21 Movies Like It Follows to Truly Creep You Out
Looking for the best movies like It Follows to truly creep you out during this week’s movie night? Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
It Follows is a legitimately scary movie that plays on a fear we all have – that pushing society’s boundaries will only bring truly bad things. Seriously, it’s the legitimate personification of the idea that bad things come from one-night-stands.
Sex aside, this is a legitimately good horror film. It has a truly unique flick that combines psychological elements with supernatural horror. All of this is centered around a truly chilling premise.
If you want to repeat this creepy feeling for your next movie night, these are the best movies like It Follows that I’d recommend checking out.
Movies Like It Follows
1. The Babadook (2014)
In The Babadook, a widowed mother and her son confront a sinister presence that emerges from a mysterious book found in their home.
This Australian horror film masterfully uses the Babadook monster as a metaphor for grief and mental illness, weaving deep psychological terror into its narrative. Its reliance on atmosphere rather than jump scares creates a creeping dread that lingers.
For fans of It Follows, The Babadook offers a similarly intense exploration of its themes, making it a compelling watch for those who appreciate horror that delves into the human psyche.
2. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary presents a harrowing tale of a family unraveling after the death of its secretive matriarch. As they uncover terrifying secrets about their ancestry, the family members find themselves in a nightmare they cannot escape.
The film’s use of atmosphere and tension rather than outright gore, combined with its unsettling narrative, makes it a standout in psychological horror.
Like It Follows, Hereditary challenges viewers with its deep dive into despair and the inevitability of fate, making it a must-see for those drawn to horror that is both thought-provoking and deeply frightening.
3. The Witch (2015)
Set in 1630s New England, The Witch follows a Puritan family who becomes tormented by malevolent forces in the wilderness near their farm. This film is a slow-burn horror that meticulously builds its story of paranoia and religious fanaticism.
The isolation and the archaic dialogue heighten the unnerving atmosphere, leading to a climax that is both terrifying and thought-provoking. For fans of It Follows, The Witch offers a similarly immersive experience that emphasizes mood and tension, perfect for those who appreciate films that make them ponder the darker aspects of human nature and belief.
4. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s Get Out blends horror with sharp social commentary, focusing on a young African-American man who uncovers disturbing secrets when he visits his white girlfriend’s family estate.
The film’s success lies in its ability to weave timely themes of racism with traditional horror elements, creating a tense and often disturbing narrative. Get Out uses its horror framework to explore deeper societal issues, making it ideal for viewers interested in films that offer both scares and substantive commentary.
5. The Ring (2002)
The Ring features a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that promises death to its viewers within seven days. This remake of the Japanese horror film Ringu is famed for its haunting imagery and the slow, inexorable dread that builds from its curse’s inevitability.
The spreading nature of the curse mirrors the relentless pursuit in It Follows, appealing to fans who are captivated by the tension of an inescapable supernatural threat.
6. Sinister (2012)
Sinister stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer who discovers a box of disturbing home movies that put his family in danger.
The film cleverly uses found footage to reveal its horrifying story, leading to increasingly terrifying revelations about the supernatural entity involved. With its focus on the past impacting the present, Sinister provides a similar blend of suspense and supernatural elements as It Follows.
This really is a great choice for those who favor horror that combines both historical intrigue and modern-day consequences.
7. Under the Skin (2013)
Under the Skin stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien entity preying on men in Scotland, using her allure to devastating effect.
This film is notable for its minimalistic approach and rich atmospheric tension, creating an eerie and unsettling experience that lingers with viewers. Its abstract and visually striking approach to the horror of the unknown connects well with the atmospheric and thematic depth of It Follows.
If you’re looking for horror that is both intellectually engaging and viscerally unsettling, this is the flick for you.
8. The Others (2001)
In The Others, a mother and her two children live in a secluded manor shrouded in perpetual fog, slowly unraveling as they encounter unexplained occurrences. The film carefully constructs a dense atmosphere of suspense and eerie quiet, leading to a climax with a clever twist that redefines the entire story.
Like It Follows, The Others uses its supernatural elements as a backdrop for exploring deeper psychological themes, making it an excellent choice for fans of horror that lingers and challenges expectations.
9. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring revolves around paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are called to assist a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.
Known for its strong character development and effective use of traditional scare tactics, this film is a revitalization of the haunted house genre. Fans of It Follows will appreciate this film for its atmospheric depth and the relentless tension that drives its narrative.
10. Let the Right One In (2008)
Set against a bleak Swedish backdrop, Let the Right One In is a poignant horror tale of a lonely boy who befriends a mysterious girl, who happens to be a vampire. This film blends chilling horror elements with a heart-wrenching exploration of friendship and loneliness.
Its subtle handling of the horror elements and deep emotional currents make it a compelling watch for those who appreciated the introspective and relational dynamics in It Follows.
11. Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar follows a group of friends who travel to Sweden for a festival that only occurs once every ninety years, only to find themselves in the grips of a pagan cult.
The horror of Midsommar unfolds in broad daylight, creating a surreal experience that subverts the typical darkness-associated fears. Like It Follows, it offers a unique setting and an unsettling slow-burn horror, making it perfect for fans looking for terror that is both bright and dark.
