Movies & Shows Like Pay the Ghost for Supernatural Thrills

Description: A psychological horror film about a boy who can see and communicate with the dead, and the child psychologist who tries to help him. The film's focus on supernatural encounters, emotional weight, and a shocking twist ending make it a standout in the genre.

Fact: The famous line 'I see dead people' was voted as one of the most memorable movie quotes in history by the American Film Institute. The film was a sleeper hit, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of

Description: A gothic horror film about a woman and her two photosensitive children who begin to suspect their house is haunted. The movie's atmospheric tension, twist ending, and themes of isolation and supernatural mystery align well with the tone of eerie, family-centric horror.

Fact: The film was shot almost entirely in natural light to maintain the authenticity of its period setting. It was a critical and commercial success, winning several Goya Awards in Spain.

Description: A horror film about a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it after seven days. The movie's eerie atmosphere, supernatural curse, and race against time to save a child create a similar sense of urgency and dread.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Japanese horror movie 'Ringu.' The iconic image of Samara crawling out of the TV was achieved using a stunt double and clever camera angles.

Description: A psychological horror film about a mother and daughter who move into a rundown apartment building with a dark secret. The film's focus on water as a supernatural element, maternal themes, and eerie atmosphere create a similar sense of unease and dread.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Japanese horror movie 'Honogurai mizu no soko kara.' The apartment building set was built on a soundstage and filled with real water for certain scenes.

Description: A supernatural horror film about a curse that lingers in a house, killing anyone who enters. The film's non-linear storytelling, ghostly apparitions, and themes of unresolved trauma and vengeance align with the tone of relentless supernatural horror.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Japanese movie 'Ju-On: The Grudge.' It was shot in Japan, with some scenes filmed in the same house as the original.

Description: A Spanish horror film about a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage, where her son begins to communicate with an invisible friend. The film's blend of emotional depth, supernatural elements, and a mother's desperate search for her child creates a hauntingly similar narrative.

Fact: The film was produced by Guillermo del Toro, who also served as a creative consultant. It was Spain's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards.

Description: A found-footage horror film that documents a young couple's experiences with a demonic presence in their home. The slow-building tension and focus on a supernatural entity tormenting a family create a similar sense of dread and helplessness.

Fact: The film was made on a shoestring budget of $15,000 and went on to become one of the most profitable movies ever made. It was originally intended to be sold as a fake documentary.

Description: A supernatural horror film that revolves around paranormal investigators helping a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. The film's eerie atmosphere and focus on a family in peril align closely with the themes of supernatural threats and parental desperation.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous paranormal investigators. It spawned a successful franchise, including spin-offs like 'Annabelle' and 'The Nun.'

Description: This horror film follows a true-crime writer who discovers a box of disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmare. The movie's unsettling tone and the theme of a family being haunted by an ancient evil resonate strongly with the narrative of supernatural horror and parental fear.

Fact: The film's creepy soundtrack was composed using sounds made by children, adding to its unnerving atmosphere. It was inspired by a nightmare the director had after watching 'The Ring.'

Description: A psychological horror film about a single mother and her son who are haunted by a sinister presence from a mysterious children's book. The film's exploration of grief, mental illness, and the bond between mother and child under supernatural duress makes it a compelling match.

Fact: The Babadook became a cultural icon and even a symbol for LGBTQ+ pride after fans reinterpreted the monster as a metaphor for repressed emotions. The film was shot in just 28 days.