Best supernatural suspense movies you must watch
Supernatural suspense films weave together ghostly phenomena and psychological tension to create truly unsettling experiences. These movies excel at building dread and keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.



Supernatural suspense isn't just about bumps in the night; it's about the creeping dread that something unseen is watching, waiting, or influencing reality. This genre often relies less on gore and jump scares and more on atmosphere, suggestion, and the psychological impact of the unknown.
Filmmakers in this space are masters of tension, using sound design, cinematography, and narrative structure to make you question what's real. It's a genre that plays on our deepest fears – the fear of losing control, the fear of the past returning to haunt us, and the fear of entities beyond our understanding.
Some of the most memorable films in this category achieve their power by grounding the supernatural elements in relatable human drama, making the spooky occurrences feel all the more terrifyingly real. They remind us that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones we can't see, or the ones that live inside us.
14. Tales from the Lodge (2019)
Tales from the Lodge is a British horror anthology film centered around a group of friends sharing scary stories during a weekend getaway at a remote lodge. As they swap increasingly terrifying tales, the line between the fictional stories and the reality of their isolation begins to blur, hinting at supernatural forces or perhaps something more grounded but equally sinister.
The film offers a mix of different horror styles within its anthology structure, playing with expectations and creating suspense through the framing narrative of the friends in the lodge. It's a fun, self-aware horror film that delivers some chills and surprises, perfect for those who enjoy the classic campfire story format with a modern twist.

13. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele's follow-up to Get Out, Us, explores themes of duality and societal inequality through a terrifying concept: doppelgangers who emerge from underground. While the explanation for the 'Tethered' leans more towards sci-fi/allegory than traditional supernatural, their sudden appearance and relentless pursuit of their counterparts creates intense suspense and feels like an uncanny, almost supernatural invasion.
Lupita Nyong'o gives a phenomenal dual performance as both the protagonist and her chilling doppelganger. The film is packed with symbolism and unsettling imagery, prompting viewers to think about the monsters we create and the ones we ignore. It's a film that sparks debate and delivers a unique brand of horror-infused suspense.

12. A Quiet Place (2018)
John Krasinski's A Quiet Place is a masterclass in building suspense through silence. While the creatures in this film are alien rather than traditionally supernatural, the core premise – that making noise will attract deadly, unseen forces – creates a palpable sense of dread and vulnerability that aligns with the feeling of being hunted by a supernatural entity.
The film follows a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where they must remain completely silent to avoid creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing. It's a high-concept thriller that relies heavily on performance and sound design to keep you on the edge of your seat. Emily Blunt delivers a particularly strong performance as the family's resilient matriarch.

11. Crimson Peak (2015)
From the visually distinctive mind of Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak is a gothic romance steeped in supernatural elements. Set in a decaying mansion in the English countryside, the film follows a young author who marries a mysterious aristocrat and moves into his ancestral home, only to find it haunted by ghostly figures and dark secrets.
The film is an aesthetic triumph, with stunning production design and costumes that bring the eerie mansion to life. While it functions as a romance and a mystery, the presence of restless spirits adds a layer of supernatural horror and suspense as the protagonist tries to uncover the truth of the house and its inhabitants. It's a film for those who appreciate atmosphere and gothic flair.

10. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, is a groundbreaking film that masterfully blends social commentary with suspense and horror. While its core concept leans more towards sci-fi/body horror via a disturbing ritual, the idea of consciousness transfer and the sinister, almost otherworldly control exerted has a supernatural feel to it that fits the suspense genre.
Daniel Kaluuya stars as Chris, a young Black man visiting his white girlfriend's family for the first time. What begins as awkward encounters quickly devolves into something far more sinister. The film is sharp, witty, and genuinely unsettling, using satire and suspense to tackle complex themes. It's a film that sparked countless conversations and solidified Peele as a major voice in modern cinema.

9. The Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man, starring Elisabeth Moss, takes a classic sci-fi concept and twists it into a terrifyingly relevant story of gaslighting and abuse. While the invisibility is achieved through technology rather than traditional magic, the effect on the protagonist and the suspense it generates feels very much aligned with supernatural threats – a force that is unseen, everywhere, and seemingly unstoppable.
Moss delivers a powerhouse performance as a woman tormented by her abusive ex, who she believes has found a way to become invisible. Director Leigh Whannell crafts incredibly tense sequences, using negative space and empty frames to make the audience feel the paranoia and dread alongside the protagonist. It's a smart, suspenseful thriller that uses its high-concept premise to explore serious themes.

