7 Horror Films To Watch If You Enjoy THE SHINING

Creepy ghost children? A family in peril because of the father? Sinister checks all those boxes and more. Sinister follows Ellison (Ethan Hawke), a true crime writer struggling to write another hit, but when he finds a disturbing collection of snuff films in his attic, he rekindles his spark at a cost. The snuff films will leave your stomach churning, and the fact that Ellison puts his own family in danger to be noticed again is one big eye roll.

Sinister maintains its ominous vibes throughout the film's runtime. It keeps the audience wondering if there's any hope as soon as Bughuul (Nicholas King) gets his hooks in. Ellison's mental state degrades as a result of watching the disturbing tapes, and his family suffers because of the supernatural occurrences, making for quite the viewing experience. Sinister is the perfect horror movie to watch in total silence in the dark. You won't be disappointed. 

Mike Flanagan's early filmography has quite a few heavy hitters, and Oculus is a prime example. Oculus follows siblings Kaylie (Karen Gillan) and Tim (Brenton Thwaites) who search for evidence that an antique mirror is why their family fell apart over a decade ago. The premise might seem silly on the surface, but it plays it seriously and the film works. An unstoppable force that you can't defeat is quite bleak.

The film goes back and forth between the past and present to paint a picture of why Kaylie and Tim have a frayed relationship. And the direction, as well as the sibling banter, is very on point in both timelines. The vibes are delightfully unsettling, and the mirror loves to play tricks on the audience and characters. It's a fun time for viewers but certainly not for the characters, ultimately making it worth a watch!

If you're looking for genuine scares, Oz Perkins' The Blackcoat's Daughter is a wise choice. The film follows three timelines and focuses on the ominous events (and aftermath) at a boarding school. The Blackcoat's Daughter is a slow-burn horror film with a chilly atmosphere thanks to both the weather and the performances. Kiernan Shipka especially knocks it out of the park. 

The film taps into themes surrounding abandonment, and in the case of The Blackcoat's Daughter, possession is solace. It's one of those films that takes its time building to the climax, and the violence comes off realistically. There's quite a bit to appreciate about Oz Perkins' underrated gem, and it'll satisfy anyone looking for moody supernatural horror. 

Looking for a horror film that perfectly captures a doomed familial line? Hereditary has entered the chat. Hereditary follows a grieving family who slowly uncovers a sinister plot against them. It's a film that's nothing short of horrifying, especially in its final act. As soon as what's happening to the Grahams is revealed, it's far too late for all of them.

Hereditary plays with ideas about hereditary mental health issues and makes you question (during a first watch) what is and isn't supernatural. Everyone's commitment to their performances, especially Toni Colette and Alex Wolff, sells the terror throughout this film. It's a must-watch if you want to see a dramatic unraveling of a family and how a safe haven can become a nightmare. 

A woman escapes an extremist cult and gets involved with the man who is researching said cult. Absolutely nothing can go wrong, right? The Lodge follows Grace (Riley Keough) and her soon-to-be stepchildren, whose vacation to a lodge during the holidays turns nightmarish. This film will make you feel like you're stuck in the cold and a never-ending nightmare. It's not aggressively violent, but it's very disturbing in terms of the twists and events that play out. 

The Lodge shows how there are often consequences when you play games with people's minds. It's a psychological horror film that pulls you in and holds you in an uncomfortable place until the end, from the abrupt death at the beginning of the film to what happens to the family during the vacation. There's no firm happy ending in The Lodge, and if that doesn't bother you, it'll be a suitable watch. 

Sequels don't always land, but Doctor Sleep absolutely does! Doctor Sleep follows adult Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) and a teen named Abra Stone (Kyleigh Curran) who also shines, as they set out on a mission to take down an energy vampire cult run by Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson). The film is a journey into the horrors of childhood trauma and how the past can catch up with people if they try to outrun it.

Doctor Sleep is a praised sequel to The Shining, adapted from Stephen King's sequel book of the same name. It pays homage to its predecessor, all while fostering its own story with Abra and how she changes Dan's troubled life. It's a beautifully directed film with fantastic performances, and there's a specific artistic vision that's captured in its cinematography. Doctor Sleep is a delightful follow-up to a horror classic that we all know and love. 

A serial killer who switches masks to match his mood is as unsettling as it sounds. The Black Phone follows Finney Blake (Mason Thames), who is abducted by a serial killer dubbed “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke). But don't worry, Finney is aided by a rotary phone that receives calls from the victims who came before him. The film's late '70s setting and lack of modern technology add a certain layer to the movie. And that means Finney has to fight for his own life as help can't find him. 

The Black Phone is especially creepy because of The Grabber and the implications of what happens to his victims, making what Finney goes through even more nerve-wracking. Ethan Hawke delivers an unpredictable performance, and Mason Thames, as well as Madeleine McGraw, help drive home the emotional beats throughout. The ghost kids being forces of good add something different to The Black Phone in general. There's a sequel coming later this year, so we'll get more of this story!