“The Sixth Sense” utilized the cliché of “dead people’s visions” in almost perfect fashion, with a twist that is still regarded as one of the best. An eight-year-old boy who sees deceased people is helped by a child psychologist. Many directors have tried to use the trope after The Sixth Sense’s enormous success.
The movie was favorably acclaimed when Hollywood Pictures released it on August 6, 1999; critics praised the performances, the setting, and the twist ending. With around $293 million in domestic revenue and $672 million globally, the movie was the second-highest-grossing movie of 1999.
The film received several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. For fans of The Sixth Sense, here is a list of 34 films Which is Similar to The Sixth Sense.
1. The Others (2001)
The Others tells the tale of a woman who shares her home with two photosensitive kids. Later, she becomes concerned that her home may be haunted and decides to defend her kids. Fans of “The Sixth Sense” will enjoy this film, which leans more toward the horror subgenre but features deceased individuals interfering with the protagonist’s life and a twist ending that will surprise you. If you’re searching film like The Sixth Sense, Inception should be perfect for you.
2. The Visit (2015)
The Visit, in contrast to the bulk of reviewers, I thought was a gripping spin on certain well-known horror cliches. I didn’t anticipate The Visit to live up to its billing despite being directed by one of my favorite filmmakers, M. Night Shyamalan.
Even though Shyamalan is a skilled filmmaker, he appears to have lost his path and fallen quickly from favor. To my surprise, the sparse setting and streamlined plot of The Visit made for an engrossing voyage. With care, the author crafts the tale of two innocent children who become ensnared by their grandparents. You can feel the suspense in the air as the mystery gradually comes into focus.
Nobody else but Shyamalan could have accomplished such a minimally detailed picture in such a powerful way. Despite the genuine performances, Shyamalan’s sadistically exact direction is this film’s savior. If “Glass,” his most recent film, is any indication, he has rediscovered his mojo.
3. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
Carlos, a 12-year-old who lost his father in the Spanish Civil War, is the film’s main character. He is left at a gloomy orphanage, where he learns that it is haunted and that there are far too many sinister secrets. Both The Devil’s Backbone and The Sixth Sense include young boys who have ghostly visions, which is an unsettling parallel. The movies consistently show how uncomfortable these boys are.
4. Inception (2010)
Everyone keeps mentioning this Leonardo DiCaprio starrer about a dream within a dream (including me). Because I assumed you had previously seen it, I almost didn’t include it on the list. But to leave it out would be to commit a grave sin. The film was directed and written by Nolan and centers on a band of thieves led by Dom Cobb who steal people’s ideas by hacking their dreams.
Things go wrong when they are given the assignment to instill an idea rather than steal it. Both the stakes and the game have shifted. Since this is their only chance at redemption, Cobb agrees to take the job even though doing it would put their lives in danger.
It is impossible to put into words the mind-bending drama that comes after this prologue. It took Nolan ten years to complete this film’s script. I would conclude that the wait was well worth it based on its perfect complexity and panache for mind-blowing intricacies. If you’re searching film like The Sixth Sense, Inception should be perfect for you.
5. Shutter Island (2010)
A U.S. Marshal visits Boston’s Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital, a facility for criminally ill patients. He is tasked with looking into a patient’s disappearance as part of a diabolical plan by the doctors.
Teddy starts to question everything around him, including his sanity, as the hospital’s and his own dark secrets are revealed. Both films center on men who have set out to solve a mystery that is unwittingly connected to them and is made clear through shocking turns of events.
6. The Orphanage (2007)
In the movie The Orphanage, a woman and her family visit the crippled children’s orphanage where she spent her youth. Then her son starts interacting with a ghost, which has some terrifying effects. The tale develops from the central role of the young boy who can communicate with spirits in both films. Both films provide a good number of exciting moments together with the perfect amount of tension.
7. Don’t Look Now (1973)
Two sisters encounter a couple in Venice who recently lost their daughter. One of the sisters claims to be psychic and to be able to communicate with their daughter’s spirit. The husband rejects the notion, but the wife looks enthralled.
He does occasionally see his daughter, his wife, and the two sisters riding in a funeral gondola. In both films, the protagonists are men who struggle to deal with their own traumas while trapped in a supernatural world.
8. Memento (2000)
Memento is the story of Leonard, who suffers a rare kind of memory loss and can’t remember anything beyond fifteen minutes. He is on a mission to find his wife’s killer, which is the last thing he recollects. The Sixth Sense exhibits brilliance in almost every area of film-making, so if one is a fan of the movie mainly because of that mind-boggling plot twist, then Memento is the perfect choice to be picked up next.
