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12 Insane Movies like Gone Girl For Fans Of Psychological Thrillers 

May 27, 2023
movies like gone girl

One of the key elements that make Gone Girl a great film is its unique and twisted plot. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. If you’re looking for similar movies, then for your consideration, we have curated a list of movies like Gone Girl you might enjoy. Be sure to check them out!

The film explores complex themes such as marriage, gender roles, and media manipulation. What particularly makes the adaptation of the original book so good is the outstanding performances from both Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. The film’s dark and moody cinematography, coupled with the haunting score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, adds to the overall atmosphere of the film. Gone Girl is a great film that stands out in its genre of filmmaking. 

List of Movies Like Gone Girl 

  1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
  2. Prisoners
  3. Thoroughbreds
  4. Side Effects
  5. Dark Places
  6. Get Out 
  7. Eye Wide Shut
  8. Nocturnal Animals 
  9. Burning 
  10. A Simple Favour 
  11. The Woman in the Window 
  12. The Girl on the Train

1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

David Fincher’s psychological thriller The Girl With The Dragon is a Stieg Larsson novel adaptation where a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist (played by Daniel Craig) teams up with a computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (played by Rooney Mara) to investigate a wealthy family’s dark secrets. 

Maneuvering the world of corporate corruption, sexual violence and vengeance, this movie features similar dark aspects of human nature and complex performances from its lead actors to movies like Gone Girl. If you were intrigued by hope media plays a role in shaping the public perception, then this is a great pick for you.

2. Prisoners (2013)

First hollywood feature film by director Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners tells the story of two families whose daughters go missing on Thanksgiving Day. The main protagonists are Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), father of one of the disappeared daughters and Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), the detective investigating the case.

As time passes in th search of the girls, Keller gets desperate and resorts to any means necessary to save his girl. The movie reflects on revenge, morality and obsession in a tense and gripping way. If you are big fan of psychological thriller genre and want to see brilliant movies like Gone Girl, Prisoners in a must-watch!

3. Thoroughbreds (2017)

Thoroughbreds revolves around 2 teenage girls, Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke), who rekindle their friendship and hatch a plan to murder Lily’s stepfather. In this werildy disturbing black comedy thriller, we see the 2 embark a unique journey of facing first-world nightmares.  

What makes Thoroughbreds similar to films like Gone Girl is how it develops complex character personalities with sociopathic tendencies into engaging anti-heros. The score of Thoroughbreds is hauntingly beautiful and while the movie is not for everyone, the story is such a well-crafted thriller that you might just enjoy it!

Also Read: Movies like Shutter Island

4. Side Effects (2013)

A young woman named Emily (Rooney Mara) struggles with depression and anxiety after her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum) is released from prison. She seeks treatment from a psychiatrist (Jude Law) who prescribes her a new drug, which has unforeseen and dangerous side effects.

Similar to movies like Gone Girl, Side Effects looks at how difficult situations in a relationship can turn the people into the darkest versions of themselves. The deceptions and manipulations of these relationships are paired with twisted drama. Side Effects challenges the audience’s perceptions of what is real and what is not. 

5. Dark Places (2015)

A year after Gone Girl released, another one of Gillian Flyn’s novel Dark Places was adapted to into a movie. The story of this move, similar to movies like Gone Girl, has Gillian’s signature brand of snarling social commentary and horrifically cold characters. 

Libby Day (Charlize Theron), as a child, witnesses a the brutal murder of her family. Years later, Libby is approached by a group of amateur investigators who believe her brother Ben (Corey Stoll) was wrongfully convicted for the crime. As she delves deeper into her family’s past, Libby begins to uncover dark secrets and conspiracies that threaten to upend everything she thought she knew about her family and their murder. 

6. Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s Get Out follows a young African-American man named Chris, who visits his white girlfriend’s family for the weekend, only to discover a dark and twisted secret about their true intentions.

Similar to films like Gone Girl this film is a commentary on the societal issues and does so by some very unexpected twists. Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Catherine Keener give unforgettable intense acting performances and the cleverly crafted plot  tackles themes of racism, exploitation, and identity. This brilliant film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!  

Also Read: Movies like Zodiac

7. Eye Wide Shut (1999)

Iconic director Stanley Kubrick’s psychological thriller Eyes Wide Shut is a great example of a marriage filled with jealousy, infidelity and sexual obsession. Featuring Tom Cruise an Nicole Kidman in the central roles, this film follows them as their relationship becomes strained and they confess to each other their true desires. 

As fas as movies similar to Gone Girl go, this one also delves into the darker side of human nature, exploring the secrets and desires that drive people to extreme actions. Building a dark unsettling atmosphere, Eyes Wide Shut is a eerie film that might just scare you a bit.

8. Nocturnal Animals (2016)

One thing that is so memorable about movies like Gone Girl is just how it leaves the the characters and the viewers in a sense of unsettling reality in the end, and the movie Nocturnal Animals does just that.  The director, Tom Ford weaves together 2 parallel narratives. 

The film tells the story of a successful art dealer, Susan (Amy Adams) who is married to a wealthy man (Armie Hammer). One day, she receives a manuscript from her ex-husband, Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal), which is a story about a Wife and Huband who along with their daughter are on the road with their belongings to move to a new home. The story slowly brings Susan to realise her own true self changing her perspective about everything.  

9. Burning (2018)

Burning is a critically acclaimed South Korean mystery-drama film based on a short story by celebrated novelist Haruki Murakami. The film follows the story of Jong-soo, a working-class man who becomes envious of his childhood friend’s affluent lifestyle and mysterious new girlfriend. The characters spiral into obsession, class struggle, and existential angst. 

The film subverts expectations and slowly reveals dark truths which culminating in a haunting and ambiguous ending. If you like to watch movies similar to Gone Girl that offers a nuanced look in the human psyche, then Burning’s captivating psychological thriller is worth a watch.

10. A Simple Favour (2018)

A Simple Favor is a dark comedy-thriller film that follows the story of Stephanie, a mommy blogger played by Anna Kendrick, who sets out to investigate the sudden disappearance of her friend Emily, played by Blake Lively. As Stephanie goes deeper into Emily’s mysterious past, she uncovers shocking secrets that turn her life upside down.

For a film with a female characters with hidden agendas and unexpected twists, this is another engaging option for movies like Gone Girl. What sets A Simple Favor apart from other psychological thrillers is its use humor and suspense making it definitely worth a watch.

11. The Woman in the Window (2021)

A child psychologist (Amy Adams) suffering from agoraphobia, witnesses a disturbing event while spying on her neighbors. The Woman in the Window is based on the novel of the same name by A. J. Finn and features a talented ensemble cast including Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, and Anthony Mackie.

SImilar to movies like Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window‘s intricate plot moves forward with an unreliable narrator through her exploration of mental health issues. While the movie can come off a bit overwhelming, many aspects of the movie are intriguing enough if you want to give it a watch.

12. The Girl on the Train (2016)

Emily Blunt’s poignant role in the movie The Girl on the Train tells the story of her as Rachel Watson, an alcoholic divorcee who becomes embroiled in a missing persons case after witnessing something shocking while riding the train. Based on the novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins, we follow Rachel as she tries to unravel the truth. 

As Rachel’s character becomes increasingly paranoid, morals and intentions come in to question. If you’ve been interested in psychological thrillers with mysterious disappearances, then you should probably check out this eye-opening movie, perfect for films like Gone Girl.

Honorable Mentions 

Here are a few movies like Gone Girl that didn’t make this list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Zodiac
  2. Les Diaboliques
  3. Tell No One 
  4. Fresh
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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