13 Terrifying Films Like The Conjuring for Horror Fans

The Conjuring universe, encompassing three main films and several spin-offs, ranks among the most lucrative horror franchises, amassing over $2 billion on modest budgets.

Helmed by James Wan, known for co-creating Saw, The Conjuring began as a chilling depiction of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The series later delved into the origins of its demons (The Nun, The Nun 2) and cursed artifacts (Annabelle series).

As we await the fourth and reportedly final installment, The Conjuring: Last Rites, set for release in September, here are 13 films that deliver the same spine-chilling thrills as The Conjuring. This curated list features tales of ghosts, demons, and malevolent spirits to satisfy your horror cravings.

Don’t miss the complete Conjuring franchise, including The Conjuring, Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation, The Nun, The Nun 2, The Curse of La Llorona, Annabelle Comes Home, and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. Check our streaming guide for where to watch these films.

Here are 13 gripping horror movies to fuel your frightful obsession.

Insidious (2010)

James Wan and Saw collaborator Leigh Whannell crafted the Insidious series, a five-film saga including Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, Insidious: Chapter 3, Insidious: The Last Key, and Insidious: The Red Door. Featuring Patrick Wilson from The Conjuring and Rose Byrne, the series explores ghostly possessions and eerie nighttime terrors, with Lin Shaye later taking the lead as a demonologist. Wan directs the first two entries.

Insidious 6, originally slated for August 2025, has been postponed to August 2026.

InsidiousAlliance FilmsApr 1, 2011PG-13

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The Changeling (1980)

Dive into a timeless haunted house tale with The Changeling, featuring George C. Scott as a grieving widower confronting dark secrets in his new home. Can he find peace amid the restless spirits? Watch to uncover the chilling truth.

The Changeling [1980]Mar 28, 1980R

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Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist remains a defining horror classic, terrifying audiences with malevolent spirits, creepy clown dolls, and sinister trees. The Freeling family’s suburban dream turns nightmarish in this thrilling ride through a haunted California home.

PoltergeistMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)Jun 4, 1982PG

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Oculus (2013)

Oculus, starring Karen Gillan and Katee Sackhoff, is a hidden gem in the cursed-object horror genre. Directed by Mike Flanagan, it follows siblings who believe an ancient mirror caused their family’s tragic past, unraveling a chilling tale of supernatural misfortune.

OculusRelativity MediaApr 11, 2014

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The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Jennifer Carpenter delivers a haunting performance in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, a gripping blend of horror and courtroom drama. Directed by Scott Derrickson, it follows an agnostic lawyer (Laura Linney) defending a priest (Tom Wilkinson) accused of negligence after a fatal exorcism, loosely based on true events.

The Exorcism of Emily RoseScreen GemsSep 9, 2005PG-13

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The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist remains a horror landmark, often hailed as the genre’s finest. Its Best Picture Oscar nomination was a first for horror. For fans, 1990’s The Exorcist 3, featuring George C. Scott and Brad Dourif, offers a gripping follow-up with a legendary jump scare. Skip the 2023 sequel, The Exorcist: Believer.

The ExorcistWarner Bros. PicturesDec 26, 1973R

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The Amityville Horror (1979)

For a dose of real-event-inspired horror, skip the lackluster 2005 remake and revisit 1979’s The Amityville Horror. James Brolin and Margot Kidder star as a couple facing sinister forces in their new home, delivering a must-watch ghost story.

The Amityville Horror CollectionMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)Apr 5, 2005R

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The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

The Haunting in Connecticut, inspired by a real family’s ordeal, follows the Campbells as they relocate to ease their son’s cancer treatment, only to face violent spirits in their new home. This chilling tale blends terror and suspense.

The Haunting in ConnecticutLionsgateMar 27, 2009

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Sinister (2012)

Scott Derrickson’s Sinister stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer uncovering a malevolent demon in old home movies, leading to gruesome family tragedies. This unsettling horror gem deserved more sequels than it received.

SinisterAutomatik EntertainmentOct 12, 2012R

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The Others (2001)

Nicole Kidman stars in The Others, a gothic chiller set in post-World War II England. A family faces eerie disturbances from unseen presences in their home, delivering a haunting, twist-filled tale perfect for a late-night scare.

The OthersMiramaxAug 10, 2001PG-13

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The Rite (2011)

The Rite, starring Anthony Hopkins, draws from real exorcism accounts, following an American priest-in-training in Rome. Directed by Mikael Håfström, this atmospheric horror film delivers chilling suspense with Colin O’Donoghue in a standout role.

The RiteContrafilmJan 28, 2011PG-13

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The Orphanage (2007)

J.A. Bayona’s The Orphanage, produced with Guillermo del Toro’s support, is a haunting Spanish gothic tale. A woman returns to her childhood orphanage to create a home for disabled children, but her son’s disappearance unveils a sinister ghostly mystery.

The OrphanagePicturehouseDec 28, 2007