Midnight Mass received special attention when Netflix released it in 2021 because it marked one of Mike Flanagan's first original horror series. Rather than basing it on a book like with The Haunting of Hill House or Bly Manor, Flanagan carefully crafted the entire story of Crockett Island and Father Paul Hill alongside fellow writers James Flanagan, Elan Gale, Dani Parker, and Jeff Howard.
The series has been hailed as one of the filmmaker's best series, with some even ranking it above The Haunting of Hill House. It is a unique and compelling story driven by utterly remarkable performances from the entire cast. If you enjoyed Midnight Mass and want to watch something similar, then this list is for you.
Flanagan has a public profile on Letterboxd where he regularly posts his film reviews and thoughts. He has also graciously curated companion lists for all of his projects, and one of them is a 20-film list of movies he was inspired by when creating Midnight Mass, which he calls "a deeply personal project."
Salem's Lot (1979)
- Director: Tobe Hooper
- Writer: Paul Monash
- Cast: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, and Lew Ayres
Considering how bad the 2024 adaptation of Stephen King's beloved book was, it's no surprise that Tobe Hooper's 1979 miniseries remains the definitive edition of the story, at least for now. Midnight Mass and Salem's Lot share a lot of DNA in that they're both stories about small towns overrun by vampires. And both shows revel in the slow build-up to the eventual reveal of the monsters, creating a sense of tangible unease that makes for an atmospheric and suspenseful horror story.
Thirst (2009)
- Director: Park Chan-wook
- Writer: Park Chan-wook and Jeong Seo-kyeong
- Cast: Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-vin
Park Chan-wook's 2009 horror film digs into the complex religious connection to vampirism and what happens when a Catholic priest transforms into a creature of the night. Hamish Linklater plays the sinister and enigmatic priest at the center of Midnight Mass and he shares many similarities with Thirst's lead character Sang-hyun. Both men have a large following of people who believe them to be higher beings channeling something divine and the shows examine how these men use that power to their advantage.
Storm of the Century (1999)
- Director: Craig R. Baxley
- Writer: Stephen King
- Cast: Tim Daly, Colm Feore, Debrah Farentino, Casey Siemaszko, Jeffrey DeMunn
Flanagan has previously discussed his Midnight Mass influences on his Tumblr and directly referenced this 1999 Stephen King miniseries. We all know how much King loves his weird small towns and Storm of the Century is no different. Another Maine locale faces a devastating winter storm and along with it a creepy stranger named Linoge, who townsfolk suspect might be the Devil himself.
Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
- Writer/Director: Werner Herzog
- Cast: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, and Bruno Ganz
If you're not burnt out on Nosferatu after Robert Eggers' recently released film then I highly suggest giving this 1979 film from director Warner Herzog a chance. It's a beautifully filmed piece of gothic cinema about the most iconic vampire story of all time, following Count Dracula and his pursuit of his realtor's stunning wife.
Let the Right One In (2008)
- Director: Tomas Alfredson
- Writer: John Ajvide Lindqvist
- Cast: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Ika Nord, and Peter Carlberg
Like Midnight Mass, Let the Right One In is known for its unique approach to vampire storytelling. This lush and beloved Swedish film is about Oskar, an outcast boy who is frequently tormented at school until he finds friendship in a girl named Eli with a secret. Eli helps Oskar learn how to stand up for himself. Instead of focusing on the gore and blood, Let the Right One In is more concerned with showcasing the sweet and sometimes heartbreaking bond between Eli and Oskar in this coming-of-age horror tale.
Needful Things (1993)
- Director: Fraser C. Heston
- Writer: W.D. Richter
- Cast: Ed Harris, Max von Sydow, Bonnie Bedelia, J.T. Walsh, and Amanda Plummer
If there's anything we've learned about Flanagan over the years it's that he really likes and respects King's stories. He's pretty much become the go-to guy for adapting the author's books, so it's not surprising that so many King references and allusions pop up in Flanagan's other works. Set in Castle Rock, Needful Things is about a strange little shop of curiosities and its mysterious owner Leland Gaunt who enjoys getting the townsfolk to play pranks on one another, eventually leading to a violent chain reaction.
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
- Director: Taylor Hackford
- Writer: Tony Gilroy
- Cast: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, Eric Bogosian, and Christopher Plummer
Yet another film that is adapted from one of King's novels and set in a small town, Dolores Claiborne features an exceptional performance from Kathy Bates, who plays an unhappy housekeeper for a wealthy woman named Vera. Given Dolores' disdain for her employer, she becomes a prime suspect when Vera turns up dead. Dolores' daughter Selena, a journalist, attempts to solve the case herself and find out if her mother is really capable of murder.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
- Writer/Director: Jim Jarmusch
- Cast: Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, Jeffrey Wright, Slimane Dazi, and John Hurt
Only Lovers Left Alive is a really underrated gothic fantasy film starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. The film revolves around the marriage between two vampires and their shared journey to understanding the world as well as their place in it. An intimate and emotional story, Only Lovers Left Alive received critical acclaim and it received a nomination for the prestigious Palm d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Festival.
The Exorcist (1973)
- Director: William Friedkin
- Writer: William Peter Blatty
- Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, and Jason Miller
You can't really discuss any kind of religious horror without referencing this classic film. The Exorcist's influence on Midnight Mass is undeniable, especially when considering the important part priests play in both. Funnily enough, Flanagan is also working on his own film to be set in The Exorcist universe.
More movies like Midnight Mass recommended by Flanagan:
- Silence (2016)
- Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
- The Addiction (1995)
- The Apostle (1997)
- Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980)
- Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996)
- Jesus Camp (2006)
- Leap of Faith (1992)
- The Tree of Life (2011)
- Clean and Sober (1998)
- Crazy Heart (2009)