27 Horror Movies Like Annabelle
Looking for the best horror movies like Annabelle?
I’m somewhat shocked that I watched Annabelle in the first place because I hate clowns and dolls – both are incredibly creepy! That said, I actually really enjoy this flick.
If you’re looking for something similar for your next movie night, these are my top picks for horror movies like Annabelle.
Best Horror Movies Like Annabelle
1. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring takes us into the eerie world of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are called to help a family experiencing terrifying occurrences in their farmhouse.
This film is deeply rooted in the real-life exploits of the Warrens, giving it an authentic, chilling edge. Fans of Annabelle will appreciate the detailed backstory of the haunted elements which are also a part of the same cinematic universe, making this film a must-watch to see where it all connects.
2. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
I do feel like I’m cheating a bit by adding The Conjuring 2, but I swear it’s completely different from the first one.
The Warrens travel to England to assist a single mother and her four children haunted by malevolent spirits. This sequel expands on the complex and dark world of the supernatural, similar to Annabelle, with its focus on an iconic, terrifying antagonist.
It blends intense scares with the intrigue of paranormal investigation, perfect for those captivated by Annabelle’s story. If you like movies like Annabelle and Insidious, this is going to be for you.
3. The Nun (2018)
The Nun explores the origins of the demonic nun Valak, who emerges as a formidable foe in The Conjuring 2. Set in a remote Romanian abbey, this spin-off dives deep into the dark past of this sinister presence.
The atmospheric setting and the terrifying backstory will resonate with fans of paranormal horror who are fascinated by the lore and origins of demonic entities.
4. Insidious (2010)
Insidious introduces viewers to the Lambert family, who encounter malevolent spirits targeting their comatose son.
This film’s innovative portrayal of the “Further”—a dark, spectral world parallel to our own—alongside its sudden and intense scares, makes it a gripping watch for Annabelle fans looking for similar supernatural thrills and a storyline involving vulnerable family dynamics.
5. The Unholy (2021)
The Unholy follows a down-on-his-luck journalist who discovers a series of seemingly miraculous events in a small New England town, only to find they stem from sinister origins.
This film intertwines elements of religious iconography with supernatural horror, creating a chilling narrative that fans of Annabelle’s demonic themes will find captivating. Its exploration of faith and fear through a modern-day horror lens makes it an excellent choice for viewers intrigued by the darker side of belief and miracles.
6. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Set within the universe of The Conjuring, The Curse of La Llorona revolves around the terrifying folklore of La Llorona, a grieving mother whose anguish has rendered her spirit malevolent.
The film’s blend of haunting visuals and a relentless supernatural pursuit creates a tense atmosphere that parallels the suspenseful hauntings in Annabelle. This movie is perfect for those who appreciate folklore-based horror intertwined with personal and familial stakes.
7. The Gallows (2015)
The Gallows is a found-footage horror film that takes place in a high school where a student production of a cursed play leads to deadly consequences.
The claustrophobic setting and the use of the found-footage style intensify the fear factor, making it appealing to fans of horror who enjoy a good scare from malevolent unseen forces manipulating the environment around their human targets.
8. M3GAN (2023)
M3GAN is a blend of sci-fi and horror where a roboticist develops a lifelike doll designed to be a child’s companion. However, the doll’s protective instincts become deadly as it begins to exhibit terrifying autonomous behavior.
The unsettling doll theme directly connects with Annabelle, making it an excellent pick for viewers fascinated by the horror of inanimate objects coming to life with a sinister twist.
9. Lights Out (2016)
In Lights Out, a family is haunted by a creature that only appears when the lights go out, revealing a disturbing connection to their past.
The film’s inventive use of darkness and light crafts a visceral horror experience that leverages primal fears — much like the pervasive dread in Annabelle. It’s a standout choice for those who enjoy supernatural threats intertwined with deep psychological underpinnings.
10. Deliver Us From Evil (2014)
Deliver Us From Evil tells the story of a New York police officer who teams up with a priest to solve a series of crimes that are linked to demonic possession.
This gritty blend of crime drama and horror delves into the battle between good and evil, making it a compelling watch for horror fans who are drawn to intense narratives involving the supernatural encroaching upon the real world.
11. Sinister (2012)
In Sinister, a true-crime writer discovers a box of disturbing home movies that plunge his family into a nightmarish experience of supernatural horror.
This film’s use of found footage as a narrative device creates a chilling, intimate terror that fans of Annabelle will find compelling, especially those drawn to the blend of the mundane world with hidden, dark forces.
12. The Amityville Horror (2005)
The Amityville Horror recounts the ordeal of the Lutz family, who move into a house where a gruesome murder was committed the previous year.
The movie’s blend of psychological and supernatural horror echoes the haunting tension seen in both films sharing themes of family and home being invaded by malevolent forces.
13. Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist is a classic horror film where a suburban family’s ordinary life is disrupted by increasingly violent and bizarre disturbances caused by a host of malicious spirits.
This film masterfully combines childlike fears with adult terror, making it essential viewing for those who found Annabelle’s mixture of innocence and evil particularly unsettling.
14. Ouija (2014)
Ouija follows a group of friends who awaken dark forces when they use an ancient spirit board in an attempt to communicate with a deceased friend.
This film captures the chilling consequences of meddling with the unknown, much like the foreboding aura you find in Annabelle. It’s a fitting watch for those intrigued by the idea of ordinary objects linked to sinister supernatural events.
15. The Possession (2012)
The Possession revolves around a family who comes into possession of an antique box that houses a malevolent spirit.
