Does the thought of blood-splattering animatronic bears send a vicious shiver directly down your spine? If so, then you’re probably the sort of horror fan who shields their eyes during the gory parts of movies. But if you’re like me, then you’re likely counting down every second until Blumhouse’s live-action Five Nights at Freddy’s officially premieres later this week.
Centering around the iconic video game horror series, which barely goes a singular day without being mentioned in some sort of passage, it’s clear the ever-popular narrative is destined for super-sized success, and is set to make a major splash within the horror community. But before the face-melting extravaganza makes its presence felt in theaters and on Peacock this Friday, let’s dive in and fully examine a top-10 list of other horror movies eerily similar to FNAF that will provide the perfect warmup marathon.
Silent Hill (2006)
On the surface, this probably looks like a movie that wouldn’t have much similarity to Five Nights at Freddy’s, but the two films actually have more in common than what meets the eye. For starters, both movies are faithful adaptations of popular horror games, so it’s obvious both parties have obtained a strong following over the years. That being said, FNAF could easily follow in similar footsteps of Silent Hill and become a roaring cult classic.
The Hug (2018)
One of the creepiest horror movies to watch before witnessing FNAF this Friday would be the independent short streaming now on Hulu named The Hug. Much like the upcoming Blumhouse project, The Hug features a familiar premise of an eerie animatronic who causes deadly implications for a young boy at a family entertainment center birthday party. And truth be told, is there anything scarier than a bug-eyed animatronic who wraps you in a hug so tightly you can’t escape? I think not.
Dead Silence (2007)
Remember what I just said about lifelike animatronics? Well, it turns out there’s actually something even scarier — and that would be dolls that come to life. Now, a lifelike doll might not sound all that terrifying, but when you’ve got a ventriloquist dummy as sinister as Billy, it’s probably worth checking a few times underneath the bed before heading to bed for the night. Honestly, I don’t know which sounds scarier — Billy and his devious nature, or the horrifying vibe presented by Freddy Fazbear and company.
Chopping Mall (1986)
Now, unless you’re an ‘80s kid or a total horror nerd such as myself, you’ve probably never heard of Chopping Mall. But believe it or not, the horror film’s pulse-pounding premise is eerily similar to Five Nights at Freddy’s, with a clan of high-tech security robots targeting a group of teenagers in a shopping mall way past closing time. Given the closeness between these two supernatural narratives, I’d look like an absolute fool if I didn’t include this underrated gem on this list.
Annabelle (2014)
OK, I was completely holding back before — because Annabelle is easily one of the scariest horror villains, for the simple fact that she’s not only a talking doll who moves, but she’s also actually controlled by a demon. Gotta love the horror genre, am I right? Of course, Annabelle faithfully belongs to the ever-popular Conjuring universe, with the movie of the same name releasing back in 2014, and providing a backstory that will give you bigger chills than FNAF, without a doubt. Give it a watch.
The Banana Splits Movie (2019)
Trimming the fat and pointing out a horror flick that is often considered to be a FNAF rip-off, it would feel like an absolute travesty if we didn’t add The Banana Splits Movie to this list. Based on the eerie children’s television series from the ‘60s, the mind-melting horror extravaganza also features a band of animatronic characters which seek to wreak havoc and commit sinister acts upon unsuspecting victims. This is basically a Walmart version of Five Nights at Freddy’s before it hit the big screen, so you’ll definitely want to check this film out.
Puppet Master (1989)
Where are all my OG horror fans at?! I think I speak for half of the spooky community when I say Puppet Master is one of those unforgettable classics burned in the brains of horrorhounds everywhere. Much like FNAF, Puppet Master focuses on haunted characters and figures that come to life to present a particular sense of dread. Of course, these dolls and puppets mainly focus on voodoo spells, but the same sensation of fear is undoubtedly obvious in each individual franchise.
M3GAN (2022)
Remember when the world was absolutely losing their minds over a lifelike android who eventually turns on her creators and becomes a psychopathic killer? Well, honestly, how could you even forget? Before FNAF’s culmination, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse previously collaborated to craft M3GAN and turn the horror community on its head. Right now, it feels like an absolute toss up to see which horror flick will have a longer-lasting effect, but we’re certainly in anticipation while we wait.
Child’s Play (1988)
Much like the figures in Puppet Master, Chucky from Child’s Play heavily relies on voodoo castings and spells to perform his devious duties in the modern world. And while the later movies in the Child’s Play franchise undoubtedly become sillier and more campy, there’s absolutely no denying that Chucky and his antics make for a bone-chilling viewing experience — an experience which is perfect when it comes to preparing for a FNAF mega-watch party.
Willy’s Wonderland (2021)
Is there even a horror movie out there more perfect to watch before FNAF than Willy’s Wonderland? Go ahead, I’ll wait. … Nothing? Well, I can’t say that I’m too surprised, seeing as the Nicolas Cage vehicle is pretty much a carbon copy of the horror game narrative without actually slapping the FNAF title on it. The horror film legitimately just feels like Freddy and the gang are around the corner, but it still makes for a hilariously fun movie that definitely deserves its own watch.