20 Best Movies Like The Conjuring That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Movies Like The Conjuring

There are a number of similar supernatural horror films, both old and new, that fans of James Wan’s The Conjuring and its film universe would enjoy.

James Wan’s The Conjuring, based on a real-life case of demonic possession documented by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970s, spawned a series of sequels and spinoffs that are still being made today.

This is one of the scariest horror films of recent years, and its fans will be left wondering if there is anything else out there that can match it in terms of terror power. Fans of The Conjuring movies will likely enjoy these related scare movies.

It was updated by Mark Birrell on February 9th, 2021:

No indications of slowing down, the Conjuring universe has successfully established itself as a big name in the horror genre. Many other horror films can be recommended to those who are lovers of the original and the universe that it created, thanks to the vast history of movies the franchise has pulled from, as well as an ever-growing crop of imitations, contemporaries, and rip-offs. If you’re a fan of The Conjuring, at least one of these movies, if not all of them, will please you.

 1. Insidious (2010)

Insidious (2010)

When it comes to the horror genre, James Wan isn’t just one trick pony; he has directed a number of critically-acclaimed films and franchises throughout the years.

With creative partner Leigh Whannell, he has the gorySawfranchise, but a more appropriate invention for this list would be the supernaturally-themedInsidiousfrancise, particularly the first film and its sequel (who plays Ed Warren in the Conjuringmovies).

2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Demon-horror flick and courtroom legal drama, Scott Derrickson’s exorcism film isn’t short on frightening frights, but it’s also rooted in gentler spiritual ideas.

It’s Laura Linney who takes on the role of a fierce defense attorney for Tom Wilkinson’s priest, who has been accused of killing a child during an exorcism.

To Conjuring enthusiasts, there is a strong religious theme, as well as a high standard of acting from all the actors.

3. The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook (2014)

Rather than focusing on a demonic power terrorizing a lady, Jennifer Kent’s psychological horror film focuses more on a woman’s emotional response.

Babadook has a spooky name, but it’s its heartfelt storylines that really shine through.

4. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Paranormal Activity (2007)

As one of the most successful independent films ever, Oren Peli’s original Paranormal Activity has an important place in the history of discovered footage.

By popular horror film producer Jason Blum, the story of demonic possession spawned a long-lasting franchise. After working with James Wan on Insidious, Peli and Blum would also co-produce the film.

5. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

A haunting tale of a woman’s transformation into a demon is told in the manner of a haunting documentary about Alzheimer’s illness.

Because of its subject matter, the film lays equal emphasis on drama and horror, which should please fans of The Conjuring.

6. The Skeleton Key (2005)

The Skeleton Key (2005)

“The Skeleton Key,” which stars Kate Hudson as a caretaker for an elderly paraplegic man and his stern old-fashioned wife, is a fresh spin on the classic eerie old house premise.

It’s through her investigations into strange occurrences that she discovers a dark history of southern Hoodoo ritualism. Fans of The Conjuring will enjoy the setting’s atmospheric imagery. It’s the movie’s historical undercurrent and horrifying final reveal that make this story truly terrifying. Double check that you’ve seen it before.

7. The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist (1973)

Although The Exorcistre has a reputation that may seem exaggerated by today’s standards, William Friedkin’s production of William Peter Blatty’s religious horror thriller remains a truly unpleasant movie experience.

For nearly 50 years, the demonic possession theme has served as the subject of numerous horror parodies; nonetheless, few demonic possession movies have been able to claim that crown.

8. It (2017)

It’s hard not to be scared by Andy Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel, The Conjuring.

As with The Conjuring, the film’ ’80s setting gives a lot of individuality to the plot while yet maintaining a sense of modernity in terms of horror.

9. Mama (2013)

Mama (2013)

With this strange and scary tale of two orphaned sisters who are found living ferociously in the woods, appearing to have been raised by a nurturing but darkly dangerous and supernatural spirit that they dub “Mama,” AndyMuschietti established himself in the horror genre before the smash-hit success of It.

Conjuring’s back catalog would be totally at home with Mama’s unconventional family drama and Tim Burton-esque lyricism and ghostly scares.

