Through birthdays, beer pong, and oh, lots of stabbing, Tree Gelbman, played by Jessica Rothe, learns what it means to grow up as if her life depended on it — and it does — in director Christopher Landon's Happy Death Day. 

This 2017 black comedy slasher film runs the gamut of a hero trapped in an endless loop. In this case, our hero is Tree, a sorority sister who finds herself getting murdered on her birthday time and time again by a mysterious masked figured. However, every time Tree is killed — and the killer gets creative — she wakes up in the same place the morning before, in the bed of kind stranger Carter, who is played by Israel Broussard. As no one believes Tree's otherworldly experience, it is up to her to identify her killer, stop them, and save herself before she runs out of time.

The film is fun as it is scary and goes beyond the classic slasher tale. Happy Death Day deals with maturity, human decency, and loss of loved ones. However, the production of the film still paid homage to its inspirations, such as a quick throwaway line at the end of the film delivered by Carter asking Tree if she's ever seen Groundhog Day. Or the fact that the mask worn by the killer was constructed by Tony Gardner, the same artist who made the mask seen in Scream. Happy Death Day delivers a shining female lead in a male dominated genre in a silly story of the modern day horrors of young people everywhere. Beware of cupcakes.

Here are 10 movies like Happy Death Day, ranked by Metascore.

Barbarian

Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of Justin Long and milk
Where to watch: Still in theaters...
Runtime: 102 mins

Directed by Zach Cregger, this 2022 horror film tells the modern-day tale of a woman named Tess, played by Georgina Campbell, who finds that her rental house she booked is already hosting a stranger named Keith, played by Bill Skarsgård. Unsure if she can trust Keith or not, Tess soon finds that the rental house itself holds more horrors than meets the eye. Creative and comedic, Barbarian plays with classic horror in a modern twist that Happy Death Day fans will likely find just as refreshing, additionally starring a female horror protagonist that is just as smart and witty.

"Director-screenwriter Cregger displays an obvious perverse glee in guiding his audiences through his outlandish twists and turns." — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

Bodies Bodies Bodies

Metascore: 69
Best for: Fans of Pete Davidson and whodunnits 
Where to watch:

, , iTunes, Vudu
Runtime: 94 minutes

This A24 horror flick starts with a group of 20-somethings partying at their friend's dad's house. Things are already a little awkward and Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) shows up to the party unannounced with her new girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) in tow. When a thunderstorm forces everyone inside and causes a power outage, chaos ensues when a dead body is found outside and an internal investigation commences. Bodies Bodies Bodies sees fake friends try their hand at catching a murderer, also exploring themes of social media toxicity and "girl drama," like Happy Death Day.

"Overall, it's a fun, darkly humorous watch that's worth checking out if you're looking for something fresh to satisfy your appetite for horror and humor in equal measure." — Alejandra Martinez, We Got This Covered

Freaky

Metascore: 67
Best for: Fans of Freaky Friday and Vince Vaughn
Where to watch:

, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu
Runtime: 102 minutes

Freaky follows 17-year-old Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton), whose main concern in life is how to make it in high school, a viciously toxic space run by the popular kids. Her life takes a turn when she becomes the target of the town's infamous serial killer, played by Vaughn. When the killer's magic dagger causes the two to switch bodies, Millie learns that she only has 24 hours to undo the spell lest she stay trapped in the psychotic man's body forever. Also playing homage to its classics, Freaky has the same tone of lightness and humor despite its slasher nature that any Happy Death Day fan is sure to appreciate.

"Freaky knows it's a farce, but that satirical edge doesn't keep it from being one of the most purely enjoyable horror works I've seen in a long time." — David Sims, The Atlantic

Hush (2016)

Metascore: 67
Best for: Fans of psychological thrillers and fire alarms
Where to watch: Netflix
Runtime: 81 minutes

This short and sweet 2016 horror film follows Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), a deaf and mute horror author who lost her ability to hear and speak at age 13. In the hopes of furthering her career as a novelist, Maddie chooses to move out of New York City to instead live an isolated life in the woods, with only a few neighbors nearby and her cat to keep her company. One night, Maddie realizes she's being stalked and finds a masked killer at her window. With only her sharp instincts and clever wit, Maddie must find a way to outlive the killer. Though Hush is not as light-hearted as Happy Death Day, the film features a similar clever female horror lead.

