12 Scariest Horror Movies Like The Conjuring That Will Haunt Your Night

Top 12 Chilling Films That Feel Just Like The Conjuring

There’s something timeless about The Conjuring. It doesn’t just make you jump — it crawls under your skin. It's not cheap scares. It's creeping dread. Shadows where there shouldn't be shadows. Sounds you can't quite explain. And that lingering feeling that... you're not alone.

If that kind of horror is your thing, welcome. We’ve summoned a list of 12 terrifying films that tap into that same energy — the dark supernatural horror that lives in your walls, your attic, your mirror, and your mind.

So grab your rosaries, salt circles, and maybe leave the lights on tonight.

1. Hereditary (2018)

"I am your mother!"

We’re starting strong. Hereditary doesn’t play. This is one of the most unsettling films of the 2010s. At first, it’s a slow-burn family drama about grief. But somewhere around the halfway mark, it nosedives into pure, ritualistic terror.

Toni Collette delivers a powerhouse performance that makes you question what's real, what's cursed, and what might be lurking in your family tree. Forget jump scares — Hereditary wants to live in your nightmares.

2. Insidious (2010)

"It's not the house that’s haunted."

Directed by James Wan (yes, the same guy behind The Conjuring), Insidious drags you through a terrifying spirit realm called The Further — and then doesn’t let go.

From creepy tiptoe-through-the-tulips sequences to that red-faced demon, this film redefined modern supernatural horror. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves haunted houses with a little extra nightmare fuel.

3. Sinister (2012)

Those Super 8 tapes. That attic. That soundtrack.

Sinister is arguably the scariest film of the 2010s, and that’s not just opinion — a scientific study based on viewer heart rates backs it up.

It’s about a true crime writer (played by Ethan Hawke) who finds old home movies in his attic. Except they’re not normal movies. They’re murder recordings... and they’re tied to a demon named Bughuul.

It’s a slow spiral into madness, dread, and darkness. And trust us — your attic won’t feel the same afterward.

4. Oculus (2013)

Mirrors aren’t just for Bloody Mary anymore.

Directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), Oculus takes a seemingly simple concept — a haunted mirror — and turns it into a disorienting, emotional mind-melter.

Jumping between timelines, it blends psychological breakdowns and ghostly trauma so seamlessly that you’ll question what’s real — and what’s just the mirror messing with you.

5. The Orphanage (2007)

Heartbreak meets haunting in this Spanish gothic horror masterpiece.

Produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by J.A. Bayona, this film follows a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage with plans to reopen it… until her adopted son disappears.

This isn’t your typical ghost story. It’s beautiful, tragic, and chilling — the kind of horror that’s less about demons and more about grief with unfinished business.

6. The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

It used to be a funeral parlor. That’s your first red flag.

Based on true events, this film follows a family who moves closer to a hospital for their son’s cancer treatment — only to find their new home is very much not vacant.

If you love ghostly apparitions, hidden rooms, and the kind of horror that builds from real emotional stakes, this one’s a solid scarefest. The exorcism scenes are intense, and the backstory is disturbing in the best way.

7. The Rite (2011)

"Choosing not to believe in the devil won’t protect you from him."

This is your Vatican-style possession horror. Inspired by actual exorcisms, The Rite follows a skeptical seminary student training under a veteran exorcist played by Anthony Hopkins, who is absolutely unhinged in the best possible way.

It’s cerebral, chilling, and plays out like a supernatural mystery unraveling in real time. Less gore, more soul — and one very, very unsettling demon.

8. The Exorcist (1973)

The blueprint for everything that came after.

We don’t need to explain this one. It’s The Exorcist. The spinning head. The pea soup. “The power of Christ compels you!” This movie basically invented the modern exorcism genre.

If you love The Conjuring, then you owe a lot to this film. It holds up, it’s still horrifying, and it reminds you why demonic possession is one of the scariest subgenres in horror.

9. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Courtroom drama meets spiritual warfare.

Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange), this film blends a chilling possession story with a courtroom battle over whether faith or medicine is to blame for a girl’s death.

Jennifer Carpenter absolutely goes for broke in her performance — you’ll wince just watching what she puts her body through. If you like your horror with a side of legal drama and true story vibes, this one’s for you.

10. Malasaña 32 (2020)

Inspired by true events.

This Spanish horror film is a hidden gem. Set in 1970s Madrid, it tells the story of a family who moves into an affordable apartment… which turns out to be a paranormal nightmare factory.

Think The Conjuring with a retro European twist. It’s stylish, spooky, and the slow reveal of the apartment’s dark past is deeply satisfying (and terrifying).

11. Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

It shouldn’t have been this good — but it is.

Another Mike Flanagan banger, this prequel to the mediocre Ouija movie is shockingly effective. It’s set in the 1960s, where a mother and her two daughters run a seance scam… until one of them actually gets possessed.

Lulu Wilson steals the show with one of the creepiest child performances in horror. It’s smart, atmospheric, and delivers real scares without leaning on clichés.

12. The Changeling (1980)

Old-school haunted house horror at its finest.

If you like your ghost stories slow, elegant, and emotionally rich, this one’s for you. The Changeling stars George C. Scott as a man grieving the death of his wife and daughter, only to discover his new home has unfinished business.

It’s quiet horror — no flashy effects, no cheap tricks — just pure dread. And it’s one of the most respected ghost stories in cinema history.

Horror Is Better When It Lingers

The Conjuring didn’t just scare you — it haunted you. And that’s what these films have in common. They don’t go for the cheap shot. They build unease, mess with your mind, and stick with you long after the credits roll.

So if you’re looking to chase that same spine-tingling thrill, this list should keep your nights… very much not peaceful.

Sleep tight. 👁️

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