Top 10 Movies Similar to Five Nights At Freddy’s

Five Nights at Freddy’s brings the acclaimed Scott Cawthon video game series to the big screen as its first feature-length adaptation, setting the stage for a promising new film franchise. Starring Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt, the story follows a security guard who takes a job at an abandoned pizzeria while battling for custody of his younger sister in the wake of their parents’ untimely deaths. As Mike begins his night shifts, he soon learns that the animatronic characters of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza become sentient after dark. This terrifying revelation puts him in a desperate struggle for survival when his sister finds herself trapped in the eerie establishment alongside him.

Despite mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike, Five Nights at Freddy’s proved to be a commercial hit, grossing an impressive $291.1 million against its modest $20 million budget. The film’s commercial success has paved the way for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, with a release date aimed for Christmas 2025—certainly a cause for excitement among fans of both the film and the original video game series. While awaiting the next installment, however, enthusiasts can explore a variety of films that share thematic elements with Five Nights at Freddy’s.

10. The Banana Splits Movie (2019)

The Banana Splits Animatronics Go Haywire And Turn Deadly

Like Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Banana Splits Movie features a cast of menacing animatronics that turn deadly. Set as a family attends a live rendition of The Banana Splits, a classic children’s TV series from the late ’60s, this film portrays the characters embarking on a violent rampage after learning of their show’s cancellation. While the first film revolves around a family’s struggle for survival, here, it focuses on a group of five.

Though it carries an R-rating, making it far more graphic than the PG-13 Five Nights at Freddy’s, it offers an engaging comparison that many fans of horror films sought—especially considering Warner Bros produced the movie after missing out on adaptation rights to the latter.

9. Puppet Master (1989)

A Group Of Killer Puppets Are Unleashed

Much like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Puppet Master showcases deadly, sentient creatures that have developed a cult following of their own. This series, spanning ten films, began in 1989 with a narrative where a group of psychics finds themselves hunted by animated puppets, set into motion by Ancient Egyptian sorcery. What ensues is a chilling battle as the puppets take on minds of their own.

The Puppet Master franchise has become iconic for portraying antagonists that evoke sympathy from viewers, presenting grisly death scenes that offer a darker exploration of the killer doll subgenre. Its legacy continues, with the fifteenth installment released in 2022.

8. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

Absurd Aliens Attack In This PG-13 Horror Movie

If you’re after a lighter horror experience akin to Five Nights at Freddy’s, Killer Klowns From Outer Space fits the bill. This family-friendly flick opens with alien invaders disguised as clowns who capture humans in a small town. Its blend of humor and horror has resonated with audiences, making it a beloved cult classic, despite its age.

With a whimsical tone, this film provides a fun counterbalance to the more intense experiences of traditional horror, showcasing creative practical effects from its era. It’s ideal for viewers seeking a humorous take on the horror genre.

7. Willy’s Wonderland (2021)

Nicolas Cage Works In A Disused Restaurant Overrun With Killer Mechanical Mascots

Featuring a premise surprisingly akin to Five Nights at Freddy’s, Willy’s Wonderland stars Nicolas Cage as a custodian facing off against possessed animatronic mascots in a defunct restaurant. This film dives deeper into violence, presenting more extreme encounters that heighten the horror experience.

Utilizing visuals that suggest gruesome battles, Willy’s Wonderland delivers a more adult narrative compared to Five Nights, showcasing the pure malevolence of its animatronics. Though it received limited theatrical exposure due to the pandemic, it gained recognition for its cult status.

6. Satan’s Little Helper (2004)

A Boy Assists A Serial Killer Dressed As Satan

A boy in a mask sits on a sofa while Satan stands behind him in Satan's Little Helper.

While Satan’s Little Helper can be more graphic than Five Nights at Freddy’s, it shares thematic elements with its dark comedy approach. The film follows a young boy who mistakes a serial killer for the fictional Satan from his favorite video game, subsequently joining him on a chaotic Halloween spree.

The film showcases a blend of humor and horror, making it entertaining for audiences seeking similar thrills—though it leans closer to parody than straight horror.

5. Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (2019)

A Fun Horror Movie That’s Perfect For Younger Audiences

Sharing a PG-13 rating, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is another film suited for younger viewers seeking eerie thrills. Based on a beloved anthology of children’s tales, this adaptation offers engaging fright sequences reminiscent of Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Directed by André Øvredal and produced by Guillermo del Toro, the film skillfully balances dark themes with a touch of whimsy, largely gaining critical acclaim and showcasing a surprising depth for a film in its genre.

4. Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

An Animatronic Santa Claus Goes On A Violent Rampage

Pushing the limits of the animatronic theme, Christmas Bloody Christmas presents a chilling story of a murderous toy shop Santa who wreaks havoc on unsuspecting townsfolk. This film thrives on bloodshed, creating creative death sequences that are decidedly more gruesome than Five Nights at Freddy’s.

As part of the increasingly popular holiday horror subgenre, this film builds upon the tropes established by past films featuring a killer Santa, making it a thrilling watch for horror aficionados.

3. Benny Loves You (2019)

A Comedy Horror About A Toy Brought To Life And Starts A Killing Spree

Combining humor with horror, Benny Loves You depicts a once-abandoned plush toy that returns for revenge. When its owner tosses it aside, Benny embarks on a violent spree, turning themes of childhood and neglect into a darkly humorous narrative.

Though it carries a more comedic tone than Five Nights at Freddy’s, the film retains elements of fear while ensuring it’s suitable for a teenage audience. With positive reviews and potential for further exploration, Benny Loves You may soon become a franchise starter.

2. Child’s Play (1988)

A Doll Possessed By A Serial Killer’s Subconscious Attacks Its Owners

As a cornerstone of horror film history, Child’s Play aligns closely with Five Nights at Freddy’s through its premise of possessed toys. Following a boy who encounters a doll inhabited by a serial killer’s consciousness, this film set standards for the killer doll subgenre.

With sequels and a modern reboot, the franchise’s influence is undeniable, appealing to fans of horror and those intrigued by the themes that hybridize children’s toys with malevolence.

1. Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey (2023)

An audacious reinterpretation, Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey flips the classic children’s narrative into a horror film featuring a bloodthirsty Winnie and subservient Piglet reacting violently to abandonment. Though it received largely negative reviews, it has found its place within horror circles, reminiscent of the discussions surrounding Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Both films share an understanding of their fan bases, presenting stories molded by their respective video game and childhood associations. With its brutally violent presentation, this film serves as a stark contrast to its source material, ensuring a thrilling, yet gruesome experience for horror film enthusiasts.

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