10 Movies & Shows Like The Village in the Woods

Description: A classic folk horror film set in an isolated community with secretive pagan practices. The unsettling blend of pastoral beauty and underlying menace creates a similar sense of creeping dread.

Fact: The film was heavily edited for its original US release, with over 20 minutes cut. The final version wasn't restored until 200Many of the folk songs were performed by the actors themselves.

Description: Uses found footage to create psychological horror through isolation in wooded areas and unseen threats. The minimalist approach to horror builds tension similarly through atmosphere rather than explicit scares.

Fact: The actors were given minimal direction and actually camped in the woods during filming. Many of their frightened reactions were genuine. The film's budget was only $60,000 but it grossed over $248 million worldwide.

Description: A bleak, atmospheric horror film about supernatural forces affecting an isolated family. The slow-building dread and emphasis on psychological torment over jump scares creates a similarly oppressive tone.

Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days. Many of the eerie sounds in the soundtrack were created using unconventional instruments and household objects.

Description: A British horror-thriller that starts as a crime drama before descending into folk horror madness. The abrupt tonal shift and disturbing pagan elements create a similarly unsettling experience.

Fact: The film's shocking finale was largely improvised during filming. Many viewers reported having physical reactions to the film's intense violence and disturbing imagery.

Description: A creature feature set in rural isolation that blends folklore with body horror. The film's use of ancient woodland mythology and transformation themes creates a similar folk horror atmosphere.

Fact: The creatures were created using practical effects rather than CGI. The film was shot entirely on location in Ireland, using real abandoned houses in the woods.

Description: A supernatural horror film that gradually reveals its terrifying secrets through investigation. The confined setting and slow unraveling of a dark mystery create a similarly claustrophobic atmosphere.

Fact: The titular corpse was played by a real actress who had to remain completely still for hours at a time. The autopsy scenes were so realistic that they made some crew members faint during filming.

Description: A slow-burn horror film about a haunted house with ties to local folklore. The restrained approach to scares and emphasis on atmosphere over gore creates a similar sense of creeping dread.

Fact: The entire film was shot in just 12 days. The director intentionally avoided jump scares, focusing instead on building tension through composition and sound design.

Description: A slow-burning horror film that combines family drama with supernatural elements and cultish undertones. The gradual unraveling of reality and descent into terror creates a similarly unsettling experience.

Fact: The miniature houses featured throughout the film were all built by hand by the art department. The film's most shocking scene was filmed in one continuous take to maximize its impact.

Description: A psychological horror western that explores isolation and paranoia in frontier settings. The film's use of landscape as both beautiful and threatening creates a similar tension between nature and terror.

Fact: The film was inspired by real pioneer women's diaries. Many of the haunting wind sounds were created by the crew blowing through tubes and instruments rather than using stock sound effects.

Description: A folk horror film that explores themes of isolation, pagan rituals, and psychological terror in a remote, seemingly idyllic setting. The slow-building dread and unsettling atmosphere mirror the eerie tone of folk horror.

Fact: The film's elaborate flower dress worn by the protagonist weighed over 50 pounds and took months to create. Many of the rituals depicted were inspired by real Swedish midsummer traditions.