Donnie Darko is a cult classic psychological thriller that has captivated audiences since its release in 2001. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a troubled teenager who experiences visions of a man in a rabbit suit, the film is a mind-bending exploration of time travel, alternate realities, and the nature of existence. If you loved the surreal atmosphere, complex themes, and thought-provoking storytelling of Donnie Darko, here are 15 other movies that are sure to scratch that same itch.
1. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Directed by David Lynch, Mulholland Drive is a surreal neo-noir that follows an aspiring actress (Naomi Watts) who befriends an amnesiac woman (Laura Harring) and tries to help her recover her memory. As they investigate the woman’s past, they uncover a dark and twisted mystery that blurs the lines between dreams and reality.
Like Donnie Darko, Mulholland Drive is a mind-bending puzzle box of a movie that rewards repeat viewings and deep analysis. It’s a masterclass in surreal storytelling, with Lynch’s signature dream logic and haunting visuals creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. Watts delivers a breakout performance as the wide-eyed Betty, while Harring is captivating as the enigmatic Rita.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this sci-fi romantic drama, Jim Carrey stars as Joel, a heartbroken man who undergoes a procedure to erase all memories of his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) after she does the same to him. As the memories are gradually erased, Joel realizes he doesn’t want to let go of their relationship and tries to find a way to hold onto the love they shared.
Directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine is a poignant and inventive exploration of love, memory, and identity. Like Donnie Darko, it uses sci-fi concepts to explore deep philosophical questions about the nature of the self and the choices we make. Carrey and Winslet have incredible chemistry, and the film’s non-linear structure and surreal visuals make it a unique and unforgettable viewing experience.
3. The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Ashton Kutcher stars as Evan, a young man who discovers he has the ability to travel back in time and change events from his past. As he attempts to fix the traumas and mistakes that have shaped his life, he realizes that even small changes can have massive and unintended consequences.
While The Butterfly Effect is more of a straight-forward sci-fi thriller than Donnie Darko, it shares many of the same themes of time travel, fate vs. free will, and the ripple effects our choices have on the world around us. Kutcher delivers a surprisingly strong dramatic performance, and the film’s dark and twisty plot keeps you guessing until the very end.
4. Memento (2000)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Memento stars Guy Pearce as Leonard, a man with anterograde amnesia who is searching for his wife’s killer. Unable to form new memories, Leonard relies on tattoos, Polaroids, and notes to himself to track his investigation. The film is told in reverse chronological order, with each scene revealing a new piece of the puzzle.
Like Donnie Darko, Memento is a mind-bending thriller that plays with the audience’s perception of time and reality. It’s a masterfully crafted mystery that keeps you constantly questioning what is real and what is imagined. Pearce is incredible as the unreliable narrator Leonard, and the film’s unique structure makes it endlessly rewatchable.
5. Primer (2004)
Primer is a low-budget indie sci-fi film that follows two engineers who accidentally invent a time machine in their garage. As they experiment with their creation, they become entangled in a complex web of cause and effect that threatens to unravel their lives and the fabric of reality itself.
Written, directed, produced, edited and scored by Shane Carruth (who also stars), Primer is a mind-blowing exploration of the paradoxes and possibilities of time travel. Like Donnie Darko, it doesn’t spoon-feed the audience, instead trusting them to piece together its intricate plot through close attention and repeat viewings. It’s a true original that proves you don’t need a big budget to tell a compelling and thought-provoking sci-fi story.
6. 12 Monkeys (1995)
Directed by Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys stars Bruce Willis as James Cole, a prisoner in a post-apocalyptic future who is sent back in time to gather information about the virus that wiped out most of humanity. As he jumps between past and present, Cole’s sanity begins to unravel as he becomes unsure what is real and what is delusion.
With its time-travel plot, questioning of reality, and exploration of madness, 12 Monkeys shares a lot of DNA with Donnie Darko. But Gilliam brings his own unique visual flair to the proceedings, crafting a gritty and paranoid vision of a world on the brink of destruction. Willis is great as the unhinged Cole, and Brad Pitt delivers a twitchy, Oscar-nominated performance as a mental patient who may hold the key to the mystery.
7. The Science of Sleep (2006)
From the mind of Michel Gondry, The Science of Sleep stars Gael García Bernal as Stéphane, a shy and creative dreamer who begins to have trouble distinguishing his vivid dreams from reality. As he falls for his neighbor Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), he retreats further into his fantasy world, blurring the lines between real life and imagination.
The Science of Sleep is a whimsical and bittersweet exploration of the power of dreams and the pain of unrequited love. Like Donnie Darko, it uses surreal and inventive visuals to bring its protagonist’s inner world to life, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that is both enchanting and unsettling. Bernal and Gainsbourg have lovely chemistry, and the film’s handmade aesthetic gives it a unique and intimate feel.
8. Waking Life (2001)
Richard Linklater’s philosophical animated film follows a unnamed young man (Wiley Wiggins) who wanders through a series of dreams and encounters with various characters who engage him in deep conversations about life, death, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Like Donnie Darko, Waking Life is a heady and thought-provoking exploration of existential questions that will leave you pondering long after the credits roll. Its rotoscoped animation style gives it a surreal and dreamlike quality that perfectly matches its themes, and the various conversations and monologues are endlessly fascinating. It’s a true one-of-a-kind film that will expand your mind and challenge your perceptions.
