6 Horror Movies to Watch if You Loved ‘Barbie’ (2023)

If you’re a horror fan who has already enjoyed Barbie (or just plan to enjoy Barbie some day) this list compiles horror movies that have similar themes and/or aesthetic vibes.

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A G-rated body horror moment in Barbie (2023) sees the title character experiencing a gruesome (for her) body transformation as her feet become flat.

Barbie (2023) is fantasy comedy movie co-written and directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. The highly-anticipated film had the biggest opening day of 2023 and has an incredible 4.3 rating on Letterboxd. Barbie confronts themes of feminism, womanhood, mother/daughter relationships and gender relations under patriarchy. If you’re a horror fan who has already enjoyed Barbie (or just plan to enjoy Barbie some day) this list compiles horror movies that have similar themes and/or aesthetic vibes.

The Stepford Wives (1975)

This scene from The Stepford Wives could have been shot in Barbie World.

A satirical feminist horror movie that also has fun cinematic imagery of consumerism. The film follows Joanna (Katharine Ross) a young newlywed who moves from Manhattan to the suburb of Stepford, Connecticut with her husband. Seeing how submissive the women of Stepford are to their husbands, Joanna organizes a women’s liberation meeting. She is betrayed when her husband joins the Men’s Association and wishes Joanna would become submissive like the other women.

Teen Witch (1989)

Like Barbie (2023), Teen Witch also features iconic dance numbers.

A fantasy comedy about a teenager, Louise (Robyn Lively), who is told by a psychic (Zelda Rubinstein) that she will become a powerful witch on her 16th birthday. Louise turns the real world into her dream world by using her powers to get everything she wants. The main character, the fashions and the dance numbers all feel very Barbie-esque.

American Horror Story: 1984 (2019)

Billie Lourd as Montana Duke in American Horror Story: 1984.

One of the best seasons of American Horror Story takes place at a summer camp near Los Angeles in 1984. The campy vibes and over-the-top costumes will remind viewers of Barbie (2023) crossed with an 80s slasher movie. As AHS is an anthology series, each can be viewed on its own like a miniseries, even if you haven’t seen any of the other seasons.

Ryan Gosling as Ken in Barbie (2023) would totally rollerblade up to Camp Redwood in American Horror Story: 1984.

The Love Witch (2016)

The tone of The Love Witch is too serious for Elaine to be jamming to The Indigo Girls while she drives, but she loves a convertible, just like Barbie.

Written and directed by Anna Biller, The Love Witch is a visually beautiful film with detailed sets like Barbie (2023), though the aesthetic is technicolor rather than pink. Elaine (Samantha Robinson) is an attractive witch who is desperate to fall in love. She casts spells, dates and violently discards mens as she navigates womanhood in a patriarchal society.

Swallow (2019)

Hunter experiences existential angst after moving from her lower working-class background to a wealthy family and becoming a stay at home wife.

Like Barbie, Hunter Conrad (Haley Bennett) lives in a picture perfect world where the only problem is her sudden onset existential angst. In order to deal with her increasing despondency, Hunter begins ingesting inedible objects. At first she swallows small objects like a marble, but as the film goes on she strives to ingest more dangerous items.

Don’t Worry Darling (2022)

This pool party from Don’t Worry Darling could possibly be in Barbie World, but the water isn’t painted on.

A psychological thriller that finds Alice (Florence Pugh) as a 1950s housewife in a stunning suburban desert town. At first happy with her life, Alice begins to wonder if everything in her world is as real as it appears. Eventually, she has to betray her husband (Harry Styles) in order to find out the truth.

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Meet The Author

Chrissy is the co-founder of Creepy Catalog. She has over 10 years of experience writing about horror, a degree in philosophy and Reiki level II certification.

Chrissy Stockton