Based on a book series by R.L. Stine, Netflix's Fear Street trilogy combines inspiration from previous horror movies with a fresh new direction thanks to a roster of great characters and an overarching story that connects the three films. The movies strike a delicate balance between familiar and original.
Because the trilogy is set in three distinct time periods and features several different genres, the films are evocative of a diverse group of preexisting movies. These films include slasher classics, meta deconstructions of the horror genre, and modern-day masterpieces. And based on the subgenre, setting, and tone, there are plenty of films that Fear Street fans will enjoy.
Scream - Available On HBO Max, DIRECTV, AMC+ & More
One of the films that Fear Street has been most frequently compared to is Scream, primarily due to the tone and setting, sparking some debate about which slasher film is better. Scream helped revolutionize the horror genre by leaning heavily into its meta approach.
The characters are well versed in the tropes of horror movies and use them to understand and predict the events of the story, with Randy functioning similar to the way that Josh uses his knowledge of the Shadyside killings. Additionally, Fear Street pays homage to Scream with its opening sequence, swapping Drew Barrymore for Maya Hawke.
Friday The 13th - Available On Starz
Because Fear Street Part 2 is a slasher film that takes place at a summer camp in 1978, horror fans will immediately think of the Friday the 13th franchise. The series revolves around a vengeful killer named Jason Voorhees, who terrorizes counselors at Camp Crystal Lake.
The camp setting provides some of the best death scenes in the Fear Street trilogy, and it is no different for Friday the 13th. Fans who were entertained by the Camp Nightwing massacre scene will also enjoy watching Jason chase down his victims.
The Witch - Available On FuboTV, Showtime, DIRECTV & More
Fear Street Part 3 makes a departure from the previous two films with a heavier tone that deals with sexuality and repression in a pre-colonial setting. Because of this, it has garnered comparisons to The Witch. The slow burn film is often considered to be one of director Robert Eggers' best movies.
Tense, captivating, and atmospheric, the movie follows a Puritan family in the 1600s as they encounter evil and witchcraft on their farm in New England. Period-accurate dialogue, outstanding direction, and a great lead performance by Anya Taylor-Joy make The Witch a modern horror classic.
Freaky - Available On HBO Max & DIRECTV
For fans who enjoyed the more comedic aspects of Fear Street, Freaky is an underrated horror-comedy with a great concept. Playing off of body swap comedies like Freaky Friday, the movie sees a high school girl switch bodies with a vicious, Jason Voorhees-like serial killer.
Freaky is filled with tons of humor, thanks in large part to a hilarious performance by Vince Vaughn, but also features some excellent horror sequences and bloody kills. The movie is a fun and thrilling watch that will entertain fans of the genre.
The Crucible - Available For Rent On Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube & More
Based on a play by Arthur Miller, The Crucible is a historical drama about the Salem witch trials. The movie deals with themes of betrayal, greed, and lust, and features some great performances from Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, and Joan Allen.
The movie's plotline about using accusations of being a witch as a ploy for romantic manipulation and revenge is similar to the one found in Fear Street Part 3. Fans who were intrigued by this aspect of Fear Street will be entertained by this deeper exploration of the theme.
Stranger Things - Available On Netflix
One of the clearest influences on the Fear Street trilogy is Netflix's big hit, Stranger Things, or perhaps they influence each other. The show has a very nostalgic tone that draws inspiration from 1980s pop culture, such as the work of R.L. Stine himself. Stranger Things follows a group of friends as they encounter supernatural beings and government conspiracies in their small town.
The show shares a similar tone, setting, cinematography, and even features several of the same cast members, including Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke. Fans who enjoyed the nostalgic, small town, supernatural adventure of Fear Street will find plenty of things to love about Stranger Things.
I Know What You Did Last Summer - Available On Hulu, Paramount+, DIRECTV & More
Following in the wake of Scream's reinvigoration of the slasher genre, I Know What You Did Last Summer is a throwback movie with a classic plot involving teens who are haunted by a mysterious killer after they flee the scene of a hit and run accident involving a pedestrian.
I Know What You Did Last Summer is the exact type of '90s teen slasher movie that Fear Street evokes nostalgia for. It is not as meta or polished as Scream, but it is still a fun and thrilling romp.
Goosebumps - Available On Netflix
R.L. Stine's more famous book series, Goosebumps, was adapted into a television series in the 1990s and two recent movies, starring Jack Black as a fictionalized version of R.L. Stine. The children's horror series often follows kids as they encounter monsters and scary situations.
While Goosebumps is aimed at a younger audience, it still captures the same fun, creepy, nostalgic vibe as the Fear Street trilogy. The show is a great throwback and the movies are a good option for those who are looking for family-friendly horror.
The Final Girls - Available On Hulu
The Final Girls is a horror-comedy film that plays on the horror trope of a final girl, one last survivor who takes on the killer at the end of the movie. In the film, a group of high school students is transported into a horror movie from the 1980s.
The movie's interesting premise allows for some solid comedy, commentary on the genre, and genuine scares. Like Fear Street, the film balances horror with some self-awareness and features the familiar setting of a summer camp.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark - Available On FuboTV, Showtime, DIRECTV & More
Based on a children's horror book series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is set in the 1960s and follows a group of friends as they discover a supernatural book that contains deadly stories. This setup allows the film to incorporate several different stories from the anthology series.
The movie's tone and style are very similar to Fear Street. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark benefits from some memorable creature designs including the Pale Lady, Jangly Man, and Harold the scarecrow.