If you're a fan of the psychological horror masterpiece 'The Shining' (1980), you're likely craving more films and shows that deliver the same eerie atmosphere, slow-building tension, and mind-bending terror. This article explores 10 gripping movies and TV series that share themes of isolation, supernatural horror, and psychological unraveling—perfect for those who can't get enough of Stanley Kubrick's chilling classic. Whether you love haunted hotels, unreliable narrators, or sinister forces at play, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Psycho (1960)
Description: Psycho, like The Shining, is a masterclass in psychological horror and suspense. Both films feature isolated settings (a motel, a hotel) and characters with fractured psyches.
Fact: Psycho was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and was groundbreaking for its time. The famous shower scene took seven days to shoot. It was one of the first films to show a toilet flushing on screen.
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Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Description: Rosemary's Baby shares with The Shining a sense of paranoia and the breakdown of reality. Both films involve a protagonist who is isolated and gaslighted by those around them.
Fact: Rosemary's Baby was directed by Roman Polanski and based on the novel by Ira Levin. The film's composer, Krzysztof Komeda, was a famous jazz musician in Poland. The apartment building used in the film is a real location in New York.
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The Exorcist (1973)
Description: Like The Shining, The Exorcist is a psychological horror film that explores themes of isolation, supernatural forces, and the breakdown of the family unit. Both films feature a descent into madness and have become iconic in the horror genre.
Fact: The Exorcist was based on a novel by William Peter Blatty, which was inspired by a real-life exorcism case. The film was so terrifying that it caused audiences to faint and vomit in theaters. It was the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
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The Others (2001)
Description: The Others, like The Shining, is a psychological horror film with a twist ending. Both films use isolation and a haunted house setting to create tension.
Fact: The Others was directed by Alejandro Amenábar and stars Nicole Kidman. The film was shot almost entirely in natural light. It was a critical and commercial success, winning several Goya Awards in Spain.
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It (2017)
Description: It shares with The Shining the theme of childhood trauma and the way past horrors can resurface. Both films feature a supernatural entity that preys on psychological vulnerabilities.
Fact: The 2017 It film is actually a remake of a 1990 miniseries. Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Pennywise required hours of makeup and special contact lenses. The film broke box office records for horror movies.
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The Conjuring (2013)
Description: The Conjuring shares with The Shining a focus on a family experiencing supernatural events in their home. Both films use atmospheric tension and slow-building horror.
Fact: The Conjuring is based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film was so scary that it was initially rated R just for its intensity. The sequel was the first horror film to be shown at the Vatican.
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Sinister (2012)
Description: Sinister, like The Shining, involves a writer who moves his family into a new home where supernatural events occur. Both films explore the theme of the past haunting the present.
Fact: Sinister was co-written by C. Robert Cargill, who was inspired by a nightmare he had after watching The Ring. The film's creepy home movies were shot on real Super 8 film. Ethan Hawke's character was originally written for a younger actor.
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The Babadook (2014)
Description: The Babadook, like The Shining, deals with themes of grief, mental illness, and the supernatural. Both films feature a parent struggling with their sanity and the impact it has on their child.
Fact: The Babadook was inspired by a short film made by director Jennifer Kent. The creature's design was based on early 20th-century horror icons like Nosferatu. The film has been interpreted as an allegory for depression.
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Doctor Sleep (2019)
Description: Doctor Sleep is a direct sequel to The Shining, continuing the story of Danny Torrance. It shares themes of trauma, addiction, and supernatural abilities.
Fact: Doctor Sleep is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Director Mike Flanagan had to recreate sets from The Shining with painstaking accuracy. The film features a cameo by an actor from the original Shining film.
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Hereditary (2018)
Description: Hereditary shares with The Shining a focus on family trauma, psychological horror, and a slow-building sense of dread. Both films use the home as a setting for terror and explore the idea of inherited madness or evil.
Fact: Hereditary was director Ari Aster's debut feature film. The film's miniature models were created by the same artist who worked on The Shining. Toni Collette's performance was widely praised but controversially snubbed by the Oscars.
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