Movies Like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a 1973 horror, tv movie film from John Newland with a MovieMagicScore of 6.1/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with This Is the End and Krampus.

Horror TV Movie

This Is the End

2013

While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.

6.2

MagicScore

Krampus

2015

When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max is disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know, this lack of festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.

6.2

MagicScore

An American Werewolf in London

1981

American tourists David and Jack are savagely attacked by an unidentified animal while hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. After retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse to recuperate, David soon begins experiencing disturbing changes to his body and mind.

7.4

MagicScore

Insidious

2011

A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.

7.0

MagicScore

Hellraiser

1987

A hedonistic man finds a mysterious puzzle box that summons a group of gruesome beings known as the Cenobites. These otherworldly entities open the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible.

6.9

MagicScore

The Amityville Curse

1990

After purchasing a property in Amityville, New York, Debbie and her husband invite three of their closest friends to help renovate. Immediately uneasy in her new surroundings, she begins experiencing shockingly vivid nightmares.

4.0

MagicScore

Night of the Living Dead

1968

A ragtag group barricade themselves in an old Pennsylvania farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls ravaging the Northeast.

7.6

MagicScore

Iron Lung

2026

In a post-apocalyptic future where an event known as "The Quiet Rapture" caused all known stars and habitable planets in the universe to disappear, a convict is sent to search an ocean of blood discovered on a desolate moon, using a small submarine nicknamed the "Iron Lung".

6.9

MagicScore

The Other

1972

A series of gruesome accidents plague a small American farming community in the summer of 1935, encircling two identical twin brothers and their family.

6.5

MagicScore

#10

Anonymous Animals

2021

The balance of power between man and animal is reversed. In a remote countryside, any encounter with the dominant can become hostile. At the crossroads of fantastic and suspense kind, Anonymous Animals questions the place of animals in our societies.

6.3

MagicScore

#11

The Uninvited

1944

A brother and sister move into an old seaside house that has been abandoned for many years on the Cornwellian coast. They soon discover that it is haunted by the ghost of the mother of their neighbor's granddaughter, with whom the brother has fallen in love.

6.9

MagicScore

#12

And Now the Screaming Starts!

1973

In the late 18th century, two newlyweds move into the stately mansion of husband Charles Fengriffen. The bride, Catherine, falls victim to a curse placed by a wronged servant on the Fengriffen family and all its descendants.

5.9

MagicScore

#13

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

2010

A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.

5.8

MagicScore

#14

Precious

2009

In Harlem in 1987, Claireece "Precious" Jones is a 16-year-old African American girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father, and at home she must wait hand and foot on her mother, an angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is chaotic and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and a secret – she can't read.

7.3

MagicScore

#15

Run Hide Fight

2021

A 17-year-old girl uses her wits, survival skills, and compassion to fight for her life, and those of her fellow classmates, against a group of live-streaming school shooters.

6.6

MagicScore

#16

Wonderland

2003

On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes.

6.1

MagicScore

#17

Marley & Me

2008

A newly married couple, in the process of starting a family, learn many of life's important lessons from their trouble-loving retriever, Marley. Packed with plenty of laughs to lighten the load, the film explores the highs and lows of marriage, maturity and confronting one's own mortality, as seen through the lens of family life with a dog.

7.2

MagicScore

#18

Death Proof

2007

Austin's hottest DJ, Jungle Julia, sets out into the night to unwind with her two friends Shanna and Arlene. Covertly tracking their moves is Stuntman Mike, a scarred rebel leering from behind the wheel of his muscle car, revving just feet away.

6.8

MagicScore

#19

The Pink Cloud

2021

After a toxic and mysterious pink cloud suddenly appears around the globe, people are forced to shelter in place. A woman finds herself stuck in an apartment with a stranger after a one-night stand, and the two come to terms with staying together.

5.8

MagicScore

#20

Manticore

2022

Julián is a successful video-game designer whose life is plagued by a dark secret. But when Diana pops up in his life, the man will feel as though a chance at happiness is within his grasp.

6.9

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

The top films similar to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark by MovieMagicScore are This Is the End (6.2), Krampus (6.2), An American Werewolf in London (7.4). Each shares horror/tv movie themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark worth watching?

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.1/10 from 93 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) is a horror, tv movie film directed by John Newland, starring Kim Darby, Jim Hutton, William Demarest.

Where can I find more recommendations like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more horror recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like This Is the End Movies like Krampus Movies like An American Werewolf in London Movies like Insidious Movies like Hellraiser Movies like The Amityville Curse

About movies like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

This ranked list pairs Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973), a horror and tv movie film from John Newland, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Kim Darby take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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