"Siegel's likable perf keeps the audience on her side and highlights Maddie's knack for thinking on her feet. Gallagher is even better as the mysteriously motivated antagonist." — Geoff Berkshire, Variety

Scream (1996)

Metascore: 65
Best for: Fans of landlines and slashers
Where to watch:

, Google Play, iTunes, , Vudu
Runtime: 111 minutes

Applauded as the first take on the modern slasher in all its satirical glory, Scream follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends who have become the targets of a mysterious masked killer, who is known as Ghostface. Creepy phone calls, dead bodies, and jump scares ensue. Directed by Wes Craven, this take on a horror film is comedic, sadistic, and disturbing, paving the way for the modern slasher. This is an iconic horror film that no Happy Death Day fans will want to miss.

"Compared with most of what passes for scary movies these days, this is golden: It's not stupid, it's not wussy and it pulls off a couple of pretty nasty jolts." — Frank Lovece, TV Guide Magazine

Ready or Not

Metascore: 64
Best for: Newlyweds and board game fanatics
Where to watch:

, , iTunes, Vudu
Runtime: 95 minutes

This 2019 black comedy horror film follows Grace (Samara Weaving), who couldn't be happier marrying the love of her life on his family's massive private estate. The best day of her life takes a turn however when she learns of the family's unconventional tradition: she must hide from midnight until dawn while her in-laws seek her out with guns, scythes and crossbows. Ready or Not is a fast-paced, dark, and extravagant slasher that could surely satisfy Happy Death Day audiences.

"The charitable reading is that Ready or Not understands how moneyed entitlement knows no gender. So no, not a subtle movie. But a fairly satisfying one." — Jesse Hassenger, AV Club

Flatliners (1990)

Metascore: 55
Best for: Medical students and fans of Julia Roberts
Where to watch:

, Google Play, iTunes, Pluto TV, Vudu
Runtime: 115 minutes

Flatliners centers around five medical students who aim to understand what happens to one after death. In order to do so, the group conducts a series of medical experiments to produce near-death experiences for short periods of time. The film stars Kiefer Sutherland, Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing in 1990. Not dissimilar from Happy Death Day, the film deals with themes of life and death, atonement and making peace with past difficulties.

"If Flatliners is anything at all, it's watchable: aflame with Jan de Bont cinematography, deep-focus decor, an attractive cast." — Michael Wilmington, Los Angeles Times

The Visit

Metascore: 55
Best for: Fans of M. Night Shyamalan and grandma's cookies
Where to watch:

, , Google Play, iTunes, , Vudu
Runtime: 94 minutes

This 2015 horror thriller follows Becca (Olivia DeJonge) and her younger brother Tyler (Ed Oxenbould) as they're sent off on a visit to meet their maternal grandparents for the first time. Upon first arrival, all seems well until the siblings start to notice some strange behavior from both Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), leaving the children to wonder whether they'll even make it back home. This film is as horrific as it is comical given its subject matter, making it the perfect watch for a fan of Happy Death Day.

"Shyamalan's scriptwriting is livelier than we've seen in years, and there's a sense of humor that was missing in even his best work." — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

Black Christmas (2019)

Metascore: 49
Best for: Fans of Christmas parties and Greek life
Where to watch:

, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu
Runtime: 92 minutes

Directed by Sophia Takal, this 2019 slasher film follows a group of sorority sisters who are being stalked by a masked individual during their Christmas break. Determined to not fall prey to yet another man, the girls band together to take on the evil ongoings of their fraternities, their school and their mysterious stalker. The film is loosely based on the 1974 Canadian film Black Christmasand grapples with themes of redemption and feminism that are not far off from Happy Death Day.

"A feminist horror flick that lacks nuance in its feminism and thrills in its horror. But it should be applauded for reinterpreting rather than just retreading the original" — Ian Freer, Empire

Jennifer's Body

Metascore: 47
Best for: Fans of Megan Fox and platonic romance
Where to watch:

, , Google Play, iTunes, , Vudu
Runtime: 102 minutes

Jennifer's Body tells the story of popular high schooler Jennifer, played by Fox, who becomes possessed by a demon. Now resigned to eating human flesh to survive, Jennifer targets the high school boys who always wanted a chance with her. Meanwhile, her nerdy friend, Needy, played by Amanda Seyfried, figures out just what Jennifer has been up to and becomes determined to put an end to the chaos. Although critics did not review it well upon release, it has become a cult classic, appreciated as a feminist horror film. Like Happy Death Day, Jennifer's Body doesn't take itself too seriously and has fun with its female-led horror story.

"Enjoy the film for its witty dialogue and fun performances, but know that there isn't a single good scare." — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle