Do you want to turn movie night into fright night? Well, we might have just the thing then. If it is the fright you are looking for, it is the fright you will get with our list of the 13 best movies like Saw. Now, if you are ready, let us be brave on this list!
Saw (2004)
Saw is a psychological horror film. It is about Adam Stanheight and Lawrence Gordon as they try to solve the puzzle of the infamous Jigsaw Killer to survive.
Saw is undoubtedly one of the best horror films of all time. It was well-received in the theaters, garnering around $104 million against its tight budget of $1.2 million. Additionally, it was able to rack up a following.
Despite being well-received by the audience, assessments from critics are a little more mixed, with some negative reviews here and there. On the other hand, organizations seemed to have a positive take on the film. Aside from a box office and a following, Saw also accumulated numerous awards and accolades.
With the success of the first film, a franchise was born. Today, there are now 9 feature films in the franchise, along with several other media.
While you can already have a fright night with these films, we understand that they might not be enough to fill your watchlist. Well, worry not. We could help you with that. Let us go and see the films we have for you today.
The 13 Best Movies Like Saw
As we have said, Saw is one of the best horror films today. It could be a feat to find a fear-inducing film like it. Well, that is where we come in! We have done the research and have come up with this list. Are you looking for some dread and terror? One or two of these films will likely do the trick.
We hope you are ready! Let us now get to know our first fright-inducing film!
1. Cube (1997)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Stars: Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint, David Hewlett
In the first installment of Saw, we see two individuals trapped in a room. Cube follows a similar premise having several individuals trapped in a cube. In both films, the unsuspecting victims are to solve puzzles to survive.
As you can see, Saw and Cube played with the same elements and treaded on the same path. Still, you do not need to worry that you will be watching a Saw 2.0 or vice versa. The two films have different tales.
If you enjoyed the 1997 version of Cube, you might also want to check out the other installments of the film series, including the newest addition, the Japanese remake that came out in 2021.
2. Escape Room (2019)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Adam Robitel
Stars: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Jay Ellis
Next up, we have a more recent film – Escape Room. Like the previous film, Escape Room follows the premise of having individuals trapped together where solving puzzles is the means of surviving.
However, this film is a lighter take on the same framework. With that, this is a film you can consider if you want to let your young one stay up for fright night.
In addition to following the same path as Saw story-wise, this film also worked on a tight budget of $9 million. Still, like Saw, it became a box office success garnering around $156 million. As you can see, it also took a similar path production-wise.
If you liked this film, you might also want to check out its sequel which came out recently.
3. Devil (2010)
English 1h 20m IMDb
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Stars: Chris Messina, Caroline Dhavernas, Bokeem Woodbine
Devil still follows the premise of having several people stuck together, all fearing for their lives. However, it introduces a supernatural element to the mix, making the situation harder to solve for the group. On the other hand, it makes for a unique twist for the viewers.
If you liked the basic framework of Saw, and you want something like it but still want something different, Devil is a film that might be able to offer just that.
However, it has a short run-time, so you might find yourself wanting more after watching it. It is an ideal option to add to a watch list, but it might not be the best film to watch on its own.
4. Exam (2009)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Stuart Hazeldine
Stars: Adar Beck, Gemma Chan, Nathalie Cox
The film centers on an exam. Eight people partake in it and are gathered in the same room, which they cannot leave. However, it is a much lighter take on the premise of having several people stuck together in the same room.
Unlike the other films we have discussed so far, the individuals in this film are not solving for survival but for a job position. Despite its seemingly peaceful plot, this film can get your heart pounding.
Exam is an ideal film to get the ball rolling. If you want to set the tone for fright night, you might want to consider starting with this one and work your way up to more fear-inducing films.
It is also a film to think about if your young one wants to sit down, and watch with you. (However, parental guidance is still recommended as the film still contains some mature elements.)
5. Nine Dead (2009)
English 1h 38m Chris ShadleyIMDb
Director: Chris Shadley
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, William Lee Scott, John Terry
Over here, we have Nine Dead. A film that came out in the same year the sixth installment of the Saw franchise did.
Nine Dead is about nine people kidnapped and kept inside a room together. Here, their means to survive is to find out their connection with each other. However, they are on a time limit. One of them dies every 10 minutes the group does not figure out their link with each other.
As you can see, it is similar to Saw in many ways. However, you do not have to worry about the two films being too similar. The two films have used similar elements, but they did deliver them differently. If you are looking for something like Saw, but not something too familiar, you might want to give this movie a shot.
6. House of 9 (2005)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Steven R. Monroe
Stars: Kelly Brook, Dennis Hopper, Hippolyte Girardot
If you liked the previous film we talked about, you will likely also want to consider our next movie. Let us talk about House of 9.
