Now that Hereditary is a fan favorite, which means finding similar movies to watch is vital.
There are a few avenues from which Netflix's horror movies can evoke Hereditary. First and foremost, horror movies that center on demons are key. In Hereditary, the main villain is a faceless demon called Paimon, who terrorizes the Grahams until Hereditary's eerie ending. Haunted houses are also strong candidates, as much of Hereditary takes place within the home. However, the trope that is most important is family. Horror movies that focus on complicated and traumatized families like the Grahams are the best follow-ups to Hereditary.
10 Pearl (2022)
A Confident Young Woman Will Do Anything For Fame
Pearl
- Release Date
- September 16, 2022
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
- Director
- Ti West
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Ti West, Mia Goth
One solid Netflix horror film to pick up after Hereditary is Pearl. The second movie in Ti West's X trilogy, Pearl follows the titular character in the early 20th century as she begins violently dismantling her dull life on 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.
Although Pearl's plot has no real links to Hereditary, it is a good movie for Hereditary lovers to watch because it was made by the same company. Every A24 movie has 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 of Hereditary will get a similar atmosphere in Pearl, or any other A24 horror movie they may watch.
9 Apostle (2018)
A Man Tries To Free His Sister From A Cult
Unlike Pearl, a movie that has strong connections to Hereditary's themes is Apostle. This 2018 movie follows Thomas, a man who returns to his hometown of London in 1905 only to discover that his sister is being held captive by 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 in Hereditary may find particular enjoyment in Apostle. Though Thomas and Jennifer face very different issues than Hereditary's main siblings, there is an overwhelming sense of familial love and care in both movies that transcends life and death. Furthermore, Apostle's focus on cults is a direct parallel to Hereditary's Paimon cult. All in all, Apostle is an unlikely sibling to Hereditary.
8 The Autopsy Of Jane Doe (2016)
Coroners Investigate A Mysterious Corpse
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The Autopsy of Jane Doe
- Release Date
- December 21, 2016
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
- Writers
- Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing
WHERE TO WATCH
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 of Hereditary is its focus on death and secrets, and The Autopsy of Jane Doe is 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 Doe accomplishes many of the same things that Hereditary does.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe accomplishes many of the same things that Hereditary does. The movie delves into life after death, trauma, and how the supernatural can break apart even the closest family . Furthermore, this 2016 film does a good job of mirroring Hereditary's eerie 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.
7 The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
A Teenager Suspects His Father May Be A Serial Killer
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The Clovehitch Killer
- Release Date
- November 16, 2018
- Runtime
- 109 Minutes
- Director
- Duncan Skiles
Cast
Dylan McDermott
Charlie Plummer
Samantha Mathis
Madisen Beaty
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Christopher Ford
Hereditary may be a paranormal horror movie, but that doesn't mean its follow-ups have to be. A fantastic crime-based horror film currently streaming on Netflix is The 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 killings that occurred a decade ago.
Once again, The Clovehitch Killer has no elements of the supernatural, but this does not prevent it from being a spiritual successor to Hereditary. In particular, the film parallels Hereditary because 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 truth of 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.
6 I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)
A Couple Visit Family & Notice Strange Occurrences
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I'm Thinking of Ending Things
- Release Date
- September 4, 2020
- Runtime
- 134 minutes
- Director
- Charlie Kaufman
Cast
Jessie Buckley
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Charlie Kaufman, Ian Reid
One Netflix horror movie that got quite a bit of attention when it first premiered is I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Based on a novel of the same name by Iain Reid, the movie follows Lucy, 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.
Hereditary's Cast |
Who They Played |
|---|---|
Toni Collette |
Annie Graham |
Alex Wolff |
Peter Graham |
Milly Shapiro |
Charlie Graham |
Gabriel Byrne |
Steve Graham |
Ann Dowd |
Joan |
Mallory Bechtel |
Bridget |
I'm Thinking of Ending Things may 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 for Hereditary. However, another aspect of the films that really connects them is Toni Collette. I'm Thinking of Ending Things sees Collette in the role of Mother, and those who enjoyed her unhinged performance as Annie, will love her in this 2020 role. She is horrifying, otherworldly, and undoubtedly effective.
5 Death Whisperer (2023)
A Brother Attempts To Save His Sister From An Unusual Illness
Yet another horror movie that focuses on brother-sister relationships is Death Whisperer. This Thai thriller centers on a man who returns to his hometown in order to help his sister, who has begun acting strangely due 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.
Like Apostle, Death Whisperer shines 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 to Hereditary, 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.
4 The Old Ways (2020)
A Journalist Is Kidnapped By A Witch
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The Old Ways
- Release Date
- October 16, 2020
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Director
- Christopher Alender
Cast
Brigitte Kali CanalesCristina Lopez
Andrea CortésMiranda-
Julian LermaDemon Boy
-
Sal LopezJavi
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Marcos Gabriel
A Netflix horror movie that doesn't get nearly enough attention considering its critical ratings is The Old Ways. The 2020 movie follows a 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 try to escape with her life, even as the witch's claims confuse her sense of reality.
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The best occult movies offer witches, hauntings, and demonic possession, and great viewing options for those seeking some thrills and chills.
At first, The Old Ways may seem quite different from Hereditary. There is no central family, and there may not even be a real demon. However, the movie pulls on the more subtle elements of Hereditary. Just like in the 2018 film, The Old Ways explores 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.
3 Under The Shadow (2016)
A Mother Cares For Her Daughter Amid A War
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Under the Shadow
- Release Date
- October 7, 2016
- Director
- Babak Anvari
- Writers
- Babak Anvari
Cast
-
Narges Rashidi
-
Arash Marandi
-
Bobby Naderi
-
Ray Haratian
WHERE TO WATCH
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 is Under the Shadow. This Iranian film follows a 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 Shadow is 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 Shadow involves a chase for answers, as the mother tries to uncover the truth about what is going on in her home. With a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is unrelenting and provocative.
2 Veronica (2017)
A Teen Girl Suffers Dire Consequences After Using A Ouija Board
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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 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.
- Writers
- Paco Plaza, Fernando Navarro, Coral Cruz
Hereditary is 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 out Veronica. 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.
Veronica may be more of a teenage thriller than a family story, but its bloodiness and demonic possession make it a solid follow-up to Hereditary. The movie may be predictable at times, but this never prevents it from being absolutely terrifying. In fact, its themes of a classic possession story may 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.
1 The Babadook (2014)
A Mother Realizes A Monster Lurks In Her Home
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The Babadook
- Release Date
- November 28, 2014
- Runtime
- 94 Minutes
- Director
- Jennifer Kent
Cast
Essie DavisAmelia Vanek-
Noah WisemanSamuel Vanek
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Jennifer Kent
Ultimately, one of the best Netflix horror movies to check out after Hereditary is The 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 Babadook is an awesome companion to Hereditary because 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 Babadook is the perfect movie to watch after Hereditary.
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Hereditary
- Release Date
- June 8, 2018
- Runtime
- 2h 7m
- Director
- Ari Aster
Cast
Toni Collette-
Milly Shapiro
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Ari Aster
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