The Babadook
Film

The Babadook (2014)

2 critics 3 lists ★ 6.5 TMDb 94 min DramaHorror

A grieving single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children's book manifests in their home.

Movies like The Babadook ↓

Where to watchStreaming availability by region · data by JustWatch

The Generation GapWhat our critics say

Jennifer Kent's film masterfully externalizes the suffocating grief and mental exhaustion of motherhood. The titular creature is not merely a boogeyman, but a tangible manifestation of unspoken trauma, a shadow clinging to a single mother and her son. It speaks to the insidious nature of unresolved pain, proving that the most terrifying entities often reside within the psyche, amplified by our closest relationships and the societal pressures that often leave individuals isolated in their struggles.

from “12 Films That Prove The Monsters Were Never Under Your Bed, But Always Closer” →

This isn't just a monster movie; it's a chilling allegory for grief, depression, and the unspoken struggles of single parenthood. The monster itself, Mister Babadook, embodies the suffocating weight of trauma that won't go away. It’s terrifying because it's so real, so psychological, tapping into universal fears about losing control and the darkness within. A truly impactful horror that stays with you long after the credits roll.

from “Get Ready To Redefine 'Vibe Check': Here Are 11 Movies That Go DEEP” →

Featured in 3 lists

Get Ready To Redefine 'Vibe Check': Here Are 11 Movies That Go DEEP 12 Films That Prove The Monsters Were Never Under Your Bed, But Always Closer 6 Films That Unveiled the True Nature of the Unseen

Movies like The Babadook

What most often shares a list with it, according to our critics.

Hereditary Hereditary 2018 Seconds Seconds 1966 Possession Possession 1981 Us Us 2019 Get Out Get Out 2017 Don't Look Now Don't Look Now 1973 Annihilation Annihilation 2018