7 Must-Watch Films While Anticipating Smile 2

The highly anticipated sequel to the successful horror film Smile, titled Smile 2, is set to hit theaters on October 18, 2024. Directed by Parker Finn and featuring Naomi Scott in the lead role, the film revolves around a famous pop singer, Skye Riley (played by Scott), who begins to encounter unsettling occurrences just as she prepares for her world tour.

Smile 2 will delve into critical themes such as the darker sides of fame and the impact of past traumas. Much like its predecessor, Smile, this sequel is poised to deliver an intense and suspenseful narrative, highlighted by its eerily captivating smiling entity.

Fans of the psychological horror genre who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Smile 2 may find enjoyment in exploring a selection of similarly themed films.

Psychological Horror Films Like Smile 2: Get Out, It Follows, and More

1) The Lighthouse – Amazon Prime Video

Still from The Lighthouse (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Since its release in 2019, The Lighthouse has gained a cult following in the horror-fantasy genre, renowned for its stunning cinematography and exceptional performances. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson portray Ephraim, a young lighthouse keeper, and Thomas, a senior sailor, respectively. As they work in isolation, the tension mounts, leading to hallucinations and tragic outcomes. This psychological horror film will resonate with fans of the Smile franchise due to its escalating thrills.

2) Get Out – Amazon Prime Video

Still from Get Out (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Get Out, a psychological horror film directed by Jordan Peele, tells the story of Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an African-American man who visits the family home of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) for the weekend. What starts as a warm welcome soon turns sinister as Chris uncovers unsettling secrets about Rose’s family. The film has been widely acclaimed for its exploration of themes like race and class.

3) Perfect Blue – Amazon Prime Video

Still from Perfect Blue (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Satoshi Kon, Perfect Blue is a Japanese psychological thriller anime that made waves upon its release in 1997. Based on a novel by Yoshikazu Takeuchi, it follows the story of pop star Mima who decides to transition from singing to acting, only to face a series of bizarre events that jeopardize her grasp on reality. Similar to Smile 2, this film examines the dangers of fame and the complex relationships between idols and their fans.

4) It Follows – Amazon Prime Video

Still from It Follows (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

It Follows, directed by David Robert Mitchell, features Maika Monroe and Jake Weary among others. The horror film revolves around a supernatural entity that obsessively stalks its victims after a sexual encounter, including the character Jaime or Jay (Monroe). Much like Smile 2, this movie creates a chilling atmosphere of suspense and horror that escalates over time.

5) Hereditary – Amazon Prime Video

Still from Hereditary (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster, represents his debut feature film and features performances from Toni Collette and Alex Wolff. It tells the story of Annie, who, following her mother’s sudden death, experiences horrifying events that plunge her and her family into emotional chaos. With its focus on familial relationships and psychological horror, Hereditary captures the essence of themes that will also resurface in Smile 2.

6) Umma – Netflix

Umma is a supernatural horror film directed by Iris K. Shim, centered around a single mother named Amanda who, alongside her daughter Chrissy, is haunted by the spirit of her mother when she receives her ashes. The film explores themes of generational trauma, paralleling the elements of abusive parent-child relationships and estrangement found in Smile. As in Smile 2, the narrative deals with confronting and reconciling with one’s dark history.

7) Gothika – Amazon Prime Video

Still from Gothika (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Gothika, helmed by Pierre Morel, features Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jr. and revolves around a psychiatrist (Berry) who is incarcerated after a mysterious incident involving her husband. She believes she was possessed by a supernatural force. Reflecting similarities with the first Smile film, the protagonist grapples with misunderstandings regarding her mental state, adding depth to the psychological horror narrative.

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