10 Movies and Shows Similar to The Canal (2014)

Description: Like 'The Canal', 'The Changeling' is a classic ghost story that relies on atmosphere and psychological horror. Both films feature protagonists uncovering dark secrets tied to a house, with a focus on grief and the supernatural.

Fact: The Changeling is considered one of the best ghost stories ever made. It was George C. Scott's first horror film. The film's séance scene is often cited as one of the scariest in cinema.

Description: This film shares with 'The Canal' a gothic atmosphere and a focus on a protagonist uncovering unsettling truths about their home. Both films play with the idea of the supernatural being intertwined with personal tragedy.

Fact: The Others was shot almost entirely on location in Spain. Nicole Kidman's performance was highly praised. The film's twist ending is considered one of the best in horror cinema.

Description: Similar to 'The Canal', 'The Orphanage' is a ghost story that blends emotional depth with supernatural horror. Both films explore themes of loss and the past haunting the present, with a strong emotional core beneath the scares.

Fact: The Orphanage was produced by Guillermo del Toro. It was director J.A. Bayona's feature debut. The film won seven Goya Awards, Spain's top film honors.

Description: Both 'The Conjuring' and 'The Canal' are based on real-life paranormal investigations and feature haunted houses with dark histories. The films share a commitment to practical effects and a slow-building sense of dread.

Fact: The Conjuring is based on the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film was shot in chronological order to help the actors' performances. It spawned a successful cinematic universe.

Description: Similar to 'The Canal', 'The Innkeepers' is a slow-burn ghost story with a focus on atmosphere and character. Both films feature protagonists investigating supernatural occurrences in old buildings, with a mix of humor and horror.

Fact: The Innkeepers was director Ti West's follow-up to House of the Devil. The film was shot in a real haunted hotel. It has a cult following for its blend of horror and comedy.

Description: Both 'Sinister' and 'The Canal' involve protagonists discovering disturbing footage that reveals a dark history. The films share a theme of uncovering hidden horrors, with a strong emphasis on visual storytelling and eerie atmospheres.

Fact: Sinister's soundtrack includes music by the band Boards of Canada. The film's 'home movie' sequences were inspired by real snuff films. Ethan Hawke's character was originally written as a much younger man.

Description: Similar to 'The Canal' in its exploration of psychological horror and the blurring line between reality and delusion. Both films delve into themes of grief and the supernatural, with a strong emphasis on atmospheric tension and a slow-building dread.

Fact: The Babadook was director Jennifer Kent's debut feature film. The film's monster was inspired by early 20th-century German Expressionist cinema. It was critically acclaimed for its portrayal of mental illness through horror.

Description: Like 'The Canal', 'Oculus' plays with the idea of unreliable perception and the blurring of reality. Both films feature protagonists trying to uncover the truth about past traumas, with the supernatural elements serving as metaphors for psychological distress.

Fact: Oculus is based on director Mike Flanagan's short film. The film's mirror was a real antique. It was praised for its innovative narrative structure.

Description: This film shares with 'The Canal' a mystery that unfolds gradually, revealing darker truths. Both films use confined settings (a morgue, a house) to create claustrophobic tension and explore themes of uncovering hidden horrors.

Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days. The role of Jane Doe was played by a real actress who had to remain perfectly still. It was praised for its unique premise and execution.

Description: Like 'The Canal', 'Hereditary' combines family drama with supernatural horror, focusing on inherited trauma and hidden family secrets. Both films use a slow-burn approach to horror, with a climax that reveals a deeper, more disturbing truth.

Fact: Toni Collette's performance in Hereditary is often cited as one of the best in horror cinema. The film was director Ari Aster's feature debut. Many scenes were inspired by classic horror films like Rosemary's Baby.