This film centers on nine people that have been kidnapped and placed together in a mansion. They are then all forced to play a grave game where only one can win and ultimately, stay alive.
Saw and House of 9 used similar elements, but the storytelling is undoubtedly different. The two films will likely evoke different emotions from their viewers. Other than fear, the two films will likely make you feel entirely different sets of emotions.
7. Funhouse (2019)
English 1h 46m IMDb
Director: Jason William Lee
Stars: Valter Skarsgård, Khamisa Wilsher, Gigi Saul Guerrero
Next up, we have Funhouse. This film still follows the same framework. There is a group, and they are stuck together.
However, this one offers an added twist. Everyone agreed to the setup not knowing what they were getting into. What was supposed to be only a reality show became a game of survival.
Funhouse is similar to Saw in several ways. People stuck together, no means of exiting, and deathly games. If that is what you are after, this is a film to consider.
However, Funhouse does not deal with the underlying themes of Saw, and you might want to keep that in mind when deciding whether to add or not to add this one to the list.
8. Circle (2015)
English 1h 27m IMDb
Director: Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione
Stars: Allegra Masters, Aimee McKay, Ashley Key
Here, we have fifty people stuck in a room together who are all trying to survive. However, as you might have already guessed, only one can stay alive.
The film dabbles with the same concept as Saw but with a much lighter touch. Instead of violence, voting is the name of the game here as they themselves get to decide who lives and who dies.
While seemingly a simple story, it was able to shine the light and highlight many of the underlying themes that you can see in Saw.
Circle is an ideal film to start or end a fright night movie night if you want to begin or end with something less intense. Also, it is something you can let your young one watch with you. If you are building a watch list to see with your little guy or gal, add this one to the list!
9. Identity (2003)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: James Mangold
Stars: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet
Over here, we have Identity. If you want to add some variety to the list, it is a film you should consider.
This film came out a year before Saw and is one of the best films of 2003. It garnered a box office of $90 million against its budget of $28 million. Additionally, it was also able to garner a following along with praise and recognition.
Identity takes inspiration from one of the best mystery novels out there – And Then There Were None. Here, we have ten individuals stuck at a hotel where they get killed off one by one.
While it does have a similar ring to Saw, Identity tells a different tale. Add it to your list if you want some murder mystery in the mix.
10. Mindhunters (2004)
English 1h 46m IMDb
Director: Renny Harlin
Stars: Val Kilmer, LL Cool J, Christian Slater
Next up, we have Mindhunters. Another film that takes inspiration from the mystery novel of Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None. If you liked our previous movie, you might want to give this one a shot as well.
The film centers on a group of individuals training as profilers. In one of their exercises, the group goes to a small island where they unexpectedly become the target of a serial killer. With the killer on the loose, what was supposed to be their last exercise turns into a test where passing or failing would equal to living or dying.
Mindhunters is similar to Saw. However, if you want some more action on your list, this is one of the films you might want to consider adding.
11. Split (2016)
English 1h 57m IMDb
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson
Over here, we have one of the most talked-about films of 2016 – Split. Like Saw, Split worked on a small budget but was able to become a box office success. With a budget of $9 million, it was able to get a box office of around $278 million.
Spilt is about a man with DID, his alters, and the abduction of three girls. Most of the film centers on the three girls’ attempt to escape, and the struggles of the different alters to take control.
This film strays a bit from the premise of Saw. However, the similarities are still there. If you want some psychological thriller on your list, you might want to add this in there.
12. Misery (1990)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Rob Reiner
Stars: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth
We have another oldie but goodie here. It might have come out decades ago, but it is a film that is still making some buzz today. Let us talk about Misery before we go to our last movie.
Misery takes inspiration from the novel of the same name. It is about an author who has been held captive by a crazed fan.
With that premise, you can see that Misery somehow strays from the elements of Saw. However, if it is the abduction, the crazy, and the heart-pounding escapes you liked about Saw, you might want to give this film a shot.
13. The Game (1997)
English 2h 9m IMDb
Director: David Fincher
Stars: Michael Douglas, Deborah Kara Unger, Sean Penn
Our 13th and last film on this list is The Game. It might be the last movie on the list, but we assure you that it is not the least.
The Game is about Nicholas van Orton as he takes place in a strange game that will change his life forever. It dabbles with similar elements you will see in Saw. However, with the premise alone, you can see that it takes a different path.
If it is the thrill, the game, and the plot twists you enjoyed in Saw, this film is one you want to check out. It might have taken a different course from Saw, but it can also offer its viewers these elements.
Final Words
Today, we showed you what we deem to be the 13 best movies like Saw. You asked for fright, and hopefully, we got to deliver. If we did a good job, you do not have to worry. There is no judgment if you end up sleeping with the lights on tonight.
However, if you want to end the night with something light, we could also help you with that. You can head on over to our other discussions for that!