If Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu gave you chills with its shadowy atmosphere and Gothic revival, you’re probably hungry for more films that walk the line between beauty and terror.
Eggers’ knack for blending historical grit with supernatural dread feels both timeless and uniquely his own – but it’s not the only one out there. From the misty woods of Sleepy Hollow to the kaleidoscopic nightmare of Suspiria, these films deliver the same haunting vibes with a twist. Think brooding vampires, eerie folklore, and unsettling elegance. Whether you’re here for Gothic romance or spine-tingling dread, this list will take you deeper into the shadows. Let’s dive into cinema’s darker side.
1. The Lighthouse
If you loved Nosferatu, then you may well want to dive into some of director, Robert Eggers', back catalogue of work. Most notably 2019's The Lighthouse, starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe. Another of Eggers' beautifully lit, gothic and absurd films, it's a favourite amongst the directors' fans, and will likely satiate your need for the low-lit, the haunting and the strange.
2. Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bram Stoker's Dracula served as the foundational inspiration for the original Nosferatu (1922), with the film adapting key elements of Stoker's novel, including the vampire Count Orlok, who mirrors Count Dracula in his predatory nature and eerie allure. However, due to copyright issues, Nosferatu altered character names and settings, but the themes of darkness, immortality, and the undead remained faithful to Stoker's vision.
3. Sleepy Hollow
Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow echoes the atmospheric dread and Gothic aesthetic of Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, blending macabre storytelling with eerie, mist-shrouded visuals that captivate fans of dark, folkloric horror.
4. Suspiria
For viewers drawn to Eggers' meticulous, haunting imagery, Suspiria offers a similarly immersive experience, with its hypnotic visuals and an unsettling exploration of the supernatural.
5. Twilight
Even if Nosferatu * technically * outdates Twilight by a few decades or more, I still consider Edward and Bella to be the original vampire love story. If you'd kind of wishes Ellen ended up with Count Orlok as teens in the 2000s, then look no further. Any excuse for a re-watch.
6. IT
If you're just simply a mega-fan of Bill Skarsgard in any kind of monster role, then his most popular, a remake of Stephen King's hit novel IT, might be right up your alley. Instead of a blood-lusting vampire, he's a sadistic, child-hating clown. There's also that same focus on primal fears and the menacing presence of a shape-shifting evil that parallels the creeping dread of Eggers' Nosferatu.
7. Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera provides a theatrical, Gothic love story with a tortured, monstrous figure at its centre, making it a captivating watch for fans of dark, tragic romance akin to the tones explored in Eggers' work.
