So you just watched the 2022 horror sensation Smile and you’re craving more creepy, unsettling psychological horror movies that will keep you up at night. Well, you’ve come to the right place! As a huge horror fan myself, I’ve compiled a list of the 18 best movies that share similar vibes, themes and scares as Smile.
These films span various decades and subgenres, but they all excel at getting under your skin with an overwhelming sense of dread, shocking imagery, and a disturbing look into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Get ready to sleep with the lights on after watching these terrifying movies like Smile:
1. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary was a breakout hit that put A24 on the map as the new masters of elevated horror. The film follows a family haunted by tragedy and dark secrets after the death of their reclusive grandmother. Toni Collette gives a powerhouse performance as a mother on the verge of a breakdown in this slow-burn horror masterpiece.
Like Smile, Hereditary deals with themes of trauma, grief and inherited demons, both literal and metaphorical. It’s a challenging watch, but the unsettling atmosphere and shocking moments make it a must-see for any horror fan.
2. It Follows (2014)
On the surface, It Follows is about a supernatural entity that stalks its victims after they have sex. But beneath the simple premise lies a clever allegory for the anxiety and dread of growing up and entering the adult world.
Shot in a dreamy, nostalgic style with an unforgettable synth score, It Follows is a modern classic that builds a sense of slow-burning terror, similar to Smile. You’ll never look at a stranger walking towards you the same way again after watching this movie.
3. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook is an Australian psychological horror film that follows a single mother struggling to deal with her troubled young son and the sinister storybook monster that begins to haunt them.
Like the creepy smiling entity in Smile, the Babadook is a terrifying supernatural force that worms its way into the minds of the characters and the viewer. But the real horror comes from the emotional trauma and strained family dynamics. The Babadook is a powerful and poignant film that shows how grief and resentment can manifest into something truly monstrous.
4. The Ring (2002)
If you’ve ever been freaked out by creepy long-haired ghost girls or cursed videotapes, you can thank The Ring for those nightmares. This American remake of the Japanese horror classic follows a journalist investigating an urban legend about a videotape that causes the viewer to die 7 days after watching it.
The Ring kicked off a wave of Japanese horror remakes in the early 2000s and still holds up as one of the best. It’s a chilling, atmospheric film with some unforgettable imagery that will make you think twice about popping in an old VHS tape. If you liked the supernatural scares and investigative mystery of Smile, check out The Ring.
5. Oculus (2013)
Oculus is a mind-bending psychological horror film about a haunted antique mirror and the effect it has on the family who owns it. The film jumps between two timelines, following a brother and sister as children and adults as they try to uncover the truth about the mirror’s dark past.
Like Smile, Oculus blurs the line between reality and hallucination as the characters descend into paranoia and madness. The film keeps you guessing until the very end and features some very effective scares. If you enjoy horror that messes with your mind, give Oculus a watch.
6. The Grudge (2004)
The Grudge is another Japanese horror remake from the early 2000s that spawned a franchise. The film follows an American nurse living in Tokyo who encounters a vengeful spirit that attaches itself to her and everyone she knows.
The Grudge shares some DNA with The Ring, but ups the ante with even more terrifying imagery and jump scares. The croaking ghost boy in the attic is the stuff of nightmares! Like the smiling demon in Smile, the grudge is a malevolent force that spreads like a curse. If you want some good old-fashioned J-horror scares, The Grudge delivers.
7. Sinister (2012)
Sinister stars Ethan Hawke as a true crime writer who moves his family into a house where a brutal murder took place, hoping to find inspiration for his new book. Instead, he discovers a box of disturbing home movies that puts his family in the crosshairs of a supernatural entity.
Sinister lives up to its title with some truly unsettling snuff film footage and a chilling performance by Hawke as a man obsessed. Like Smile, it taps into the very real fear of uncovering something evil that can’t be stopped. The film’s ending still gives me chills. Don’t watch this one alone!
8. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is a modern horror classic based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film follows the Warrens as they try to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.
The Conjuring is a masterclass in horror filmmaking, with director James Wan creating a sense of dread that builds to some of the most terrifying set pieces in recent memory. Like Smile, it’s a film that knows how to pace its scares and when to hit you with something truly shocking. It also features great performances from Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the Warrens. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?
9. Insidious (2010)
Insidious is another horror hit from James Wan that kicked off a successful franchise. The film follows a couple whose son falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for malevolent entities from another dimension.
Like Smile, Insidious takes a simple premise and runs with it, delivering plenty of jump scares and creepy visuals along the way. The scene with the red-faced demon still gives me nightmares. Insidious also does a great job of building tension and mystery as the family uncovers the truth about what’s happening to their son. It’s a fun, spooky ride that’s perfect for a Halloween movie night.
10. The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a classic supernatural thriller that everyone knows for its iconic twist ending. But even if you know the big reveal, the film still holds up as a chilling and emotionally resonant horror drama.
Bruce Willis stars as a child psychologist who tries to help a troubled boy (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to see ghosts. Like Smile, The Sixth Sense deals with themes of trauma, grief and the lingering impact of death. It’s a slower burn than some of the other films on this list, but the payoff is worth it. If you want a horror movie that will make you cry as much as it scares you, give this one a rewatch.
11. The Others (2001)
The Others is a gothic ghost story that stars Nicole Kidman as a mother living in a dark, secluded mansion with her two photosensitive children. When strange events start happening around the house, she begins to suspect they are not alone.
The Others is a slow-burn horror film that relies on atmosphere and tension rather than jump scares. Like Smile, it keeps you guessing until the very end and features a chilling performance by Kidman. The film’s foggy, candlelit setting is the perfect backdrop for a good old-fashioned ghost story with a twist.
12. Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar is a daylight horror film from Ari Aster, the director of Hereditary. It follows a group of American students who travel to Sweden for a midsummer festival, only to find themselves trapped in a sinister pagan cult.
Like Smile, Midsommar is a visually stunning film that uses bright, colorful imagery to lull you into a false sense of security before hitting you with something truly disturbing. It’s a slow burn that builds to a shocking and unforgettable finale. Florence Pugh gives an incredible performance as a young woman grappling with grief and finding empowerment in the darkest of places.
13. The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouse is a surreal, psychological horror film shot in black and white and set in the late 19th century. It stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two lighthouse keepers slowly losing their sanity while isolated on a remote island.
The Lighthouse is a bizarre, nightmarish film that feels like a fever dream. Like Smile, it’s a movie that gets under your skin and leaves you feeling unsettled long after it’s over. Dafoe and Pattinson give incredible performances, fully committing to their characters’ descent into madness. It’s a challenging watch, but one that will stick with you.
14. Candyman (2021)
Candyman is a “spiritual sequel” to the 1992 horror classic, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an artist who becomes obsessed with the legend of the Candyman, a hook-handed killer who appears when you say his name five times in a mirror.
Like Smile, Candyman is a horror film that grapples with real-world issues like racism, gentrification and intergenerational trauma. It’s a visually stunning film with some truly haunting imagery and a mesmerizing performance by Abdul-Mateen II. The film also features a chilling score by Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe that will get under your skin. If you liked the social commentary and unsettling atmosphere of Smile, definitely check out Candyman.
15. Saint Maud (2019)
Saint Maud is a British psychological horror film that follows a devoutly religious nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.
Like Smile, Saint Maud is a slow-burn horror film that relies on atmosphere and tension to unsettle the viewer. It’s a character study of a woman on the edge, grappling with trauma and mental illness. Morfydd Clark gives an incredible performance as Maud, fully embodying her character’s unraveling. The film builds to a shocking and unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling.
16. The Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man is a modern update of the classic H.G. Wells story, starring Elisabeth Moss as a woman who believes she is being stalked by her abusive ex-boyfriend, who has seemingly died by suicide.
Like Smile, The Invisible Man is a horror film that grapples with real-world issues like gaslighting and domestic abuse. Moss gives a powerhouse performance as a woman fighting to be believed and regain control of her life. The film is incredibly tense and suspenseful, with some truly shocking moments that will make you jump out of your seat. If you liked the themes of trauma and the unseen threat of Smile, The Invisible Man is a must-watch.
17. The Cuckoo’s Curse (2023)
The Cuckoo’s Curse is a Spanish psychological horror film that follows a couple who swap houses with a mysterious German couple, only to discover they have sinister plans for them.
The Cuckoo’s Curse shares some similarities with Smile in its unsettling atmosphere and themes of paranoia and hidden secrets. It’s a slow-burn horror film that builds tension through its isolated setting and creepy performances. The film also features some shocking moments of violence that will make you wince. If you’re in the mood for a lesser-known foreign horror gem, give The Cuckoo’s Curse a try.
18. Truth or Dare (2018)
Truth or Dare is a supernatural horror film that follows a group of college students who play a game of truth or dare while on vacation in Mexico, only to discover that the game has deadly consequences.
Like the creepy smiling demon in Smile, the entity in Truth or Dare forces its victims to play a twisted game with no escape. The film is far from perfect, but it delivers some effective scares and features a likable cast of young actors. If you’re in the mood for a fun, silly horror movie with some good jumps, Truth or Dare is worth a watch.
There you have it, 18 terrifying movies to watch if you loved Smile. These films span various subgenres and decades, but they all share a similar sense of dread, unsettling atmosphere, and psychological horror that will get under your skin and stay with you long after the credits roll.
From slow-burn thrillers like Hereditary and The Babadook to supernatural scares like The Ring and Insidious, there’s something for every horror fan on this list. Whether you’re in the mood for a good old-fashioned ghost story or a mind-bending psychological thriller, these movies deliver the goods.
