M. Night Shyamalan's breakout hit, "The Sixth Sense," isn't just a film with a famous twist; it's a tender and often sad story about isolation and the inability to communicate. It follows a child psychologist working with a young boy who claims to see dead people.

The sadness comes from the boy's fear and loneliness, the spirits' unresolved pain, and the psychologist's own struggles. It explores themes of death, acceptance, and finding peace, blending supernatural elements with a strong emotional core. While it has scary moments, it's ultimately a film more interested in the human condition and finding closure, making it a horror film with a significant melancholic streak.

Robert Eggers' "The Witch" is a period folk horror film steeped in dread and despair. Set in 17th-century New England, it follows a Puritan family ostracized from their community who face supernatural forces after their infant son vanishes.

The film captures a profound sense of isolation and the crushing weight of religious fear and paranoia. While not overtly about grief in the same way as others on this list, it evokes a deep sadness stemming from the family's unraveling, their loss of innocence, and their descent into desperation as they turn on each other. It's a slow-burn nightmare that feels historically grounded and utterly bleak.

Ari Aster follows up "Hereditary" with another sun-drenched nightmare, "Midsommar." This film centers on a young woman, reeling from a horrific family tragedy and a failing relationship, who travels to a seemingly idyllic Swedish commune for a festival.

The horror here stems from cultural isolation, manipulation, and the protagonist's journey through trauma in a bizarre, cultish environment. Florence Pugh gives an absolutely captivating performance, portraying a character whose grief and emotional vulnerability are exploited. It's a film that feels like a breakup movie and a folk horror tale rolled into one, exploring sadness and catharsis through incredibly disturbing rituals.

J.A. Bayona's "The Orphanage" is a beautifully crafted, melancholic ghost story produced by Guillermo del Toro. It follows a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage with her family, only for her son to make contact with unseen entities tied to the building's tragic past.

This film perfectly blends supernatural horror with a deeply emotional narrative about loss, motherhood, and the longing for connection. It relies on atmosphere and character development to build suspense, leading to a conclusion that is both haunting and incredibly moving. It's a prime example of how horror can be effective while still being profoundly sad and poignant.

Jennifer Kent's "The Babadook" is a brilliant, heart-wrenching look at motherhood and the suffocating grip of grief and depression. Essie Davis is phenomenal as a widowed mother struggling to raise her difficult son while battling her own inner demons, which manifest in the form of a terrifying storybook monster.

The film is less about jump scares and more about the creeping psychological horror of unspoken pain. It uses the Babadook creature as a powerful metaphor for the darkness that can consume us when we don't confront our sorrow. It's a deeply human story wrapped in a genuinely frightening package, showcasing how sadness itself can become the most terrifying monster of all.

Prepare yourself for an absolute emotional onslaught with Ari Aster's directorial debut. "Hereditary" isn't just scary; it's a profoundly unsettling exploration of grief, trauma, and inherited fate. Toni Collette delivers a performance for the ages as a mother grappling with loss and uncovering dark family secrets.

The film masterfully builds a sense of dread not just through supernatural elements, but through the raw, agonizing portrayal of a family tearing itself apart under the weight of unspeakable sadness. It's the kind of horror that burrows deep under your skin and stays with you long after the credits roll, forcing you to confront the terrifying idea that some things are simply inescapable.