Like This Watch That: 50 Movies Like Shutter Island: Psychological Thriller Horror Movies with a Twist

If you love the bizarre and mind bending, than this list of psychological thriller horror movies like Shutter Island is exactly for you!

If you’re like us and can’t resist a movie that keeps you guessing until the very last frame, you’re in for a treat.

We have chosen 50 twisty movies that’ll leave you wondering, “what did I just watch?”.

These films are like roller coasters for your brain, and their plot twists are the sudden drops you never see coming.

Lets get to the world of cinematic enigmas, where the only thing we can predict is that you won’t see any of these twists coming.

Here are 50 Mind Bending, Psychological Thrillers / Horror Movies Like Shutter Island, with a twist.

As with all of our articles, we offer a free movie checklist for you to download for later reference.

Who is this list of psychological thriller movies for?

• People who love a thriller movie that keeps them guessing until the end
• Mystery, Suspense, Crime genre fans
• Those who love to be left thinking about a movie long after it is over, left wanting to watch it again
• People who love a good plot twist

What information is provided about each thriller movie in this selection?

• The movie title and release year of the movie
• Movie Image
• Director
• A list of actors in the movie
• Genre
• Link to the movie in IMDb – For movie reviews, where to stream, ratings, trailers and lots more.
• A movie summary

Don’t forget to download the FREE MOVIE CHECKLIST to keep track of what movies you want to watch!

50 Psychological Thriller Movies Like Shutter Island

1. 1408 (2007)

• Cast: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson
• Director: Mikael Håfström
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

John Cusack plays a skeptical author who checks into a creepy hotel room, the notorious 1408. He’s there to debunk supernatural myths, but guess what? This room is no joke. It’s like it has a mind of its own, and it’s out to mess with him in every possible way. You won’t believe the crazy stuff that happens in that room.

2. Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

• Cast: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña
• Director: Adrian Lyne
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

Tim Robbins is a Vietnam War veteran who’s experiencing some truly bizarre and terrifying visions. He’s not sure if he’s losing his mind or if something sinister is going on. “Jacob’s Ladder” takes you on a trippy journey through his fractured reality, and it’s a mix of psychological horror and intense drama that’ll leave you questioning everything.

3. Law Abiding Citizen (2009)

• Cast: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx
• Director: F. Gary Gray
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Law Abiding Citizen” isn’t your typical thriller, but it’s got one heck of a twist. Gerard Butler plays a man who takes justice into his own hands after a plea deal lets a murderer off the hook. The cat and mouse game between him and Jamie Foxx, a prosecutor, is intense, and it leaves you to figure out who’s really in control.

4. Limitless (2011)

• Cast: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro
• Director: Neil Burger
• Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Limitless” is like the ultimate power fantasy. Bradley Cooper’s character gets his hands on a mysterious pill that unlocks his brain’s full potential. He becomes a genius overnight, but there’s a dark side to it. The movie is a thrill ride of intellect, wealth, and danger, and it’s an exhilarating experience from start to finish.

5. Get Out (2017)

• Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams
• Director: Jordan Peele
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” is a modern classic. It’s about an African American guy who goes to visit his girlfriend’s family, and things start getting super weird. It’s an intriguing take on racism, with a dose of eerie mind control and twists that’ll have you gripping the armrest of your chair.

6. Inception (2010)

• Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

“Inception” is like a dream within a dream, and it’s directed by the master of mind bending movies, Christopher Nolan. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a thief who steals secrets from people’s dreams. The visuals are stunning, and the whole movie feels like a ride through the subconscious.

7. Disturbia (2007)

• Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer
• Director: D.J. Caruso
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

Imagine being stuck at home on house arrest and getting really, really bored. Well, that’s the setup for “Disturbia.” Shia LaBeouf’s character starts spying on his neighbors, and things take a dark turn when he suspects one of them might be a killer. It’s a Hitchcockian thriller with a modern twist that’ll keep you glued to your screen.

8. Us (2019)

• Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke
• Director: Jordan Peele
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

Jordan Peele strikes again with “Us.” A family’s vacation takes a terrifying turn when they’re confronted by doppelgängers of themselves. It’s a social commentary wrapped in a freaky horror package, and the twist is one that’ll leave your jaw on the floor. Get ready to look at scissors in a whole new light!

