100+ Movies like Donnie Darko
S. Darko
S. Darko parallels Donnie Darko in its central premise of a troubled teenager experiencing visions and sleepwalking episodes that lead them to unravel a mystery involving time travel and the potential end of the world. Both films feature a central character (Samantha/Donnie) who is guided by a mysterious figure (Iraq Jack/Frank) and receives a book about time travel philosophy. A supernatural event (meteorite/jet engine) triggers a series of strange occurrences that disrupt the normal flow of time. The protagonist's actions, influenced by their visions, impact the lives of those around them and culminate in a tragic death. Ultimately, the protagonist sacrifices themselves to reset the timeline and prevent the apocalyptic event foretold by their visions, restoring the world to its original state before the supernatural disturbance occurred.
Final Destination
Both "Final Destination" and "Donnie Darko" explore the theme of death and fate through supernatural elements. In "Final Destination", the characters cheat death after a premonition saves them from a plane explosion, but Death then pursues them in an attempt to restore the intended order. Similarly, in "Donnie Darko", the protagonist is warned by a figure in a rabbit costume that the world will end in 28 days, leading to a series of bizarre events that culminate in a time travel paradox and Donnie's death. The movies parallel each other in their depictions of characters being manipulated by unseen forces and grappling with the inevitability of their fates. Both films also feature teenagers as the main characters navigating these extraordinary circumstances.
I Still See You
Both "Donnie Darko" and "I Still See You" involve a troubled teenager who experiences visions and interacts with supernatural entities. The main characters are guided by these visions to uncover dark secrets and conspiracies related to scientific experiments gone awry. Time travel and the manipulation of time play a central role in the plots, with events from the past influencing the present. The stories culminate in tragic events that result in the deaths of loved ones, but also offer a sense of resolution and understanding for the protagonists. The movies explore themes of mental illness, grief, and the consequences of tampering with the boundaries of life and death.
Disaster Movie
Both "Disaster Movie" and "Donnie Darko" involve a protagonist who is warned about an impending apocalyptic event by a mysterious figure - Donnie is told by Frank the rabbit that the world will end in 28 days, while Will has a dream where a caveman warns him the world will end on August 29, 2008. The protagonists then experience strange, supernatural events leading up to the foretold date, including visions and time travel elements. Their actions during this period impact the lives of those around them. Ultimately, the protagonists make sacrifices to avert the apocalypse, resulting in their own deaths but resetting the timeline and restoring normalcy for others. The movies share themes of fate, time travel, and the consequences of one's choices on the broader world.
Project Almanac
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Project Almanac" revolve around teenage protagonists who discover the ability to manipulate time and travel through it. This newfound power leads them down a path of unintended consequences and catastrophic events that ripple across their timelines. The protagonists' meddling with time causes disturbances in reality, resulting in accidents, disappearances, and even deaths of their loved ones. Ultimately, they realize the dangers of time travel and must make difficult choices to undo their actions and restore the original timeline, often at great personal cost. The movies explore themes of causality, free will, and the consequences of tampering with the fabric of space-time.
See You Yesterday
Both "Donnie Darko" and "See You Yesterday" center around teenagers who gain the ability to travel through time, which they initially use for personal gain or pranks. However, a tragic event - Gretchen's death in "Donnie Darko" and Calvin's shooting in "See You Yesterday" - motivates them to attempt to change the past and prevent the tragedy. This leads to multiple time travel attempts with unintended consequences, as their actions ripple through the timeline and impact other characters' lives. The protagonists struggle with the ethical and philosophical implications of time travel, questioning whether changing the past is truly possible or desirable. Ultimately, both films explore themes of fate, sacrifice, and the interconnectedness of events through their nonlinear narratives and time loop structures.
Tomorrowland
Both "Tomorrowland" and "Donnie Darko" involve a young protagonist who is guided by a mysterious figure (Athena/Frank the rabbit) into an alternate reality or dimension (Tomorrowland/the time vortex). This alternate world represents a utopian vision of the future, but one that has become corrupted or decayed due to the cynicism and loss of hope in humanity. The protagonists (Casey/Donnie) are tasked with restoring hope and changing the course of the future, often through acts of destruction or sacrifice. They encounter authority figures (David Nix/Jim Cunningham) who represent the forces trying to maintain the status quo or prevent change. Ultimately, the movies suggest that the future is not predetermined, and that individuals have the power to shape it through their beliefs and actions. Time travel and paradoxes also play a central role in both plots.
