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Movies like

Brightburn

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

Brightburn poster

Why people love it

Audiences latched onto Brightburn (2019) as a horror theatrical experience: big enough for a group watch, specific enough to reward a second viewing once you know where it's headed. The horror and science fiction blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

horrorscience-fictiondivisive

Runtime 1h 31m · ★ 6.1

Your 10 recommendations

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  1. 96match

    1.Tremors (1990)

    6.9 · Horror · Action · Science Fiction · 1h 36m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason Brightburn fans keep landing on Tremors (1990) — the horror is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

    Watch on

    • AMC+ Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
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    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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  2. 94match

    2.Critters (1986)

    6.5 · Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction · 1h 26m

    Why you'll love it

    Critters draws from the same horror well as Brightburn, channeling science-fiction in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 1986 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  3. 92match

    3.Critters 2 (1988)

    6.2 · Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction · 1h 26m

    Why you'll love it

    Critters 2 (1988) captures the horror appeal of Brightburn without simply imitating it. The science-fiction streak running through both films is what puts Critters 2 at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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  4. 90match

    4.Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

    7.6 · Action · Adventure · Science Fiction · 3h 12m

    Why you'll love it

    The science-fiction appeal of Brightburn — that tense edge, the action — translates cleanly into Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

    Watch on

    • Disney Plus
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.The Fantastic 4: First Steps (2025)

    7.0 · Science Fiction · Adventure · Action · 1h 55m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind The Fantastic 4: First Steps (2025) clearly understood what makes science-fiction work — the same quality that keeps Brightburn rewatchable. Expect the same tense rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

    Watch on

    • Disney Plus
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  6. 86match

    6.Samaritan (2022)

    6.7 · Science Fiction · Crime · Action · 1h 42m

    Why you'll love it

    Samaritan (2022) is the kind of film Brightburn fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The science-fiction overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Prime Video
    • Amazon Prime Video with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    • YouTube(Buy)
    • Fandango At Home(Buy)
    + Save for later
  7. 84match

    7.Code 8 (2019)

    6.3 · Science Fiction · Action · Crime · 1h 39m

    Why you'll love it

    Code 8 shares Brightburn's gift for science-fiction — the 2019 film delivers action without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.Midnight Special (2016)

    6.3 · Adventure · Drama · Science Fiction · 1h 52m

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes Brightburn compelling — the science-fiction, the adventure — shows up in Midnight Special (2016) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that tense storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
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    + Save for later
  9. 80match

    9.Cocoon: The Return (1988)

    6.5 · Comedy · Science Fiction · 1h 56m

    Why you'll love it

    The science-fiction energy of Brightburn is alive in Cocoon: The Return (1988), filtered through a different story but the same emotional register. It earns its place on this list with a funny payoff that rivals the original pick.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Code 8 Part II (2024)

    6.4 · Science Fiction · Action · Crime · 1h 41m

    Why you'll love it

    Code 8 Part II (2024) operates in the same science-fiction as Brightburn, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The tense payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after Brightburn?
Try Tremors, Critters, Critters 2—each shares DNA with Brightburn while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is Brightburn?
Brightburn (2019) is best described as Horror, Science Fiction. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is Brightburn worth revisiting?
Viewer scores sit around 6.1/10 on TMDB—high enough that replays are common for people who like this horror lane.

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