19 Movies Like Midsommar to Give You The Chills & Thrills
Looking for the best movies like Midsommar for your next chilling movie night?
I saw Midsommar in the theatres and I have to say, I was – shocked. It was not even remotely what I expected, and ended up being both an amazing and revolting experience. It’s what I would refer to as an elevated, slow-burn horror.
The thing is, Midsommar is not the first film that really fits this “surprising” category. There are a TON of psychological thrillers that give you a similar eerie, unexpected feel.
If you’re looking for the best movies like Midsommar to give you the thrills AND chills, this is the list for you:
Best Movies Like Midsommar
1. Hereditary (2018)
Directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary explores the disintegration of a family after the death of its secretive matriarch. As they unravel dark truths about their ancestry, they find themselves haunted by increasingly disturbing occurrences.
Like Midsommar, this film delves deep into personal trauma and its manifestation into physical horror, making it a perfect pick for those who appreciate a slow build-up to an explosive and unsettling climax.
2. The Witch (2015)
Set in the 1630s New England, The Witch follows a Puritan family who becomes tormented by malevolent forces in the wilderness near their farm.
The isolation and the family’s unraveling faith in this film evoke a creepy, suffocating paranoia. The film’s focus on dread and its atmospheric tension makes it a compelling watch for fans of Midsommar’s psychological and folk horror elements.
3. It Follows (2014)
After a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, a teenager finds herself haunted by a relentless supernatural force.
It Follows creates a constant sense of dread with its unique premise of an unstoppable horror that slowly stalks its next victim. Its inventive take on consequences and unseen terror parallels the looming dread in Midsommar, appealing to viewers who enjoy nuanced, metaphor-laden horror.
I also fully admit that It Follows is a film that SERIOUSLY makes me have second thoughts about dating… period.
4. The Ritual (2017)
In The Ritual, a group of college friends reunite for a trek through the Scandinavian wilderness, only to find themselves lost in a forest that hides an ancient, lurking presence.
This film blends elements of Nordic mythology with the horror of the unknown, making it a great choice for Midsommar fans interested in folklore and the chilling effect of nature on human fragility.
5. The Purge (2013)
Set in a dystopian society, The Purge explores 12 hours when all crimes, including murder, are legal.
The film examines human nature under societal breakdown, showcasing how quickly civilization can turn to chaos. This exploration of human morality to the extreme mirrors the societal unraveling seen in Midsommar.
If you’re intrigued by the horror of what humans are capable of under the right conditions, this is the flick for you.
6. Suspiria (2018)
Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria is a remake of the 1977 horror classic, focusing on a young American dancer who uncovers sinister secrets within a prestigious Berlin dance academy.
The film’s disturbing aesthetic and thematic layers of corruption and power dynamics make it akin to Midsommar’s deep dive into communal madness and eerie locales, appealing particularly to those who value stylistic horror.
7. The Wicker Man (1973)
A cornerstone of folk horror, The Wicker Man features a devoutly religious police officer visiting a remote island to investigate a girl’s disappearance, only to encounter a society with pagan practices and rituals.
Its themes of isolation and clash between old beliefs and modern laws align closely with Midsommar’s exploration of community and sacrifice, making it a must-watch for enthusiasts of the genre.
8. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby centers on a young wife and would-be mother who grows increasingly paranoid about the safety of her unborn child amidst peculiar neighbors and strange occurrences.
This film’s psychological depth and the mounting tension of unseen horrors share Midsommar’s penchant for slow-building, atmospheric fear, suited for those who favor psychological over explicit horror.
9. The Village (2004)
M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village revolves around an isolated community that lives with the fear of mythical creatures in the surrounding woods.
The film’s exploration of fear, the unknown, and the collective decision to shield oneself from the outside world resonates well with Midsommar’s themes of communal living and cultural seclusion.
This is definitely a flick I recommend for viewers who enjoy stories about societal self-imprisonment and the horrors that lie in wait.
