Movies Like Hereditary (2018) for Family Horror Devastation
Family horror where parental dread builds slowly and the real monster lives at home.
Family horror where parental dread builds slowly and the real monster lives at home.
Best first watch
The Babadook (2014)
92% fit94 min · IMDb 6.8 · RT 98%
Like Hereditary, this R-rated horror filters real grief through a supernatural lens. A mother's breakdown after the death of a loved one mirrors Annie's grief-induced spiral, and the 98% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects how precisely it builds dread.
Watch if
You want a focused horror film about a mother losing her grip.
Skip if
You need clear monster rules and a definitive resolution.
For you if
- You enjoy horror that uses family dysfunction as its scariest element
- You want slow-building dread that rewards your patience with devastating payoffs
- For anyone who prefers R-rated horror grounded in real emotional pain
Not for you if
- You want fast-paced slashers with constant action and gore
- You prefer lighthearted horror comedies that never get too dark
- You need a happy ending to feel satisfied after a horror movie
How Hereditary (2018) alternatives compare
Pick The Babadook if you want the shortest, most focused experience with psychological horror that stays grounded. Pick Rosemary's Baby if you want full supernatural dread and don't mind a longer 138-minute runtime. Pick We Need to Talk About Kevin if you want zero supernatural elements and pure human horror. Pick The Others if you want something less graphic and more of a classic ghost story. Goodnight Mommy splits the difference with ambiguity and a brutal payoff.
How dark does it get?
Very dark ending
Slow burn or fast start?
Steady build throughout
How long is the commitment?
Short at 94 min
How supernatural is it?
Mostly psychological
How dark does it get?
Devastatingly bleak
Slow burn or fast start?
Very slow reveal
How long is the commitment?
Medium at 113 min
How supernatural is it?
Entirely human horror
How dark does it get?
Deeply unsettling
Slow burn or fast start?
Glacially patient
How long is the commitment?
Long at 138 min
How supernatural is it?
Fully supernatural
How dark does it get?
Sad but restrained
Slow burn or fast start?
Gradual then sudden
How long is the commitment?
Moderate at 101 min
How supernatural is it?
Classic ghost story
How dark does it get?
Brutal final stretch
Slow burn or fast start?
Slow then explosive
How long is the commitment?
Moderate at 100 min
How supernatural is it?
Ambiguous until the end
Not sure what to watch?
Date night
PG-13 rating keeps it intense without crossing into graphic territory for a shared watch.
Quick watch
At just 94 minutes, it delivers a complete slow-burn horror experience without a long commitment.
Friend group
The central mystery sparks great debate afterward about what was real and what wasn't.
Find your pick
Do you prefer horror that focuses on family dysfunction and inherited trauma?
Moments you loved
Best movies like Hereditary (2018)
1. The Babadook (2014)
94 min · IMDb 6.8 · RT 98%
Like Hereditary, this R-rated horror filters real grief through a supernatural lens. A mother's breakdown after the death of a loved one mirrors Annie's grief-induced spiral, and the 98% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects how precisely it builds dread.
Watch if
You want a focused horror film about a mother losing her grip.
Skip if
You need clear monster rules and a definitive resolution.
Where to watch
2. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
113 min · IMDb 7.4 · RT 74%
This thriller strips away the supernatural entirely and makes parenthood itself the horror. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, it shares Hereditary's fractured timeline and a mother piecing together a family catastrophe she couldn't prevent.
Watch if
You want a horror-adjacent drama where the scariest thing is a child.
Skip if
You need ghosts or monsters to feel genuinely frightened.
Where to watch
3. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
138 min · IMDb 8.0 · RT 97%
Polanski's 96 Metacritic classic is the blueprint for Hereditary's slow-burn family horror. At 138 minutes, it takes its time isolating Rosemary from everyone she trusts, building paranoia through neighborly smiles and locked doors.
Watch if
You want the patient, classic original that Hereditary owes a debt to.
Skip if
You find older films too slow to hold your attention.
Where to watch
4. The Others (2001)
101 min · IMDb 7.6 · RT 84%
The only PG-13 pick here, this mystery-horror uses darkness, silence, and Nicole Kidman's fierce protectiveness to create dread without graphic content. Its 7.6 IMDb score reflects a twist ending that reframes everything.
Watch if
You want creeping dread and a twist without extreme violence.
Skip if
You prefer horror that goes all the way into disturbing territory.
Where to watch
5. Goodnight Mommy (2015)
100 min · IMDb 6.7 · RT 85%
This Austrian horror flips Hereditary's dynamic: instead of a parent unraveling, two children slowly turn against their bandaged mother. With a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and streaming on Amazon Prime Video, it's a tight mystery-thriller about family trust dissolving.
Watch if
You want eerie European horror where children drive the suspense.
Skip if
You dislike subtitles or ambiguous storytelling.
Beyond movies
TV shows and books that scratch the same itch
The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan's series captures the same devastating blend of family trauma and supernatural horror, showing how grief can literally haunt a family across generations.
Netflix
Channel Zero
Each season builds the same kind of slow-burn dread as Hereditary, turning childhood memories and family secrets into sources of cosmic horror.
AMC+
The Terror
Period horror that builds dread through isolation and supernatural elements stalking a doomed expedition. The same methodical pacing and historical authenticity as Hereditary.
AMC+
The Silent Companions
by Laura Purcell
Purcell's gothic novel shares Hereditary's ability to make family history feel like a curse, with generational trauma manifesting as literal supernatural threats.
Available in most bookstores and libraries
Common questions about movies like Hereditary (2018)
What is the best movie like Hereditary (2018)?
Based on our analysis, The Babadook (2014) is the closest match with a 92% fit score. See the full breakdown above for why it earned the top spot.
Is The Babadook still the nearest equivalent to Hereditary on this page?
Yes, start with The Babadook. It nails the same creeping dread feel. Metacritic rates it 86.
When I want this vibe fast after Hereditary, should I start with The Babadook at a 94-minute runtime?
At 94 minutes, The Babadook is the quickest option here and one of the best-reviewed horror films of the decade.
If I want to stream The Babadook after Hereditary tonight, which platforms should I check first?
The Babadook is currently listed on Hulu for a follow-up to Hereditary. Availability changes by region, so confirm current streaming listings before watching, and use Amazon Video or Apple TV Store as a rental fallback.
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