8. Let the Right One In (2008)
Based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the Right One In is a Swedish film that puts a unique spin on the vampire mythos. It's the story of the friendship between a lonely, bullied 12-year-old boy, Oskar, and his new neighbor, Eli, who only comes out at night. Eli, it turns out, has a secret that is undeniably supernatural and requires chilling means to maintain.
The film is quiet, melancholic, and beautiful, focusing on the bond between the two leads amidst the backdrop of gruesome events. It subverts expectations of the vampire genre, offering a poignant, unsettling coming-of-age story wrapped in supernatural horror. The atmosphere of snowy, isolated Sweden adds another layer to its distinct feel.

7. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth is a dark fantasy masterpiece set against the brutal backdrop of post-Civil War Spain. While not purely a horror film, its supernatural elements and creature designs are deeply unsettling, and the suspense comes from navigating both the real-world dangers and the mysterious, sometimes terrifying, fantasy realm young Ofelia discovers.
The film tells a parallel story, contrasting the harsh realities of war with a richly imagined, yet perilous, fairy tale world. Del Toro's signature style shines through, creating creatures that are both wondrous and horrific. It's a visually stunning, emotionally resonant film that uses the supernatural to explore themes of innocence, choice, and resistance in times of darkness.

6. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster's directorial debut, Hereditary, is a harrowing journey into familial trauma and the sinister forces that might be at play. Toni Collette delivers a tour-de-force performance as the matriarch of a family unraveling after the death of her secretive mother. What follows is a disturbing blend of psychological drama and terrifying supernatural horror.
The film is relentless in its dread, using intricate production design and unsettling soundscapes to create a truly unnerving atmosphere. It delves into themes of fate, mental illness, and the horrifying idea that some things are simply unavoidable. It's a challenging watch, but its impact is undeniable, solidifying it as a modern classic in the genre.

5. The Orphanage (2007)
Produced by Guillermo del Toro, The Orphanage is a Spanish supernatural thriller that blends ghost story tropes with deep emotional resonance. Belén Rueda stars as Laura, who returns to her childhood orphanage with her family, hoping to reopen it for disabled children. However, her son Simón begins communicating with an invisible friend, leading to unsettling events and a desperate search when Simón disappears.
The film is less about jump scares and more about building a pervasive sense of unease and melancholy. It's a beautifully crafted film that tugs at the heartstrings while delivering genuine chills. Director J.A. Bayona creates a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling, exploring themes of motherhood, loss, and the lingering presence of the past.

4. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook is far more than just a monster movie; it's a profound and terrifying exploration of grief and depression manifested through a supernatural entity. Essie Davis gives a raw, powerful performance as a widowed mother struggling to cope with her son's fear of a creature from a disturbing pop-up book.
Jennifer Kent's directorial debut is a chilling, psychological descent into madness and the monstrous side of sorrow. The Babadook creature itself is iconic and genuinely creepy, but the real horror lies in the emotional turmoil and the breakdown of a family unit. It's a film that resonates deeply and stays with you, prompting thought about the monsters we face, both real and imagined.

3. The Conjuring (2013)
Welcome to the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring, a film that revitalized mainstream supernatural horror. Directed by James Wan, this movie brings a grounded, terrifying approach to a classic haunted house story, allegedly based on real events investigated by the famous paranormal investigators.
The film excels at building tension through classic techniques: slow pans, unsettling sounds, and the sheer dread of the unknown. The cast, particularly Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as the Warrens and Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston as the Perron family, bring a genuine human element to the terror. It's a film that makes the bumps in the night scary again, proving that sometimes, the most effective horror is what you don't fully see.

2. The Others (2001)
The Others is a masterclass in atmospheric, gothic suspense. Nicole Kidman delivers a captivating performance as Grace, a mother protecting her photosensitive children in a secluded mansion during World War II. What starts as a story about strange occurrences escalates into a chilling exploration of isolation, faith, and the unsettling feeling that they are not alone.
Director Alejandro Amenábar crafts a palpable sense of dread without relying on gore. The tension comes from the creaking house, the heavy fog outside, and the unnerving presence that may or may not be lurking within. Fun fact: Amenábar also composed the film's haunting score! It's a beautifully shot and intensely spooky film that earns its place among the best supernatural thrillers.

1. The Sixth Sense (1999)
Prepare for a film that redefined the supernatural thriller genre! M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense isn't just a ghost story; it's a deeply emotional journey anchored by incredible performances from Bruce Willis as a child psychologist and the truly astonishing Haley Joel Osment as a young boy who sees dead people.
The film masterfully builds suspense through atmosphere and character, rather than jump scares. It's a movie that demands your attention, rewarding viewers with layers of meaning and a narrative that's been dissected and celebrated for decades. Did you know that the color red is used intentionally throughout the film to signify things in the real world that are tainted by the supernatural? Pay close attention to those details on a rewatch! This is a must-see that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
