Now thatHereditaryis streaming on Netflix, audiences may be searching for more horror movies that scratch the same itch, and fortunately, Netflix has a number of amazing options. Released in 2018,Hereditaryis a horror movie which follows the Graham family in the aftermath of their matriarch’s death.Hereditaryhas become iconic in several ways, from putting Ari Aster on the map to popularizing movies centered on trauma. With a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, there’s little doubt thatHereditaryis a fan favorite, which means finding similar movies to watch is vital.
There are a few avenues from which Netflix’s horror movies can evokethe same feelings asHereditary.First and foremost, horror movies that center on demons are key. InHereditary,the main villain is a faceless demon called Paimon, who terrorizes the Grahams untilHereditary’seerie ending. Haunted houses are also strong candidates, as much ofHereditarytakes place within the home. However, the trope that is most important is family. Horror movies that focus on complicated andtraumatized families like the Grahams are the best follow-ups toHereditary.
Pearl
Cast
Pearl, a prequel to the film X, follows the story of a young woman named Pearl residing on a secluded farm during the early 20th century. Directed by Ti West, this psychological horror explores Pearl’s descent into madness, delving into her troubled psyche and the haunting circumstances that surround her. Starring Mia Goth, the film provides a chilling backdrop and a character study of ambition and isolation gone awry.
One solid Netflix horror film to pick up afterHereditaryisPearl.The second movie inTi West’sXtrilogy,Pearlfollowsthe titular character in the early 20th century as she begins violently dismantling her dull lifeon a farm so that she can pursue her dreams of becoming a movie star. However, not even Pearl’s bloody nature can guarantee that she will become the celebrity she dreams of being.
AlthoughPearl’splot has no real links toHereditary,it is a good movie forHereditarylovers to watch because it was made by the same company.Every A24 moviehas its own unique tale to tell, yet each film released by the production company has a certain stylistic quality to it. The films are nostalgic yet sleek, artistic and evocative. In this way,those who enjoyed the tone ofHereditarywill get a similar atmosphere inPearl,or any other A24 horror movie they may watch.
9Apostle (2018)
A Man Tries To Free His Sister From A Cult
UnlikePearl,a movie that has strong connections toHereditary’sthemes isApostle.This 2018 movie followsThomas, a man who returns to his hometown of London in 1905 only to discover that his sister is being held captiveby a cult. Determined to save his sibling, Thomas travels to the cult’s isolated island and infiltrates their ranks. Of course, he soon discovers that this dangerous group is hiding secrets that are far more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.
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Those who enjoyed the dynamic between Charlie and Peter inHereditarymay find particular enjoyment inApostle.Though Thomas and Jennifer face very different issues thanHereditary’smain siblings, there is an overwhelming sense of familial love and care in both movies that transcends life and death. Furthermore,Apostle’sfocus on cults is a direct parallel toHereditary’sPaimon cult. All in all,Apostleis an unlikely sibling toHereditary.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is a chilling horror film that follows father-and-son coroners who encounter a highly unusual and disturbing autopsy. As they delve deeper into the examination of an unidentified woman’s body found at a crime scene, they uncover increasingly bizarre clues that reveal a dark and terrifying secret. The film masterfully combines supernatural elements with a claustrophobic setting to create a tense and gripping mystery.
A standout element ofHereditaryis its focus on death and secrets, andThe Autopsy of Jane Doeis another horror film that follows the same path. In this film,a father and son duo complete an autopsy on a mysterious corpse simply known as Jane Doe. What starts out as a routine autopsy quickly turns into a haunting mystery, as the pair discover more and more clues that indicate something strange and potentially supernatural going on with this woman.
The Autopsy of Jane Doeaccomplishes many of the same things thatHereditarydoes.
The Autopsy of Jane Doeaccomplishes many of the same things thatHereditarydoes. The movie delves into life after death, trauma, and how the supernatural can break apart even the closest family members. Furthermore,this 2016 film does a good job of mirroringHereditary’seerie ambiance. The tension is at an all-time high in this movie, and even the most seasoned horror fan may find themselves jumping in their seat while watching this film.
The Clovehitch Killer
The Clovehitch Killer centers on Tyler Burnside, a teenager who lives in a seemingly idyllic small town. His world is upended when he discovers evidence suggesting his father might be the infamous Clovehitch Killer, responsible for a series of unsolved murders. As Tyler grapples with this harrowing possibility, he embarks on a chilling quest for the truth, placing him and those he loves in grave danger.
Hereditarymay be a paranormal horror movie, but that doesn’t mean its follow-ups have to be. A fantasticcrime-based horror filmcurrently streaming on Netflix isThe Clovehitch Killer.The film centers on Tyler, a teenage boy who enjoys a normal life with his loving father. However, when he discovers a stash of disturbing photos among his dad’s things,Tyler begins to suspect that his father may be responsible for a series of brutal killingsthat occurred a decade ago.
Once again,The Clovehitch Killerhas no elements of the supernatural, but this does not prevent it from being a spiritual successor toHereditary.In particular, the film parallelsHereditarybecause of its themes of family and secrets.In the same way that Annie uncovers the horrifying acts of her dead mother, Tyler must confront the truthof who his father is. The only difference is, Tyler’s dad is still alive and may not be as trustworthy as we think, making him just as dangerous as any demon.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a Netflix original movie that was released in September 2020. The story centers on a young woman who decides to visit her boyfriend’s parents' mysterious farm. But after arriving, she realizes he’s not the man she thought he was. I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Jesse Plemmons and Jessie Buckley and is directed by Charlie Kaufman.