9. The Ritual (2017)

• Cast: Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali
• Director: David Bruckner
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Ritual” is a wilderness nightmare. Four friends go hiking in the Swedish woods, and they encounter something truly ancient and terrifying. It’s a mix of folklore and psychological horror that’ll make you think twice about camping in the woods.

10. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022)

• Cast: Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Joe Tippett
• Director: John Lee Hancock
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” is an adaptation of a Stephen King novella. After the passing of Mr. Harrigan, a teenager named Craig, who had forged an unlikely friendship with him and helped out with odd jobs, places a smartphone in Mr. Harrigan’s pocket just before his burial. When he sends a message to Mr. Harrigan, he gets a text message from beyond the grave. It’s a spooky tech twist on the classic thriller genre.

11. The Sixth Sense (1999)

• Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
• Director: M. Night Shyamalan
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Sixth Sense” is a classic in the supernatural thriller genre. Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist trying to help a young boy, played by Haley Joel Osment, who claims to see dead people. It’s filled with chilling moments and an iconic twist that you won’t see coming. This one’s a must see for any fan of the genre.

12. The Game (1997)

• Cast: Michael Douglas, Sean Penn
• Director: David Fincher
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Game” is like a real life nightmare. Michael Douglas gets a mysterious birthday gift that involves a high stakes game that quickly spirals out of control. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out what’s real and what’s part of the game.

13. The Invitation (2015)

• Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Emayatzy Corinealdi
• Director: Karyn Kusama
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“The Invitation” is one of those movies where you’re never quite sure who to trust. A man and his girlfriend attend a dinner party at his ex-wife’s house, and things get progressively stranger. It’s a slow burn that builds tension until it explodes with a shocking climax.

14. Frailty (2001)

• Cast: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey
• Director: Bill Paxton
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Frailty” is a chilling family drama with a dark twist. Bill Paxton plays a father who believes he’s been chosen by God to rid the world of demons. He enlists his two sons in his mission, and the result is a psychological thriller that will have you questioning the boundaries of faith and madness.

15. The Others (2001)

• Cast: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan
• Director: Alejandro Amenábar
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Others” is a ghostly and atmospheric masterpiece. Nicole Kidman plays a woman living with her two photo sensitive children in a dark, old mansion. When strange things start happening and mysterious figures appear, it becomes a nerve wracking tale of supernatural secrets. The twist here is epic.

16. Identity (2003)

• Cast: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet
• Director: James Mangold
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Identity” is a twisty thriller that’ll keep you guessing. Ten strangers are stranded at a motel in the middle of a storm, and they start getting killed off one by one. John Cusack plays a limo driver who’s trying to piece together the mystery before it’s too late. The twist here is like a puzzle you won’t see coming.

17. Fallen (1998)

• Cast: Denzel Washington, John Goodman
• Director: Gregory Hoblit
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy
• IMDb: imdb

“Fallen” is a supernatural crime thriller with a unique twist. Denzel Washington plays a detective chasing a serial killer, but things get weird when he starts to connect the murders to a demonic entity. It’s a game of cat and mouse with a sinister supernatural element.

18. Se7en (1995)

• Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey
• Director: David Fincher
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“Se7en” is a dark and gritty thriller about two detectives hunting down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives. It’s a suspenseful and disturbing journey with a twist that’ll leave you stunned.

19. The Lovely Bones (2009)

• Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci
• Director: Peter Jackson
• Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Lovely Bones” is a haunting story of a young girl who watches over her family from the afterlife. It’s a mix of drama and the supernatural as she tries to help solve her own murder. The twist here is a bittersweet and emotionally charged one.

20. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

• Cast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet
• Director: Michel Gondry
• Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is a unique and gripping love story. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play a couple who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories. It’s a beautiful, emotional film with a twist that’ll make you ponder the nature of love and memory.

21. American Psycho (2000)

• Cast: Christian Bale, Jared Leto
• Director: Mary Harron
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror
• IMDb: imdb

“American Psycho” is a dark and satirical thriller that’s not for the faint of heart. Christian Bale delivers an unforgettable performance as a wealthy investment banker who hides a gruesome secret. The film is a deep dive into his twisted psyche, and the twist is as shocking as it gets.

