Horrifically Good Horrors To Check Out
The Conjuring is a creepy modern horror, chock full of suspenseful moments and unsettling scenes. It’s also a movie that spawned a whole bunch of sequels and spin-offs, creating the “Conjuring Universe”.
If you’ve finished watching the original and are looking for similar picks, (that aren’t just more Conjuring movies!) we’ve got you covered. We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top picks for alternate viewing. As usual, let us know your thoughts about our picks in the comments below!
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Directed by Oren Peli, Paranormal Activity is a found-footage supernatural horror. It follows a young couple, Katie and Micah, who move into a new house in San Diego and start experiencing what seems to be a supernatural presence. They set up a camera to document the events unfolding as they sleep and the results are shocking, to say the least.
Both movies involve couples dealing with supernatural entities in their homes. The use of domestic space as a setting for horror, and the focus on documenting paranormal activities, are shared themes between the two – not to mention a similar combination of psychological fear and jump scares.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist centers on a 12-year-old girl named Regan, who begins to exhibit strange, erratic behavior. After exhausting medical solutions, her mother seeks the help of two priests to perform an exorcism when it becomes apparent that Regan is possessed by a demonic entity.
The Exorcist is a classic in every sense of the word, and much like The Conjuring, revolves around the theme of demonic possession and the involvement of religious figures to combat said supernatural spirits. They each showcase tense, suspense-filled exorcism scenes and have been influential in shaping the horror genre.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
The original Amityville Horror released back at the end of the 70’s and is arguably better than the modern remake. For those unaware, the tale is based on a true story and follows the Lutz family who move into a house where a mass murder had been committed the previous year. Shortly after settling in, they start experiencing terrifying paranormal occurrences.
Both films are based on purportedly true stories involving families tormented by malevolent forces in their new homes. You’ve got your haunted house as the main setting, while the abundance of scares and creepy segments makes for a great watch.
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
Directed by Jung Bum-shik, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a South Korean horror that uses the found footage format to great effect. It follows a group of people who explore an abandoned psychiatric hospital, famed for being one of the most haunted locations in Korea, broadcasting their experiences live on an internet show.
While the settings differ, both films employ the concept of a group of people intentionally engaging with and uncovering supernatural phenomena. The films both use a real-life “haunted” location as its backdrop, whilst maintaining a tense, suspenseful atmosphere.
The Pact (2012)
The Pact revolves around a woman who returns to her childhood home after her mother’s death, only to experience a series of unsettling and unexplainable events. She enlists the help of a detective and a psychic to uncover her family’s dark secrets, but they end up biting off more than they can chew.
Both The Conjuring and The Pact feature a haunted house scenario where past sins lead to present hauntings. They also involve characters seeking help from external figures (the Warrens in The Conjuring and a detective and psychic in The Pact) to understand and combat the supernatural occurrences.
Sinister (2012)
Sinister is about a true crime writer named Ellison who moves his family into a house where a horrific crime took place. He discovers a box of home movies that puts his family in danger, leading to a lot of creepy and suspenseful moments.
Both films’ chosen protagonists, due to their curiosity and investigations, inadvertently expose their families to said threats, making for a very tense watch.
Lovely Molly (2011)
Directed by Eduardo Sánchez, Lovely Molly tells the story of newlywed Molly, who moves into her deceased father’s house in the countryside. Whilst there, painful memories soon begin to haunt her.
Much like The Conjuring, Lovely Molly centers around a female character who experiences paranormal activities in a house connected to her past. They both explore the idea of personal trauma manifesting as supernatural occurrences, depicting the struggle to maintain her sanity.
Dead Silence (2007)
Directed by James Wan (who also directed The Conjuring), Dead Silence follows a widower who returns to his hometown to search for answers to his wife’s murder. He’s dead-set on discovering whether it may be linked to the ghost of a murdered ventriloquist.
Both films are directed by James Wan, so naturally it makes sense to include it on this list. They both feature supernatural entities linked to objects (a doll in The Conjuring and a ventriloquist’s dummy in Dead Silence) whilst delving into the history behind these entities.
The Changeling (1980)
Peter Medak’s The Changeling is about a composer who, following the death of his wife and daughter, moves to a secluded mansion, where he begins to experience unexplainable supernatural phenomena.
Both movies feature a haunted house with a tragic history, along with a protagonist who must unravel a dark past. They each maintain a strong focus on atmospheric and psychological horror, making for a creepy and suspenseful watch.
The Orphanage (2007)
The Orphanage is a Spanish horror about a woman who returns to her childhood home—an old orphanage—with her husband and adopted son. After her son disappears under mysterious circumstances, she believes the spirits of the house are trying to communicate with her.
This involves a family moving into a house with a tragic history, leading to the occurrence of supernatural events. Much like The Conjuring, The Orphanage explores themes of motherhood, loss, and the connection between the living and the dead.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to The Conjuring. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below: