If you’re a fan of spine-chilling horror movies like ‘The Nun’, then you’re in for a treat. We’ve put together a list of the 15 best movies that will give you a similar dose of terror and keep you up at night. From creepy dolls to demonic possessions, these films are sure to satisfy your craving for all things spooky. So dim the lights, grab some popcorn (and maybe a blanket to hide under), and let’s dive into our list…if you dare.
1. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Annabelle: Creation is the perfect place to start if you loved The Nun. Directed by David F. Sandberg, this prequel to 2014’s Annabelle dives into the origins of the infamous possessed doll. The story follows a dollmaker and his wife who, 12 years after the tragic death of their little girl, welcome a nun and several orphaned girls into their home. But things take a terrifying turn when one of the girls finds the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.
With plenty of jump scares, creepy atmospherics, and a truly unnerving doll, Annabelle: Creation delivers the goods for any fan of The Conjuring universe. The period setting and religious themes will also feel familiar to anyone who enjoyed The Nun’s 1950s Romanian abbey backdrop.
2. The Conjuring (2013)
You can’t discuss The Nun or Annabelle without mentioning the film that kicked off The Conjuring universe: James Wan’s 2013 horror hit, The Conjuring. Based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), the movie follows the couple as they help the Perron family deal with a dark presence in their farmhouse.
The Conjuring set the template for many of the films that followed with its 70s period setting, focus on demonic entities, and ties to real-life paranormal lore. It also features a memorably creepy doll in Annabelle’s first appearance. If you want to see how The Conjuring universe began, this is essential viewing.
3. The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Another entry in The Conjuring universe, The Curse of La Llorona puts a fresh spin on the “evil spirit tormenting a family” setup by incorporating the famous Latin American folk legend of the “weeping woman.” Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the film follows a social worker (Linda Cardellini) and her kids after they become the targets of the ghostly La Llorona, who wants to claim the children as her own.
While not as critically acclaimed as some other Conjuring films, The Curse of La Llorona still delivers some effective scares. The use of Latin American folklore also helps it stand out. And like The Nun, it shows the expansive, international nature of the Conjuring universe’s paranormal threats.
4. Insidious (2010)
Before The Conjuring, director James Wan terrified audiences with Insidious, another major franchise-launcher in the 2010s horror renaissance. The film centers on a couple (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) whose son falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for malevolent supernatural forces.
Although it has a contemporary setting, Insidious shares The Nun’s focus on demonic entities and the people who battle against them. The “further,” a dark realm where the demons reside, is one of horror’s most memorably spooky alternate dimensions. Insidious spawned three sequels and remains a touchstone of the modern mainstream horror film.
5. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The second film in the main Conjuring series brings back Ed and Lorraine Warren (again played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) as they travel to London to help a single mother whose home is plagued by malicious spirits. Based on the real-life Enfield poltergeist case, The Conjuring 2 ups the ante with even more jump scares and creepy apparitions.
But the real star here is the demon nun Valak, who makes her chilling first appearance. With her unsettling habit and glowing eyes, Valak instantly became one of the series’ most iconic villains, eventually earning her own spin-off movie. The Conjuring 2 is a must-watch for any fan of The Nun.
6. Annabelle (2014)
The original Annabelle film is a prequel set in the 1960s, focusing on the creepy doll’s first owners, John and Mia Form (Ward Horton and Annabelle Wallis). After a violent attack in their home, the couple starts experiencing terrifying paranormal events centered around the vintage doll.
While not as critically acclaimed as Annabelle: Creation or the main Conjuring films, Annabelle still delivers some solid scares. The 60s period setting and focus on a young couple dealing with a demonic threat will feel very familiar to fans of The Nun and other Conjuring universe films.
7. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
The third entry in the main Conjuring series, The Devil Made Me Do It, brings back Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) for a case involving a murder suspect who claims demonic possession as his defense. Based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the film blends horror with a legal drama.
While the courtroom elements are a bit of a departure for the series, The Devil Made Me Do It still has plenty of the scary set pieces and demonic thrills fans expect. The 1980s setting also pushes The Conjuring universe timeline forward. It may not be the best entry, but it’s still worth a watch for Conjuring completists.
8. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
In this third Annabelle film, the cursed doll is placed in the artifacts room of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, where she awakens the room’s evil spirits. When the Warrens’ daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace) is left in the care of two teenage babysitters, all hell breaks loose as Annabelle and the other spirits target the girls.
Annabelle Comes Home acts as a crossover between the Annabelle films and the main Conjuring series, bringing together various threads. It’s a fun, scary romp that shows the expansiveness of the Conjuring universe and the Warrens’ impact on it. A good choice if you want to see more of Annabelle’s antics.
9. The Exorcist (1973)
Going back to one of the original religious horror classics, The Exorcist remains a groundbreaking and utterly terrifying film nearly five decades later. When a young girl named Regan (Linda Blair) starts exhibiting strange behavior, her mother (Ellen Burstyn) turns to a priest (Jason Miller) for help, believing Regan may be possessed by a demon.
The Exorcist set the standard for so many demonic possession films to follow, including The Nun and other Conjuring films. Its realistic approach, disturbing visuals, and exploration of faith and evil make it a must-see for any horror fan. Without this film, the religious horror subgenre as we know it wouldn’t exist.
10. The Omen (1976)
Another classic of religious horror, The Omen tells the story of an American diplomat (Gregory Peck) who comes to believe that his adopted son Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens) may be the Antichrist. As mysterious deaths and terrifying incidents pile up around the family, Damien’s true nature becomes harder to deny.
Like The Exorcist, The Omen was a trendsetter, kickstarting the “evil child” subgenre and bringing Biblical horror to the mainstream. Its sense of mounting dread, creative death scenes, and exploration of the nature of evil still pack a punch. For fans of The Nun and religious horror, it’s essential viewing.
11. Stigmata (1999)
In Stigmata, an atheist hairdresser from Pittsburgh (Patricia Arquette) becomes afflicted with the stigmata – Christ’s crucifixion wounds – after acquiring a rosary formerly owned by a deceased priest. As the Church investigates her case, they uncover a conspiracy involving a lost gospel and the Vatican.
While not as well-known as some of the other films on this list, Stigmata is a solid religious horror-thriller with some striking visuals and interesting ideas. The mix of supernatural horror and Church politics will appeal to fans of The Nun. Plus, any movie where Gabriel Byrne plays a priest investigating weird religious phenomena is worth checking out.
12. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Loosely based on the real-life case of Anneliese Michel, The Exorcism of Emily Rose follows a priest (Tom Wilkinson) on trial for negligent homicide after an exorcism he performed results in the death of a young woman (Jennifer Carpenter). The film alternates between the courtroom drama and flashbacks of the exorcism.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose is notable for its grounded, realistic approach to demonic possession, focusing on the legal and personal ramifications. The courtroom scenes add a unique dimension to the typical exorcism story. For fans of the Conjuring films’ “based on a true story” angle, this one is worth a look.
13. The Last Exorcism (2010)
The Last Exorcism takes a found-footage approach to the exorcism subgenre. It follows a disillusioned evangelical minister (Patrick Fabian) who allows a documentary crew to film his last exorcism, which he intends to debunk as a hoax. But when he meets a troubled farm girl (Ashley Bell) and her father, he realizes he may be in over his head.
While the found-footage gimmick can be hit-or-miss, The Last Exorcism uses it effectively, building a sense of realism and dread. The film also has some interesting things to say about faith, skepticism, and the power of belief. It’s a solid pick for fans of exorcism movies and religious horror with a twist.
14. Saint Maud (2019)
Saint Maud is a British psychological horror film that follows a devoutly Catholic hospice nurse named Maud (Morfydd Clark) who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient, a former dancer named Amanda (Jennifer Ehle). As Maud’s obsession grows, the lines between reality and delusion start to blur.
While not directly connected to The Nun or The Conjuring universe, Saint Maud shares some thematic DNA, exploring the dark side of religious devotion and the blurry line between faith and madness. It’s a slow-burn horror film that gets under your skin with its unsettling atmosphere and committed lead performance. Definitely worth seeking out for fans of religious horror.
15. The Nun II (2023)
The latest entry in The Conjuring universe, The Nun II is a direct sequel to 2018’s The Nun and the ninth installment overall in the franchise. Set in 1956 France, the film follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) as she once again faces off against the demonic nun Valak (Bonnie Aarons) after a priest is brutally murdered and an evil begins to spread.
Directed by Michael Chaves (The Curse of La Llorona), The Nun II also stars Storm Reid as Sister Debra, a young nun struggling with her faith who joins Irene in her fight against Valak. Jonas Bloquet returns as Maurice, now working as a handyman at a girls’ boarding school that becomes a focal point of the demon nun’s terror.
For fans of The Nun or the Conjuring universe eager to see the continued battle against Valak, The Nun II seems to provide the demonic nun thrills they’re looking for. It may not reach the heights of the main Conjuring films, but it’s a solid sequel that expands the franchise’s mythology in interesting ways.
There you have it – 15 terrifying movies to keep you up at night if you loved The Nun. From classics like The Exorcist to modern hits like Annabelle: Creation, there’s something here for every horror fan. So what are you waiting for? Dim the lights, grab the popcorn, and get ready to scream. Just don’t blame us if you can’t sleep afterward. Sweet dreams!
