Movies like The Stepfather (2009)
The best movies like The Stepfather (2009) are Orphan (2009), Rosewood Lane (2011) and House at the End of the Street (2012). If The Stepfather hooked you with its horror and thriller, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedOrphan (2009)7.0/10 from 5,849 votes
- NewestThe Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025)Released 2025
Orphan (2009)
After losing their baby, a married couple adopt 9-year old Esther, who may not be as innocent as she seems.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRosewood Lane (2011)
Radio talk show therapist Sonny Blake moves back to her childhood home on seemingly idyllic Rosewood Lane after her alcoholic father dies. But upon arrival in the old neighborhood, Sonny discovers her neighbors are terrified of the local paperboy. She thinks this is ridiculous, until she encounters the boy himself. It turns out that he is a cunning and dangerous sociopath, one who may have gruesomely killed her father - and others.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisHouse at the End of the Street (2012)
A mother and daughter move to a new town and find themselves living next door to a house where a young girl murdered her parents. When the daughter befriends the surviving son, she learns the story is far from over.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Good Son (1993)
A young boy stays with his aunt and uncle, and befriends his cousin who's the same age. But his cousin begins showing increasing signs of psychotic behavior.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSingle White Female (1992)
Having recently split from her fiancé, Allison Jones welcomes new roommate Hedra Carlson. The young women quickly form a bond, but soon Allison begins to notice not all’s well with her new tenant.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Watcher (2016)
Unaware of its terrible history, a young couple purchases their dream home. But it soon becomes clear that they may not be alone in the house... and that someone -- or something -- is determined to drive them out.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisOrphan: First Kill (2022)
After escaping from an Estonian psychiatric facility, Leena Klammer travels to America by impersonating Esther, the missing daughter of a wealthy family. But when her mask starts to slip, she is put against a mother who will protect her family from the murderous “child” at any cost.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe New Daughter (2009)
John James is a writer; his wife has left him. He moves with his two middle-school children to an isolated house off a dirt road in South Carolina. The property has an Indian burial mound, which fascinates his daughter, Louisa, who's entering puberty.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisDomestic Disturbance (2001)
Frank Morrison is a divorced father with a 12-year-old son, Danny. His ex-wife Susan and son Danny now live with Rick Barnes, Susan's new husband. Danny, who has a reputation for telling lies, accuses his stepfather of committing a murder. Initially, no one believes his accusations, but then Frank becomes convinced and is the only one who believes him. Now, the father Danny trusts must protect him from the stepfather he fears.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisMother, May I Sleep with Danger? (1996)
Laurel has the boyfriend of her dreams, Kevin. He can and will do anything for her. He is totally devoted to her but the downside is that he won't leave her alone. When she tries to get some distance he responds with aggressiveness. It finally dawns on Laurel that he is not good for her. Laurel's mother Jessica has already started to suspect that something is wrong with his background.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
What Lies Beneath (2000)
Norman and Claire Spencer are a seemingly happily married couple who uncover a terrible secret… a secret so disturbing it threatens to destroy them.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabysitter Wanted (2007)
When she takes a job babysitting a young boy for a night at his family's remote farmhouse, sweet college co-ed Angie Albright becomes the target of a scar-covered creep making mysterious phone calls and prowling outside the windows. Angie gets the drop on the would-be killer, but quickly discovers that her nightmare has just begun.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisTeacher's Pet (2000)
Psychopath Debbie Strand escapes from a mental institution for the criminally insane and takes the identity of a co-ed she meets and sets herself up on a college campus where she once again begins killing students who get in the way of her obsession with a handsome writing teachers, Sam Deckner.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Sinister Stepsister (2022)
Jeff Mitchell seems to have it all. He has an interesting and lucrative job, a loving wife, and two amazing kids. Therefore, life is good. However, on one bright day, a cosmic sucker punch comes out of the blue. When Jeff was in high school, unbeknownst to him, he got his girlfriend pregnant. Next, the girl moved away, had the baby, and raised her as a single mother, never telling her daughter, Carlee, who her real father was. However, Carlee's mother recently died in a tragic accident, prompting Carlee to try and uncover the truth. Maybe Jeff is not so lucky after all?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
The Roommate (2011)
When Sara, a young design student from Iowa, arrives for college in Los Angeles, she is eager to fit in and get to know the big city. Her wealthy roommate, Rebecca, is more than eager to take Sara under her wing and show her the ropes. The two become close, but when Sara begins to branch out and make more friends on campus, Rebecca becomes resentful. Alarmed, Sara moves in with her new boyfriend, causing Rebecca's behavior to take a violent turn.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller & horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisFear (1996)
Nicole Walker always dreamed of being swept away by someone special — someone strong, sexy and sensitive who would care for her more than anything else in the world. David is all that and more: a modern-day knight who charms and seduces her, body and soul. But her perfect boyfriend is not all he seems to be. His sweet facade masks a savage, dark side that will soon transform Nicole's dream into a nightmare.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Maddening (1995)
David and Cassie Osborne have an argument one night. So the next morning after David goes to work, Cassie runs off to her sister's house for a few days with their daughter Samantha. Only they never get there. David starts looking for them, and her sister, Joanne, thinks David had something to do with their disappearance, and calls the police. Actually Samantha and Cassie are with Roy and Georgina Scudder, and their daughter Jill. Roy picked them up after their car broke down. The only problem is, the Scudders, who seem a little odd at first, won't let them leave or call anyone.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller & horror
The Stepfather (1987)
Seemingly mild-mannered Henry Morrison has just murdered his entire family. After adopting a new identity and skipping town, he begins building a new relationship with a widow and her teenage daughter. However, he soon begins struggling to hide his true identity and maintain a grip on reality.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEmelie (2016)
After their regular babysitter cancels, the Thompson family turns to her friend, Anna to supervise their children while the parents go out to celebrate their anniversary. At first Anna seems like a dream come true to the kids, allowing them to eat extra cookies and play with things that are usually off-limits, but as her behaviour becomes increasingly odd, the kids soon find out that her intentions are dark and twisted—and she is not who she seems to be.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Intruder (2019)
A psychological thriller about a young married couple who buys a beautiful Napa Valley house on several acres of land only to find that the man they bought it from refuses to let go of the property.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Uninvited (2009)
Anna returns home after spending time in a psychiatric facility following her mother's tragic death and discovers that her mother's former nurse, Rachel, has moved into their house and become engaged to her father. Soon after she learns this shocking news, Anna is visited by her mother's ghost, who warns her that Rachel has evil intentions.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Daughter's Plan to Kill (2019)
When Katie and Greg Carlyle invited Greg's estranged daughter to live with them, they had no idea that they would be inviting jealousy, violence, and deceit into their home to wreak havoc on their perfect life.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025)
Suburban couple Caitlin and Miguel hire the seemingly sweet Polly to take care of their newborn baby. But Polly's true motives have little to do with singing lullabies.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Intruders (2015)
After the traumatic loss of her mother, a teenaged girl tries to uncover the dark secrets behind her new home, in spite of her father's disbelief.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller & horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Killing Pact (2017)
Hayley Udall tries to make ends meet for herself and her 14 year-old daughter while providing alimony for a horrible ex-husband. She wishes her problems with her ex could go away, and upon venting her frustrations one night, finds herself tangled up in a pact with two people (Melanie and Kevin) to "eliminate" each other's problems. It seemed innocent wishful thinking before, but as people end up dead-including Hayley's ex-husband-Hayley is trapped to fulfill the pact or risk taking the fall for murder.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
When a Stranger Calls (1979)
A student babysitter has her evening disturbed when the phone rings. So begins a series of increasingly terrifying and threatening calls that lead to a shocking revelation.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Evil Stepdad (2019)
Concerned her widowed mother Tracy will be lonely when she leaves for college, kind-natured Ashley secretly creates an online dating profile for her mom and meets Jared, who seems like the perfect match. When Tracy "accidentally" meets Jared and they fall in love, Ashley is comforted to see her mother happy until Jared moves in and begins doing whatever he can do to shut her out of their new life. It quickly becomes apparent that Jared's hold on Tracy will lead to devastating consequences if Ashley doesn't do something about it and must find a way to take Jared down.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
A suburban family chooses seemingly sweet Peyton Flanders as their newborn's nanny. Only much later does the infant's mother, Claire Bartel, realize Peyton's true intentions -- to destroy Claire and replace her in the family. The nail-biting suspense builds quickly in this chilling psychological thriller about deception and bitter revenge.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDevil in the Flesh (1998)
When her mother is killed in a mysterious house fire, rebellious teen Debbie Strand is sent to live with her grandmother, where she becomes even more unhinged. She develops an intense crush on her hunky creative writing teacher, Peter Rinaldi, but her numerous attempts at seduction end in failure. Soon Peter's friends start turning up dead, and he fears that his fiancée, Marilyn, may be Debbie's next victim.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Caller (2011)
Troubled divorcee Mary Kee is tormented by a series of sinister phone calls from a mysterious woman. When the stranger reveals she's calling from the past, Mary tries to break off contact. But the caller doesn't like being ignored, and looks for revenge in a unique and terrifying way...
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both horror & thriller
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Stepfather?
The closest matches to The Stepfather are Orphan (2009), Rosewood Lane (2011) and House at the End of the Street (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Stepfather?
People who watched The Stepfather most often go on to Orphan (2009), Rosewood Lane (2011) and House at the End of the Street (2012).
What is the highest-rated movie like The Stepfather?
Orphan (2009), rated 7.0/10 by 5,849 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Stepfather?
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Stepfather?
Yes: Orphan (2009), Rosewood Lane (2011) and House at the End of the Street (2012).
How are movies similar to The Stepfather chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Stepfather, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.