Movies Like Dark Fairytales: A Retrospective on Nighty Night

If you liked Dark Fairytales: A Retrospective on Nighty Night (2024), a documentary and horror movie directed by Lachlan Saille, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)
★ 6.7/10Also documentary and horror
Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, this is the untold history of black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the…
2
Pennywise: The Story of ‘It’ (2021)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary and horror
Thirty-plus years after its release, the popular two-part miniseries "It" and its infamous villain Pennywise live on in the minds of horror fans around the world. This documentary captures not only the buzz the "It"…
3
Doc of the Dead (2014)
★ 6.2/10Also documentary and horror
The definitive zombie culture documentary, brought to the screen by the makers of THE PEOPLE vs. GEORGE LUCAS.
4
Killer Legends (2014)
★ 5.8/10Also documentary and horror
Delving into our collective nightmares, this horror-documentary investigates the origins of our most terrifying urban legends and the true stories that may have inspired them.
5
Living with Chucky (2022)
★ 6.6/10Also documentary and horror
A filmmaker who grew up alongside Chucky the killer doll seeks out the other families surrounding the Child's Play films as they recount their experiences working on the ongoing franchise and what it means to be a part…
6
Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown (2008)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and horror
A chronicle of the life, work and mind that created the Cthulhu mythos.
7
Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist (2019)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and horror
A lyrical and spiritual cinematic essay on The Exorcist, the last film of Alexandre O. Philippe explores the uncharted depths of William Friedkin’s mind’s eye, the nuances of his filmmaking process, and the mysteries…
8
Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and horror
This historical and critical look at slasher films, which includes dozens of clips, begins with Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Prom Night. The films' directors, writers, producers, and special effects creators comment…
9
Maternal Instinct (2026)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary
Police pull over a woman who claims she just gave birth. But the baby — and the blood — aren't hers. Twisted lies unravel in this true-crime documentary.
10
Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity (2021)
★ 6.6/10Also documentary and horror
A deep dive into the making of the Paranormal Activity films with first time ever interviews with cast and crew, never-before-seen footage from the movies, and a preview of the seventh installment in the franchise.
11
McQueen (2018)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own…
12
My Mom Jayne (2025)
★ 8/10Also documentary
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and…
13
Terror in the Aisles (1984)
★ 6.1/10Also horror and documentary
A non-stop roller coaster ride through the scariest moments of the greatest terror films of all time.
14
Report (1967)
★ 6.1/10Also documentary
Bruce Conner’s most celebrated film for a reason: it takes historical moments that were replayed over and over on television—chilling repetition of Kennedy assassination coverage—and repurposes them into a meditation…
15
42 Up (1999)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
16
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers (2025)
★ 7/10Also documentary
Aileen Wuornos remains a rarity: a female serial killer. From childhood abuse to death-row revelations, this documentary revisits her life and crimes.
17
Inside Deep Throat (2005)
★ 6.4/10Also documentary
In 1972, a seemingly typical shoestring budget pornographic film was made in a Florida hotel: "Deep Throat," starring Linda Lovelace. This film would surpass the wildest expectation of everyone involved to become one…
18
Sidney (2022)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary
This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.
19
The Crash (2026)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary
A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.
20
Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2006)
★ 6.3/10Also documentary and horror
From 1970-1977, six low budget films shown at midnight transformed the way we make and watch films.