Movies like What Happened Downstairs? (2021)
The best movies like What Happened Downstairs? (2021) are The Haunted House (1921), Parents (1989) and Fright Night (1985). If What Happened Downstairs? hooked you with its horror and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedFright Night (1985)7.1/10 from 1,661 votes
- NewestThe Dogs (2025)Released 2025
The Haunted House (1921)
A bank teller becomes involved with a hold-up, counterfeiters and a theatrical troupe posing as spooks in a haunted house.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisParents (1989)
Michael is a young boy living in a typical 1950s suburbanite home... except for his bizarre and horrific nightmares, and continued unease around his parents. Young Michael begins to suspect his parents are cooking more than just hamburgers on the grill outside, but has trouble explaining his fears to his new-found friend Sheila, or the school's social worker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisFright Night (1985)
Charley Brewster, a high school student, accidentally discovers the true and creepy nature of Jerry Dandrige, his dashing and enigmatic new neighbor; but no one seems willing to believe him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHousebound (2014)
When Kylie Bucknell is sentenced to home detention, she's forced to come to terms with her unsociable behaviour, her blabbering mother and a hostile spirit who seems less than happy about the new living arrangement.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeadstream (2022)
A disgraced internet personality attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally unleashes a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBoo! A Madea Halloween (2016)
Madea winds up in the middle of mayhem when she spends a hilarious, haunted Halloween fending off killers, paranormal poltergeists, ghosts, ghouls, and zombies while keeping a watchful eye on a group of misbehaving teens.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisMonster House (2006)
Monsters under the bed are scary enough, but what happens when an entire house is out to get you? Three teens aim to find out when they go up against a decrepit neighboring home and unlock its frightening secrets.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Haunted House (2013)
Malcolm and Kisha move into their dream home, but soon learn a demon also resides there. When Kisha becomes possessed, Malcolm - determined to keep his sex life on track - turns to a priest, a psychic, and a team of ghost-busters for help in this spoof of all the "found-footage/documentary style" films released in recent years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisMater and the Ghostlight (2006)
Mater, the rusty but trusty tow truck from Cars, spends a day in Radiator Springs playing scary pranks on his fellow townsfolk. That night at Flo's V8 Café, the Sheriff tells the story of the legend of the Ghostlight, and as everyone races home Mater is left alone primed for a good old-fashioned scare.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHaunted Spooks (1920)
After numerous failed attempts to commit suicide, our hero (Lloyd) runs into a lawyer who is looking for a stooge to stand in as a groom in order to secure an inheritance for his client (Davis). The inheritance is a house, which her scheming uncle "haunts" so that he can scare them off and claim the property.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like this825 Forest Road (2025)
After a family tragedy, Chuck Wilson hopes to start a new life in Ashland Falls with his wife Maria and little sister Elizabeth, but he quickly discovers that the town has a dark history of being haunted by a ghostly woman who drives residents to suicide.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisTerrifier (2011)
After witnessing a brutal murder on Halloween night, a young woman becomes the next target of a maniacal entity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHell House LLC (2015)
Five years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour, a documentary crew travels back to the scene of the tragedy to find out what really happened.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisParanormal Activity (2009)
After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly the most active in the middle of the night.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Evil (1978)
Shortly after moving into a dark, brooding mansion, a psychologist and his co-workers are terrorized by a horrible evil being.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Dogs (2025)
After fleeing his psychotic father, a young teen and his mom seek refuge in a remote farmhouse, only to face a pack of ferocious dogs and the sinister spirits that haunt the property.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMr. Boogedy (1986)
A novelty-salesman moves his family into a new house. Initially dismissing incidents as more of their father's practical jokes, the family soon learns that the house is haunted by people who lived in the house 300 years previously.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbarian (2022)
In town for a job interview, a young woman arrives at her Airbnb late at night only to find that it has been mistakenly double-booked and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to stay the night anyway.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Haunted (1991)
When the Smurl family moves into a duplex, they find out it's haunted. When the Catholic Church is no help, they reach out to famous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
SnoozefestMovies like thisEli (2019)
A boy named Eli with a rare autoimmune disorder is confined to a special experimental clinic for his treatment. He soon begins experiencing supernatural forces, turning the supposedly safe facility into a haunted prison for him and his fellow patients.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both horror
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSanta / Claws (1997)
A little boy's desire to meet Santa Claus takes a dark turn.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & horror
Mr. Tricker's Treat (2011)
Every October, Mr. Tricker has the best Halloween decorations in town. While setting up his annual display, a quirky neighbor gets too close to figuring out why his decor is so lifelike.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror & comedy
Francis (2013)
Francis is a short story written by american novelist Dave Eggers. This is the story of a young boy growing up in the suburbs of chicago. He spent his vacations in Quetico Provincial Park, up on the border of Minnesota and Canada. But he won't be going back any day soon, not after what happened to a girl called Francis Brandywine.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Unforgotten Love (2010)
Korn was hit at the head during a robbery, when he wake up, he lost his memory over what had happen before. Now he has to write down everything before he forgets them. However, Korn always feels that there is something happened to someone during the robbery and he has to find out before it's too late. Time passes and Korn is still unable to recall who is that "someone". One day, Korn was told about a haunted 13 floor near his house, and coincidentally he appears at that floor for some reason. Is it "someone" that draws Korn's attention to the 13th floor? What happened to that "someone" during the robbery?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
Monsieur l'assassin X (2013)
Linda is a little girl rejected by other children and by her family. She lives in a small town where a serial killer is prowling. But one day, she sees a strange character on the street carrying a bag with an arm hanging out of it.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
American Storage (2006)
A storage facility employee discovers someone is living in one of the units.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Last Virgin in LA (2016)
When Millie discovers she's the last virgin in LA, things get out of hand.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Last Call Lenny (2016)
Lenny Upton combines euthanasia with his used furniture business to provide suicide assistance to melancholy customers with a death wish. Armed with a briefcase full of weapons and an eye for antiques, he custom designs a personalized death experience for his one-time clients. All sales are final in this short film that takes a darkly comedic evaluation of the value of life and used furniture.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Eddie in August (1970)
In this one-off half-hour silent film, Benny stars as the title character, a "born loser" who is unlucky in everything - especially love. He fancies a pretty nurse who walks by the park, but ends up with a plainer girl.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Exit (2020)
Events take a sinister turn one night in London, when two very different couples arrive at a double-booked apartment. Actions have consequences and not all debts are paid for with money. Leaving, it's harder than you think.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both horror
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like What Happened Downstairs??
The closest matches to What Happened Downstairs? are The Haunted House (1921), Parents (1989) and Fright Night (1985). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after What Happened Downstairs??
Start with The Haunted House (1921), the closest match to What Happened Downstairs?.
What is the highest-rated movie like What Happened Downstairs??
Fright Night (1985), rated 7.1/10 by 1,661 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like What Happened Downstairs??
The Dogs (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like What Happened Downstairs??
Yes: The Haunted House (1921), Parents (1989) and Fright Night (1985).
How are movies similar to What Happened Downstairs? chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside What Happened Downstairs?, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.