10 horror movies that were clearly inspired by Rosemary’s Baby

Rosemary’s baby (1968), is a groundbreaking horror film that redefined the genre. His power comes from his psychological complexity, blending supernatural horror with real fears. The film tells the story of Rosemary, a young woman manipulated by her husband and neighbors, a torturous pregnancy, and an iconic movie ending. This premise taps into concerns about bodily autonomy, trust and motherhood.

what makes Rosemary’s baby Influential is its subtle approach to horror. Instead of relying on jump scares or gore, it builds tension through paranoia and psychological dread. Viewers are left to question what is real, and share Rosemary’s escalating terror. The film also pioneered the use of urban everyday settings, showing that horror could thrive in the ordinary and familiar, in contrast to remote castles and mansions in earlier horror. With a new prequel Apartment 7a, Rosemary’s baby Themes of control, manipulation and betrayal resonate deeply, making it a classic that continues to inspire horror filmmakers to this day.

10

The Omen (1976)

The Richard Donner classic has some similarities

Another cultural classicThe omen (1976) masterfully fuses psychological suspense with supernatural horror, following in the footsteps of Rosemary’s baby (1968). Both films share a common theme of parental fear and the unsettling realization that an innocent child may be linked to evil forces. The omen Amplifies the fear, focusing on a powerful, influential family as they grapple with the terrifying possibility that their son, Damien, is the Antichrist.

The omen Explores themes of religious prophecy, satanic influence and the loss of parental control. It leverages the same psychological unrest that Rosemary’s baby Build however adds a more overt supernatural threat by chilling omens and deaths surrounding the child. Its atmosphere, suspense, terrifying imagery and iconic score make it a standout in horror, proving once again that subtle, character-driven horror can leave a lasting impact.

9

Hereditary (2018)

Ari Aster’s psychological horror debut recalls the past

Hereditary (2018) masterfully explores themes of familial terror and inherited evil, grounding its terror in the dynamics of family relationships. in HereditaryThe horror stems from a family’s dark, world heritage, reflection. Rosemary’s babys exploration of hidden satanic influences.

Ari Aster uses a long-burning narrative, focusing on a mother unraveling disturbing truths about her child and her family. The film combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, crafting a growing sense of dread as the leads become isolated and powerless in the face of forces beyond their control. The suffocating atmosphere stems from a terrible realization that the family’s fate is doomed. The use of grief, paranoia and occult imagery makes Hereditary A modern echo of the classic. The iconic lead performances in Rosemary’s baby And Hereditary Should have been nominated for Oscars, to cement their classic statuses.

8

The Witch (2015)

Robert Eggers brings dark folk horror chills

Robert Eggers The witch (2015) is a slow-burn treat, with its focus on psychological terror, paranoia and religious fear. like Rosemary’s baby, The witch Explores how isolation and distrust in a family can lead to their undoing. The horror stems from an unseen evil force, and the tension slowly builds as the family’s faith and intelligence deteriorate.

Both films use a claustrophobic atmosphere where the central female character faces increasing isolation. in The witchThomasin (Anya Taylor Joy in a wild role), like Rosemary, is powerless against supernatural forces, which manipulate her family into paranoia and self-destruction. The fear of evil in the family, together with religion, reflects Rosemary’s babys exploration of hidden evil forces. Through its minimalist approach, folk horror elements and focus on psychological breakdown, The witch Creates the same uncomfortable fear that Rosemary’s baby Pioneer in supernatural horror.

7

Mother! (2017)

A twisty parable by Darren Aronofsky

Mother! (2017) depicts escalating terror and the manipulation of a female protagonist in a domestic setting. As his greatest influence, Rosemary’s baby, mother! Centers around a woman’s increasing isolation when her home is invaded by evil forces beyond her control. The protagonist (played by Jennifer Lawrence) gradually loses her sense of security when strangers invade her house, much as Rosemary loses control over her pregnancy and body in Rosemary’s baby.

Darren Aronofsky builds tension through paranoia, confusion and claustrophobic spaces. Both films examine themes of motherhood and sacrifice, with Mother!The allegorical narrative of the horror of a woman’s body/life is taken by outside forces. While Mother! is certainly more divisive than Rosemary’s babyThe surreal, nightmarish escalation in the third act mirrors the slow build of the pregnancy classic to a big revelation, where the protagonist realizes too late that she is being manipulated by those closest to her.

6

The House of the Devil (2009)

Before the X trilogy, Tee West directed the 80s pastiche

House of the Devil (2009) draws heavily on classic psychological horror, focusing on the slow, creeping dread surrounding a young woman who becomes unknowingly entangled in an evil plot. The film masterfully builds tension by isolating its protagonist in a large, airy house, where paranoia and a sense of foreboding gradually escalate. The protagonist’s vulnerability and naivety as she is manipulated by seemingly friendly but suspicious strangers mirrors the style of earlier horror.Where discomfort and terror grow in quiet moments rather than through outright violence.

