10 Movies and Shows Similar to Night Swim (2024)

Description: 'The Others' and 'Night Swim' both feature a family isolated in a large house, dealing with supernatural occurrences. Both films play with the audience's perception of reality and feature twist endings that redefine everything that came before.

Fact: Nicole Kidman's character was inspired by director Alejandro Amenábar's own mother. The film was shot entirely in natural light to enhance its eerie atmosphere. It was Spain's most expensive film at the time of its production.

Description: Like 'Night Swim', 'The Ring' involves a cursed object (a videotape vs. a swimming pool) that brings death to those who encounter it. Both films feature investigative narratives where characters try to uncover the truth behind the curse before it's too late.

Fact: The film's iconic well scene was shot in a single take. Naomi Watts was relatively unknown before this film catapulted her to fame. The cursed videotape's disturbing imagery was created by director Gore Verbinski himself.

Description: Both 'The Grudge' and 'Night Swim' feature haunted locations (a house and a pool, respectively) where the supernatural presence is tied to traumatic past events. The films share a non-linear storytelling approach and emphasize creepy, lingering spirits.

Fact: The film's ghost, Kayako, was inspired by Japanese Noh theater. Sarah Michelle Gellar learned her lines phonetically in Japanese. The iconic croaking sound was created by recording a frog's death rattle.

Description: While 'The Descent' is more of a creature horror, it shares with 'Night Swim' the theme of being trapped in a confined space with a lurking terror. Both films play on primal fears (claustrophobia and thalassophobia) and feature all-female casts facing extreme danger.

Fact: The actresses underwent intense physical training to prepare for their roles. The cave sets were built to be as claustrophobic as possible. The film's original UK ending was much darker than the US release.

Description: 'Paranormal Activity' and 'Night Swim' both use the found footage style to create a sense of realism and immediacy in their horror. Both films feature slow-building tension as supernatural events escalate in a domestic setting.

Fact: The film was made for just $15,000 but grossed over $193 million worldwide. The actors improvised most of their dialogue. The demon in the film was never shown to maintain suspense.

Description: Like 'Night Swim', 'The Conjuring' is a supernatural horror film that revolves around a family encountering malevolent forces in their home. Both films rely on atmospheric tension and jump scares to create fear, and they explore themes of family vulnerability in the face of the unknown.

Fact: 'The Conjuring' is based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film was so scary that it received an R rating purely for its intense atmosphere, not for gore or language. It spawned a successful franchise, including spin-offs like 'Annabelle' and 'The Nun'.

Description: 'Sinister' shares with 'Night Swim' the theme of a family moving into a new home only to discover it's haunted by a dark presence. Both films use found footage elements to heighten the horror and feature a malevolent entity that preys on children.

Fact: The film's antagonist, Bughuul, is based on a Pagan deity. The eerie home videos in the movie were inspired by real snuff films. Ethan Hawke initially turned down the role but changed his mind after reading the script.

Description: Both 'The Babadook' and 'Night Swim' deal with psychological horror and the manifestation of grief and trauma as supernatural entities. The films explore how personal demons can take physical form and threaten a family's safety.

Fact: The Babadook monster was created using practical effects and stop-motion animation. The film was shot in just 28 days. It has been interpreted as an allegory for depression and grief.

Description: While 'A Quiet Place' is more of a creature feature, it shares with 'Night Swim' the theme of a family unit trying to survive against an unseen threat. Both films use their environments (water in 'Night Swim', sound in 'A Quiet Place') as central elements of horror.

Fact: John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are married in real life. The film's script was only 67 pages long, much shorter than average. The creatures' design was inspired by nightmares director Krasinski had as a child.

Description: 'Hereditary' and 'Night Swim' both delve into family curses and inherited trauma, with supernatural elements that escalate into terrifying consequences. Both films feature shocking, unexpected deaths that serve as turning points in the narrative.

Fact: Toni Collette's scream in the film was so intense it damaged her vocal cords. The miniature models in the film were all handcrafted by the art department. It was director Ari Aster's feature film debut.