If you recently watched the 2021 dark fantasy film Nightbooks on Netflix and are craving more spooky, magical adventures, you’re in luck. This creepy yet captivating movie, based on the 2018 children’s book by J.A. White, follows a young boy named Alex who loves writing scary stories. One night, he becomes trapped by an evil witch who demands he tell her a new frightening tale each night in order to stay alive.
With its eerie atmosphere, engaging storytelling, and elements of horror made kid-friendly, Nightbooks cast a spell on many viewers. Starring Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett and Krysten Ritter, this movie is perfect for families who like their scares served up with a side of heart and imagination.
If Nightbooks left you enchanted and eager for more suspenseful supernatural stories, here are 15 fantastic films to add to your watchlist. These movies deliver similar vibes of dark magic, courageous kids, wicked villains, and chilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. Coraline (2009)
Coraline is a stop-motion animated dark fantasy film based on Neil Gaiman’s 2002 novel. It centers on curious 11-year-old Coraline Jones who discovers a parallel world that closely mirrors her own, but with some unsettling differences. In this other realm, Coraline’s “Other Parents” have buttons for eyes and at first seem more fun and attentive than her real parents. However, Coraline soon realizes this alternate reality is far more sinister than it appears.
Like Nightbooks, Coraline features a clever young protagonist drawn into a dangerous supernatural situation. The movie’s stunning animation brings to life an eerily beautiful world with creepy visuals that will mesmerize viewers. Beneath the scares, both films also share poignant themes about bravery, self-reliance and appreciating one’s family.
2. The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
In The House with a Clock in Its Walls, 10-year-old orphan Lewis Barnavelt goes to live with his mysterious uncle Jonathan in an old creaky house. Lewis soon discovers his uncle and neighbor are secretly powerful magicians. When Lewis accidentally resurrects an evil warlock, he must use his newfound magical abilities to save the world.
Based on a 1973 novel by John Bellairs, this spooky fantasy film is geared towards kids but has enough gothic atmosphere and supernatural peril to entertain adults as well. With some mildly scary scenes, it’s similar to Nightbooks in providing kid-friendly thrills. Both movies also celebrate unusually bright young characters who use their wits and talents to defeat dark forces.
3. ParaNorman (2012)
The stop-motion animated comedy horror film ParaNorman tells the story of Norman Babcock, a misunderstood boy who can communicate with the dead. When his small town is overrun by zombies, Norman must use his paranormal abilities to save the day with help from unexpected new friends.
ParaNorman shares Nightbooks’ balance of scares and humor, along with a focus on an outsider kid facing supernatural threats. Both films build to exciting showdowns against villainous characters. They also touchingly portray how their horror-loving young heroes learn to embrace the traits that make them unique.
4. A Monster Calls (2016)
Based on Patrick Ness’ low fantasy novel, A Monster Calls follows 12-year-old Conor O’Malley as he copes with his mother’s terminal illness. One night, Conor is visited by a towering tree-like Monster who tells him three stories, then makes a demand: Conor must tell his own story and confront his deepest fear.
While more dramatic than Nightbooks, A Monster Calls is also a visually stunning film about a boy processing difficult emotions through dark storytelling. The Monster serves as both a frightening and oddly comforting presence, challenging Conor to be honest with himself just as Natacha the witch pushes Alex to tell his scariest tales.
5. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
The Spiderwick Chronicles, based on the book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, follows the Grace siblings as they discover a hidden world of fantastical creatures after moving into their great-uncle’s mysterious estate. When one sibling is kidnapped by an evil ogre, the others must team up with magical allies to save him.
The Spiderwick Chronicles and Nightbooks both see young characters suddenly drawn into secret supernatural realms. While Spiderwick is more of an action-packed adventure compared to Nightbooks’ intimate horror, each film features kids using field guides to navigate dangerous mythical beings. Both also touchingly depict how facing fantastical challenges ultimately brings their protagonists closer to family.
6. Goosebumps (2015)
Goosebumps is a horror comedy film based on R.L. Stine’s bestselling book series. Teenager Zach Cooper discovers his new neighbor is secretly Goosebumps author R.L. Stine, whose imaginary monsters are real and trapped inside his books. When Zach accidentally releases the creatures, he must help Stine and his daughter Hannah capture them before they destroy the town.
Goosebumps shares Nightbooks’ premise of fictional scary stories coming to life and threatening their young creators. Both movies pay loving homage to the horror genre while keeping the scares lighthearted enough for family audiences. They’re also both fast-paced, funny adventures celebrating the power of imagination.
7. The Witches (2020)
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1983 dark fantasy novel, The Witches follows an orphaned boy who goes to live with his grandmother in 1960s Alabama. He encounters a group of glamorous but evil witches who hate children and want to rid the world of them by turning them into mice. With his grandmother, the boy works to stop the witches’ wicked plan.
