10 Movies & Shows Like H.P. Lovecraft’s Witch House

Description: A classic horror film about demonic possession and the battle between good and evil. Its exploration of religious horror and the unknown forces of darkness resonates with themes of cosmic terror and the fragility of human sanity.

Fact: The infamous 'pea soup' scene used a mixture of split pea soup and oatmeal to create its ghastly effect.

Description: A family moves into a house with a violent past, only to experience terrifying supernatural events. The film's focus on a cursed location and the psychological breakdown of its inhabitants mirrors themes of haunted spaces and unseen malevolence.

Fact: The real Amityville house still stands and has become a tourist attraction, despite the owners' attempts to keep visitors away.

Description: A grieving composer encounters a ghostly presence in his new home, uncovering a tragic mystery. The film's slow-burn horror and emphasis on a haunted house's dark history align with themes of unresolved pasts and supernatural vengeance.

Fact: The séance scene was filmed in a single take to maintain the actors' genuine reactions and the scene's intensity.

Description: A gothic horror story set in a secluded mansion where supernatural occurrences blur the line between the living and the dead. The atmospheric tension and twist ending play with perception and reality, much like psychological horror narratives.

Fact: The film was shot almost entirely using natural light and candlelight to maintain its eerie, period-authentic atmosphere.

Description: Based on real-life paranormal investigators, this film features a haunted house plagued by a malevolent presence. The emphasis on occult rituals and a slow-building sense of terror aligns with themes of ancient evils lurking in the shadows.

Fact: The real-life Perron family, whose haunting inspired the film, reported that the actual events were far more terrifying than what was depicted.

Description: Two employees of a soon-to-close hotel investigate its haunted reputation, leading to terrifying encounters. The film's blend of humor and horror, along with its focus on a cursed location, creates a tone similar to slow-building supernatural dread.

Fact: The film was shot in the actual Yankee Pedlar Inn, which is reputed to be haunted in real life.

Description: This film explores grief and mental illness through a supernatural lens, with a monstrous entity that may or may not be a manifestation of the protagonist's inner turmoil. The psychological depth and unsettling tone align with themes of unseen horrors.

Fact: The Babadook's design was inspired by early 20th-century silent film monsters, particularly Nosferatu.

Description: A father-son coroner team uncovers horrifying secrets while examining an unidentified woman's body. The film's claustrophobic setting and gradual reveal of supernatural horrors align with themes of forbidden knowledge and unseen terrors.

Fact: The titular 'Jane Doe' corpse was played by an actress who had to remain completely still for hours, even during scenes where her body was being 'dissected.'

Description: A psychological horror series that delves into themes of family trauma, supernatural occurrences, and a haunted house that affects its inhabitants across generations. The slow-burn storytelling and eerie atmosphere create a sense of dread similar to cosmic horror.

Fact: The series features hidden ghosts in nearly every episode, often lurking in the background unnoticed by the characters.

Description: A family unravels after the death of a secretive grandmother, uncovering dark rituals and inherited curses. The film's focus on ancestral sins and cosmic dread mirrors the themes of forbidden knowledge and inescapable fate.

Fact: The miniature models seen throughout the film were actually created by the protagonist actress Toni Collette's character, adding a meta-layer to the storytelling.