Knowing
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Knowing" involve a young protagonist who receives cryptic messages or visions about a cataclysmic event in the future. In "Donnie Darko", Donnie is visited by a figure in a rabbit costume who warns him of the world's end in 28 days. In "Knowing", Caleb receives a coded message from the past predicting major disasters, including a devastating solar flare. The movies explore themes of predestination, time travel, and the potential for supernatural or extraterrestrial intervention to avert catastrophe. Both protagonists are guided by mysterious forces to unravel the meaning behind the messages and play a role in the unfolding events. The climax of each film involves a cosmic event that alters the fabric of reality, with some characters being spared or transported to a new realm. The movies blend elements of science fiction, psychological thriller, and coming-of-age drama to explore existential questions about fate, sacrifice, and the nature of the universe.
Final Destination 3
Both "Final Destination 3" and "Donnie Darko" explore themes of fate, premonitions, and the consequences of altering the predetermined course of events. The protagonists, Wendy and Donnie, experience visions that allow them to intervene and change the destinies of themselves and others, leading to a ripple effect of events. Death itself is personified as an unseen force pursuing those who have cheated it. The movies follow the characters as they grapple with the implications of their actions and the unraveling of reality, culminating in tragic yet inevitable conclusions where the original foreseen events ultimately occur, restoring the intended timeline.
House of 1000 Corpses
Both "Donnie Darko" and "House of 1000 Corpses" involve disturbed teenagers who are influenced by supernatural or deranged forces. In "Donnie Darko", the titular character is guided by a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume named Frank, who leads him to commit acts of vandalism and violence. Similarly, in "House of 1000 Corpses", a group of teenagers encounters a deranged family, the Fireflys, who kidnap, torture, and kill them under the influence of a supernatural entity known as Dr. Satan. Both movies explore themes of mental illness, violence, and the darker aspects of human nature. The plots revolve around the teenagers' descent into chaos and their encounters with sinister forces that challenge their perception of reality. Additionally, both films feature elements of time distortion and alternate realities, with "Donnie Darko" involving time travel and "House of 1000 Corpses" hinting at the possibility of a sequel or continuation with the ambiguous ending "The End?".
Super 8
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Super 8" revolve around a mysterious supernatural force that disrupts the lives of a group of teenagers in a small town. In both films, a strange entity (Frank the rabbit figure in "Donnie Darko" and the alien in "Super 8") appears and warns the main character of an impending catastrophic event. The teenagers witness and become entangled in extraordinary circumstances involving time travel and alternate realities. A tragic accident occurs, resulting in the death of a close friend. The government/military becomes involved in covering up the supernatural events. In the end, the main character makes a sacrifice to allow the supernatural force to depart, resetting the timeline and undoing the events of the film, though with lingering hints that the characters retain some subconscious memory of what transpired.
John Dies at the End
Both "Donnie Darko" and "John Dies at the End" follow a surreal, mind-bending narrative involving ordinary young men who become embroiled in supernatural events and alternate dimensions. The protagonists, Donnie and David, encounter bizarre figures (Frank the rabbit and Roger North) who guide them through disturbing visions and realities. They are tasked with preventing catastrophic events that threaten to destroy their world, aided by unlikely allies like the eccentric Roberta Sparrow and psychic Albert Marconi. The movies explore themes of time travel, parallel universes, and the blurring of reality and perception. Tragic events, like the deaths of Gretchen and John, serve as catalysts for the protagonists' journeys. Both films culminate in the protagonists sacrificing themselves to restore the natural order, with hints that their actions have ripple effects across multiple dimensions.
God Bless America
Both "Donnie Darko" and "God Bless America" feature disillusioned protagonists who rebel against societal norms and perceived moral decay. They are guided by mysterious figures (Frank the rabbit in "Donnie Darko", Roxy in "God Bless America") who influence their actions, leading them down a path of violence and destruction. The protagonists target individuals and aspects of society they deem corrupt or offensive, such as motivational speakers, reality TV stars, and rude people. Their actions are driven by a desire to enact change and make a statement against the decline of values in modern culture. The movies explore themes of alienation, mental illness, and the consequences of vigilantism. Both culminate in climactic acts of violence before the protagonists meet their demise, leaving ambiguous interpretations of their motives and impact.