10. Kill List (2011)
Kill List starts as a domestic drama about a former soldier turned contract killer who takes on a new assignment that spirals into a nightmarish descent into darkness.
The film’s blending of everyday life with cultic and folk horror elements will resonate with Midsommar fans, as it explores the consequences of violence and the unknowable nature of ancient forces.
11. Mother! (2017)
In Mother!, a couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests disrupt their tranquil existence, leading to a series of increasingly bizarre and violent events.
This film’s use of allegory to explore themes of creation, destruction, and devotion makes it a compelling choice for those who appreciate Midsommar’s deep, symbolic storytelling and intense emotional experiences.
12. Apostle (2018)
Set in 1905 on a remote island, Apostle follows a man as he tries to rescue his sister from a mysterious cult that demands a terrible price for salvation.
The film’s grim atmosphere and disturbing revelations make it a good match for Midsommar fans. It offers a similar blend of human drama and horrifying cult practices.
13. Mandy (2018)
Mandy features a surreal, vivid nightmare where a peaceful life is shattered by a sadistic cult, leading to a vengeful bloodbath.
Its combination of stunning visuals and a dark revenge story will attract those who loved Midsommar for its aesthetic beauty and underlying terror.
14. The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouse, set on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s, explores the mental spiral of two lighthouse keepers.
With its focus on isolation-driven madness and mythological undertones, it presents a compelling psychological study akin to Midsommar’s exploration of human psyche under stress.
While it’s still creepy, it’s not quite the gory pick that you get with Midsommar. So, if you want something a little less bloody, this is for you.
15. Hagazussa (2017)
Hagazussa is a haunting tale of paranoia and ancient pagan beliefs in the 15th century Alps, focusing on a woman shunned by her village.
The film’s slow-building tension and atmospheric dread mirror Midsommar’s creeping horror, making it ideal for those who appreciate a more introspective, eerie experience.
16. Gretel & Hansel (2020)
This dark adaptation of the classic fairy tale centers on Gretel and her younger brother Hansel as they encounter evil in a foreboding forest.
With its focus on atmospheric terror and rich folklore, Gretel & Hansel will appeal to Midsommar fans looking for visually stunning and thematically rich horror.
17. The Borderlands (2013)
The Borderlands follows Vatican investigators sent to a British church to authenticate seemingly miraculous events, uncovering something far more terrifying instead.
This found-footage horror effectively uses its format to build suspense and dread, appealing to those who enjoyed the unsettling discovery process in Midsommar.
18. Silent Hill (2006)
In Silent Hill, a mother searches for her daughter in the fog-enshrouded town of Silent Hill, where reality peels away to reveal layers of monstrous, ash-covered horrors.
This film’s blend of psychological horror and disturbing alternate realities will resonate with Midsommar viewers who are drawn to explorations of personal trauma and eerie settings.
19. Infinity Pool (2023)
Infinity Pool sees a couple’s luxury vacation turn into a nightmarish ordeal when they step outside the boundaries of their resort, facing bizarre customs and moral dilemmas.
The film’s examination of privilege, desire, and the grotesque makes it an intriguing choice for those who relish Midsommar’s themes of cultural clash and personal transformation in extreme circumstances.
What is Midsommar?
Midsommar follows a young American couple, Dani and Christian, whose relationship is faltering. They join their friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village to attend a rare midsummer festival that occurs once every 90 years.
What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into a bizarre and violent competition at the hands of a pagan cult. The film is noted for its broad daylight setting, which contrasts the typical darkness associated with horror, enhancing the unsettling atmosphere.
Midsommar explores themes of grief, trauma, and the human psyche, delivering a visually striking and emotionally intense cinematic experience. This film is distinctive for its blend of folk horror traditions with a deep dive into personal and relational turmoil, making it a unique entry in the horror genre.
Final Thoughts: Movies Like Midsommar
If you’re looking for movies like Midsommar for your next friendly film night, there’s something out there for you. Whether you want to recreate the atmospheric chill, or you want to see some ritualistic gore, there are a TON of films out there. Which will you watch next?
