If you were captivated by the eerie mystery and psychological depth of Indigo Children (2012), this list is for you. We’ve curated 10 similarly haunting films and shows that explore themes of supernatural abilities, psychological tension, and hidden truths. Whether you're drawn to its unsettling atmosphere or its thought-provoking narrative, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Altered States (1980)
Description: A psychedelic sci-fi horror that delves into altered consciousness, genetic regression, and the terrifying possibilities of human evolution gone wrong.
Fact: The film's groundbreaking special effects were achieved using a mix of practical techniques and early CGI. It was based on a novel by Paddy Chayefsky, who disowned the adaptation.


Communion (1989)
Description: A psychological exploration of alien encounters, blending horror and surrealism to depict the protagonist's struggle with fragmented memories and existential dread.
Fact: The film is based on Whitley Strieber's controversial memoir, which he insists is a true account. The eerie alien design became iconic in UFO lore.


The X-Files (1993)
Description: A seminal series that mixes government conspiracy theories, paranormal investigations, and alien mythology, often questioning the nature of truth and belief.
Fact: The show popularized the phrase 'The truth is out there' and inspired a generation of sci-fi and conspiracy-themed media. Its 'Monster of the Week' episodes became a cultural phenomenon.


Fire in the Sky (1993)
Description: Based on a true story, it explores the trauma and skepticism surrounding alien abduction, with a focus on the psychological impact on the abductee.
Fact: The infamous abduction scene is considered one of the most terrifying depictions of alien encounters in cinema. The real-life abductee, Travis Walton, served as a consultant on the film.


The Fourth Kind (2009)
Description: Blends documentary-style storytelling with psychological horror, focusing on alien abduction phenomena and the blurred line between reality and hallucination.
Fact: The film uses a mix of 'real' archival footage and dramatized reenactments to create an unsettling atmosphere. It was marketed with fake disclaimers to enhance its realism.


Dark Skies (2013)
Description: A family-driven horror-thriller that uses slow-building tension and eerie phenomena to explore themes of alien surveillance and invasion.
Fact: The film's marketing campaign included fake missing persons posters and cryptic websites to build intrigue. It was inspired by real-life accounts of the 'Greys' alien phenomenon.


The Signal (2014)
Description: A mind-bending thriller that plays with perception and reality, involving mysterious transmissions and a protagonist grappling with fragmented memories.
Fact: The film's visual style shifts dramatically between genres, from road-trip drama to sci-fi horror. It was shot in just 25 days, with much of the dialogue improvised.


Extraterrestrial (2014)
Description: A sci-fi horror film that combines alien invasion tropes with cabin-in-the-woods suspense, focusing on a group of friends confronting an otherworldly threat.
Fact: The film was shot in just 15 days on a modest budget. It features practical effects for its alien creatures, avoiding heavy CGI.


Project Blue Book (2019)
Description: A historical drama that reimagines real-life UFO investigations, blending fact and fiction to explore government cover-ups and extraterrestrial encounters.
Fact: The series is loosely based on the U.S. Air Force's actual Project Blue Book, which investigated UFO sightings in the 1950s and 60s. Each episode opens with a title card stating 'Based on true events.'


The Vast of Night (2019)
Description: A retro sci-fi mystery that relies on atmospheric tension and radio broadcasts to unravel an otherworldly conspiracy, emphasizing paranoia and unseen threats.
Fact: The film was shot on a shoestring budget and features long, uninterrupted takes to build suspense. It pays homage to 1950s sci-fi radio dramas.
