17 Unsettling Movies Like Hereditary
Looking for movies like Hereditary?
I don’t know about you, but this flick was wholly unsettling. Hereditary appears like a slow burn horror film, but it’s considerably more gory and creepy than one would think. Honestly, it’s a surprising film.
If you’re looking for films that are similar to Hereditary – creepy, unsettling and suspenseful – I’ve compiled a list of all the films I think would fit the bill.
So, if you’re looking for movies like Hereditary, you’re in the right place. Which will you watch next?
Best Movies Like Hereditary
1. Midsommar
In Midsommar, the brilliance of eternal daylight contrasts sharply with the dark undercurrents of a rural Swedish festival.
The story follows a group of American friends who travel to Scandinavia for a rare midsummer festival, only to find themselves in the grip of a pagan cult. The bright, surreal setting creates an atmosphere where psychological terror blooms in broad daylight.
This film is ideal for Hereditary fans who appreciate horror that intertwines human psychology with culturally specific rituals, showcasing how grief and relationships can turn sinister.
2. The Witch
Set in the 1630s New England, The Witch tells the harrowing tale of a Puritan family banished to live on the edge of an ominous forest. As supernatural events begin to unravel the family’s fabric, their faith and loyalty to each other are tested.
This film’s focus on isolation and the creeping dread of an unseen evil makes it a great match for Hereditary enthusiasts who relish stories where horror is a slow burn, emerging from the human psyche and its darkest fears.
3. The Babadook
The Babadook delves into the unsettling realms of grief and motherhood through the eerie presence of a sinister storybook character. As the protagonist, a widow, struggles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in their home, both become enveloped in a chilling battle with their inner demons.
This film is a compelling choice for those who admire Hereditary’s exploration of family dynamics and psychological depth, offering a profound narrative on handling unbearable loss.
4. The Lighthouse
Directed by Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse features two lighthouse keepers on a remote island in the late 19th century whose sanity begins to crumble under the weight of solitude and mysterious forces.
The film’s stark black-and-white cinematography and intense performances create a claustrophobic atmosphere ripe with madness. Admirers of Hereditary will appreciate the psychological tension and the gradual descent into horror that blurs the line between reality and nightmare.
5. It Follows (2014)
It Follows presents a unique and terrifying twist on the supernatural genre, where a young woman is cursed with a relentless supernatural entity after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter.
The curse’s horror lies in its simplicity and the constant, slow pursuit by an entity that can appear as anyone. This movie is a fit for fans of Hereditary who are drawn to innovative horror mechanisms and the inescapable dread of being followed.
Word of warning though: don’t watch this before your next Tinder date.
6. Suspiria (2018)
Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria is a visually striking reinterpretation of the 1977 horror classic, centered around a dance academy run by a coven of witches in Cold War-era Berlin.
The intertwining of ambition, art, and arcane rituals crafts a disturbing narrative. Perfect for Hereditary fans, this film offers a similar blend of horror with deeply thematic elements, set against a backdrop of visually lush and stylistically bold storytelling.
7. Mother! (2017)
Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! is an allegorical rollercoaster that plunges into themes of creation, devotion, and the destruction of personal boundaries. The film follows a couple’s relationship, which becomes tested as uninvited guests disrupt their tranquil existence.
This choice will resonate with Hereditary fans who enjoy films that leave them pondering deeper societal and existential questions, all while delivering an escalating sense of dread.
8. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer intertwines a modern suburban setting with the chilling inevitability of Greek tragedy. The story follows a surgeon whose perfect life starts to unravel after he befriends a sinister teenage boy with mysterious motives.
Like Hereditary, it’s a film that weaves familial bonds into the fabric of its horror, making it ideal for those fascinated by the blend of domestic drama and unsettling suspense.
9. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby is a cornerstone of psychological horror, depicting a young wife’s descent into paranoia as she suspects her ambitious actor husband and their eccentric neighbors have malevolent plans for her unborn child.
The claustrophobic urban setting and the slow build-up of suspense make it a quintessential pick for fans of Hereditary, particularly those who appreciate a well-crafted narrative that intertwines personal crisis with supernatural elements.
