17+ Most Unsettling Movies About Cults You Can’t Miss

Movies About Cults (Top Picks At A Glance)

If you’re looking for a good scare, or simply want to learn more about the terrifying world of cults, then look no further than our list of the best movies about cults.

From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to documentaries that offer a chilling glimpse into the minds of cult leaders, these films will keep you entertained and horrified in equal measure. So, if you’re brave enough, read on and find something to watch from our selection of the best cult movies available to watch.

Midsommar Movie Description

A few friends travel to Sweden for a much-anticipated midsummer festival, but what was supposed to be a fun weekend getaway quickly turns into a battle for survival against a pagan cult.

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The Other Lamb Movie Description

Raised from birth in an isolated community ruled by a male leader and populated solely by women, one young girl begins to doubt the teachings of her oppressor and question her own reality.

The Wickerman Movie Description

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. He soon discovers that the islanders are involved in strange pagan rituals and that the daughter of the magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee), is a temptress.

As Sergeant Howie delves deeper into the islanders’ bizarre customs, he inches closer to finding the lost child.

The Invitation Movie Description

Evie is invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside.

However, she quickly realizes that something is not right about her family and the intentions behind their generosity. She uncovers twisted secrets about her family history and must fight for survival.

Apostle Movie Description

The cult on the idyllic island holds Thomas Richardson’s sister for ransom, and he is determined to get her back at any cost.

As he infiltrates the ranks of the cult, he uncovers a secret more evil than he could have imagined.

The Void Movie Description

A group of dark, cult-like figures traps a police officer and innocent bystanders inside a hospital that is really a gateway to evil.

The Ritual Movie Description

As four friends reunite after the death of their friend, they set out on a hike through the Scandinavian wilderness.

Soon, they find themselves lost in the mysterious forests of Norse legend, where an ancient evil exists and stalks them with every step they take.

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Charlie Says Movie Description

The three women who helped kill Charles Manson are still under his spell, even though it’s been years since the murders that made his name synonymous with pure evil.

The three prisoners are confined to an isolated cellblock where they will likely spend the rest of their lives believing that their crimes were part of a cosmic plan. But an empathetic graduate student attempts to rehabilitate them, and change their fate.

Hereditary Movie Description

The Graham family is forever changed when the matriarch dies. Her daughter and grandchildren begin to uncover terrifying secrets about their ancestry, running from a sinister fate they have inherited.

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Martha Macy May Marlene Movie Description

After escaping a cult she was living in for several years, Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) finally calls her estranged sister, Lucy (Sarah Paulson), for help.

When Martha arrives at Lucy’s quiet home in Connecticut that she shares with her new husband Ted (Hugh Dancy), the memories of what happened to her in the cult make it difficult to find peace. The flashbacks continue to bother her and cause a sense of dread – especially concerning the manipulative leader of the cult.

The Sacrament Movie Description

The events surrounding an investigative team’s visit to a remote commune are revealed through found footage.

The commune is led by a dangerous fanatic who maintains an iron grip on his followers.

The Endless Movie Description

After watching a strange video, two brothers visit the UFO death cult from which they escaped years earlier in hopes of finding answers. Instead of closure, they find that the cult’s beliefs might be true when confronted with unexplainable events at the camp.

As members prepare for an impending mysterious event, the siblings sprint to discover if there could be any truth to what seems impossible before it’s too late and their lives become intertwined with the group permanently.

Sound Of My Voice Movie Description

Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius), a Californian couple, set out to make a documentary meant to expose a charismatic cult leader, Maggie (Brit Marling), as a fraud.

At first, Peter and Lorna are both sure that Maggie is lying about being from 2054. She lives in a basement, claims to be allergic to most things, and only eats food she grows herself or canned oxygen–oh, and the blood of her followers. However, they both eventually succumb to her charms.

Rosemary’s Baby Movie Description

After moving into a new apartment building in New York City, Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) begins to believe that her child is not of this world.

She becomes increasingly isolated and the true nature of her neighbors, Roman and Minnie Castavet (Sidney Blackmer, Ruth Gordon), is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth.

The Empty Man Movie Description

In search of a young girl who vanished, an ex-police officer discovers a secret society attempting to summon a horrifying supernatural entity.

Mandy Movie Description

Mandy and Red live a happy life in the Pacific Northwest until their serene existence is shattered by a sadistic cult leader named Jeremiah Sand.

Red is catapulted into a violent journey of vengeance, where he faces deadly obstacles and challenges.

Martyrs Movie Description

Two young women, both of whom were abused as children, go on a quest for revenge.

However, they quickly find themselves in the middle of a dark and depraved world.

5 More Movies About Cults (Honorable Mentions)

In the world of film, cults have long been a popular subject matter, explored in various genres and styles. While our top picks offer some of the most compelling depictions of cults, many other films deserve recognition for their exploration of this intriguing subject.

From psychological thrillers to dark horror films, these honorable mentions showcase the diversity of perspectives and approaches to the topic. So if you have watched through all our top picks, these should definitely be next on your list.

• Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
• Them That Follow (2019)
• Children Of The Corn (1984)
• The Devils (1971)
• The Village (2004)