Movies like
Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.
Donnie Darko works as a fantasy movie with a point of view—fans quote moments, but they also argue about what the film is actually saying about power, desire, or survival. The fantasy and drama blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.
Runtime 1h 54m · ★ 7.8
Mood
Streaming (US)
Era
Showing 10 of 10 picks
★ 7.4 · Drama · Mystery · Horror · 1h 53m
Why you'll love it
Where Donnie Darko excels in drama, Jacob's Ladder (1990) doubles down on mystery to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.
Watch on
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
Philo
Amazon Video(Rent)
Apple TV Store(Rent)
Google Play Movies(Rent)
YouTube(Rent)
★ 6.2 · Drama · Horror · Mystery · 1h 59m
Why you'll love it
The Mothman Prophecies (2002) is the natural next step after Donnie Darko: same drama DNA, different perspective. The dark streak and mystery elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.
Watch on
Amazon Prime VideofuboTV
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)
★ 6.3 · Drama · Fantasy · Thriller · 1h 58m
Why you'll love it
Fans of Donnie Darko who respond to its fantasy will find Byzantium (2013) immediately familiar. Both films share a drama sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.
Watch on
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel 
AMC+ Amazon Channel
AMC+Philo
Sundance Now
MUBI
MUBI Amazon Channel
AcornTV Amazon Channel
★ 6.5 · Fantasy · Drama · Thriller · 2h
Why you'll love it
There's a reason Donnie Darko fans keep landing on Tideland (2005) — the fantasy is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.
Watch on
FandorPhilo
Night Flight Plus
Fandor Amazon Channel
Screambox Amazon Channel
Midnight Pulp Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)
★ 7.0 · Drama · Mystery · Thriller · 1h 31m
Why you'll love it
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane draws from the same drama well as Donnie Darko, channeling mystery in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 1976 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)
★ 7.2 · Horror · Thriller · Drama · 2h 15m
Why you'll love it
It (2017) captures the drama appeal of Donnie Darko without simply imitating it. The horror streak running through both films is what puts It at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.
Watch on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
Cinemax Apple TV ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)
★ 7.6 · Mystery · Thriller · Horror · 1h 44m
Why you'll love it
The mystery appeal of Donnie Darko — that dark edge, the thriller — translates cleanly into Get Out (2017). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.
Watch on
HBO MaxHBO Max Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)
Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)
★ 6.3 · Horror · Mystery · 1h 41m
Why you'll love it
The filmmakers behind Hide and Seek (2005) clearly understood what makes mystery work — the same quality that keeps Donnie Darko rewatchable. Expect the same dark rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.
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)
★ 7.4 · Drama · 1h 36m
Why you'll love it
I Killed My Mother (2009) is the kind of film Donnie Darko fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The drama overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.
★ 6.4 · Horror · Fantasy · Comedy · 1h 47m
Why you'll love it
Death of a Unicorn shares Donnie Darko's gift for fantasy — the 2025 film delivers horror without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.
Watch on
HBO MaxHBO Max Amazon ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Browse every "movies like" page on the site—including ones still waiting to be indexed.