9. Pi (1998)
Darren Aronofsky’s debut feature stars Sean Gullette as Max, a brilliant but troubled mathematician who becomes obsessed with finding patterns in the stock market and unlocking the secrets of the universe. As he descends into madness, Max becomes caught between a Hasidic sect and a Wall Street firm who both believe his work could lead to ultimate knowledge and power.
Shot in grainy black-and-white and filled with feverish intensity, Pi is a paranoid thriller that explores the thin line between genius and insanity. Like Donnie Darko, it delves into heady themes of mathematics, mysticism, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Gullette is mesmerizing as the unraveling Max, and Aronofsky’s kinetic visual style keeps you on the edge of your seat.
10. Coherence (2013)
On the night of a rare astronomical event, eight friends gather for a dinner party that takes a strange turn when a comet passes overhead. As the fabric of reality begins to fray, the characters must grapple with questions of identity, parallel universes, and the consequences of their choices.
Made on a shoestring budget, Coherence is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that proves you don’t need flashy effects to tell a gripping story. Like Donnie Darko, it trusts the audience to piece together its puzzle as it unfolds, dropping clues and red herrings that keep you constantly guessing. It’s a true gem of indie filmmaking that will leave you marveling at its cleverness and ingenuity.
11. Mr. Nobody (2009)
Jared Leto stars as Nemo Nobody, the last mortal man in a future where humanity has achieved immortality. As he lies on his deathbed, Nemo reflects on the various paths his life could have taken based on a pivotal choice he made as a child, leading to a sprawling and mind-bending exploration of parallel lives and alternate realities.
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael, Mr. Nobody is a visually stunning and philosophically rich film that grapples with big questions about the nature of time, choice, and identity. Like Donnie Darko, it uses a sci-fi premise to explore deep existential themes, crafting a moving and thought-provoking meditation on the many lives we could have lived. Leto is fantastic in the title role, anchoring the film’s various timelines and realities with a soulful performance.
12. Predestination (2014)
Based on a short story by Robert A. Heinlein, Predestination stars Ethan Hawke as a “temporal agent” who travels through time to prevent crimes before they occur. His final assignment is to track down the criminal mastermind known as the “Fizzle Bomber,” leading to a twisty and mind-bending journey through past, present and future.
Directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, Predestination is a clever and thought-provoking sci-fi thriller that plays with the paradoxes of time travel in endlessly inventive ways. Like Donnie Darko, it keeps you constantly guessing as it unfolds its intricate plot, leading to a stunning finale that will leave you reeling. Hawke is excellent as always, and Sarah Snook delivers a breakout performance in a challenging dual role.
13. The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky’s ambitious sci-fi epic follows three parallel storylines spanning a thousand years. In the present, a scientist (Hugh Jackman) races to find a cure for his wife’s (Rachel Weisz) terminal illness. In the past, a Spanish conquistador searches for the Tree of Life in Mayan country. And in the future, a space traveler journeys toward a dying star in a bubble containing a tree.
The Fountain is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that grapples with big themes of love, death, and the quest for eternal life. Like Donnie Darko, it uses a fragmented and non-linear structure to tell a mind-bending story that rewards close attention and interpretation. Jackman and Weisz are both excellent in their multiple roles, and Aronofsky’s direction is both intimate and epic in scope.
14. Triangle (2009)
Melissa George stars as Jess, a single mother who goes on a yacht trip with a group of friends. When a freak storm capsizes their boat, the group seeks refuge on a passing ocean liner, only to find it eerily deserted. As strange and terrifying events unfold, Jess realizes she may be caught in a time loop that she must find a way to break.
Directed by Christopher Smith, Triangle is a mind-bending horror thriller that keeps you constantly guessing as it unfolds its twisty plot. Like Donnie Darko, it plays with questions of time, fate, and the consequences of our choices, leading to a shocking and unforgettable conclusion. George is fantastic as the increasingly unhinged Jess, and the film’s creepy atmosphere and clever plotting make it a true hidden gem.
15. Timecrimes (2007)
In this Spanish sci-fi thriller, a man named Héctor (Karra Elejalde) accidentally travels back in time and meets himself, setting off a chain reaction of events that grows increasingly complicated and dangerous as he tries to set things right.
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo, Timecrimes is a lean and clever time-travel puzzle that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Like Donnie Darko, it plays with the mind-bending possibilities and paradoxes of time travel, crafting a twisty and satisfying story that rewards close attention. Elejalde is great as the increasingly frazzled Héctor, and the film’s low-budget ingenuity is endlessly impressive.
These 15 movies all share DNA with Donnie Darko in their exploration of mind-bending sci-fi concepts, existential themes, and the blurry lines between reality and fantasy. Whether you’re a fan of time travel puzzles, surreal dreamscapes, or philosophical head-trips, there’s something on this list for every Donnie Darko fan to enjoy. So fire up your DVD player or streaming service and get ready to have your mind blown all over again.
