Loved Nosferatu? Here are eight horror films you should watch next

They shouldn't give you nightmares, but consider yourself warned.

- Aditi Tarafdar
Jan 22, 2025

offline

The year has just started, and Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is already shaping up to be the top Halloween costumes inspiration of 2025. Starring Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgård, and Willem Dafoe, the latest adaptation of the classic German film reimagines it as a tale of female suffering—one that has sparked debates, particularly around its potential as a metaphor for sexual assault. Rose-Depp portrays Ellen, a young lady who had summoned the vampire Count Orlok as a child, and it follows the grim fate that haunts her since.

For fans drawn to the gothic allure of Nosferatu, we’ve curated a list of films that evoke a similar sense of dread, mystery, and visual grandeur. From period pieces steeped in historical tension to modern takes on timeless folklore, these films transport audiences to hauntingly beautiful worlds where darkness reigns supreme. So dim the lights, embrace the shadows, and explore these unforgettable horror movies that will leave you with chills long after the credits roll.

The VVitch (2015)

The VVitch, another Eggers' horror feature, follows a devout Puritan family in 1630s New England, forced to live in a remote forest after being banished from their community. As crops fail and their newborn vanishes under mysterious circumstances, the family experiences paranoia, suspicion, and accusations of witchcraft. Since her role as Thomasin, the eldest daughter caught between her family’s distrust and a sinister force lurking in the woods, Anya Taylor-Joy has carved a space for herself as a horror movie staple.

Let the Right One In (2008)

Set in Stockholm, Let the Right One In follows Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a lonely 12-year-old boy, who befriends Eli (Lina Leandersson), a mysterious girl next door. As their friendship deepens, Oskar learns that Eli is a vampire. Their bond is tested as Eli’s need to survive leaves a trail of bloodshed. Directed by Tomas Alfredson, the film masterfully blends quiet moments of tenderness with horror, creating a story that is as beautiful as it is haunting.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow is a gothic reimagining of Washington Irving’s classic tale. The film follows Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), a skeptical investigator sent to the eerie village of Sleepy Hollow to solve a series of grisly murders attributed to the 'Headless Horseman'. As he delves deeper, Crane uncovers darker secrets of the town.

Pan's labyrinth (2006)

This movie features in many a 'best films to watch' lists, and for a good reason. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film is a dark fairy tale with horror elements set in 1944 fascist Spain. The story follows Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a young girl who discovers a mystical labyrinth near her new home. Guided by a faun, she must complete dangerous tasks to reclaim her identity as a lost princess. Blending magical realism with brutal historical drama, the film is a powerful tale of innocence and courage and a strong commentary on the regime it is set in.

The Lighthouse (2019)

Another Robert Eggers movie, The Lighthouse is a psychological horror film that follows two lighthouse guards, Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) and Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe), who are stationed on a remote, storm-battered island in the late 1890s. As isolation and paranoia set in, the men descend into madness, haunted by strange visions and their own secrets. The film's black-and-white production, surreal imagery, and powerful performances create an intense experience for the audience.

Bram Stoker’s The Dracula (1992)

Most people remember Francis Ford Coppola as the mastermind behind The Godfather movies, but his adaptation of the vampire classic—which is rather campy in a very '90s style—deserves more praise than it gets. The film follows the story of Count Dracula (Gary Oldman), who seeks to reunite with his lost love, Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), after centuries of loneliness. As Dracula arrives in Victorian England, he unleashes a wave of terror, captivating and threatening those around him.

We Are What We Are (2013)

Directed by Jim Mickle, the film tells the story of a reclusive family living in a rural community, who follow dark, cannibalistic traditions. After the death of the family patriarch, the two daughters, played by Julia Garner and Ambyr Childers, must take on the responsibilities of maintaining their family’s gruesome practices while grappling with their own desires for normalcy and connection. As an investigation into a series of murders unfolds, tensions rise, exposing secrets that bind the family. With its haunting atmosphere and moral complexity, the film delves into themes of survival, tradition, and the struggle between nature and nurture.

Crimson Peak (2015)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak is a gothic romance that follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring author who falls in love with the enigmatic Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston). After a family tragedy, Edith marries Thomas and moves to his decaying ancestral home, Crimson Peak, located in the remote English countryside. There, she encounters unsettling visions and the ghostly presence of her deceased sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain). As Edith uncovers the dark secrets of her new family and the haunted mansion, the film tells a tale of love, betrayal, and the supernatural.

Nosferatu (1922)

A list of movies like Eggers' Nosferatu will be incomplete without recommending the first adaptation. Directed by legendary German director F W Murnau, Nosferatu is a silent film and one of the earliest and most iconic adaptations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The film follows the eerie journey of Thomas Hutter, a young estate agent who travels to Transylvania to assist the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) in purchasing a property in Wisborg. What unfolds is a haunting tale of seduction and horror as Orlok’s sinister presence brings death and despair to the town. Renowned for its expressionist cinematography (remember those shorts of a shadow of a vampire with long crooked fingers approaching a room? That comes from here), unsettling visuals, and chilling atmosphere, Nosferatu remains a landmark in horror cinema, influencing countless films in the genre.

Lead image credit: Getty Images

Also read: Demi Moore’s Golden Globes win proves that it’s time to take horror seriously

Also read: Upcoming film festivals in India that you just can’t afford to miss