22. Split (2016)

• Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy
• Director: M. Night Shyamalan
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

In “Split,” James McAvoy plays a man with multiple personalities, and some of them are downright dangerous. When he kidnaps three teenage girls, they must find a way to escape. M. Night Shyamalan delivers a twist that connects this film to one of his other works in a way you won’t see coming.

23. Watcher (2022)

• Cast: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman
• Director: Chloe Okuno
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

A young American woman relocates to Bucharest with her husband, but her seemingly ordinary life takes a chilling turn. She becomes increasingly suspicious that an enigmatic stranger, who keeps a watchful eye from the apartment building across the street, might be connected to a series of gruesome decapitations of local women, possibly a serial killer on the loose.

24. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

• Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman
• Director: Dan Trachtenberg
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“10 Cloverfield Lane” is a spiritual successor to the original “Cloverfield” and offers a different perspective on the invasion. Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character is trapped in a bunker with two men who claim the outside world is uninhabitable due to a disaster. The twist here will leave you questioning the truth and the extent of the danger outside.

25. The Rental (2020)

• Cast: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie
• Director: Dave Franco
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Rental” is a thriller about two couples who rent a vacation home, only to discover that their every move is being watched. It’s a modern take on the classic cabin-in-the-woods horror, with a twist that will make you rethink your next vacation rental.

26. Cube (1997)

• Cast: Nicole de Boer, Nicky Guadagni
• Director: Vincenzo Natali
• Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Cube” is a low budget, high concept thriller that’ll keep you guessing. A group of strangers wakes up in a maze of deadly mystery rooms. They must use their wits to navigate this bizarre and deadly labyrinth. The twist is a real brain teaser that will leave you pondering the meaning of it all.

27. The Prestige (2006)

• Cast: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

Christopher Nolan directs “The Prestige,” a spellbinding tale of two magicians locked in a bitter rivalry. Their obsession with outdoing each other leads to an escalating series of dangerous and supernatural tricks. The twist here is a dazzling revelation that ties the whole story together.

28. Mulholland Drive (2001)

• Cast: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring
• Director: David Lynch
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Mulholland Drive” is a surreal masterpiece from David Lynch. It starts as a simple story but spirals into a nightmarish, mind warping experience. You’ll be left questioning the nature of reality and the meaning of the story’s twist.

29. Midsommar (2019)

• Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor
• Director: Ari Aster
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“Midsommar” is a folk horror masterpiece that explores a group of friends who attend a mysterious and disturbing midsummer festival in Sweden. The film’s twist is a shocking revelation about the true nature of the cult and their rituals.

30. Angel Heart (1987)

• Cast: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro
• Director: Alan Parker
• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Angel Heart” is a neo noir supernatural thriller. Mickey Rourke plays a private investigator who is hired to find a missing person but stumbles into a web of supernatural mystery. The twist here is a soul shaking revelation that ties together the dark and eerie plot.

31. Vanilla Sky (2001)

• Cast: Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz
• Director: Cameron Crowe
• Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
• IMDb: imdb

Tom Cruise plays a wealthy man who finds his life turned upside down after a car accident disfigures his face. Reality and dreams blur as he tries to uncover the truth behind his situation.

32. Enemy (2013)

• Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent
• Director: Denis Villeneuve
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man who discovers his doppelgänger and becomes obsessed with him. As their lives become intertwined, the movie takes a surreal turn with a twist that will leave you with more questions than answers.

33. Don’t Say a Word (2001)

• Cast: Michael Douglas, Sean Bean
• Director: Gary Fleder
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

In “Don’t Say a Word,” Michael Douglas plays a psychiatrist who must unlock the mind of a young girl to retrieve vital information. It is a race against time and an unexpected revelation adds layers of complexity to the story.

34. The Empty Man (2020)

• Cast: James Badge Dale, Samantha Logan
• Director: David Prior
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror
• IMDb: imdb

“The Empty Man” is a chilling supernatural thriller that begins with an urban legend about summoning a supernatural entity. The film’s twist explores the true nature of this entity and its connection to a series of horrifying events.

35. Predestination (2014)

• Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook
• Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

“Predestination” is a time travel mind bender with an intricate plot. Ethan Hawke plays a temporal agent on a mission to stop a bomber. The twist in this film is a paradoxical loop that will leave you contemplating the nature of time and identity.