The Witches has a very similar premise to Nightbooks, with a kid-hating witch serving as the villain and the young hero using creativity to defeat her. While The Witches has more silly slapstick humor, both movies balance their scares with warmth and whimsy. Anne Hathaway’s delightfully wicked head witch gives Krysten Ritter’s Natacha a run for her money.
8. Hocus Pocus (1993)
The Halloween comedy classic Hocus Pocus centers on the Sanderson sisters, three witches who are accidentally resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night. As the witches try to steal the life force of children to become immortal, three kids and a talking cat hilariously work to stop them.
Hocus Pocus is more of a straight comedy compared to Nightbooks’ creepier tone, but both movies share the premise of kids battling kid-hating witches. Each film is a celebration of the spooky season, and Hocus Pocus’ campy mix of scares and silliness will appeal to Nightbooks fans. Plus, Krysten Ritter’s Natacha would definitely be friends with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy’s Sanderson sisters.
9. Labyrinth (1986)
Jim Henson’s puppet fantasy film Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a 16-year-old girl who must navigate a magical maze to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King Jareth, played by David Bowie. Along the way, she makes friends with fantastical creatures who help her complete her quest.
While not scary like Nightbooks, Labyrinth is also a visually imaginative film about a teenager facing off against a powerful otherworldly villain. Both movies create immersive fantasy worlds and send their heroes on suspenseful, challenging journeys. With its mix of humor, heart, and spectacle, Labyrinth captures a similar feeling of childhood wonder.
10. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Inspired by the children’s horror book series by Alvin Schwartz, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark follows a group of teenagers in 1968 who discover a book of terrifying tales that start coming to life. As the teens investigate the book’s sinister origins, they must face their darkest fears to end the curse.
Scary Stories and Nightbooks both depict scary stories leaping off their pages into reality, forcing their young characters to confront actual monsters. With its period setting and darker tone, Scary Stories skews a bit older than Nightbooks. But both deliver chilling supernatural thrills while celebrating the power of storytelling.
11. The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Loosely based on the Disney theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion stars Eddie Murphy as a workaholic realtor who takes his family to stay in a haunted mansion. As the family works to break the curse trapping its ghostly inhabitants, they learn the importance of putting family first.
The Haunted Mansion shares Nightbooks’ premise of characters trapped in a spooky supernatural residence. While more of a goofy comedy, it still delivers plenty of gothic atmosphere and light scares. Both movies balance their creepy premises with heartfelt themes about the unbreakable bonds of family.
12. Monster House (2006)
The animated comedy horror film Monster House centers on three kids who discover their neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster. As Halloween approaches, they must find a way to destroy the house before innocent trick-or-treaters fall victim to it.
Monster House shares Nightbooks’ premise of a supernatural building that threatens children. With a similar mix of scares and humor that will appeal to the whole family, it also focuses on young characters bravely facing their fears. Both films deliver satisfying finales of their heroes cleverly defeating the villainous presence.
13. The Boxtrolls (2014)
The stop-motion animated fantasy comedy The Boxtrolls takes place in a town where underground trash collectors called Boxtrolls are believed to be dangerous monsters. An orphaned human boy named Eggs, who is raised by the kind creatures, teams up with a feisty rich girl to save the Boxtrolls from an exterminator.
Like Nightbooks, The Boxtrolls charmingly subverts ideas about what makes someone or something scary. It also focuses on a kindhearted young protagonist who doesn’t fit in with his peers but finds the inner strength to stand up for what’s right. While lighter than Nightbooks, its wacky humor, lovable characters and dazzling animation provide similar all-ages entertainment.
14. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy film The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who becomes obsessed with Christmas. Jack decides to kidnap Santa Claus and take over the holiday, but his plans go disastrously and delightfully awry.
The Nightmare Before Christmas shares Nightbooks’ affectionately spooky tone and its celebration of all things that go bump in the night. Both also feature well-intentioned protagonists who let their fixations get the better of them. While Nightmare is more of a mischievous holiday romp, its enchanting gothic visuals make it perfect for Nightbooks fans to watch year-round.
15. Corpse Bride (2005)
Another stop-motion animated dark fantasy film, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride tells the story of Victor, a shy groom-to-be who accidentally marries a dead woman named Emily while practicing his wedding vows. Whisked to the colorful Land of the Dead, Victor must choose between his corpse bride and his living fiancée.
Corpse Bride shares Nightbooks’ delightfully macabre sensibility, where the initial terror of its premise soon gives way to a surprisingly sweet and resonant tale. Both movies find the humanity in supernatural characters and settings. While more of a gothic romance, Corpse Bride delivers a similar message of not judging a book by its cover – or a person by their scary stories.
Whether you’re seeking more spooky kid-friendly adventures, stop-motion animated fantasies, or stories of outsiders battling supernatural threats, these 15 movies are perfect for fans of Nightbooks. Filled with chills, laughs, and plenty of heart, they’ll cast a spell on viewers who can’t resist a good scary story. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and let these delightfully dark tales unfold.