The film’s exploration of cults, dark rituals and hidden evil in seemingly ordinary environments also echoes classic themes of secret malevolent forces preying on an innocent woman. One of the best films of director Ty West, The house of the devil Carefully craft an atmosphere of dread with long takes, minimal dialogue and an ominous, slow-paced build-up, perfectly capturing the psychological horror that makes the film feel timeless and terrifying.

5

Prevenge (2016)

A British comedy slasher by Alice Lowe

prevent (2016) cleverly taps into the psychological terror of motherhood, focusing on a pregnant woman whose unborn child seemingly directs her to commit violent acts. like Rosemary’s babyThe film explores themes of bodily autonomy, paranoia and isolation, centered on a female protagonist who becomes increasingly detached from reality. Her experience of being controlled by a force she cannot escape—her own pregnancy—mirrors the uncomfortable feeling of a woman’s body being manipulated by external forces.

The film effectively uses dark humor and horror to examine societal expectations around pregnancy and motherhood, mixing slasher elements with a more personal look at the psychological toll of carrying life while feeling consumed by inner turmoil. The gradual unraveling of the protagonist and loss of control over her own mind and actions, influenced by something growing in her, creates an invisible atmosphere.

4

The Brood (1979)

An early David Cronenberg classic

The brood (1979) explores familiar themes of motherhood, psychological trauma, and body horror that focus on a woman’s body being controlled by forces beyond her. The movie centers on a woman undergoing experimental therapy, whose repressed emotions manifest physically as monstrous children. This visceral connection between motherhood and the grotesque reflects a strong commentary on the loss of control over the body and the mind, as well as the fear of parents.

Director David Cronenberg creates an atmosphere of escalating dread, as the protagonist’s psychological unraveling leads to dire consequences. The investigation of a secret, malevolent force that manipulates the protagonist’s body for evil purposes draws clear inspiration from Rosemary’s baby in particular. The blend of psychological horror and classic Cronenberg body horror in The brood Creates a disturbing, unique story about the terror of maternal control and emotional suppression that manifests in violent, physical ways.

3

The Sentinel (1977)

Michael Wiener’s psychological horror creates the same horror

The Sentinel (1977) is a great horror movie that taps into the fear of urban isolation and hidden evil lurking behind seemingly ordinary settings. The film centers on a woman who moves into a New York City apartment building, only to discover that its otherworldly inhabitants have sinister plans for her. Like other psychological horror films, The Sentinel Explore the gradual mental and emotional unraveling of the protagonist, driven by paranoia and supernatural manipulation.

The film uses a slow-burn approach to build tension, blending gothic horror elements with modern fears of urban life. The feeling of isolation of the protagonist, surrounded by strange, unreliable neighbors, creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, when the line between reality and nightmare blurs. Themes of religious horror, secret cults and the protagonist’s loss of control over her fate are key to the story, drawing inspiration from earlier works that focus on vulnerable women preyed upon by dark forces in familiar environments.

2

The Babadook (2014)

Australian Chiller by Jennifer Kent

The Babadook (2014) has a dark, brutal take on the themes of motherhood, grief and mental deterioration. The film centers on a single mother who becomes increasingly isolated and overwhelmed as she grapples with the presence of an evil entity. like Rosemary’s baby, The Babadook is excellent in portraying the gradual descent of a protagonist into madness, driven by fear and anxiety about her child.

The tension of the movie is built by its exploration of the fragile mental state of the protagonist, creating an atmosphere of dread where the line between reality and hallucination becomes increasingly blurred. The Babadook’s lurking presence reflects the inescapable nature of trauma and emotional repression. By focusing on the psychological breakdown of a mother, with the horror stemming from her own psyche, The Babadook Evokes the same creeping unease found in classic horror films. It also includes a phenomenal Essie Davis and one of the best horror kid performances from Noah Wiseman.

1

The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015)

Slow-burn supernatural horror from Osgood Perkins

The Black Daughter (2015) evokes a sense of isolation and creeping dread, drawing inspiration from earlier psychological horror classics. The film follows two young girls who are left alone at a boarding school during winter break, where dark, supernatural forces begin to take hold. It builds tension through atmosphere, focusing on the psychological unraveling of the characters rather than relying on overt scares.

The slow-burning narrative, which fuses themes of loneliness and possession, mirrors Rosemary’s fear of being manipulated by unseen evil forces in Rosemary’s baby. The movie’s exploration of a young woman’s vulnerability and the terrifying loss of control over her mind and body ties into the idea of ​​internalized fear manifesting in external horrors. The unknown and ambiguous nature of the evil presence, combined with the film’s cold, desolate setting, creates an atmosphere where paranoia and isolation lead to tragic consequences.