Imaginary friends are often seen as a playful part of childhood, but what happens when these companions turn sinister? This curated list of horror films delves into the dark side of imagination, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, leading to chilling and sometimes terrifying consequences. From psychological thrillers to supernatural scares, these movies explore the concept of imaginary friends in ways that will keep you up at night, pondering the unseen influences in our lives.

The Orphanage (2007)
Description: A woman returns to her childhood home, now an orphanage, where her son starts to play with an imaginary friend. This friend, however, has a tragic backstory that leads to supernatural occurrences.
Fact: The film was Spain's official submission to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film in


The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Description: While not explicitly about imaginary friends, this film features a family dealing with a sinister presence that could be interpreted as an evil imaginary companion, leading to psychological and physical terror.
Fact: The film was shot in a real, isolated farmhouse, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.


The Babadook (2014)
Description: While not directly about an imaginary friend, this film features a creature from a children's book that becomes all too real, exploring themes of grief and fear through the lens of a child's imagination.
Fact: The film was initially banned in several countries due to its intense psychological horror elements.


The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
Description: While primarily about demonic possession, the film includes elements where the protagonist's childhood imaginary friend plays a crucial role in the unfolding horror.
Fact: The film was shot in a documentary style, adding to its realism and intensity.


The Visit (2015)
Description: Two children visit their grandparents and encounter strange behavior, possibly linked to their grandmother's imaginary friend from her past, leading to a horrifying revelation.
Fact: M. Night Shyamalan directed this film, known for his twist endings, which adds an extra layer of suspense.


The Boy (2016)
Description: A nanny in England is hired to care for a life-sized doll that the family treats as their son. However, the doll has a dark secret, and the nanny's imaginary friend from childhood might not be as imaginary as she thought.
Fact: The film was based on a screenplay by Stacey Menear, who was inspired by a story he heard about a family treating a doll as their child.


The Witch (2015)
Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film explores the dark side of isolation and superstition, where a young girl's imaginary friend might be a manifestation of evil forces.
Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century English dialogue, making it both historically accurate and unsettling.


The Unseen (2016)
Description: A crime scene cleaner starts to see visions of a little girl, who might be an imaginary friend or something far more sinister, leading to a descent into madness.
Fact: The film was praised for its unique take on the horror genre, focusing on psychological horror over jump scares.


Imaginary Friend (2012)
Description: This film follows a young girl whose imaginary friend becomes increasingly real and malevolent, leading to horrifying events in her family's life.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life accounts of children with imaginary friends that seemed too real. It was shot in a real haunted house for added authenticity.


The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)
Description: This film involves two students at a boarding school who experience supernatural events, potentially linked to an imaginary friend or a demonic presence.
Fact: The film was originally titled "February" but was renamed for its wider release to avoid confusion with other films.
