedly cursed, with several cast members dying young. The clown doll scene was improvised when the actor playing Robbie spontaneously grabbed the doll.

Description: Like Five Nights at Freddy's, Child's Play features a seemingly innocent children's item (a doll) turned murderous. Both explore themes of technology gone wrong and the horror lurking beneath childhood nostalgia. The animatronic nature of Chucky parallels the FNAF animatronics.

Fact: Chucky was voiced by Brad Dourif, who also played Grima Wormtongue in Lord of the Rings. The film was inspired by real-life cases of 'possessed' dolls. The original script had the doll using voodoo magic rather than being possessed by a serial killer.

Description: The Haunting shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the theme of a haunted building with a dark history that preys on its visitors. Both feature architectural spaces that seem to have a malevolent will of their own and supernatural forces that manipulate reality.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1963 classic. Director Jan de Bont used CGI to create the house's shifting architecture. Liam Neeson turned down the role of Dr. Marrow.

Description: The Ring shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the theme of cursed media (video tape/animatronics) that brings supernatural horror. Both involve investigating a dark mystery and feature ghostly figures (Samara/the animatronics) with tragic backstories.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Japanese horror Ringu (1998). The famous 'closet scene' was shot in one take. Naomi Watts was initially reluctant to take the role, fearing typecasting.

Description: Paranormal Activity shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the use of surveillance-style footage to build tension (security cameras in FNAF). Both create horror through what's unseen and use technology to document supernatural occurrences.

Fact: The film was made for just $15,000 but grossed over $193 million worldwide. The original ending was much darker than the theatrical version. Director Oren Peli shot the film in his own house.

Description: The Conjuring shares with Five Nights at Freddy's a focus on supernatural investigations and haunted locations. Both involve experts dealing with malevolent spirits, though FNAF focuses more on technological horror while The Conjuring deals with traditional hauntings.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Director James Wan used practical effects for most of the scares. The film spawned an entire cinematic universe (The Conjuring Universe).

Description: Sinister shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the theme of uncovering a dark mystery through found footage (security tapes in FNAF, snuff films in Sinister). Both feature supernatural entities that target children and build horror through disturbing imagery.

Fact: Ethan Hawke initially turned down the role but changed his mind after reading the script. The film's demon, Bughuul, was inspired by Mesopotamian mythology. The creepy home movies were shot on different film stocks to create authenticity.

Description: Annabelle shares with Five Nights at Freddy's the theme of inanimate objects (dolls/animatronics) being vessels for evil spirits. Both create horror from childhood items and explore the concept of supernatural entities inhabiting man-made objects.

Fact: Annabelle is based on a real haunted doll case investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The real Annabelle doll looks like a Raggedy Ann doll, not the porcelain doll shown in the film. The film was a spin-off from The Conjuring (2013).

Description: Willy's Wonderland shares striking similarities with Five Nights at Freddy's, featuring a night watchman battling murderous animatronics in a family entertainment center. Both properties involve haunted animatronics with dark pasts and a protagonist fighting to survive the night.

Fact: Nicolas Cage stars in the film but has no dialogue throughout the entire movie. The animatronics were designed by Kevin Yagher, known for his work on Child's Play and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The film was shot in just 20 days.

Description: Similar to Five Nights at Freddy's (2023), The Banana Splits Movie features animatronic characters turning murderous, blending horror with childhood nostalgia. Both films explore the dark side of seemingly innocent entertainment venues and use animatronics as central antagonists.

Fact: The Banana Splits Movie is based on the 1968 children's TV show The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. The film was originally intended to be a reboot of the TV series before being reworked into a horror movie. Director Danishka Esterhazy described it as 'a horror version of Toy Story'.