Cults have always held a strange grip on our imagination. Maybe it’s how they explore human psychology, our deep need to belong, or perhaps just a morbid curiosity. Whatever the reason, filmmakers have been drawn to cults, sects, and secret societies for movie inspiration since the 1930s.
Early on, these movies often focused on satanic groups, pulling ideas from scary stories. But after real-life events like the Manson Family and Jonestown, things changed. The 1970s and 80s saw a rise in films that felt more real. Today, movies about cults are popular again, often mixing fantasy with reality to keep us on our toes.
Get ready to explore ten of the most unforgettable films about cults, from old classics to modern thrillers.
10. The Sacrament (2013)
This very self-aware film features A.J. Bowen and Joe Swansburg as Vice journalists. They’re filming their colleague Patrick (Kentucker Audley) as he tries to enter a commune to find his sister. The commune seems friendly at first. But, as you might guess, stories of abuse and mind control quickly emerge.
The Sacrament bases its story on the real-life Jonestown Massacre. It definitely pushes the limits of good taste sometimes, so it’s not for everyone. But if you can handle it, you’ll find a movie so full of dread that you won’t be able to look away. This “found footage” style film is one to see.
9. The Seventh Victim (1943)
As the oldest film on this list, The Seventh Victim was truly ahead of its time. It was the first really good movie to feature a cult. The story follows a young woman, Mary (Kim Hunter), searching for her missing sister Jaqueline (Jean Brooks) in New York City. With help from Dr. Louis Judd (Tom Conway), Mary soon uncovers a mysterious and evil group of Satanists. They might be behind her sister’s disappearance. It sounds like a typical scary movie start, but it doesn’t unfold as you’d expect.
The Seventh Victim didn’t do well at the box office at first and got mixed reviews. This was likely due to many cuts made during editing, which made the story hard to follow. However, it has since become a cult classic itself. Its confusing story only adds to its charm. If you watch it, look out for a shower scene that even Alfred Hitchcock would have admired.
8. Midsommar (2019)
You probably expected this one to be on the list, right? Ari Aster’s earlier film, Hereditary, is also amazing and features a cult. But Midsommar’s approach to the genre is more unique and expansive.
The film follows Dani (Florence Pugh), a psychology student dealing with recent trauma. She and her distant boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) go to a Swedish midsummer festival with friends. There, they face bad drug trips, culture shock, and a terrifying conspiracy.
The genius of Midsommar is how it makes the viewer dislike some characters so much that they start to understand the cult’s mindset. As Aster said, “That’s the trick we’re playing… there should be a perverse thrill… having this thing happen that maybe you want to happen… but it should also be troubling.”
7. Sound of My Voice (2011)
Peter (Christopher Denham), a substitute teacher, and Lorna (Nichole Vicius), a writer, are a couple making a documentary to expose a secret cult. The cult’s leader claims she is from the future. But when the couple successfully joins the cult, they begin to question what’s real and what isn’t.
Sound of My Voice was meant to be the first of a trilogy. Sadly, no sequels ever came out. Still, this clever low-budget movie stands strong on its own. It raises questions about faith, identity, and the psychological power of persuasion.
6. Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
Many films show how cults draw people in. But only a few explore what happens to those who escape. Even fewer handle the topic as well as Martha Marcy May Marlene (try saying that five times fast!).
The film follows Martha (Elisabeth Olsen), a 22-year-old who has just fled an abusive cult. She moves in with her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) and Lucy’s husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) at their lake house. There, Martha struggles with the mental scars of her past. She soon starts showing strange behavior, causing tension in the household.
Instead of the usual fantasy elements, Martha Marcy May Marlene takes a more realistic approach. It might not be the happiest movie, but it’s incredibly gripping. Critics agreed, and the film won an award for best directing at the Sundance Film Festival.
5. Ticket to Heaven (1981)
Based on a nonfiction book by John Freed about his and his friend’s experiences with a cult, Ticket to Heaven is another film that chooses a realistic path. The outcome, however, is as scary as any horror movie.
The movie is about David (Nick Mancuso), a young schoolteacher in his twenties. He gets brainwashed by a cult that uses sleep deprivation and starvation to turn members into money-making followers. David becomes thin and mindless. His only hope is his family and friends, who plan to rescue and deprogram him.
4. Cult (2019)
Described as an “endearing, amusing, and heartfelt feature debut,” this 2019 film finds humor and humanity in a subject usually found in horror and thrillers.
So, what’s it about? It’s another movie about a documentary crew trying to film a cult. But instead of a dark and crazy secret society, they find a group of quirky outcasts just looking for a place to belong. Unfortunately, something mysterious is happening with their elusive leader. The group’s vulnerable members might be heading for tragedy.
A comedy about a suicide cult is a tough idea to sell. But Cult is not the exploitative film you might think. Instead, it’s a movie with a big heart, filled with characters you’ll grow to love. That’s not to ignore its humor, though. This film has plenty, from funny song parodies to the cult’s clumsy attempts at recruiting new members.
3. The Master (2012)
In The Master, Joaquin Phoenix plays Freddie Quell, a World War II veteran struggling to adjust to life after the war. Depressed and violent, Freddie is recruited into a philosophical movement called “The Cause.” There, Freddie tries his best to follow the teachings of the group’s leader, Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). However, he soon clashes with Dodd’s inner circle, who see him as a threat.
The Master is a demanding film, but it’s also incredibly fascinating. Critics loved it, and it won several awards and received Oscar nominations. The film is open to interpretation, and many have compared “The Cause” to the Church of Scientology. Whatever you think of it, it’s a must-see.
2. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
When Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young, shy Catholic woman, moves into an old New York building with her husband Guy (John Cassavetes), their overly friendly and odd neighbors befriend them. But as Rosemary becomes pregnant, scary hints of a strange plot against her appear. Her husband seems to either not notice or be part of it.
This 1960s horror classic is as suspenseful and terrifying as any movie you’ll ever watch. But Rosemary’s Baby seemed like a troubled production at first. Scheduling issues and director Roman Polanski’s extreme attention to detail meant the film went over budget and behind schedule. Mia Farrow also went through a lot to finish the movie. She had to walk into real traffic for one scene, and her husband Frank Sinatra served her divorce papers on set through his lawyer.
However, it all paid off. The film received high praise from critics, and supporting actress Ruth Gordon won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. In 2014, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.
1. The Wicker Man (1973)
Once called the “Citizen Kane of Horror,” The Wicker Man might be the best film about cults ever made. And no, we’re not talking about the Nicolas Cage movie with the bees.
The Wicker Man follows Police Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a deeply religious and conservative man. He travels to a remote Scottish island to find a missing girl. He quickly finds himself at odds with the locals. They live a pagan lifestyle, seemingly led by the island’s owner, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). Howie starts to believe the girl was murdered in a ritual. With May Day approaching, he races to find the truth before the islanders claim another victim.
The Wicker Man is another film that plays tricks on the audience. The main character’s unlikability can blind viewers to the actions of the “quirky” islanders. Christopher Lee, who played the villain, called it his best movie. Who are we to argue?
The world of cults in cinema is dark, deep, and endlessly captivating. These films offer more than just scares; they delve into the human psyche, our vulnerabilities, and the search for meaning, however twisted it may become. Each movie on this list provides a unique lens through which to view these unsettling, yet fascinating, human dynamics.
Which of these cult films is your favorite, or is there another one that chilled you to the bone? Leave your comment below!
