If You Enjoyed the Movie Widow’s Bay, There Is Another Movie You Should Definitely Watch.
Whether you loved Widow’s Creek from the moment Wyke set off the hilariously rattling terror alarm in the first episode, or only fully embraced the show when Patricia ran down the road in her incredibly impractical sweater boots, we can all agree that this Apple TV horror comedy was the summer surprise we all needed.
Somehow, this story of a seaside island community haunted by a growing, malevolent supernatural force manages to be both heartbreakingly funny and genuinely terrifying—a balance rarely achieved so well or so consistently. If you’ve watched and re-watched the series (and tried all of our similar series recommendations), there’s another film you should check out: John Carpenter’s 1980 classic The Fog .
Like Widow’s Bay, Antonio’s Bay in The Fog is cursed.
Without “The Fog,” there would be no “Widows’ Bay.” While the series draws inspiration from a variety of horror genres, from Scream- style slashers to anything Stephen King has ever published, the key element of “Widows’ Bay” is the community’s isolation and its seafaring history. While ” The Fog” isn’t as funny as “Widows’ Bay,” it has all the requisite creepy, terrifying atmosphere, and the town of Antonio Bay, California, shares many similarities with “Widows’ Bay.”
Like Wideaus Bay, Antonio Bay appears to be a sleepy, economically distressed town whose economy and local culture are defined by its connection to the sea. Both towns are preparing for development (Antonio Bay is preparing to celebrate its centennial), and both are haunted by sins committed long ago. A local priest discovers an old diary that reveals that the town’s founding and prosperity were achieved through a nefarious deal, and retribution is imminent. Sound familiar?
While the references to “The Fog in Widow’s Bay” are clearly intentional, the two films actually share a common tone. “The Fog” has the same, er, hazy sense of dread, the same sense of a looming threat, and the only way to prevent its destruction is to make a sacrifice no one is willing to make. Visually, “The Fog” could easily be thought of as an extended episode of ” Widow’s Bay” —all shadowy threats, lonely boats on the water, and strange town inhabitants behaving, er, strangely (the quirky town and its inhabitants will also evoke associations with “Widow’s Bay”). The humor isn’t as overt, but it’s quite funny at times, so you’ll definitely see where “Widow’s Bay” drew inspiration from that film. You can watch “The Fog” on Kanopy or Plex , or rent it on Prime Video .
More movies like Widow’s Bay
Looking for more horror, comedy, and stories about life in a small beach town? Here are a few more films that at least partially capture the atmosphere of “Widow’s Cove.”
Storm of the Century (1999)
Stephen King’s influence is evident in Widow’s Creek, and Storm of the Century is the closest King work to the series in theme and setting. Technically a television miniseries, at 4.5 hours long, it’s actually a very long film. In 1989, a massive snowstorm isolates the settlement on Little Tull Island, Maine, just as a mysterious stranger appears. Knowing everyone’s deepest secrets, the stranger wreaks havoc before explaining the reason for his visit to Little Tull—and his demands that they leave the town without destroying it. It’s a sinister story, imbued with the same small-town despair as Widow’s Creek . Watch Storm of the Century on Hulu .
Jaws (1975)
If you enjoy monster-infested island communities, watch this seminal film. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film not only defined the modern blockbuster genre but also tells the story of another sleepy island town, Amity Island (the film was shot on Martha’s Vineyard). When an unusually large and aggressive shark starts killing people, Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches, but the mayor argues that doing so will ruin the tourist season and lead to a slew of shark-related unrest. If that sounds familiar, it should. Watch Jaws on Prime Video .
The Wicker Man (1973)
If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a strange, vaguely menacing island community harboring a dark secret, watch The Wicker Man (the original film, not the crazy 2006 remake with Nicolas Cage). When a mainland police officer travels to the isolated island of Summersisle to investigate a missing girl, he finds himself in a strange pagan community that neither welcomes nor directly threatens him. But it’s all part of the plan, and as he explores the island, the darkness beneath its façade slowly consumes him, leading to one of the most striking and terrifying final images in cinematic history. Christopher Lee’s insane performance as Lord Summersisle is like a negative of a photograph by Matthew Rhys’ Tom Loftis, and is worth the price of admission alone. Stream The Wicker Man on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
Fear Eaters (1996)
If you found Widow’s Creek’s perfect balance of humor and horror appealing, check out this often-overlooked 1996 film directed (and co-written) by Peter Jackson. Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) gains the ability to see and interact with ghosts after a tragic accident that killed his wife. Tormented by guilt, Frank uses this power to trick people into paying him to exorcise demons from their homes after his ghostly friends “haunt” them for a while. When a ghostly figure dressed as Death begins killing people in ways that implicate Frank, he must overcome his self-loathing and terror to save innocent lives. The film combines a humorous atmosphere with genuine scares that will appeal to fans of the series. Watch The Frighteners on Prime Video .
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Another film that somehow manages to be both incredibly funny and genuinely scary, Shaun of the Dead tells the story of a zombie apocalypse in a quiet London neighborhood. Shaun (Simon Pegg) hasn’t exactly had much success in life, but when zombies attack those he loves, he’s ready to fight—though not always successfully. Filled with references, brick jokes , and genuinely touching performances, this film (and Edgar Wright’s entire so-called Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy ) is a must-see for horror and comedy fans alike. Rent Shaun of the Dead on Prime Video .