8 Best Movies Like Midsommar (Ranked & Where to Stream)

Gareth Evans’ Apostle is arguably the closest spiritual successor to Midsommar on this list, deeply immersing viewers in a terrifying, isolated cult community. Set on a remote Welsh island in 1905, Thomas Richardson infiltrates a religious commune to rescue his sister, only to uncover horrific rituals and a decaying belief system sustained by unimaginable sacrifices. Like Midsommar, Apostle thrives on an outsider's terrifying journey into a closed society whose twisted logic becomes increasingly apparent. Its bleak, rain-soaked aesthetic contrasts with Aster's bright landscapes, yet the pervasive sense of dread, visceral body horror, and the gradual reveal of a profoundly disturbing communal evil are undeniably resonant. It’s a masterclass in slow-burn dread escalating into full-blown, gruesome terror.

Veronica Franz and Severin Fiala’s The Lodge shares Midsommar's chilling exploration of grief, isolation, and psychological torment. Two children are stranded in a remote lodge during a blizzard with their soon-to-be stepmother, Grace, a survivor of a religious cult's mass suicide. As a blizzard traps them, inexplicable events erode Grace’s fragile sanity, creating a relentless atmosphere of dread. The film masterfully employs gaslighting and religious trauma to disorient both character and audience, echoing Dani's emotional abuse and the disturbing manipulations by the Hårga. It's a slow-burn horror that builds to a truly shocking and inevitable conclusion, making it a powerful companion piece for fans of Midsommar and Hereditary.

Lars von Trier's Antichrist is a challenging, deeply unsettling film that resonates with Midsommar's exploration of grief, toxic relationships, and nature's terrifying indifference. Following a couple who retreat to their secluded cabin, 'Eden', after the death of their child, the film charts a descent into psychological and physical self-mutilation. Much like Midsommar, it portrays a raw, almost unbearable depiction of despair and how trauma can warp perception and relationships. Its allegorical use of nature as a malevolent, almost sentient force, coupled with its unflinching body horror and arthouse sensibilities, makes it a profoundly disturbing and thematically rich experience, echoing Ari Aster's more extreme impulses.

Zach Cregger's Barbarian is a masterclass in subverting expectations, offering a relentless sense of disorientation that will appeal to fans of Midsommar's slow-burn unease and shocking reveals. It begins with a seemingly mundane Airbnb double-booking that quickly spirals into unimaginable terror. While not folk horror, its unsettling atmosphere, the discovery of a hidden, systemic evil beneath a veneer of normalcy, and its examination of societal complicity resonate strongly with Midsommar's themes of hidden horrors and insidious communities. The film's unique narrative structure and its ability to constantly pull the rug out from under the audience create a sustained sense of dread, similar to the escalating terror experienced by Dani. This film also speaks to the "Saltburn" and "Don't Worry Darling" queries, exploring the horrors of unexpected places.

Roman Polanski’s Repulsion is a black-and-white masterpiece of psychological horror, a direct ancestor to films like Midsommar in its intimate portrayal of a female protagonist's descent into madness. Catherine Deneuve stars as Carole, a shy manicurist whose phobias and anxieties spiral into terrifying hallucinations and self-destruction when left alone in her apartment. The film meticulously crafts her subjective reality, blurring the lines between what is real and imagined, much like Dani’s deteriorating grasp on reality amidst the Hårga. It's an essential watch for anyone interested in the psychological underpinnings of horror, showcasing how internal turmoil, exacerbated by isolation, can be as terrifying as any external monster.

David Cronenberg's Videodrome may seem an unconventional pick, but its profound psychological corruption, visceral body horror, and exploration of a mind-altering, almost cult-like media experience resonate with Midsommar's disorienting power. James Woods plays Max Renn, a TV programmer who discovers a broadcast signal depicting extreme violence and torture, which slowly begins to warp his perception of reality and his physical form. The film taps into a similar dread of losing oneself to an insidious, controlling force, where what's real becomes indistinguishable from hallucination. Its disturbing imagery and philosophical depth make it a cult classic that challenges viewers to question what they see, much like Aster challenges our comfort with communal ritual.

John Schlesinger's The Believers offers a fascinating 80s take on cult horror, moving the insidious practices from remote landscapes to the heart of urban New York. A widowed police psychologist, Cal Jamison, and his young son are drawn into a sinister Santeria cult after a series of bizarre and violent events. While lacking Midsommar's folk aesthetic, the film powerfully explores themes of hidden, ritualistic evil, the corruption of innocence, and the desperation of individuals drawn into dark spiritual practices. Its depiction of human sacrifice and the chilling indifference of the cult's adherents provides a direct thematic link, showcasing the pervasive nature of malevolent, organized belief systems, often mirroring discussions on movies like Midsommar on Reddit.

Robert Aldrich's Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a quintessential Southern Gothic thriller, echoing Midsommar's focus on a female protagonist's psychological unraveling amidst deeply unsettling circumstances. Bette Davis stars as Charlotte Hollis, an aging, reclusive heiress haunted by a past murder and slowly driven to madness by her conniving cousin, played by Olivia de Havilland. The film creates a suffocating atmosphere of paranoia, manipulation, and dark family secrets within a decaying mansion. While trading folk horror for gothic melodrama, it shares Midsommar's slow-burn dread and the relentless emotional torment of its lead, exploring how an isolated, seemingly idyllic setting can become a prison of the mind.