9. Donnie Darko (2001)
A man in a bunny suit begins stalking a teenager after he survives a fatal accident. The sinister-looking figure appears to be in control of the teen’s thoughts which causes him to commit multiple crimes. The protagonists in both films are able to see things that those around them cannot. The ending of The Sixth Sense provides an explanation, whereas Donnie Darko leaves it up to the viewer’s perception.
10. Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
A veteran of the Vietnam War, Jacob is mourning the death of his child and is single. Although he has been experiencing dissociation, he wants to learn more about his background. He has trouble telling the difference between reality and illusions.
Both films have a climax that completely changes the course of events. In addition, they both have middle-aged males who have begun exhibiting strange behaviors that are difficult to understand. If you’re searching film like The Sixth Sense, Inception should be perfect for you.
11. The Village (2004)
A small, desolate town in Pennsylvania served as the inspiration for The Village’s plot. Its residents are warned not to venture outside the village’s bounds because wicked forces from outside will come looking for them.
But in order to save Lucius, her true love, Ivy breaks these norms. Because it was a Shyamalan film, the highly anticipated plot twists were present. In the end, it causes the audience to feel emotions comparable to those in The Sixth Sense.
12. The Invitation (2022)
Unaware of the horrors in store for him, a man is invited to attend his ex-party wife’s but only grudgingly accepts. The host frequently presents a calm and collected exterior that belies the narrative that she is attempting to express through her antics. Will he identify the threat prior to it being too late?
Even though you’ve probably encountered a few odd hosts before, these bizarre characters will undoubtedly frighten you, especially after they make their motivations known. Their extremely polite behavior doesn’t make much sense at first, but after everyone’s nefarious pasts are uncovered, everything makes sense. These backstories provide context for the nightmare that follows.
It becomes impossible to withstand the mounting tension and mistrust. Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation revels in the bloodbath when it finally gets to the meat of the story. It’s a shame that no one is aware of this svelte, aggressive trait. Put the blame on a tight budget and inadequate marketing. Check out this overlooked movie.
13. Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
Young Muriel is a social pariah who obsessively plans her ideal wedding despite never having been on a date. She takes $15,000 from the family business to go on a tropical vacation, and it completely upends her life. In addition to its caustic parody of rom-com clichés, this clever comedy is notable for Toni Collete’s breakthrough performance.
Early 1990s Australian comedies like Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Strictly Ballroom set the tone for Muriel’s Wedding, which followed in its wake. And like these contemporaries, its hyper-realistic surface hides a startlingly vulnerable emotional core. The film’s director, PJ Hogan, went on to make My Best Friend’s Wedding, a lighthearted but watered-down replica of the unexpected narrative that made this a cult favorite.
14. Fight Club (1999)
Edward Norton plays a typical office worker in David Fincher’s film Labyrinth who has everything he needs but is getting progressively resentful of materialism despite having everything he could possibly want. When he meets a reckless and daring soap vendor, they both decide to start an underground fighting club. Things go out of control as it takes off like wildfire and develops into a renowned cult.
Can they halt the bloodshed prior to it being too late? A work of art that should be savored and revisited, Fight Club is much more than just a motion picture. Its intricately woven, pretentious plot is so majestic that it can be both magical and relaxing at times.
Though there is a lot of blood, gore, and violence in Fight Club—at times to the point of being overwhelming—it is not the major attraction. The warped plot of Fight Club, which has a mocking undertone, saves it despite the very well-choreographed action sequences.
15. Mary and Max (2009)
In the story, Mary and Max, a neglected 8-year-old Australian girl named Mary and a middle-aged Jewish man from New York begin an odd friendship by mail. It’s the first feature film written and directed by Australian stop-motion animation specialist Adam Elliot and the first animated movie to ever take the top spot at the Sundance Film Festival. It was entirely shot in monochromatic claymation.
Through the eyes of a troubled youngster and an American with autism, Mary and Max are an emotive and enlightening film that explores the human condition in all its hilarious ridiculousness. Contrary to its clay-based animation, it deals with some quite serious and mature issues but manages to counterbalance them with joy and odd humor. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Toni Collette, and Eric Bana are among the ensemble group that Elliott assembled for the voice-overs. We give it an 8 out of 10 for condensed milk.
15 . The Wrestler (2008)
With Mickey Rourke playing Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an aging professional wrestler past his prime who is battling to maintain a sense of identity, purpose, and dignity later in life, famed and contentious director Darren Aronofsky produced yet another spectacular allegory in 2008. Rourke gives a once-in-a-lifetime performance that justly earned him a Golden Globe.
Rourke, who was a professional boxer in his 90s and, like his protagonist, was almost ready to hang up his gloves at the time the movie was shot. When this film debuted, everyone spoke about it! Some critics also hailed Marisa Tomei’s performance as the middle-aged stripper who The Ram pursues a serious relationship with.
The Wrestler’s 16mm film photography, like its performances, has a very authentic, raw, and personal feel to it. It is primarily about growing older, making amends, and rebounding, and it has some outstanding acting performances. A record-breaking one!
