If you're a fan of the mind-bending horror and sci-fi thrills of 'Scanners' (1981), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and shows that deliver similar psychic powers, intense action, and chilling suspense. Whether you crave telekinetic battles or psychological depth, these picks will satisfy your craving for cerebral horror.

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Description: Presents an alien's unsettling experience on Earth, blending science fiction with body horror and existential dread.
Fact: The film's protagonist is an alien who struggles with human vices, a metaphor for the corrupting influence of modern society.


The Fury (1978)
Description: Revolves around individuals with telekinetic powers, showcasing explosive and visceral displays of psychic energy and the dangers of such abilities.
Fact: The film features one of the most shocking and bloody climaxes in 1970s horror, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.


The Brood (1979)
Description: Explores themes of psychological horror and bodily transformation, focusing on the terrifying consequences of repressed emotions manifesting physically.
Fact: The film was inspired by the director's own experiences during a contentious divorce, adding a deeply personal layer to its horror.


Altered States (1980)
Description: Examines the limits of human consciousness and the terrifying physical transformations that can result from pushing those limits too far.
Fact: The film's hallucinatory sequences were achieved through a combination of practical effects and early CGI, creating a uniquely trippy experience.


The Thing (1982)
Description: Features grotesque and shocking body transformations, as a shape-shifting alien invades a remote research station, creating paranoia and terror.
Fact: The practical effects by Rob Bottin are legendary, with some of the most realistic and horrifying creature designs ever put to film.


Brainstorm (1983)
Description: Explores the dangers of technology that can record and playback human experiences, leading to psychological and physical breakdowns.
Fact: This was one of the last films to feature Natalie Wood, who died during production, leading to significant changes in the script.


The Dead Zone (1983)
Description: Centers on a man with psychic abilities who experiences horrifying visions, blending psychological tension with supernatural elements.
Fact: The film is based on a novel by Stephen King, and its protagonist's tragic fate is one of the most poignant in horror cinema.


Videodrome (1983)
Description: Delves into the disturbing intersection of technology and human physiology, presenting a surreal and grotesque vision of how media can alter the human body and mind.
Fact: The special effects in this film were groundbreaking for their time, particularly the visceral and hallucinatory body horror sequences.


Firestarter (1984)
Description: Focuses on a young girl with pyrokinetic powers, exploring themes of government experimentation and the terrifying potential of unchecked psychic abilities.
Fact: The film's score was composed by Tangerine Dream, giving it a distinctive and eerie electronic soundscape.


The Fly (1986)
Description: Chronicles a scientist's gradual and horrifying physical transformation, blending body horror with tragic emotional depth.
Fact: The film's makeup effects won an Academy Award, and its climax remains one of the most heartbreaking in horror cinema.
