What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPet Sematary
Mary Lambert · Film · 1989
If you loved Pet Sematary, start with Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (Lindsey Anderson Beer, 2023) — a film from the same story. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Pet Sematary across media.
If Pet Sematary haunted you, it is because you are drawn to the terrifying ways that grief and trauma distort reality.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines
Lindsey Anderson Beer · Film · 2023
Books on the same thread
Ghost Story
Peter Straub · Book · 1979
Shares 2 threads with Pet Sematary: Supernatural Horror, Gothic Horror.
Like Pet Sematary, this novel explores how past mistakes and lingering guilt manifest into supernatural consequences, forcing characters to confront the heavy price of their own tragic history.
Danse Macabre
Stephen King · Book · 1985
Explores: Evolution of Horror, Social Commentary in Horror, Psychology of Fear.
After experiencing the visceral dread of Pet Sematary, this analysis provides an essential look at the psychology of fear and the evolution of the horror tropes that define it.
Stephen King's Danse Macabre
Stephen King · Book · 1983
Explores: Horror Tropes, Evolution of Horror, Cultural Impact of Horror.
If the unsettling atmosphere of Pet Sematary left you craving more depth, this work offers a masterclass on the history and cultural impact of the horror genre itself.
Series on the same thread
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton · Series · 1989
Explores: Death Positivity, Friendship, Outsiders.
While Pet Sematary treats death with grim seriousness, this story provides a darkly comedic perspective on the afterlife that still manages to capture the same fascination with mortality.
Tales from the Crypt
William M. Gaines · Series · 1989
Shares a thread with Pet Sematary: Supernatural Horror.
Fans of the macabre tone in Pet Sematary will appreciate these moral tales that utilize dark irony and karmic retribution to explore the consequences of our deepest human flaws.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Doppelgangers, Good vs Evil.
Much like the encroaching doom in Pet Sematary, this series masterfully uses small-town secrets and existential dread to pull you into a web of supernatural mystery and moral decay.
Mare of Easttown
Brad Ingelsby · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Pet Sematary: Grief.
If you were moved by the raw grief in Pet Sematary, this series presents a grounded look at how personal trauma and family dysfunction can consume an entire community.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bardzo straszny podcast
Podcast
Explores: Supernatural, Urban legends, Paranormal.
This podcast mirrors the unsettling storytelling found in Pet Sematary by delivering urban legends and supernatural tales that tap into the same primal fears of the unknown.
MALIKMATA
Podcast
Shares a thread with Pet Sematary: Supernatural Horror.
These stories resonate with the folklore elements of Pet Sematary, highlighting how cultural myths and supernatural encounters can provide a chilling reflection of our own reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Pet Sematary: Bloodlines a direct sequel to the 1989 Pet Sematary?
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is an adaptation that expands upon the lore established in the original story. While both films share the same title and thematic foundation, they function as distinct entries within the Pet Sematary franchise rather than a linear continuation of the 1989 movie plot.
Should I watch the 1989 Pet Sematary before watching Pet Sematary: Bloodlines?
Watching the 1989 Pet Sematary first provides important context regarding the mysterious cemetery and the consequences of the burial practices depicted in the franchise. Starting with the original film ensures you understand the core premise that serves as the foundation for the later Pet Sematary: Bloodlines adaptation.
What is the premise of the 1989 Pet Sematary?
The 1989 Pet Sematary follows the Creed family after their cat is accidentally killed. A neighbor guides them to bury the pet in a nearby cemetery, which is revealed to have mysterious properties. This decision sets off a chain of events that defines the central conflict of Pet Sematary.
How do the two Pet Sematary movies relate to each other?
Both the 1989 Pet Sematary and the 2023 Pet Sematary: Bloodlines explore the dark consequences of the mysterious cemetery mentioned in the original source material. They are connected by the shared lore of the burial ground and the supernatural impact it has on those who choose to use it.