After
Both "Donnie Darko" and "After" follow a surreal, metaphysical plot where the main characters experience strange visions and phenomena that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. The protagonists, Donnie and Ana, are guided by mysterious figures (Frank the rabbit and the monster) that seem to exist outside of normal space and time. They are confronted with the concept of time travel and the possibility of alternate realities or dimensions. The stories explore themes of fate, death, and the consequences of one's actions across different timelines. Key events and memories from the characters' pasts are revisited and recontextualized, leading to revelations about their identities and purpose. Ultimately, both films culminate in a sacrificial act by the protagonist to restore balance and escape the metaphysical trap they find themselves in, even if it means accepting their own demise.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Both "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" and "Donnie Darko" center around an impending apocalyptic event - in "Donnie Darko" it is the end of the world prophesied by the figure Frank, while in "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" it is the imminent impact of the asteroid Matilda that will destroy all life on Earth. The protagonists in each film, Donnie and Dodge, are forced to confront this looming catastrophe and find meaning in their lives before the end. They both embark on journeys of self-discovery and form connections with others, Donnie with Gretchen and Dodge with Penny, as they grapple with the reality of their world's demise. Themes of time travel, fate, and the fragility of human existence are explored in both films through the lens of these cataclysmic events. The movies also share elements of dark humor and surreal, dreamlike sequences as the characters navigate the chaos and absurdity of their situations.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" involve teenagers who encounter supernatural entities that influence their actions and the events around them. In "Donnie Darko", Donnie is visited by a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume named Frank who warns of the end of the world and manipulates Donnie's behavior. Similarly, in "Scary Stories", a group of teenagers discover a book of horror stories written by Sarah Bellows, which manifests the stories' monsters in reality and causes them to haunt and harm the teens. The movies share a theme of exploring the line between reality and the supernatural, with the protagonists experiencing visions and events that blur the boundaries. Both films also delve into darker themes such as mental illness, trauma, and societal issues like corruption and violence. Additionally, the plots revolve around uncovering the truth behind the supernatural occurrences and the characters' personal struggles. The narrative structures parallel each other, with the protagonists initially dismissing the supernatural events as hallucinations or coincidences, but gradually realizing the gravity of the situation as the plot progresses. The climaxes involve confrontations with the supernatural forces, leading to revelations about the underlying causes and resolutions that bring closure to the characters' journeys.
Frequency
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Frequency" involve time travel and altering the past, which leads to major changes in the present reality. The protagonists (Donnie and John) receive cryptic messages from entities (Frank the rabbit and John's father Frank) that set them on a path to prevent tragic events. Their actions ripple through time, creating new timelines with unforeseen consequences like the survival of serial killers. Ultimately, the protagonists sacrifice themselves to restore the original timeline and save loved ones. The movies explore themes of fate, regret, and the implications of changing the past.
The Butterfly Effect
Both "The Butterfly Effect" and "Donnie Darko" explore the concept of time travel and its consequences through the lens of troubled teenagers. The protagonists, Evan Treborn and Donnie Darko, possess the ability to alter past events, leading to drastic changes in their present realities. Their actions ripple through time, affecting the lives of their friends and families in profound ways. The movies delve into themes of trauma, mental illness, and the fragility of existence, as the characters grapple with the ethical dilemmas and psychological toll of manipulating the timeline. Ultimately, both films culminate in the protagonists sacrificing themselves to restore a more positive reality for their loved ones, underscoring the idea that some things are better left unchanged.
The Midnight Game
Both "The Midnight Game" and "Donnie Darko" involve teenagers who become entangled in supernatural events after performing a ritual or game. In "Donnie Darko", Donnie is visited by a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume named Frank who warns of the world's end, leading to a series of bizarre occurrences. Similarly, in "The Midnight Game", a group of teens play a ritual game that summons the Midnight Man, a demonic figure that brings their fears to life. The movies parallel each other in their exploration of the consequences of tampering with dark forces beyond their understanding. The protagonists in both films experience visions and hallucinations that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural realm. Donnie has visions of Frank, while the teens in "The Midnight Game" are tormented by hallucinations of their deepest fears. Both movies feature time loops or cycles, with Donnie's actions leading to a time travel event that resets the timeline, and the teens in "The Midnight Game" seemingly trapped in an endless cycle of reliving the game's events. Ultimately, the movies share a common theme of the fragility of reality and the potential for unseen forces to disrupt the natural order, leading to tragic consequences for the characters involved.
Reeker
Both "Donnie Darko" and "Reeker" involve a group of teenagers experiencing strange, surreal events that blur the lines between reality and hallucination. The protagonists, Donnie and Trip, are guided by mysterious figures (Frank the rabbit and the drug dealer Radford) that lead them down dark paths. Their visions and actions have deadly consequences for themselves and their friends. The movies explore themes of mental illness, the fragility of reality, and the impact of trauma. Ultimately, the bizarre events are revealed to be manifestations of the characters' subconscious minds processing tragic accidents, with the supernatural elements representing their psychological states. The movies parallel each other in their nonlinear storytelling, blending of fantasy and reality, and exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche.