Poltergeist is a classic horror film that has left an indelible mark on the genre. If you’re a fan of supernatural thrillers with a touch of the eerie and unexplained, here are 12 movies that you’ll likely enjoy. Each film shares a similar vibe, filled with suspense, ghostly encounters, and chilling moments.
1. The Conjuring
The Conjuring is a supernatural horror film that follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, this movie is known for its unsettling atmosphere and terrifying jump scares.
2. Insidious
Directed by James Wan, Insidious tells the story of a family whose son falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for ghosts in an astral dimension. Featuring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, the film combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating a deeply unsettling experience.
3. The Amityville Horror
Based on a true story, The Amityville Horror revolves around a family that moves into a house with a dark past. Starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder, this film explores themes of possession and haunted houses, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
4. Sinister
Ethan Hawke stars in Sinister, a film about a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies that put his family in grave danger. The movie is known for its disturbing imagery and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
5. The Haunting in Connecticut
This film follows a family that moves into a house near a hospital where their son is being treated, only to discover the house has a dark history. Starring Virginia Madsen and Kyle Gallner, The Haunting in Connecticut is filled with spine-tingling moments and supernatural occurrences.
6. Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity is a found-footage horror film that depicts a young couple experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their home. With its minimalist approach and realistic portrayal of supernatural events, this movie has become a modern classic.
7. The Others
Nicole Kidman stars in The Others, a film set in a remote mansion where a mother and her two photosensitive children live in constant darkness. The movie is renowned for its atmospheric tension and a twist ending that leaves viewers in awe.
8. 1408
Based on a Stephen King short story, 1408 stars John Cusack as a skeptical writer who checks into a notoriously haunted hotel room. The film’s psychological horror elements and intense performances make it a gripping watch.
9. The Ring
In The Ring, Naomi Watts plays a journalist investigating a mysterious videotape that causes viewers to die seven days after watching it. This film is known for its chilling atmosphere and one of the most iconic horror sequences in cinema.
10. Mama
Produced by Guillermo del Toro, Mama tells the story of two young girls found in a forest after being abandoned for five years and the malevolent entity that has cared for them. Starring Jessica Chastain, this film blends emotional depth with supernatural horror.
11. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
This film is a courtroom drama and horror hybrid that recounts the trial of a priest accused of negligent homicide after performing an exorcism. Starring Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson, The Exorcism of Emily Rose explores themes of faith, science, and the supernatural.
12. The Babadook
The Babadook is an Australian psychological horror film about a single mother and her son who are haunted by a sinister presence after reading a mysterious children’s book. Starring Essie Davis, the film delves into themes of grief and maternal love while delivering genuine scares.
