Don’t let the Other Mother catch you. If you’ve ever watched Coraline, you know exactly what I mean.
It is one of those creepy-but-genius films that you can’t get out of your head. Set in a quiet, somewhat dull world, the movie follows Coraline, a curious young girl who moves into a new home.
There, she finds a mysterious door that leads her to another version of her world—one that seems perfect at first. But things quickly take a dark turn when she realizes the Other Mother, a twisted doppelganger of her real mom, has sinister plans.
If Coraline left you with chills, you’re in for a treat. I’ve put together a list of 15 other eerie movies that are just as chilling and clever, with creepy twists and crazy plots that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, buckle up—it’s about to get weird!
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
For fans of creepy and intriguing movies, take a peak into the world of Pan’s Labyrinth.
Set in post-Civil War Spain, the film tells the story of young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), who escapes her harsh reality by stepping into a magical, but terrifying, world, much like our main protagonist Coraline.
Guided by a mysterious faun, she must complete dangerous tasks to prove she’s the lost princess of a mythical realm—all while dealing with her cruel stepfather, a ruthless captain (Sergi López).
The movie is directed by Guillermo del Toro.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
If you love Coraline, you need to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas.
A stop-motion movie by Tim Burton, it follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who stumbles into Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with taking over the holiday.
But Jack’s spooky spin on Christmas doesn’t go as planned, leading to chaos.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
This film is a good one! Based on the book Ransom Riggs, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children follows the story of Jake (Asa Butterfield), a teenager who discovers a hidden orphanage for kids with extraordinary abilities, run by the mysterious Miss Peregrine (Eva Green).
But as Jake learns about their powers, he also uncovers a dark threat that puts them all in danger. A film directed by Tim Burton.
The Others (2001)
Grab your popcorn and get ready to sink your teeth into The Others.
The 2001 thriller starring Nicole Kidman is about a woman named Grace, who is a protective mother living in a fog-shrouded mansion with her two children, who can’t be exposed to sunlight.
When eerie, unexplainable events begin to unfold, Grace starts to suspect that their home may be hiding a terrifying secret. Talk about creepy!!
Coraline’s Sister: 9 (2009)
In a post-apocalyptic world, a doll-like being named 9 teams up with others to battle evil machines threatening the last remnants of humanity. Together, they fight to uncover the truth behind their creation and protect what’s left of their world.
The Secret of Kells (2009)
Add this one to your watch list!
The Secret of Kells tells the story of Brendan (voiced by Evan McGuire), a young boy in medieval Ireland who sets out to complete the legendary Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of incredible beauty.
Along the way, he faces magical creatures and dark forces, guided by Aisling (voiced by Christen Mooney), a mysterious forest spirit. With Brendan Gleeson lending his voice to the stern Abbot. A must-watch for fans of Coraline!
The Babadook (2014)
Honestly, you won’t want to look away when watching The Babadook!
This psychological horror follows Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother struggling to cope with the loss of her husband while raising her troubled young son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman).
Their lives take a terrifying turn when they discover a creepy children’s book called Mister Babadook. As the sinister figure from the book begins to manifest in their home, Amelia is forced to confront not only the horrifying entity but also the buried trauma and despair that it seems to feed on. Wow!
Beetlejuice (1988)
You must have already heard of it, but watching Beetlejuice is perfect for this time of year when it gets a bit darker outside. It’s the best movie to watch around Halloween and will seriously creep you out, especially when you’re in the mood for an eerie film.
The movie centers on a recently deceased couple trying to scare away the new family in their home—with the help of an obnoxious and unpredictable ghost, Beetlejuice.
Labyrinth (1986)
Next on the list is Labyrinth. This 1986 film is about a woman named Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) who has 13 hours to navigate a wild maze and rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie).
Along the way, she faces strange creatures, tricky puzzles, and a whole lot of Bowie magic.
The Witch (2015)
Set in 1630s New England, this slow-burn horror film follows a Puritan family who believes their farm is cursed when eerie, supernatural events begin to unfold.
A Monster Calls (2016)
A Monster Calls is a 2016 movie following the misadventures of young Conor (Lewis MacDougall) who is dealing with his mom’s (Felicity Jones) illness when he’s visited by a giant tree monster.
The creature tells him magical stories that help Conor face his fears and understand his emotions.
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Another animation film to add to your watchlist 🙂 Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop-motion animated adventure that follows a young boy, Kubo, as he embarks on a quest to find his father’s armor and battle against dark forces in a world filled with magic and myth.
The City of Lost Children (1995)
A dark, dystopian fantasy set in a grim, steampunk-inspired world where a mad scientist, Krank (Daniel Emilfork), kidnaps children to steal their dreams in order to stop his own aging.
When his latest victim, a young boy named Denree, is taken, a brave circus strongman named One (Ron Perlman) teams up with a street-smart girl, Miette (Judith Vittet), to rescue him.
Together, they navigate a bizarre, dream-stealing city filled with strange characters and eerie machines.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Set in a mystical world, The Dark Crystal follows a young Gelfling named Jen (voiced by Stephen Garlick) who embarks on a dangerous quest to restore balance by repairing a magical crystal.
Along the way, he must battle the sinister Skeksis, dark creatures bent on destroying everything. With the help of his companions, including Kira (voiced by Lisa Maxwell), and another Gelfling, Jen faces numerous challenges to bring harmony back to the world.
Monster Family (2017)
The film follows a family that is cursed and turned into classic monsters, like vampires and werewolves, as they try to navigate their new lives and confront the villain who cast the spell.