If You Liked This Movie, Read This Book:
2024 Biggest Horror Movies Edition
2024 brought horror that hits every note, from psychological thrillers to supernatural scares. If these films left you wanting more, I’ve curated a list of books that capture the same intensity, dread, or dark humor. Here’s what to read to keep the thrills alive after the credits roll.
1- If You Liked The Substance, Read Eartheater by Dolores Reyes
Okay, whatever you’ve heard about The Substance, I assure you, it doesn’t do it justice. This one is WILD. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley bring an eerie satirical twist on the obsession with youth. But if Moore’s transformation left you reeling, try Eartheater by Dolores Reyes, where a young Argentinian woman finds herself consuming dirt to experience unsettling visions. Like The Substance, Eartheater explores autonomy and self-discovery with supernatural suspense—a surreal, unputdownable read that’ll make you think twice about earthy snacks.
2. If You Liked The First Omen, Read The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan
The First Omen was wildly overlooked. I can’t blame audiences for skipping this one because I would have, too, had I not known anything about it other than that it was a prequel to a '70s horror series of films that grew to be increasingly worse with every entry. But, let me tell you–this one goes HARD. If you haven't seen it yet, please do yourself a favor and check it out. But, if you have seen it and The First Omen’s sinister roots still have a grip on you, Caitlín R. Kiernan’s The Red Tree will make for a perfect next read. This novel follows writer Sarah Crowe as she moves to a Rhode Island farmhouse and discovers a chilling journal. Kiernan’s novel delves into isolation and supernatural horror with the kind of slow-burn dread that The First Omen fans will love. Trust me, this one doesn’t let up.
3. If You Liked Longlegs, Read The Nameless by Ramsey Campbell
In a few years, we will all look at Longlegs and agree on one thing–whoever was in charge of marketing hit it out of the park. While I didn’t love the flick, I think this one is less about the mystery and all about “vibes.” Longlegs is the kind of procedural horror that oozes atmosphere, and Maika Monroe’s performance only makes it better. If that relentless dread appealed to you, The Nameless by Ramsey Campbell will hit the mark. In it, a mother searches for her supposedly dead daughter, plunging her into a horrifying cult world. Like Longlegs, Campbell’s tale dives deep into the kind of evil that feels both intimate and unshakable.
4. If You Liked Milk & Serial, Read Dead Inside by Chandler Morrison
Milk & Serial, made for under a grand, is an indie wonder that revels in horror’s dark side. If its gritty, DIY energy is your thing, Morrison’s Dead Inside has the same boundary-pushing spirit. This tale of a nurse and morgue worker who connect in some seriously twisted ways isn’t for the faint of heart. Much like Milk & Serial, it’s disturbing, weirdly fascinating, and utterly unforgettable.
5. If You Liked In A Violent Nature, Read I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells
In A Violent Nature channels supernatural slasher vibes, and if that’s your jam, I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells is an absolute must. This novel follows John, a teen with an uncomfortable fascination with killers who discovers something otherworldly is preying on his town. Like In A Violent Nature, it combines horror with a complex protagonist, resulting in a character-driven story that keeps the suspense coming.
6. If You Liked MaXXXine, Read Flicker by Theodore Roszak
MaXXXine didn’t quite live up to my expectations because I adore the second entry in this series from Ti West–Pearl–but this one just fell short. Though, I did love the 80s slasher/giallo aesthetic. For anyone who loved MaXXXine’s slasher-glamorous take on 1980s Hollywood, Flicker by Theodore Roszak is a gem. In this cult classic, a film historian unearths unsettling mysteries buried in old movies—a quest that spirals into Hollywood’s darker, hidden truths. Much like MaXXXine, Flicker captures Hollywood’s allure and eerie underbelly, making it a cinematic, captivating horror novel that’ll have you eyeing old movies with suspicion.
7. If You Liked Oddity, Read The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Oddity gives you a supernatural mystery with a solid emotional core, and Laura Purcell’s The Silent Companions offers similar vibes. This novel follows a widow encountering unsettling wooden figures in her creepy old mansion. Both Oddity and The Silent Companions thrive on eerie, slow-burn suspense. If you like your ghost stories layered with mystery and emotional weight, this book is for you.
8. If You Liked Late Night with the Devil, Read The Final Reconciliation by Todd Keisling
David Dastmalchian brought his A-game to Late Night with the Devil, playing a desperate TV host in one memorable Halloween special. If that real-time horror energy got you hooked, then The Final Reconciliation by Todd Keisling will deliver. In this novella, a rock band’s reunion takes a sinister twist. Like Late Night with the Devil, Keisling’s story keeps the tension dialed up and climaxes in a genuinely eerie finale.
9. If You Liked Strange Darling, Read In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami
Strange Darling has all the trappings of a cat-and-mouse thriller, with style to spare. If you enjoyed its serial killer thrills, In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami delivers a similar tension. The story follows Kenji, a tour guide, who suspects his American client might be harboring deadly secrets. Much like Strange Darling, Murakami’s novel taps into that unsettling space between curiosity and terror, taking readers on an unforgettable ride that’s as tense as it is.
10. If You Liked I Saw the TV Glow, Read The Cipher by Kathe Koja
I Saw the TV Glow leaves you with a surreal mix of nostalgia and dread, and Kathe Koja’s The Cipher takes that vibe even further. In this novel, a couple discovers a mysterious hole in their apartment that twists their realities and psyches. Much like I Saw the TV Glow, The Cipher is hypnotic, disturbing, and impossible to look away from—a bizarre journey that digs into alienation and self-discovery.
Final Thoughts
Each of these books embodies the same thrills, chills, or gritty horror that made these 2024 films memorable. Whether it’s psychological depth, supernatural fear, or the strange and surreal, these novels let you keep living in the shadows a bit longer.
What about you? What 2024 horror movie did you see this year that you think is a must-see? Do you have any book recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!