10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Midsommar (2019)

Description: Rosemary's Baby, like Midsommar, explores themes of paranoia, gaslighting, and the horror of pregnancy. Both films feature protagonists who are manipulated by a sinister group. The slow-building tension and the focus on psychological horror are key similarities. The use of bright, everyday settings to create unease is a technique both films employ.

Fact: Rosemary's Baby was based on the novel by Ira Levin. The film's iconic apartment building, The Dakota, is a real location in New York City. Mia Farrow's pixie haircut in the film became a cultural phenomenon.

Description: The Blair Witch Project, like Midsommar, uses the horror of the unknown and the psychological breakdown of its characters to create tension. Both films feature protagonists who are isolated in a remote setting and subjected to increasingly terrifying experiences. The use of folklore and the blurring of reality and hallucination are key similarities. The found-footage style of Blair Witch adds a layer of realism that Midsommar achieves through its immersive cinematography.

Fact: The Blair Witch Project was made on a budget of $60,000 and grossed over $248 million worldwide. The actors were given minimal direction to enhance their genuine reactions. The film's marketing campaign famously claimed it was based on real events, adding to its mystique.

Description: Suspiria shares Midsommar's focus on female-centric horror and the exploration of power dynamics within a closed community. Both films use vibrant, stylized visuals to create a dreamlike yet terrifying atmosphere. The themes of initiation, transformation, and the grotesque are central to both movies. The intense, visceral horror sequences in Suspiria mirror Midsommar's shocking moments.

Fact: The 2018 Suspiria is a remake of Dario Argento's 1977 classic. Director Luca Guadagnino used a muted color palette, in contrast to the original's vibrant colors. The film's score was composed by Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

Description: Kill List, like Midsommar, blends horror with psychological thriller elements. Both films feature protagonists who are drawn into increasingly violent and bizarre rituals. The slow descent into madness and the shocking, ambiguous endings are key similarities. The use of folk horror elements and the exploration of cult behavior make Kill List a thematic cousin to Midsommar.

Fact: Kill List was inspired by director Ben Wheatley's interest in British folk horror. The film's infamous hammer scene was shot in one take. The movie's ambiguous ending has sparked numerous interpretations among fans.

Description: The Babadook, like Midsommar, explores themes of grief and mental illness through the lens of horror. Both films use symbolism and metaphor to delve into the protagonists' psychological states. The slow-building tension and the focus on familial dysfunction are key similarities. The visual style, with its stark contrasts and unsettling imagery, mirrors Midsommar's disturbing beauty.

Fact: The Babadook was inspired by director Jennifer Kent's short film 'Monster.' The film's titular creature was designed to resemble a children's book character. The movie's themes of grief and depression have resonated deeply with audiences.

Description: A Field in England shares Midsommar's surreal and psychedelic approach to horror. Both films use daylight settings to create an eerie atmosphere, subverting the traditional horror trope of darkness. The themes of isolation, madness, and the breakdown of reality are central to both films. The visual style, with its stark contrasts and unsettling imagery, is reminiscent of Midsommar's disturbing beauty.

Fact: A Field in England was shot in black and white to enhance its surreal quality. The film was released simultaneously in cinemas, on DVD, and on television in the UK. Director Ben Wheatley used improvisation to create the film's chaotic and unpredictable tone.

Description: The Endless shares Midsommar's focus on cult behavior and the blurring of reality and hallucination. Both films use surreal imagery and slow-building tension to create a sense of unease. The exploration of time, memory, and the unknown are key similarities. The visual style, with its stark landscapes and eerie atmospheres, mirrors Midsommar's unsettling beauty.

Fact: The Endless is a semi-sequel to directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's previous film, 'Resolution.' The film was shot on a shoestring budget, with the directors also starring in the lead roles. The movie's ambiguous ending has sparked numerous fan theories.

Description: The Wailing shares Midsommar's exploration of cultural rituals and the supernatural. Both films delve into the fear of the unknown and the breakdown of rationality. The slow-building tension and the shocking, ambiguous endings are key similarities. The visual style, with its lush yet eerie landscapes, mirrors Midsommar's unsettling beauty.

Fact: The Wailing was inspired by Korean folklore and shamanistic rituals. Director Na Hong-jin spent over a year researching shamanism for the film. The movie's title in Korean, 'Goksung,' refers to a state of extreme confusion or chaos.

Description: Like Midsommar, Hereditary is a psychological horror film that explores themes of grief, trauma, and familial dysfunction. Both films are directed by Ari Aster, known for his meticulous storytelling and unsettling atmospheres. The visual aesthetics in both films are striking, with a focus on slow-building tension and shocking imagery. Hereditary also shares Midsommar's use of pagan rituals and supernatural elements to heighten the horror.

Fact: Hereditary was Toni Collette's first horror film. The film's miniature house sets were inspired by the works of artist Laurie Simmons. The movie's infamous decapitation scene was achieved using practical effects and a fake head.

Description: The Lighthouse shares Midsommar's focus on psychological horror and descent into madness. Both films use isolation and surreal imagery to create a sense of unease. The intense performances and the exploration of toxic masculinity are themes present in both movies. The visual aesthetics, with their striking compositions and use of light, are similarly arresting.

Fact: The Lighthouse was shot in black and white on 35mm film to emulate early 20th-century photography. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe performed their own stunts, including the grueling physical scenes. The film's dialogue was heavily inspired by the works of Herman Melville and Sarah Orne Jewett.