What is it about paranormal phenomena that intrigues us so much? Perhaps it’s that we’ve had experiences we don’t understand and we look to the supernatural to give our lives more meaning. Or maybe we’d like to believe that something exists outside of our own reality, and that there’s a whole world out there left for us to discover. And then, of course, there’s the fact that ghost, aliens, UFOs, spirits and other phenomena we can’t explain are just so fascinating: why else would so many people seek out the best psychic readings and people with extrasensory abilities? Regardless of the reason, one thing is certain: paranormal phenomena are just so cinematic, which is why so many movies have been made revolving around these mysterious occurrences. We made a list of 5 films, each of which revolves around a different phenomenon, which should all make for compelling watches! Find them all below, in alphabetical order! Enjoy!
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
Ivan Reitman
Let’s start with a classic! This 1984 gem from Ivan Reitman starts from a simple premise: three Columbia University parapsychology professors – Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) – suddenly find themselves with no funding and decide to set up a ghost removal business in a disused firehouse in New York City. Soon, a cellist named Dana (Sigourney Weaver) visits them about a weird demonic presence in her fridge, in what’s the beginning of an adventure that will get our protagonists face to face with more ghosts than they had imagined, so much so that they’ll soon be joined by a new team member, Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). More importantly, our unlikely heroes will ultimate face the most important task of all: saving the world.
It all sounds so serious on paper, yet Ghostbusters is supremely silly, filled with awkward situations, quotable one-liners and ghosts that… well, just aren’t that scary, but that’s part of the fun. Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis and Hudson are the true heart of a film that had a huge influence on pop culture, and that might be from the 80s but is still so entertaining to this day. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare to find the answer to the ultimate question: … Who you gonna call?
2. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Oren Peli
In his review of Paranormal Activity, our writer Joe Tomastik calls the movie “one of the scariest films ever made,” and he has a point. The first film in one of the most successful found footage franchises of all time revolves around a couple – Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) – who move into a new house in San Diego only to be haunted by a supernatural presence that Katie has been perceiving since she was a child. Micah decides to set up cameras in the house to prove her wrong, and this footage is precisely what we get in the movie: an account of a couple’s descent into madness.
There’s something terrifying about watching something not only take place in real time, but also in such an ordinary setting. Katie and Micah’s everyday life is not that different from our own, which means that, when something supernatural does occur, it’s all the more terrifying: after all, it could happen to us. On top of this, Paranormal Activity is an incredibly well-shot movie, with fantastic performances from its compelling protagonist. If you’re looking for a good scare, don’t miss it!
3. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick
We know what you’re thinking: isn’t The Shining about a man who goes insane when he accepts a job as the guardian of an isolated hotel in the Rocky Mountains, and who becomes more and more violent toward his wife and son? Where are the paranormal phenomena in the movie? Well, they’re pretty much everywhere. From the moment Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) steps foot into the fictional Overlook Hotel till the iconic scene at the end (which we won’t spoil here), our protagonist is haunted by an evil presence that is never really explained, but that still surrounds them and envelops them at all times. Not to mention, Jack’s son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), is psychic, and all kinds of things are happening around him too.
If you haven’t seen The Shining yet, you’re in for a treat: it’s not only one of the best Stanley Kubrick films out there, but it’s also universally acclaimed ad one of the best movies of all time, and for good reason. The film is a rare example of flawless slow-burning storytelling, combined with superb acting from the entire cast and gorgeous cinematography, production design, and sound design that make it a feast for both eyes and ears – and one of the most disquieting watches you can find. On top of this, it’s also a movie that lends itself to many theories and interpretations, particularly when it comes to its supernatural elements. Not to be missed!
4. The Sixth Sense (1999)
M. Night Shyamalan
The movie that sparked one of the most famous memes of all time is a fantastic example of the paranormal done right, and it comes from master storyteller M. Night Shyamalan. The Sixth Sense is essentially a ghost story, revolving around a child (Haley Joel Osment’s Cole) who literally “sees dead people”. But what makes it so unique is that we find out about what’s happening through Cole’s interaction with a child psychologist (Bruce Willis’ Malcolm Crowe) who has some not so literal ghosts of his own to deal with.
The relationship between Malcolm and Cole is at the core of a movie that takes its time really getting into the supernatural stuff, but that still manages to keep us on our toes for its entire duration, while never forgetting about its psychological component. With superb performances from both leads and the rest of the cast – including a fantastic Toni Collette as Cole’s mother – is tense, thought-provoking, and even heartwarming, and it’s one of the best Shyamalan movies out there.
5. Suspiria (2018)
Luca Guadagnino
Luca Guadagnino is mainly known for his introspective dramas – from the beloved Call Me By Your Name to the recent Challenges and Queer – but his adaptation of the 1977 Dario Argento horror shouldn’t be forgotten as a fantastic example of a remake done well. Just like the original film, Guadagnino’s Suspiria takes place in a renowned Dance academy, where a new dancer (Dakota Johnson’s Susie) arrives only to discover a dark secret at its core. But Guadagnino completely subverts the original movie in other ways – for starters, by choosing to set it in 1970s Germany, and to make this moment in history a very tangible presence in the story. On top of this, Suspiria (2018) is still scary and contains at least one deeply disturbing scene, but it’s also intimate and introspective.
When it comes to the paranormal phenomena, it’s best if you find out exactly what happens on your own, but suffice it to say that the Helena Markos Dance Company’s choreographer, Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton), and her colleagues have some very special abilities indeed. As Susie and her fellow dancers (Chloë Grace Moretz and Mia Goth) gets closer to the truth, they find themselves risking their lives, in a psychological horror that will have your eyes glued to the screen for its entire duration.
The 5 movies listed above all tackle paranormal phenomena in different ways, and are also genuinely compelling stories on top of that. From all-time classics to genre gems and well developed remakes, there’s something for everyone on the list! Happy watching!
