Gothic Supernatural Films to Watch After The Covenant

If you finished The Covenant (2006) and want more gothic supernatural films with similar vibes—secret powers, dark legacies, and brooding atmospheres—start with The Craft (1996), Practical Magic (1998), and Only Lovers Left Alive (2013). These films share the teen/young adult struggle with inherited abilities, the tension between isolation and belonging, and a visual style that leans on moody lighting, old architecture, and nature reclaiming human spaces. Below, you’ll find a curated list organized by what you liked most about The Covenant, plus context on the gothic supernatural subgenre and common themes to help you pick your next watch.

Why The Covenant Fits the Gothic Supernatural Genre

The Covenant follows four young men from a prestigious New England academy who descend from witch-hunting families, each inheriting a dangerous power called “the Craft.” The film blends teen drama with supernatural horror, set against foggy coastal cliffs, ivy-covered mansions, and a constant sense of inherited guilt. That combination—modern characters in a world where old secrets and bloodlines matter—is the core of gothic supernatural storytelling.

Unlike pure horror, these films don’t rely on jump scares. Instead, they build dread through atmosphere, family history, and the moral cost of power. If that’s what drew you to The Covenant, you’ll want films that treat magic as a burden, not a toy.

If You Liked the Teen Power Dynamics

The most direct follow-up is The Craft (1996). It’s about four teenage girls at a Catholic high school who form a coven and discover that their combined powers come with a price. The film explores how power corrupts, how group dynamics shift when one member becomes dominant, and how fear of being an outsider can drive someone to extremes. It’s a classic for a reason—it’s the template for many later teen supernatural films, including The Covenant.

Another strong pick is Beautiful Creatures (2013), based on the novel. It centers on a teenage boy who falls for a girl from a family of “casters” who are cursed to turn evil on their seventeenth birthday. The gothic Southern setting, the weight of family destiny, and the romance that complicates everything give it a similar feel to the Ipswich boys’ struggle with their own inherited curse.

• The Craft (1996) – group magic, power struggles, outsider teens.
• Beautiful Creatures (2013) – Southern gothic, family curse, forbidden romance.
• The Vampire Diaries (TV, 2009–2017) – if you want a longer series with similar themes of supernatural families and high school drama.

If You Liked the Old Family Legacy and Secret History

Practical Magic (1998) is a great choice. It follows two sisters from a long line of witches who are cursed in love—any man they fall for dies. The film is more comedic and heartwarming than The Covenant, but it shares the theme of a family burden that spans generations, and the Owens house is a perfect gothic set piece: creaky, full of herbs, and alive with magic.

For a more serious take on family secrets, watch The Others (2001). It’s a ghost story set in a dark mansion on Jersey, where a mother and her two photosensitive children live in near-total darkness. The twist is famous, but the film’s real strength is its atmosphere—fog, locked rooms, and the oppressive weight of the house itself. It’s less about powers and more about the past refusing to stay buried, which is a core gothic theme.

If you want something with a male protagonist and a similar boarding-school vibe, The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012, BBC miniseries) is a slow-burn ghost story about a family moving into a house with a dark history involving missing children. It’s not supernatural powers, but the sense of place and hidden past will feel familiar.

If You Liked the Dark, Brooding Atmosphere

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Jim Jarmusch is a must-watch. It follows two centuries-old vampires, Adam and Eve, living in Detroit and Tangier. The film is less about plot and more about mood—long nights, old books, vintage instruments, and a deep weariness with modern life. It’s gothic in a very modern way, and if you appreciated the cinematography in The Covenant, you’ll love the way Jarmusch shoots decayed cities and dimly lit interiors.

Crimson Peak (2015) by Guillermo del Toro is another visual feast. It’s a gothic romance set in a crumbling mansion in England, where a young author marries a mysterious baronet and discovers his house is haunted—literally. The ghosts are not the main threat; the real horror is human greed and family secrets. Del Toro’s use of color, texture, and set design is unmatched, and the film is a love letter to classic gothic literature.

• Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) – vampires, art, melancholy, stunning visuals.
• Crimson Peak (2015) – haunted mansion, family secrets, gothic romance.
• The Woman in Black (2012) – a classic ghost story with a foggy, isolated setting.

If You Liked the Supernatural Action and Powers

If the “power usage” scenes were your favorite part, you might enjoy Chronicle (2012), though it’s sci-fi rather than gothic. Three teens gain telekinetic powers after finding a strange object, and the film follows their moral decline. It’s found-footage style, but the power dynamics and the cost of using abilities are similar.

For something with more magic and action, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) is a lighter take, but it has the mentor-student dynamic and magical battles. More on the horror side, Drag Me to Hell (2009) is about a curse that gives the victim three days before a demon takes her. It’s more intense and gross-out than The Covenant, but the curse and the fight to break it might appeal.

If you want a TV series with a similar tone, The Originals (2013–2018) is a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and focuses on an old vampire family in New Orleans, dealing with power struggles and family loyalty. It’s more action-heavy and less gothic, but the family curse angle is there.

Common Misconceptions About Gothic Supernatural Films

One common misconception is that all gothic supernatural films are horror movies with ghosts and jump scares. In reality, the gothic genre is more about atmosphere, psychology, and the past haunting the present. Many films in this category are romances or dramas with supernatural elements, not horror films. Practical Magic is a comedy-drama, for example, and Only Lovers Left Alive is a meditation on art and immortality.

Another misconception is that these films are all set in the past. While many are, like Crimson Peak, others like The Craft and The Covenant are set in contemporary times but use gothic tropes—old buildings, family secrets, and a sense of doom. The gothic is a mood, not a time period.

How to Choose Your Next Watch

To pick your next film, think about what you valued most in The Covenant:

• If you liked the group of friends with powers – go with The Craft or Chronicle.
• If you liked the family curse and legacy – try Practical Magic or Beautiful Creatures.
• If you liked the dark, moody atmosphere – watch Only Lovers Left Alive or Crimson Peak.
• If you liked the boarding school / old New England setting – The Secret of Crickley Hall or The Others.
• If you want more action with your magic – The Originals or The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Also consider whether you want a film or a series. Series like The Vampire Diaries and The Originals give you more time to explore the world, but films are more contained and often have a stronger visual style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Covenant based on a book?

No, The Covenant is an original screenplay by J.S. Cardone. It was not adapted from a novel, though it shares themes with many YA supernatural books of the 2000s.

Are there any sequels to The Covenant?

No, there are no sequels. The film was not a major box office hit, and no follow-up was made. However, the cast and crew have worked on other supernatural projects you might enjoy.

What does “gothic” mean in film?

In film, “gothic” refers to a style that emphasizes atmosphere, often with dark, moody settings like old mansions, foggy moors, or decaying cities. It usually involves themes of the supernatural, family secrets, and psychological torment. The term comes from gothic literature, which started in the 18th century with novels like The Castle of Otranto.

Are these films suitable for teens?

Most of the films listed are rated PG-13 or R. The Craft and Practical Magic are PG-13, while Only Lovers Left Alive and Crimson Peak are R. Check the ratings and content warnings before watching with younger viewers.

Why do so many gothic supernatural films involve curses?

Curses are a convenient way to create conflict that the characters cannot easily escape. They tie the present to the past, emphasize family legacy, and force characters to confront their own nature. In gothic stories, curses often symbolize guilt or trauma that is passed down through generations.

What if I want something more modern and less gothic?

If you prefer a more contemporary setting with less gothic atmosphere, try Chronicle (2012) or Freaky (2020). They have supernatural elements but are set in modern high schools and don’t rely on old mansions or historical secrets.

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