The Babysitter

What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Babysitter

McG · Film · 2017

If you loved The Babysitter, start with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Babysitter across media.

What hooked you in The Babysitter was the way suburban innocence is violently upended by the dark, chaotic secrets of those closest to you.

Books on the same thread

The Housemaid

The Housemaid

Freida McFadden · Book · 2022

Explores: unreliable narrator, gaslighting, hidden agendas.

If The Babysitter made you suspicious of the people watching over you, you will appreciate how this domestic thriller exposes the hidden, sinister agendas lurking behind a new job.

Goosebumps

Goosebumps

R. L. Stine · Book · 1992

Explores: Monsters, Supernatural, Fear.

The Babysitter captures that specific feeling of being a kid caught in a dangerous adult world, a theme mirrored by the high-stakes, suspenseful adventures found in these stories.

The Caretaker

The Caretaker

Marcus Kliewer · Book

Explores: isolated setting, malevolent forces, creeping dread.

Much like the terrifying discovery made in The Babysitter, this book explores the creeping dread of taking a job that forces you to confront malevolent, supernatural forces alone.

The Teacher

The Teacher

Freida McFadden · Book · 2024

Explores: Unreliable narrator, Hidden secrets, Power dynamics.

If you enjoyed the way The Babysitter subverts the trusted caregiver trope, you will be drawn to this mystery where a teacher hides dark secrets from their students.

Series on the same thread

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Joss Whedon · Series · 1997

Shares a thread with The Babysitter: Good vs Evil.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer perfectly mirrors the coming-of-age struggle found in The Babysitter, balancing the battle between good and evil with the intense pressures of teenage life.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa · Series · 2018

Shares a thread with The Babysitter: Good vs Evil.

This series captures the exact blend of occult danger and teenage rebellion seen in The Babysitter as a young protagonist navigates a dangerous, secret family legacy.

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl

Stephanie Savage · Series · 2007

Explores: Privilege, Social Status, Secrets.

If the social dynamics of The Babysitter intrigued you, this show offers a deeper look at the privileged, secretive world of teens where gossip functions as a dangerous weapon.

American Horror Story

American Horror Story

Ryan Murphy · Series · 2011

Shares a thread with The Babysitter: Good vs Evil.

American Horror Story shares the same penchant for cult-like horror and suburban unease that defined The Babysitter, delivering an anthology of dark, twisted tales that test your nerves.

Podcasts on the same thread

Bad Neighbors

Bad Neighbors

Wendy and Katie · Podcast · 2024

Explores: suburban dysfunction, pop culture analysis, human behavior.

This podcast explores the same suburban dysfunction that makes The Babysitter so unsettling, using dark humor to dissect the bizarre, often criminal behavior of people living right next door.

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026

Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.

If the dark, comedic tone of The Babysitter kept you entertained, you will enjoy this podcast that balances real-life horror stories with the rapport of a conversational, witty duo.

Keep exploring

Common questions

Is The Babysitter a horror movie?

The Babysitter is a 2017 film directed by McG that features elements of horror and dark comedy. The plot centers on a young boy named Cole who discovers his babysitter is part of a Satanic cult that intends to silence him after he stays up past his bedtime.

What is the main plot of The Babysitter?

In the 2017 movie The Babysitter, a boy named Cole stays up past his designated bedtime. He eventually discovers that his babysitter is a member of a Satanic cult. The group then attempts to keep Cole quiet by any means necessary after he witnesses their activities.

Who directed The Babysitter?

The 2017 film The Babysitter was directed by McG. The story follows a boy named Cole who discovers his babysitter belongs to a Satanic cult that will stop at nothing to ensure he keeps their secret after he stays up past his bedtime.

Is The Babysitter about a cult?

Yes, the plot of The Babysitter involves a Satanic cult. After Cole stays up past his bedtime, he realizes his babysitter is involved with this group. The cult members then attempt to stop him from revealing their activities in this 2017 film directed by McG.

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