12. A Quiet Place (2018)
A Quiet Place is a tense thriller about a family living in silence to avoid blind monsters with acute hearing. The film’s high stakes are compounded by the family’s intricate dynamics and the constant threat of sound.
It shares with It Follows a premise where the normal becomes the conduit for horror, appealing to those who enjoy films with a strong emotional core and innovative suspense mechanisms.
13. Session 9 (2001)
Session 9 takes place in an abandoned psychiatric hospital where an asbestos cleaning crew encounters increasingly disturbing phenomena.
The film uses the eerie, decrepit setting to full effect, crafting a tense atmosphere filled with psychological twists. Fans of It Follows will appreciate the slow build-up and the haunting, ambiguous threat that challenges perceptions of reality and sanity.
14. Oculus (2013)
Oculus tells the story of a brother and sister battling a malevolent force emanating from an antique mirror, which caused their family’s tragic past.
The film cleverly blends different timelines to unravel its story, creating a disorienting and chilling narrative. Oculus merges psychological horror with supernatural elements, making it ideal for those who enjoy complex, layered horror stories.
15. The Invitation (2015)
In The Invitation, a man attends a dinner party at his ex-wife’s home, which slowly devolves into a tense and horrifying ordeal.
The film masterfully builds suspense through subtle cues and a growing sense of paranoia, culminating in a climax that is both shocking and inevitable. It’s a great choice for fans of It Follows who value psychological tension and a story that crescendos to revealing its true terror.
16. Don’t Breathe (2016)
Don’t Breathe centers on a group of friends who break into the house of a blind man, only to find themselves trapped and fighting for survival.
The film flips the typical predator-prey dynamic, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Its intense, confined setting and relentless pacing make it a thrilling watch for those who enjoyed the persistent dread and inventive premise of It Follows.
17. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s Us presents a gripping tale of an American family confronted by their sinister doppelgängers.
The film delves into themes of identity, privilege, and self-reflection, using the horror of meeting one’s own alter ego to propel the narrative. Us combines suspense with poignant social commentary, making it resonate deeply with audiences.
Fans of It Follows will appreciate the psychological depth and the unsettling realization that sometimes the greatest threat comes from within, mirroring the relentless pursuit found in both films.
18. Starry Eyes (2014)
Starry Eyes explores the dark and destructive side of fame as a young actress begins to unravel after striking an unsettling deal for her big break.
This horror-drama hybrid delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, exposing the sinister forces behind the glamour of Hollywood.
With its eerie atmosphere and the painful transformation of the lead, the film appeals to viewers who enjoyed It Follows for its thematic depth and slow-building tension, making it a compelling examination of ambition and corruption.
19. The Guest (2014)
The Guest blends elements of thriller and horror when a family welcomes a mysterious soldier into their home, believing him to be a friend of their deceased son. The film’s charm lies in its twisty plot and the enigmatic allure of its central character, whose presence brings unexpected and violent consequences.
For those who liked It Follows, The Guest offers a similarly stylish and suspenseful experience, with the added thrill of guessing who the visitor truly is and what his arrival portends.
20. The Grudge (2004)
The Grudge centers on a curse that, once born, is uncontrollably passed along to each victim who enters a haunted house in Tokyo.
This supernatural horror film creates a chilling atmosphere through its non-linear storytelling and unsettling visual effects, depicting the relentless nature of the curse.
It’s a great match for It Follows enthusiasts who are drawn to the concept of an inescapable and mysterious force that stalks its victims with a persistent dread.
21. It Comes at Night (2017)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, It Comes at Night focuses on two families forced together for survival but driven by deep-seated distrust and fear. The film is a taut psychological thriller that explores the paranoia and moral dilemmas faced in extreme circumstances.
With its claustrophobic setting and intense focus on the characters’ interactions, the movie captures a pervasive sense of dread that fans of It Follows will find familiar and compelling, highlighting the horrors that lie in human nature and the unknown.
What is It Follows?
It Follows is a 2014 horror film directed by David Robert Mitchell that has garnered acclaim for its originality and chilling atmosphere.
The story centers on a young woman named Jay, who, after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, finds herself plagued by a relentless supernatural entity. This entity, visible only to its victims, follows slowly but persistently, taking on the appearance of various people. The only way to rid herself of this curse is to pass it on to someone else through another sexual encounter.
The film is noted for its unique premise and the way it builds tension and dread without resorting to typical horror tropes. With its retro, synth-driven soundtrack and deliberate pacing, It Follows creates a lingering sense of unease that explores themes of intimacy, trust, and the inevitability of death.
It stands out in the horror genre for its clever subtext and the way it taps into fundamental human fears, making it a compelling watch for both horror aficionados and newcomers alike.
Final Thoughts: Movies Like It Follows
If you’re looking for the best movies like It Follows, chances are there’s something on this list for you – seriously, there are a TON of great options. Whether you’re looking for a weird concept or an eerie setting, there’s PLENTY of great (and totally terrifying) options. Which will you watch next?