17. The Last King of Scotland (2006)
After finishing this riveting political thriller, you might need to wipe some sweat from your forehead. We find it absurd that this documentary film, directed by Kevin Macdonald, earned less than $20 million at the box office when it first debuted in 2006, but this only serves to highlight how good the film is.
It offers insight into a readily missed period of recent world history as well as taut moral conundrums, in addition to being an exciting kind of entertainment. In addition to being exhilarating entertainment, it provides insight into a conveniently ignored period of recent world history as well as acute moral quandaries.
Two powerful performances can be found in the dramatization of Giles Foden’s book: James McAvoy portrays Nicholas Garrigan, a somewhat naive Scottish doctor who becomes the personal doctor of none other than Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Amin is known as “The Butcher of Uganda,” and Academy Award-winning character actor Forest Whitaker portrays him with a harshness that perfectly matches his mood-swinging craziness. His Ugandan-English accent is likewise flawless. A wonderful timepiece!
18. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
The David Fincher remake of the original Swedish suspense thriller. The plot remains the same—a wealthy man hires a journalist and a skilled hacker to solve a murder—but it is now better told. The speed, pace, and attention to detail are all slower in this version.
In casting, sincerity prevails over physical attractiveness. In staging, aesthetics and thrills are given equal weight. Additionally, the plot loses to the intellect in the story. This allows Noomi Rapace’s Lisbeth Salander, the movie’s protagonist, to express her mysticism and enigmatic to the fullest.
19. Once (2007)
Once, a boy meets a girl, then makes a musical story of love, friendship, family, and freaking wonderful music about a vacuum cleaner repairman and a florist. This straightforward yet endearing low-budget film, which captures the chemistry of music creation, exudes emotion.
The music of the movie will make your hair stand on end and your skin tingle. How effective is it? In addition to the movie’s score winning an Oscar, the Broadway musical adaptation also received eight Tony Awards. In other words, prepare for a musical masterpiece!
20. Margin Call (2011)
Margin Call, a cerebral drama about the financial crisis, is compelling. Seriously, even something as complicated as the 2008 global financial crisis is not only comprehensible and accessible but also captivating. Margin Call literally takes you to the center of Wall Street, including the financial institutions and the actual street. It is interesting, well-acted, and exciting. Kevin Spacey, too, I guess.
21. Stand by Me (1986)
In Stand By Me, four young friends explore their small town in pursuit of a supposed dead corpse. It appears to be moving in an exciting manner. The guys barely escape vicious teen gangs, speeding trains, and leeches. They do, however, learn a lot about each other along the way, particularly about the harsh reality of their home lives and the growing depths of their inner problems.
As a result, below all the small-time excitement, there is a compelling coming-of-age tale. Stand By Me, which is based on a novel by horror icon Stephen King, is spooky in its capacity to convey the particular thorniness of becoming an adult but also heartwarming and consoling in its reminder of the universality of this sensation. If you’re searching film like The Sixth Sense, Inception should be perfect for you.
22. The Wackness (2008)
The Wackness, a historical comedy set in the summer of 1994 in New York, is a coming-of-age tale of Luke Shapiro (Joshua Peck), who battles with familial tragedy, love, and financial hardship while selling marijuana to his odd psychotherapist.
Sharp character performances, a steady hand, and an utterly appropriate soundtrack capturing the pinnacle of rap music keep the film from becoming a fairly generic bildungsroman plot.
23. Run Lola Run (1998)
This is a quirky movie that has a good deal of suspense. A really ambitious, intriguing, and the mainly enjoyable movie is created by adding really fantastic music and unusual animation to that. It makes use of all of this to demonstrate how quickly life can change and how it can be affected by strange links between seemingly unrelated occurrences.
24. King Jack (2016)
This short film is a touching coming-of-age narrative that takes place over one summer weekend. Teenager Jack lives in a decrepit small town and is bullied there. When his aunt becomes ill, he has to look after his cousin, a younger and even more helpless child.
25. American Psycho (2000)
“American Psycho” is another example of how black comedy is frequently misunderstood. Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, a rich New York investment banking professional who has a secret dark side that includes thoughts of murder, torture, and hedonism. The movie features scenes of frightening violence as well as sexual themes.
“American Psycho” is a complicated satire on the narcissism, materialism, and voyeurism of modern society that uses a multitude of allusions, ideas, and motifs to outline the story of Patrick Bateman. Because of its detailed depiction of violence, the movie earned mixed reviews when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. The movie has gained praise over time for its blunt critique and maturity in not making the plot too sensitive.
26. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
In the 1968 film adaptation of Ira Levin’s book of the same name, “Rosemary’s Baby,” a pregnant woman begins to be suspicious of her surroundings because she thinks a sinister cult intends to use her child as a prop for their rituals. The movie, which was directed by Roman Polanski, who is currently under attack, has a distinctly depressing mood.
Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Angela Dorian, and Clay Tanner all put forth standout performances, which support the film’s strong direction and storyline. Cinematographer William A. Fraker and composer Krzysztof Komeda shape the thematic framework into a terrible psychological allegory.
They produce a chilling and ominous atmosphere that has viewers and critics alike chilled to the bone. Due to its subject matter, the movie, with its obvious social criticism of the patriarchal culture, influenced the cultural ideas of women.
Rosemary’s Baby became an immediate classic upon its release and earned Ruth Gordon the “Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress” and the “Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture.” It also took ninth place on the American Film Institute’s “100 Years…100 Thrills” list.
27. Mysterious Skin (2005)
Eight-year-old Brian lost five hours of his life due to a blackout. He is currently looking for the truth ten years later. Neil, a young player on his minor league team during the blackout, turns up during his quest. Because of the nightmares he had that included Neil, Brian has always thought he was kidnapped by aliens. Neil is aware of the reality, though.
Neil had recently moved to New York after leaving his tiny community. Will he, at last, give Brian the answers he has been seeking when he returns home for the holidays? One youngster who can’t remember and another boy who can’t forget are the subjects of this tale.
28. Happy Old Year (2019)
An interior designer returns from Sweden to her hometown in Thailand, where she attempts to clear her parents’ house in order to turn it into a minimalist, Marie Kondo-style home. “Minimalism is similar to Buddhist thought. She tells her mother, trying to persuade her, “It’s about letting go. Are you insane? The woman answers. As a result of Jean’s insistence, she sets out on a mission to touch things that haven’t been touched in decades.
Among the old Nokia phones and VHS recorders, she finds remnants of a father who has since passed away and a former lover. A modern study of the age-old opposition to discarding things, Happy Old Year. Decluttering is a costly process that involves rejecting and getting rid of memories. The movie served as Thailand’s official entry for the Oscars.
29. The Florida Project (2017)
This amazing but delicate movie follows three kids from low-income families who are forced to live in unsatisfactory motels. Their friendships and personal lives are accurately and truthfully shown. This is a story that, at first glance, appears to have no plot at all.
It is successful in conveying an innocence that is typically only found in children’s fantasies: a hazardous lifestyle full of adventures and enjoyment. Beyond that, it’s difficult to express how it is; it’s the kind of movie that must be watched to be completely appreciated.
30. The Mist (2007)
An unsettling mist and a storm both strike a little Maine village. The protagonists’ home is destroyed, and they are forced to live in a supermarket with other people. They discover that the mist has attracted horrific creatures with human-killing intentions. Although it can’t match The Sixth Sense’s brilliance, the film’s ending is unsettling because the palpable suspense, paranoia, and dread build to a frightening climax.
31. Life Is Sweet (1990)
In this portrayal of a working-class family in a suburb north of London, twin girls Natalie and Nicola, who couldn’t be more different from one another, are featured. Natalie is smart and kind, while Nicola is snide and a slacker.
Expect a leisurely, dreamy picture of British culture from one of the nation’s best and most recognized directors in Mike Leigh’s writing and directing debut. If you’re searching film like The Sixth Sense, Inception should be perfect for you.
32. I, Daniel Blake (2016)
The story of a blue-collar worker negotiating the English welfare system is the focus of I, Daniel Blake, which exposes the holes in the social safety net. In a time when class and social mobility are more politically relevant than ever, this movie questions the concept of the “citizen” and emphasizes how inaccessible many social protections are that one may feel one is entitled to.
This is highlighted by a heartwarming narrative of fatherly connection with Daniel (played by Dave Johns) and Katie, a single mother who is navigating a similar environment. The film’s acting is so unbearably unpolished that it cultivates the most intense, gut-wrenching compassion. You will feel helpless and human while watching Ken Loach’s film, which reveals the true power of empathy.
33. Thank You for Smoking (2005)
As dark a comedy as one can get? The leading cigarette advocate, Nick Naylor, who is played wonderfully by Aaron Eckhart, explains to the public why smoking should be protected just like any other liberal ideal. This film is humorous, clever, and philosophical, and it poses some interesting concerns about ego, morale, and the things we leave behind from unexpected angles.
34. The Rider (2018)
This movie is really good. It is based on the true account of Brady Jandreau, a former rodeo champion who had to stop horseback riding due to an injury. He plays himself in the movie, which is the finest part. His on-screen friends are the ones he has in real life.
In addition, actual wild horses are trained in the horse-taming scenes. Here, the distinction between reality and the film-making process is extremely hazy. Chloe Zhao, a Chinese director, has created a truly captivating film. “The Rider.” Take note of it.z