One Netflix horror movie that got quite a bit of attention when it first premiered isI’m Thinking of Ending Things.Based on a novel of the same name by Iain Reid, the movie followsLucy, a young woman who is accompanying her boyfriend on a trip to meet his parents.Yet, this trip is almost immediately disrupted by strange occurrences and a worrying atmosphere that only seems to get worse and worse.
Mallory Bechtel
Bridget
I’m Thinking of Ending Thingsmay seem vague, but that is part of what makes it such a compelling story. Audiences simply have to go in and experience the tale for themselves. The same could be said forHereditary.However,another aspect of the films that really connects them is Toni Collette.I’m Thinking of Ending ThingsseesCollette in the roleof Mother, and those who enjoyed her unhinged performance as Annie, will love her in this 2020 role. She is horrifying, otherworldly, and undoubtedly effective.
5Death Whisperer (2023)
A Brother Attempts To Save His Sister From An Unusual Illness
Yet another horror movie that focuses on brother-sister relationships isDeath Whisperer.This Thai thriller centers ona man who returns to his hometown in order to help his sister, who has begun acting strangelydue to some unknown illness. Soon enough, it becomes clear that this “illness” may be paranormal, and in turn, is far more deadly than the man ever thought possible.
LikeApostle,Death Whisperershines a spotlight on sibling dynamics, but rather than using cults, it uses the paranormal instead. To some, this may feel like an even stronger follow-up toHereditary,because the film’s scares are centered on this supernatural being. On top of that,the movie’s sister character is similar to Charlie in that she is both lovable and frightening. What happens to her and her family may haunt audiences for a long time.
The Old Ways
The Old Ways follows journalist Cristina’s journey to her ancestral home in Veracruz, where her investigation into sorcery leads to her abduction by locals who believe she is possessed. Released in 2020, this film explores themes of cultural identity and mystical rituals.
A Netflix horror movie that doesn’t get nearly enough attention considering its critical ratings isThe Old Ways.The 2020 movie followsa journalist who returns to the place she grew up to write a story about witchcraft.In the process, she is taken hostage by a local witch, who is convinced that she is being possessed by a demon and needs to be exorcised. The journalist must attempt to escape with her life, even as the witch’s claims confuse her sense of reality.
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At first,The Old Waysmay seem quite different fromHereditary.There is no central family, and there may not even be a real demon. However, the moviepulls on the more subtle elements ofHereditary.Just like in the 2018 film,The Old Waysexplores a type of pagan religion that causes normal people to become abnormal. It shows how the supernatural can upend someone’s entire life, and most importantly, how certain people may be unknowingly chosen for grand paranormal schemes.
Under the Shadow
Set during the Iran-Iraq War, Under the Shadow is a horror film directed by Babak Anvari. The story follows Shideh, who becomes convinced that her home is haunted by malevolent supernatural forces after a missile strikes her building, putting her daughter Dorsa in danger.
Another highly rated horror movie that deserves way more viewers isUnder the Shadow.This Iranian film followsa mother who is caring for her daughter in the midst of the Iran-Iraq War, despite her husband’s pleas to move to a safer area. After her apartment building is hit by a missile, the woman starts to believe that an evil entity may have entered her home, alongside the explosive, leaving her and her daughter even more vulnerable.
Under the Shadowis undoubtedly a family story. Just like Annie, this protagonist is concerned for the welfare of her child, and is tormented by any kind of hurt that may befall her. More than that,Under the Shadowinvolves a chase for answers, as the mother tries to uncover the truth about what is going onin her home. With a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is unrelenting and provocative.
Verónica
Verónica is a Spanish supernatural horror film directed by Paco Plaza. Set in Madrid in 1991, the film follows a young girl named Verónica who experiences unexplained and terrifying phenomena after attempting to contact her deceased father through a Ouija board during a solar eclipse. The film is based on a real police report detailing mysterious events following the séance.
Hereditaryis full of iconic scary moments, many of which include Alex Wolff’s Peter being violently possessed by Paimon. Those who enjoyed those gory scenes should definitely check outVeronica.In this Spanish horror movie,a teenage girl and her friends try to summon the spirit of her father through a Ouija board. They quickly realize that they summoned some kind of spirit, and now, it may be inside one of them and looking for blood.
Veronicamay be more of a teenage thriller than a family story, butits bloodiness and demonic possession make it a solid follow-up toHereditary.The movie may be predictable at times, but this never prevents it from being absolutely terrifying. In fact, its themes ofa classic possession storymay make it even scarier, as audiences anticipate the terrible consequences of what Veronica has done. All in all, this movie will satiate any viewer’s thirst for demonic horror movies.
The Babadook
The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, explores the struggles of a single mother grieving her husband’s death while confronting her son’s fear of a lurking monster. As they contend with this unseen entity, the sinister presence grows increasingly pervasive in their lives.
Ultimately, one of the best Netflix horror movies to check out afterHereditaryisThe Babadook.The film begins with a single mother who is grieving the violent death of her husband, while dealing with her son’s complaints that a monster is in their house. Despite her suspicions,the woman soon realizes that there is something inside her home, and if she doesn’t act fast, it may destroy her and her son completely.
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The Babadookis an awesome companion toHereditarybecause of its focus on trauma and family. Both movies are absolutely horrifying and have elements of the otherworldly, yet at their cores,these films are concerned with exploring how traumatic events can almost bring on terrible entities. Plus, horror lovers will enjoy the movie’s titular monster, whose face alone is enough to send chills down your spine. All in all,The Babadookis the perfect movie to watch afterHereditary.
Hereditary
The feature film debut of writer-director Ari Aster, Hereditary tells the story of the unwittingly cursed Graham family. Annie Graham (Toni Collette) lives with her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne) and their children Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro). After the death of Annie’s mother, the family is beset by disaster and stalked by a supernatural entity that dredges up a past that Annie had spent her life trying to overlook.