10. The Shining (1980)

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s celebrated adaptation of Stephen King’s novel took a number of modifications, but the result was one of the most terrifying movies based on the author’s work ever.

Even after 40 years, the haunting music and Jack Nicholson’s horrific lead performance continue to startle people as much as they did when the film was released.

 11. Doctor Sleep (2019)

Kubrick’sThe Shining is unquestionably one of the greatest and most renowned horror films of all time. As a result of how far Kubrick’s movie diverged from King’s original novel, the notion of a film adaptation of King’s second seemed even more unlikely.

The sequel to Kubrick’sThe Shining, an adaptation of King’s novel, and its own movie, Mike Flanagan’sDoctor Sleep presents a thrilling and poignant continuation of the legendary story.

12. Sinister (2012)

Sinister (2012)

Scott Derrickson’s latest film,Sinister, is a modern-day thriller with a throwback feel because to its idea, making it a hit with the general public.

Movies like The Exorcist and The Conjuring will enjoy the brilliance behind the film’s creepy “Bughuul” figure and their unique take on possession, which Conjuring fans will find fascinating.

13. Dead Silence (2007)

A follow-up toSaw,Dead Silencebegan James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s journey into otherworldly horror, which would lead toInsidiousandThe Conjuring.

The film is a hilarious and macabre excursion from the team into a story about the vengeful spirit of a ventriloquist, delivering some of the many creepy dolls that would become somewhat of a motif for the director.

14. Lights Out (2016)

Lights Out (2016)

Lights Outis another high-concept horror film that focuses on its dramatic components, produced by James Wan and directed by fellow DCEU director David F. Sandberg.

The director, Sandberg, also directed the secondAnnabellefilm in the Conjuring world, which was developed from an earlier short feature he had made.

15. The Amityville Horror (2005)

Remaking 1979’s cult classic, The Village explores the story of a family’s paranormal experiences while living in a house that had previously housed a serial killer.

In this tale of possession and occultism set in 1970s America, Ryan Reynolds is a captivating lead. As a Conjuring fan myself, I can tell you that Michael Bay’s signature slickness creates an endless series of shocks that are likely to keep you riveted.

16. Winchester (2018)

Winchester (2018)

Ghost-hunting lovers will like Winchester, which features a variety of spirits in a hauntingly beautiful old mansion.

Legends of hauntings at the Winchester Mystery House in California are woven into the film’s storyline, which is based on the mansion’s notably unconventional architecture.

17. Poltergeist (1982)

As a result of Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg’s originalPoltergeist, fans are currently debating which filmmaker should be credited as the film’s ‘director of photography’.

To this day, the film is considered to be one of the most seminal in the supernatural horror genre, and its fightback against evil spirits is unquestionably one of the Conjuring franchise’s main influences.

18. Gru Thedge (2004)

Japanese horror classic Ju-On, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as an American nurse who stumbles into a haunted mansion of horrors, has been translated into English by Takashi Simizu and starring Gellar.

“The Grudgeremake” is one of the few Asian horror icons that have ever matched “The Ring” in the West, and it serves as a fantastic introduction for newcomers to the genre.

19. The Ring (2002)

The Ring (2002)

It was a faithful adaptation of Hideo Nakata’s Ringu despite the fact that it was directed by a different filmmaker and relocated from Japan to the United States. However, it was also superb in its own right.

Fans of The Conjuring will be reminded of the various demonic things that litter the cinematic universe when they see a haunting videotape that curses all who watch it to die within seven days.

20. The Haunting (1963)

The Haunting (1963)

When it comes to horror films, The Conjuring has a reputation for its restraint, and there is no more restrained a horror film than The Haunting Of Hill House by Robert Wise.

One of the best examples of a haunted home movie ever made, The Haunting is also a major influence on the genre and remains one of the best examples of a perfectly styled haunted house movie ever made.

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In addition to writing and editing for ScreenRant’s lists section, Mark oversees the Update Team, which ensures that new and relevant information is consistently posted. In his spare time, he is most likely to be found on Twitter complaining about movies.