Hitting the big screen on April 18th with a modest budget of $9 million, The Curse of La Llorona was poorly received by critics, currently holding a score of 31% Rotten Tomatoes. This is understandable though, as the film mostly consists of predictable jump scares and creepy scenes that are flawed by heavy-handed writing. Even though The Curse of La Llorona doesn’t dare stray away from the simplistic formula that the other movies in The Conjuring franchise tend to follow, this addition is perhaps the most unique to date.

However, that is only thanks to the ancient legend it was adapted from. La Llorona translates to “the weeping woman” in English. The Mexican folktale tells the story of a woman who drowned her children in a river after her husband left her. Later, she was found dead by the riverbank, but in Mexican lore, it is said that her spirit is fated to spend eternity searching for her children. La Llorona is supposedly always heard weeping, hence her name. While The Curse of La Llorona may not have been a success with the critics, being a member of The Conjuring family, the film, of course still, managed to be a box office hit. For those who enjoyed The Curse of La Llorona, here are 10 similar movies that may be worth the time investment.

THE CURSE OF THE CRYING WOMAN (1961)

La Llorona is not a very well-known legend, but it has spawned multiple films over the years. The Curse of The Crying Woman (La maldición de la Llorona), is a Mexican horror film about a couple who travel to an old house owned by a woman who practices black magic.

The woman uses her niece in an attempt to resurrect La Llorona, and terror ensues. This is one of the earliest portrayals of the ancient entity in film, and it is the forgotten inspiration of many of the La Llorona films that later succeeded it. The Curse of the Crying Woman is not a popular movie, but it’s one that definitely should be on horror fans’ watchlist for La Llorona lore.

THE CONJURING (2013)

Since its humble start in 2013, The Conjuring has grown into a prominent franchise. It has spawned several movies (The Curse of La Llorona included), and even a few short films. But, despite the massive success of this franchise, it began as simply just another horror movie, but it’s definitely a must-see. It features not only the first appearance of Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, but also Annabelle the doll, and Valak the nun. The Conjuring bears some similarities to The Curse of La Llorona, as it follows the Warrens in their mission to help a woman who appears to be possessed by the spirit of a mother who sacrificed her child to the Devil and ended her own life.

The Conjuring’s story, in the same vein of La Llorona, is based on the reportedly true case of the Perron family.

ALUCARDA (1977)

(Also known as La Hija de las Tinieblas, or Alucarda, The Daughter of Darkness.) This Mexican horror film was directed by Juan Lopez Moctezuma and based on an 1872 gothic novella titled Carmilla.

Alucarda tells the story of a young girl, who, following the death of her parents, arrives at a convent. It’s soon revealed that she has brought an insidious presence with her. Those looking for a film that heavily features possession and demonic forces, Alucarda is definitely a unique watch and a classic in the genre of Mexican horror.

HUSH…HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964)

Starring Bette Davis, this classic psychological thriller may be old, but it’s an excellent pick for those in the mood for a good, unnerving scare. After the significant success of the What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, the 1962 film that starred Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, director Robert Aldrich hoped to create something similar with Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte. However, Crawford and Davis’ infamous feud came between them working together, so only one half of the duo appeared in this eerie follow-up. It’s lesser known than What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, but Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte is still a macabre classic, and it deserves more recognition than it gets.

THE EXORCIST (1973)

The Exorcist is probably the most popular possession film ever made, and for good reason. It was not the first, but hitting theatres in the 70s, when the possession/exorcism movies that predated it were mostly laughable, The Exorcist was genre-defining. The name Linda Blair will forever be associated with her character in the film, Regan, the twelve-year-old daughter of actress Chris MacNeil. After playing with an Ouija board, Regan becomes the target of a powerful demon that she refers to as Captain Howdy. Even those who have not seen The Exorcist are familiar with Regan’s possession, but the film is worth the watch regardless, as it remains timeless.

THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

Sam Raimi’s independent film was created with a budget of only $90,000 USD. The arguably satirical, genre-bending horror flick went on to be so successful that it grew into a huge franchise.

The Evil Dead follows five university students on their vacation to a secluded cabin that’s nestled in the rural backwoods of Tennessee. The spooky setting accentuates the eeriness that surrounds the group’s trip, and this movie does not hold back from its use of gore, jump-scares, demonic forces, and extremely bloody deaths. It’s a total thrill ride to experience.

THE LAST EXORCISM (2010)

This found footage film follows the story of Cotton Marcus, a cynical, disillusioned minister. His mission is to debunk hoax exorcisms after years of performing fake exorcisms himself.

Cotton arrives at a farmhouse to perform what he claims will be his last exorcism. His patient is a young woman named Nell, who exhibits telltale signs of possession. Through the perspectives of the two filmmakers who are chronicling these events, Cotton’s skepticism, faith, and humanity are put to the test in this unique, universally under-appreciated film.

THE ORPHANAGE (2007)

This Spanish horror film (El Orfanato) is definitely worth the watch. It had a modest budget of $4 million and went on to gross $78.6 million at the box office. This was well-deserved, as it was an exceptional film that is often forgotten nowadays. The Orphanage is about a woman named Laura, who was orphaned as a child. With her husband Carlos, she raises their adopted son, Simon, in the old house that happens to be the orphanage where she grew up. Things get scary when Simon begins speaking of his invisible friends, which is only the beginning of something deeply sinister. The film’s setting serves to make the entire concept all the more disturbing and chilling.

VERONICA (2017)

Set in 1991, this Spanish horror film—loosely inspired by true events—tells the story of Veronica, a fifteen-year-old girl who lives in Madrid with her mother and three siblings.

Since her mother works long hours to support the family, Veronica is frequently left to be the caretaker of her younger siblings. But this maturity does not translate to all areas of Veronica’s life, as she ends up summoning something terribly evil when she plays a paranormal game with her friends in an attempt to summon the spirit of her deceased father.

THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE (2001)

Guillermo Del Toro has become a legend in the horror/fantasy genre. With such classics as Pan’s Labyrinth, Cronos, and most recently, Academy Award Best Picture winner, The Shape of Water.

The Devil’s Backbone (El Espinazo Del Diablo) was one of Del Toro’s early films. It’s set in Spain, 1939, near the end of the Spanish Civil War. The film is about a ten-year-old orphan, Carlos, who is forced to live in a small orphanage after the death of his father. This movie is an absolutely haunting experience, full of chilling moments that make it completely unforgettable. It’s similar to The Curse of La Llorona, but actually much more complex and well-made.