10 Movies and Shows Like ‘The Gift’ (2000) for Fans of Psychological Thrillers

Description: This supernatural thriller shares 'The Gift's' themes of marital secrets and ghostly interventions. Both films feature strong female protagonists uncovering disturbing truths about their partners, with atmospheric tension building to shocking revelations.

Fact: Harrison Ford took a significant pay cut to star in this film. The bathtub scenes were particularly challenging for Michelle Pfeiffer, who had to hold her breath for long periods. Director Robert Zemeckis used Hitchcockian techniques throughout the film.

Description: Like 'The Gift', 'The Sixth Sense' is a psychological thriller with supernatural elements that plays with the audience's perception of reality. Both films explore themes of grief, redemption, and the unseen forces that influence our lives. The twist endings in both films leave viewers questioning what they've just witnessed.

Fact: Bruce Willis was unaware of the film's twist ending until the final scenes were shot. The iconic line 'I see dead people' was improvised by Haley Joel Osment. M. Night Shyamalan wrote the script specifically for Bruce Willis.

Description: Like 'The Gift', 'The Others' is a gothic psychological horror that plays with perception and reality. Both films feature protagonists dealing with supernatural phenomena while grappling with personal trauma, culminating in mind-bending revelations about their own nature.

Fact: Nicole Kidman performed all her own piano playing in the film. The house used for exterior shots is a real mansion in Spain. Director Alejandro Amenábar wrote the script specifically for Nicole Kidman.

Description: This supernatural thriller shares 'The Gift's' Southern Gothic atmosphere and themes of hidden truths coming to light. Both films involve protagonists uncovering dark secrets in rural settings, with folk magic elements that challenge their understanding of reality.

Fact: The film's hoodoo practices were extensively researched for authenticity. The plantation house was built specifically for the film. Kate Hudson performed many of her own stunts.

Description: Like 'The Gift', this Spanish horror film explores maternal grief and supernatural phenomena. Both films feature protagonists trying to solve mysteries connected to children, with emotional depth that elevates them beyond typical horror fare.

Fact: Guillermo del Toro served as producer but didn't direct. The child actors weren't shown the scarier parts of the film to protect them. The film's sound design won numerous awards.

Description: While more overtly horror than 'The Gift', both films are based on supposedly true supernatural events and feature psychic investigators. They share themes of family trauma manifesting through paranormal activity, with strong performances anchoring the scares.

Fact: The real-life Warrens consulted on the film. The clap scene was completely improvised. James Wan used practical effects whenever possible.

Description: Like 'The Gift', this Australian horror film uses supernatural elements to explore grief and mental illness. Both films feature single parents struggling with loss while dealing with disturbing phenomena that may or may not be real.

Fact: The Babadook book was created by the director's husband. The film's budget was just $2 million. It became a cult LGBTQ+ symbol despite not being intended as such.

Description: This psychological horror shares 'The Gift's' themes of unreliable perception and childhood trauma. Both films blur the line between supernatural events and psychological breakdown, leaving audiences uncertain about what's real.

Fact: The film was shot in just 20 days. Director Mike Flanagan expanded his own short film into this feature. The mirror was a real antique worth $15,

Description: This Netflix series shares 'The Gift's' themes of family trauma and supernatural intervention. Both works use ghost stories to explore psychological wounds, with careful pacing that builds tension through character development rather than jump scares.

Fact: Some episodes feature hidden ghosts in the background. The series was filmed in a real haunted house. Mike Flanagan wrote all episodes himself.

Description: This intense horror film shares 'The Gift's' exploration of family secrets and inherited trauma. Both films build dread slowly before shocking revelations, with strong performances that ground the supernatural elements in emotional reality.

Fact: Toni Collette's scream took days to recover from. The miniature houses were built by the director's father. The film's cult symbolism is based on real occult practices.