10. Get Out (2017)
Get Out masterfully blends social commentary with horror, exploring the terrifying extremes of racism and cultural appropriation through the lens of a young African-American man visiting his white girlfriend’s parents.
The film’s escalating tension and clever subversion of normality make it a stellar choice for those who appreciate Hereditary’s depth in using personal trauma as a horror device.
Its psychological depth coupled with an acute critique of society will resonate with viewers drawn to horror that challenges as much as it frightens.
11. Sinister (2012)
Sinister follows a true-crime writer who discovers a set of disturbing films in his new home, leading him into a nightmarish investigation that threatens his family.
The movie’s use of super 8 footage as a conduit for horror, combined with a relentless, eerie soundtrack, creates an oppressive atmosphere that fans of Hereditary will find compelling.
It’s an excellent pick for those who relish the slow revelation of a deeper, darker truth underlying everyday life.
12. The Others (2001)
In The Others, a woman and her photosensitive children live in a darkened old house, convinced it is haunted.
The film meticulously crafts suspense from silence and suggestion rather than overt scares, making it perfect for “Hereditary” enthusiasts who favor atmospheric tension and psychological twists.
The narrative’s slow build and stunning conclusion serve as a testament to horror that thrives on the fear of the unseen.
13. The Wailing (2016)
The Wailing is a gripping mix of mystery, horror, and supernatural elements, set in a small Korean village where a stranger’s arrival precipitates a series of gruesome occurrences.
The film’s intricate plot and deep cultural context offer a layered viewing experience akin to Hereditary’s thematic richness and emotional intensity. This movie is ideal for those who seek stories that combine folklore with personal and communal catastrophe.
14. A Dark Song (2016)
A Dark Song is an intense, brooding film about a woman and an occultist who seclude themselves in a remote house to perform a complex magical ritual.
The film’s focus on the grueling length of their endeavor, coupled with its claustrophobic setting, creates a tense atmosphere that will captivate Hereditary fans.
It’s a recommendation for viewers fascinated by the intersection of grief, obsession, and the supernatural.
15. Relic (2020)
Relic examines the horrors of dementia through a family grappling with the matriarch’s worsening condition, overlaid with a haunting, supernatural twist.
The film’s portrayal of decay—both physical and mental—mirrors the unsettling deterioration found in Hereditary. It is a profound choice for those who are moved by horror that intertwines real-life fears with elements of the eerie and the uncanny.
16. Saint Maud (2019)
Saint Maud presents a chilling narrative of a devout nurse whose obsession with saving her patient’s soul leads her down a dark and harrowing path. The film’s intense psychological depth and unsettling exploration of fanaticism and isolation make it a compelling match for Hereditary aficionados.
It is especially suitable for viewers drawn to horror that delves deeply into the psyche of its protagonist, blurring the lines between sainthood and madness.
17. The Lodge (2019)
The Lodge features a woman isolated in a snowbound cabin with her soon-to-be stepchildren, where psychological demons and mysterious past traumas converge, leading to disturbing revelations.
This film, like Hereditary, excels in building a suffocating atmosphere filled with dread and suspicion. It’s a fitting choice for those who appreciate horror that explores the dynamics of family relationships and psychological unraveling in confined, intense settings.
What is Hereditary?
Hereditary is a horror film directed by Ari Aster that delves into the dark corners of family trauma and inherited fate.
The story follows the Graham family as they grapple with the mysterious and tragic death of their secretive grandmother. As they uncover disturbing secrets about their ancestry, the family members find themselves caught in a chilling web of increasingly bizarre and terrifying occurrences.
This film masterfully combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating an oppressive atmosphere of dread that lingers long after the credits roll. It stands out as a modern horror masterpiece that both terrifies and provokes deep reflection on the legacies we inherit.
Final Thoughts: Movies Like Hereditary
If you’re looking for films like Hereditary, there are PLENTY you might enjoy watching.
Whether you want something that has a similar slow burn-to-gore ratio I’d recommend Midsommar, or a little more general isolation (The Lodge), there’s something out there for everyone.
So, which creepy movie are you watching on your next movie night?
