Movies like It's Only a Movie (2023)
The best movies like It's Only a Movie (2023) are Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round (2026), The Invisible Man Returns (1940) and Unseen (2023). If It's Only a Movie hooked you with its horror, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedGhosts (1997)8.1/10 from 305 votes
- NewestShe Wolf Fever (2026)Released 2026
Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round (2026)
After a mysterious bout of amnesia, a beloved children’s television host struggles to piece together his fractured memories, only to find his once-cheerful puppet co-stars behaving with sinister intent. As reality unravels, the line between performance and nightmare begins to blur.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Invisible Man Returns (1940)
The owner of a coal mining operation, falsely imprisoned for fratricide, takes a drug to make him invisible, despite its side effect: gradual madness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnseen (2023)
Sam receives a call from Emily, a near blind woman who is running from her murderous ex in the woods. Can she survive using Sam as her eyes via video call?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeadsight (2018)
A man with partial blindness and a young pregnant police officer must work together to escape a deadly virus that has spread across Grey County.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisManiac (1963)
When a stranger enters a quiet, country town and is seduced by a sensuous married woman he unwittingly finds himself at the centre of a storm of sexual guilt and murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRace with the Devil (1975)
Two couples vacationing together in an R.V. from Texas to Colorado are terrorized after they witness a murder during a Satanic ritual.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBe My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015)
An aspiring Romanian filmmaker goes to horrific extremes to convince Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway to star in his film.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Shed (2019)
The story of Stan, an orphaned teenager stuck living with his abusive grandfather and tasked with routinely protecting his best friend from high school bullies. When Stan discovers a murderous creature has taken refuge inside the tool shed in his backyard, he tries to secretly battle the demon alone until his bullied friend discovers the creature and has a far more sinister plan in mind.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPeeping Tom (1960)
Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Invitation (2016)
Will and his new girlfriend Kira are invited to a dinner with old friends at the house of Will’s ex Eden and her new partner David. Although the evening appears to be relaxed, Will soon gets a creeping suspicion that their charming host David is up to something.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Night Stalker (1972)
Wisecracking reporter Carl Kolchak investigates a string of murders in Las Vegas and suspects the culprit is a vampire. His editor thinks he's crazy and the police think he's a nuisance, so Kolchak takes matters into his own hands.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhat's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
Two middle-aged women move to Hollywood after their sons are convicted of a notorious murder and open a dance school for children eager to tap their way to stardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisCurse of the Blair Witch (1999)
A mockumentary exploring the legend of the Blair Witch and the case of the three missing student filmmakers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Cabinet of Caligari (1962)
A delirious young woman feels trapped in a remote mansion at the mercy of a madman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGhosts (1997)
In the town of Normal Valley, an eccentric magician named Maestro entertains the local children every day in his spooky mansion. One stormy night, the town's mayor leads a group of angry citizens to the mansion in an attempt to run Maestro out of town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisZ (2019)
A family find themselves terrorized by their eight-year-old son's imaginary friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarshmallow (2025)
At a secluded summer camp, timid and introverted 12-year-old Morgan is thrust into a waking nightmare when a once-fabled campfire tale becomes real. As a mysterious figure descends upon the camp, Morgan and his newfound friends must embark on a treacherous journey and uncover a sinister reality buried beneath the surface.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Night Strangler (1973)
After being run out of Las Vegas, reporter Carl Kolchak heads for Seattle and another reporting job with the local paper. It's not long before he’s on the trail of another string of bizarre murders. It seems that every 21 years, for the past century, a killer murders a certain number of people, drains them of their blood, and then disappears into the night. Kolchak is on his trail, but can he stop him?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Leopard Man (1943)
When a leopard escapes during a publicity stunt, it triggers a series of murders.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSilent Zone (2025)
In a zombie-ravaged world, a resourceful teen and her protector fight for survival, facing relentless dangers and testing the limits of hope and loyalty.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTwitz from Pluto: Graff, Jackass and TV Casualty (2022)
The story of two teenage extraterrestrial refugees from the planet Pluto, who escape to Earth after their planet is destroyed by the US government, as it was deemed “insignificant.” For many years prior, tensions between the Plutonians and the Earthlings had seen a steady incline, as Pluto held camps where Earthlings were experimented on and tortured. The two aliens make their crash landing, undertake human form and undergo the aliases “Hugh Jainus” and “E. Rection”. In an effort to wage revenge on the nation, with their brainwashed sidekick Potator under their wing, the trio hijack television stations worldwide and broadcast mind-numbingly stupid and ridiculous, yet insane and often violent programs to dumb down and distract the nation’s citizens from their devious plans. The tube tells the story...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Gut Pile (2000)
While out hunting, Dan accidentally shoots another hunter. Rather than reporting the accident to the authorities, he chooses to bury the body and forget it ever happened. One year later, Dan returns to the same woods for a hunting trip with some friends. Their weekend starts out innocently enough, but while the guys are having fun, something is coming back to life in the woods--and it wants revenge.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Severed Body Parts: The Cannibal Murders (2016)
A series of murders plaque the city, the victims are found missing arms and legs, the police must hurry to stop the killer before more people die.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
She Wolf Fever (2026)
Sandy goes on a date at Michael's house. It's not a full moon, so nothing bad can happen. However, when they get hot and heavy, Sandy begins to transform. Oh no - will this be their final date???
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Murder In The Park (2024)
aka "No One Likes You"
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
She-Wolf of London (1946)
A young heiress finds evidence suggesting that at night she acts under the influence of a family curse and has begun committing ghastly murders in a nearby park.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisTropical SOV (2025)
Tropical SOV is a Brazilian anthology that brings together 23 independent filmmakers who bring to life 21 hilarious, strange and bizarre stories that could only happen in Brazil. From brains that produce cocaine to the incredible human videocassette, including the secrets of synthetic meat, baldness cures, castration of rapists, nihilistic fruits, magical sweets and the poop king of Evangelistão.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Video Violence Part 2 (1988)
The killers are back and now hosting their own TV show broadcast secretly from their basement. They examine the fine art of murder, letting other aspiring psychos send in videos of their handiwork for the world to enjoy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Attacked (2006)
"Attacked" is a gory double-feature of short zombie short films by Krankomatik X & Rapid Masters. In "Attack," police sirens wail as a bank robber makes his escape without a hitch. But soon, he encounters a far greater threat than the police... "In "Next Attack," two guys arrive at a prearranged meeting place. The third person who was supposed to be there doesn't show up, and as they search for him, they encounter something terrifying!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Kansas City Blender Massacre (1986)
Lost Todd Sheets short about a killer using a blender.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like It's Only a Movie?
The closest matches to It's Only a Movie are Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round (2026), The Invisible Man Returns (1940) and Unseen (2023). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after It's Only a Movie?
Start with Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round (2026), the closest match to It's Only a Movie.
What is the highest-rated movie like It's Only a Movie?
Ghosts (1997), rated 8.1/10 by 305 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like It's Only a Movie?
She Wolf Fever (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like It's Only a Movie?
Yes: Monkey’s Magic Merry Go Round (2026), The Invisible Man Returns (1940) and Unseen (2023).
How are movies similar to It's Only a Movie chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside It's Only a Movie, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.