The Wicker Man (1973) is a classic in the folk horror genre, blending mystery and unsettling pagan rituals. If you enjoyed this film, you might be on the lookout for other movies that offer a similar eerie atmosphere and gripping storyline. Here are 12 movies like The Wicker Man that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. Midsommar
Ari Aster’s Midsommar is a modern take on folk horror, set in a remote Swedish village during a midsummer festival. Starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and William Jackson Harper, the film explores themes of grief, isolation, and cultural rituals.
2. The Witch
Robert Eggers’ The Witch delves into the paranoia and superstition of a 17th-century New England family. Featuring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie, the movie creates a haunting atmosphere through its historical setting and chilling narrative.
3. Hereditary
Ari Aster strikes again with Hereditary, a psychological horror film that examines family secrets and inherited trauma. Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, and Gabriel Byrne deliver powerful performances in this unsettling tale.
4. Kill List
Ben Wheatley’s Kill List blends crime thriller with folk horror, following two hitmen who encounter a series of bizarre and terrifying events. The film stars Neil Maskell, MyAnna Buring, and Michael Smiley.
5. The Ritual
David Bruckner’s The Ritual follows a group of friends who encounter an ancient evil while hiking in the Scandinavian wilderness. Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, and Robert James-Collier lead the cast in this atmospheric horror film.
6. Apostle
Gareth Evans’ Apostle is set in 1905 and follows a man who infiltrates a remote island cult to rescue his sister. Starring Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, and Michael Sheen, the film combines suspense with supernatural elements.
7. The Blair Witch Project
Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez’s The Blair Witch Project is a found-footage horror film that chronicles the disappearance of three film students in the Black Hills Forest. The movie stars Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard.
8. The Others
Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others is a gothic horror film set in a secluded mansion, where a mother and her two children experience supernatural occurrences. Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, and Christopher Eccleston star in this eerie tale.
9. The Village
M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village tells the story of a secluded community that lives in fear of mysterious creatures in the surrounding woods. The film features Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, and Adrien Brody.
10. The Lighthouse
Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse is a psychological horror film set in the late 19th century, focusing on two lighthouse keepers who descend into madness. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson deliver intense performances in this visually striking film.
11. The House of the Devil
Ti West’s The House of the Devil is a throwback to 1980s horror, following a college student who takes a babysitting job that turns sinister. Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, and Mary Woronov star in this suspenseful film.
12. The Devil’s Backbone
Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone is a gothic horror film set in a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. The movie features Fernando Tielve, Íñigo Garcés, and Federico Luppi in a story that blends historical drama with supernatural elements.
