8 Must-Watch Horror Films For Fans Of Black Phone 2

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The highly anticipated horror sequel, Black Phone 2, is here just in time for Halloween. The film continues the story of The Black Phone, picking up several years later with Finney and his sister as they resume their pursuit of the dangerous Grabber.

The sequel, Black Phone 2, is doing well in theaters and critics and audiences both seem to really like it. However, it’s quite different from the first Black Phone movie. The original was a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller, while the new one leans more into supernatural horror. Here are some other films that share that style.

Mama

Andy Muschietti, the director known for It and The Flash, gained significant attention with his film Mama. It’s a suspenseful and eerie story about two young sisters who were raised in the jungle and appear to have brought a sinister presence back with them when they return home.

Similar to The Black Phone, Andrés Muschietti’s Mama builds a creepy, atmospheric story about demons and curses that unexpectedly becomes a thoughtful exploration of family and the sacrifices we make for loved ones. While the film expertly delivers scares when you least expect them, it’s the complex and well-developed script that truly sets it apart.

The Others

Known for its shocking twist ending, The Others really paved the way for how ghost stories are made today. The movie follows a mother and her children as they settle into a new house and become convinced it’s haunted. It also showcases one of Nicole Kidman’s most acclaimed performances.

Although it’s a slower, more atmospheric story than Black Phone 2, both films are known for making it hard to tell the difference between living characters and ghosts. This keeps viewers captivated by offering a thought-provoking take on what happens after death. Instead of relying on sudden scares, both movies build tension through their dark and unsettling moods.

The Strangers

While The Strangers doesn’t rely on the supernatural scares of a film like Black Phone 2, it taps into similar, primal fears. It’s a deeply psychological thriller that focuses less on jump scares and more on challenging the audience to consider how they would react in a truly terrifying situation.

While The Strangers has been remade a few times, many consider the 2008 version to be the best. The movie’s basic idea – a sudden home invasion – is surprisingly effective, and the terrifying villains combined with Bryan Bertino’s skilled direction make it a film that still holds up well today.

Don’t Breathe

Similar to the movie The Strangers, Fede Alvarez’s Don’t Breathe starts with a basic premise and builds intense suspense through its powerful writing and direction. The film follows a group of teenagers who attempt to rob an elderly man, only to discover they’ve gotten themselves into a far more dangerous situation than they expected.

I was really captivated by this psychological thriller, and it reminded me a lot of Black Phone 2. What makes it so good, for me, is how naturally the whole story seems to orbit around the villain. Stephen Lang is absolutely phenomenal in the lead role – he is the movie, honestly. Like Ethan Hawke in Black Phone, his performance is what truly makes it work, and without him, it just wouldn’t have the same impact.

Sinister

Ethan Hawke and Scott Derrickson teamed up for the chilling horror film The Black Phone, but it wasn’t their first collaboration. They previously worked together on 2012’s Sinister, a genuinely scary haunted house movie that many consider to be underappreciated.

The movie features Ethan Hawke as a crime novelist who moves into a new house with his family, only to discover it has a shockingly violent history. As he uncovers more about the house, his character spirals into increasing paranoia and fear.

Many consider Sinister to be one of the most frightening movies ever made, and for good reason. It’s packed with genuinely startling moments, and director Scott Derrickson would later use his skill for building suspense in other films. In fact, Sinister really set the stage for movies like The Black Phone and its follow-up.

The Babadook

Many studies have explored why ghost stories are so compelling, especially those set in homes. A key reason is that they remind us of our own vulnerability. These stories tap into our natural fear of the unknown and bring it into what should be our most secure space – our homes.

Jennifer Kent’s film centers on a grieving mother whose life unravels when her son becomes convinced an unseen evil presence is in their house. It’s considered a pioneering work in the now-popular trend of scary movies set within the home.

You can really see the impact of The Babadook in Black Phone 2. Both movies use scary, supernatural villains to dive into very real, personal struggles – and that’s what makes them so truly frightening. They aren’t just about monsters; they’re about the demons we all carry inside.

The Silence Of The Lambs

The idea of a detective or investigator facing off against a criminal is a common one in horror, and The Silence of the Lambs is perhaps the most famous example. Jonathan Demme’s 1991 thriller expertly combines this familiar dynamic with a truly unsettling and disturbing story.

In The Silence of the Lambs, FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the expertise of imprisoned killer Hannibal Lecter to help her with a difficult case. However, as Clarice works with Lecter, the lines between his insights and her investigation begin to blur, creating a complex and dangerous situation.

As a film buff, I’ve been thinking about The Silence of the Lambs and Black Phone 2, and while there’s a connection in how Clarice and Hannibal interact with Finney and The Grabber, what really struck me as similar was the overall look and feel of both movies – they’re both just so dark, unsettling, and realistically gritty.

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Black Phone 2 feels like a classic horror film, openly inspired by older movies. The idea of the villain returning as a ghostly, demonic force—tormenting victims from another dimension—strongly resembles Freddy Krueger, a legendary horror character.

The first Nightmare on Elm Street follows a group of teens haunted by a terrifying being that kills them in their dreams. While it’s a more straightforward slasher film than The Black Phone 2, it shares many similar plot elements and clearly influenced the newer movie.

Many consider A Nightmare on Elm Street to be one of the greatest horror films of the 1990s, and its influence is clear in movies like Black Phone 2. Released in 1984, the film had a huge impact on the horror genre – Wes Craven practically created the modern slasher film with it – and we still see its effects in horror movies today.

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2025-10-25 18:56