The film’s exploration of a cursed object as the source of supernatural terror parallels the Annabelle doll’s menacing presence. This connection makes it a great choice for those fascinated by the catastrophic consequences of cursed artifacts.
16. The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
The Haunting in Connecticut tells the unsettling story of a family who moves into a house that turns out to have a grim and ghostly past. The film weaves together the supernatural with the struggles of a family, creating a tense atmosphere that fans of haunted house stories will surely appreciate.
I fully admit this is NOT my favorite paranormal horror flick, but I’m confident that’s more personal preference than anything.
17. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity features a couple that sets up cameras around their home to document disturbing occurrences that escalate night after night.
Its use of found footage intensifies the realism and terror, much like Annabelle uses the proximity of the familiar and domestic to amplify fear. This movie is ideal for those who love a slow-building tension culminating in harrowing scares.
18. The Others (2001)
The Others follows a mother and her photosensitive children who live in a darkened old house, where they become convinced it is haunted.
The film’s somber mood and psychological depth make it a standout for horror fans who enjoy a story that blurs the lines between the supernatural and the psychological, all while delivering spine-chilling moments.
19. The Woman in Black (2012)
The Woman in Black sees a young lawyer sent to a remote village, where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman terrorizing the locals.
The gothic atmosphere and the ghost’s haunting presence echo Annabelle’s themes of past wrongs manifesting as present horrors, making it perfect for viewers who relish atmospheric, period-set ghost stories.
20. The Ring (2002)
The Ring features a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that promises death to its viewers within seven days.
This modern horror classic combines investigative suspense with supernatural elements, much like the Annabelle series, making it captivating for those who enjoy a mystery mixed with their scares.
21. The Grudge (2004)
The Grudge details the curse that befalls anyone who enters a certain house in Tokyo, where a horrific tragedy occurred.
The relentless nature of the curse, born from a powerful rage, shares the relentless terror found in Annabelle and similar flicks, appealing to those who are fascinated by stories of inescapable supernatural vengeance.
22. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist remains one of the most profound horror movies ever made, depicting the harrowing ordeal of a young girl possessed by a demonic entity.
Its intense portrayal of possession and the subsequent battle to save the afflicted echoes the dark, supernatural struggle in Annabelle. Horror enthusiasts will appreciate the deep psychological and spiritual themes, as well as the iconic scare scenes that have defined a genre.
23. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary explores the grim aftermath of a secretive grandmother’s death, as her family uncovers horrifying secrets about their ancestry.
The film’s escalating dread and focus on familial bonds under supernatural strain make it a compelling watch for those who appreciate a blend of close relationships and menacing, inexplicable events.
24. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook follows a widow and her troubled son who grapple with an ominous presence that springs from a mysterious children’s book.
It delves into the themes of grief and the horrors that can seep from within personal trauma. This movie is ideal for viewers interested in psychological depth coupled with their scares.
25. Lights Out (2016)
In Lights Out, a family is terrorized by a spectral entity that only appears in the dark. This inventive concept taps into a primal fear of the dark, similar to the pervasive dread in Annabelle.
The film’s clever use of suspense and the visible-invisibility of the antagonist will appeal to fans looking for a thrilling, chilling experience.
24. Mama (2013)
Mama features two young girls who are found living in the forest, seemingly protected by a ghostly figure. As they reintegrate into society, their eerie protector follows.
The film’s exploration of protective versus possessive spirits draws parallels to Annabelle’s themes of haunting and attachment, making it a match for viewers fascinated by the supernatural’s impact on the innocent.
26. Dead Silence (2007)
I HATED the movie Dead Silence. It revolves around a man investigating a series of gruesome deaths linked to a cursed ventriloquist doll, and them are some SERIOUSLY creepy dolls.
The chilling atmosphere and the central role of a sinister doll create a direct connection to Annabelle, appealing to fans who are captivated by the lore of haunted objects with malevolent wills. I will say, Annabelle has a tad bit of less of a doll focus.
27. The Orphanage (2007)
The Orphanage centers on a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage, only to face disturbing events linked to long-buried secrets.
The film beautifully combines ghostly encounters with a heart-wrenching quest for closure, echoing themes of past actions resonating into present consequences. This is a must-watch for those who enjoy emotional depth alongside their suspense.
What is Annabelle?
Annabelle is a 2014 supernatural horror film directed by John R. Leonetti and produced by James Wan, who is renowned for his work on the Conjuring universe.
The film centers around a vintage doll named Annabelle, which becomes the conduit for a terrifying spectral presence. After a violent cult incident, the doll appears to be possessed by a malevolent spirit, leading to a series of chilling occurrences that terrorize a young couple expecting their first child.
The story of Annabelle is inspired by a real-life account of a haunted doll, as detailed by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. In the film, Annabelle acts not just as a static haunted object but as a catalyst for deeper supernatural disturbances, bringing with her an aura of unrelenting dread and danger.
This film really taps into the primal fear of dolls and what they symbolize — the corruption of innocence and the unsettling stillness that seems to hide something much more sinister. Its connection to the larger Conjuring universe helps to enrich its story, linking personal hauntings to a broader context of demonic possession and paranormal investigation.
Final Thoughts: Horror Movies Like Annabelle
If you’re looking for the best horror movies like Annabelle, there are PLENTY out there that fit the bill.
My preferred match is something from the same universe – The Conjuring or The Nun – but other films like The Exorcist and The Grudge also bear similarities.
Which will you watch next?