36. Arlington Road (1999)

• Cast: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins
• Director: Mark Pellington
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Arlington Road” is a suspenseful thriller that explores domestic terrorism. Jeff Bridges plays a college professor who becomes suspicious of his new neighbors, leading to a tense and paranoia filled story.

37. God’s Crooked Lines (2022)

• Cast: Bárbara Lennie, Eduard Fernández, Loreto Mauleón
• Director: Oriol Paulo
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“God’s Crooked Lines” is a mystery thriller about a woman who checks into a psychiatric hospital to investigate a homicide.

38. Dark City (1998)

• Cast: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland
• Director: Alex Proyas
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

“Dark City” is a visually stunning and surreal experience. Rufus Sewell plays a man who wakes up with no memory and finds himself pursued by mysterious figures. There is a unique exploration of reality and identity.

39. The Vanishing (1988)

• Cast: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets
• Director: George Sluizer
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“The Vanishing” is a psychological thriller that delves into the disturbing world of a serial killer. The film’s twist is chilling and unforgettable, leaving you with a sense of unease long after the credits roll.

40. The Menu (2023)

• Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult
• Director: Mark Mylod
• Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

A young couple embarks on a journey to a secluded island, drawn by the allure of a highly exclusive restaurant. What awaits them is a shocking menu meticulously crafted by a renowned chef, brimming with unexpected revelations that promise to leave your mind blown. This is one of the most unique movies in this genre.

41. Black Swan (2010)

• Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis
• Director: Darren Aronofsky
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Black Swan” is a psychological horror thriller that follows a ballet dancer, played by Natalie Portman, who becomes obsessed with perfection. The film explores her descent into madness and obsession.

42. The Witch (2015)

• Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson
• Director: Robert Eggers
• Genre: Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“The Witch” is a chilling period horror film set in 17th century New England. A Puritan family encounters supernatural forces in the wilderness, leading to paranoia and dread. The twist here is a supernatural revelation that will haunt your thoughts.

43. The Cell (2000)

• Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn
• Director: Tarsem Singh
• Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Cell” takes you into the mind of a serial killer through a new technology that allows a therapist, played by Jennifer Lopez, to enter his subconscious. It’s a visually stunning journeyhat explores the depths of the human psyche.

44. Triangle (2009)

• Cast: Melissa George, Joshua McIvor
• Director: Christopher Smith
• Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Triangle” is a mind bending thriller set on a mysterious deserted ship. The characters find themselves trapped in a time loop, and the twist in this film plays with the concept of fate and choices.

45. Source Code (2011)

• Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan
• Director: Duncan Jones
• Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
• IMDb: imdb

“Source Code” is a sci-fi thriller in which Jake Gyllenhaal’s character is sent back in time to relive the last eight minutes of a man’s life in order to prevent a terrorist attack.

46. The Platform (2019)

• Cast: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor
• Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
• Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Platform” is a Spanish science fiction horror thriller with a gripping twist. The film is set in a vertical prison where inmates on higher levels get to eat while those below starve. The twist explores themes of inequality and human nature.

47. Audition (1999)

• Cast: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina
• Director: Takashi Miike
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
• IMDb: imdb

“Audition” is a Japanese horror film that starts as a romantic drama but takes a dark and gruesome turn. There is a shocking revelation that will leave you with a sense of unease long after the movie ends.

48. Fight Club (1999)

• Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton
• Director: David Fincher
• Genre: Drama
• IMDb: imdb

“Fight Club” is a cult classic with a legendary twist. It’s about a man who forms an underground fight club as a form of rebellion against consumer culture.

49. The Machinist (2004)

• Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh
• Director: Brad Anderson
• Genre: Drama, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“The Machinist” is a psychological thriller that explores the life of an insomniac industrial worker, played by Christian Bale. The haunting revelation about his past will leave you in shock.

50. Secret Window (2004)

• Cast: Johnny Depp, Maria Bello
• Director: David Koepp
• Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• IMDb: imdb

“Secret Window” is a thriller based on a Stephen King novella. Johnny Depp plays a writer who’s accused of plagiarism by a mysterious stranger. The twist in this film takes you down a psychological rabbit hole.

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Thanks for reading this article for psychological thriller movie inspiration!

If you can’t get enough thrillers, than checkout our other articles on thriller movies!

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