Alright, witches—let’s be real for a second. Running a spiritual biz like Slight Look is a full-time gig, and yeah, we’re all about that empowered, soul-fueled hustle. But sometimes, it’s not all business and no play. Even the most badass soulpreneur needs a break from making magic to, you know, actually relax. And what better way to chill than diving into the dark, moody world of Dark Academia with a witchy twist?

Here’s the deal: I’ve been over it. I’m talking about those tired, basic “Dark Academia” lists that only show private school drama and high school teens having existential crises. Look, I’m in my 30s. Watching teenagers struggle with their SATs and sneaking off to forbidden libraries? Hard pass. I want to dive into something with real grit—more spells, more psychological twists, and definitely more supernatural vibes.

So, I’ve put together a list of Dark Academia-inspired movies and series that don’t feel like a teen soap opera or endless private school scenes. We’re going classic, gothic, historical, and just straight-up dark. There’s enough mystery, magic, and mayhem here to keep you cozy all fall long. Grab your wine (or tea, sober crew!) and let’s get to it.

Classic Dark Academia

Dark Academia at its heart is all about intellectualism, mystery, and a sense of nostalgia for old-world charm mixed with some serious privilege and power struggles. But let’s get past the overdone prep school clichés. In this genre, we’re diving deep into psychological tension, power dynamics, and some juicy drama—without having to sit through another teen’s emotional crisis in a cafeteria. Here are the movies that bring Dark Academia to life, without the high school angst.

✦ Cruel Intentions – Elite, manipulative, and deliciously wicked. Think of it as high society Dark Academia, with just the right amount of scandal and a killer soundtrack.

✦ The Riot Club – Privileged boys behaving badly at Oxford. It’s basically what would happen if the 1% ran Hogwarts without the magic. Prepare for arrogance, entitlement, and a dark look into toxic privilege.

✦ O – A modern retelling of Othello, set in an elite prep school. But don’t let that fool you—this isn’t your average teen drama. It’s packed with betrayal and obsession.

✦ The Queen’s Gambit – Dark Academia meets competitive chess. Less about private school uniforms, more about obsession, strategy, and psychological depth. Plus, those outfits are pure dark aesthetic goals.

✦ The Skulls – Secret societies, hidden power, and all the spooky cult-like vibes you want. This one takes elitism to a shadowy place.

✦ Mona Lisa Smile – Set in the 1950s, this movie digs into the lives of women at a prestigious college and challenges what’s expected of them. It’s smart, feminist, and carries that signature Dark Academia mood.

Gothic & Supernatural Elements

Dark Academia is nothing without a little darkness, but when you add supernatural elements to the mix? Now you’re talking my language. This genre is all about blending the intellectual with the eerie, the mysterious with the magical. Think haunted libraries, secret societies dabbling in the occult, and characters who are way too comfortable dealing with the dead. If you’re like me and crave a witchy vibe, this is where things start to get really interesting.

✦ Penny Dreadful – An absolute masterpiece. It brings together classic horror stories (think Frankenstein, Dracula, Dorian Gray) in a dark, gothic world. It’s beautifully creepy and gloriously gory.

✦ Hemlock Grove – A twisted supernatural drama with werewolves, vampires, and secrets lurking in every corner. It’s weird, unsettling, and a little messy, but in the best way possible.

✦ Mayfair Witches – Anne Rice’s iconic series about a family of powerful witches. You’ll get all the gothic mansion vibes and dark magical energy you could want.

✦ The Serpent Queen – This new historical drama dives into the life of Catherine de’ Medici—one of history’s most ruthless queens. It’s packed with intrigue, politics, and dark, witchy undertones.

✦ Alias Grace – Based on a Margaret Atwood novel, this one blends historical drama with mystery and murder. It’s an intellectual and unsettling story, perfect for a moody fall night.

✦ 1899 – From the creators of Dark, this series is a mind-bending mix of horror, mystery, and the supernatural. If you like your Dark Academia with a serious side of WTF, this one’s for you.

✦ Shutter Island – Psychological thriller meets gothic horror. You’re taken to an eerie asylum where nothing is quite what it seems. It’s as dark as it gets.

Historical & Period Pieces

For those of you who love your Dark Academia served with a side of history, welcome. Period dramas have a way of making everything feel richer—whether it's royal intrigue, epic battles, or deep philosophical conversations over candlelight. This genre takes the traditional themes of Dark Academia and wraps them in the grand, sweeping beauty of the past. It’s got all the drama, all the history, and plenty of dark, stormy nights.

✦ The White Queen – Dive into the Wars of the Roses with this intense and mystical period drama. It’s filled with royal backstabbing, political intrigue, and a touch of witchcraft.

✦ The White Princess – The follow-up to The White Queen, following Elizabeth of York as she navigates a dangerous royal court. Lots of scheming and period costumes—perfect for a moody binge.

✦ Pearl Harbor – Okay, hear me out. Not your typical Dark Academia, but it’s got that grand historical sweep and drama, especially if you’re in the mood for a love story amidst the chaos of war.

✦ Outlander – This one’s for the time-traveling witches among us. It’s a mix of romance, magic, and history, with a dark edge that pulls you into the past. (If you haven't watched this-TRIGGER WARNING)

✦ Death on the Nile – Agatha Christie murder mystery vibes with sweeping historical beauty. The intrigue is high, and the scenery is to die for (pun intended).

Psychological Thrillers & Mystery

If your favorite part of Dark Academia is the tension—the feeling that something is just off beneath the surface—then psychological thrillers and mysteries are your jam. These movies are all about mind games, moral dilemmas, and that slow burn of suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end. With enough twists and turns to make your head spin, this genre will leave you questioning everything, and you’ll love every second of it.

✦ Rebecca – An eerie, atmospheric masterpiece. This psychological thriller has everything: a mysterious mansion, haunting secrets, and all the dark tension you crave.

✦ Gone Girl – Dark and twisty, with enough psychological manipulation to keep you on edge the whole time. Nothing says fall like a good mystery with a jaw-dropping twist.

✦ Fracture – This one keeps you guessing. A smart and intense thriller where power plays and dark secrets take center stage.

✦ Taking Lives – A dark psychological thriller about an FBI profiler chasing a serial killer. It’s moody, creepy, and full of tension.

✦ My Cousin Rachel – A dark, mysterious tale of obsession and deception. It’s all gothic vibes and psychological mind games.

✦ Luckiest Girl Alive – A recent addition to the psychological thriller world, this one dives into trauma, secrets, and how far someone will go to protect the life they’ve built.

✦ Knives Out – A modern murder mystery with a quirky, dark twist. It’s clever, unpredictable, and perfect for a cozy fall watch.

✦ The Menu – Dark, disturbing, and strangely funny. It’s a satirical thriller that takes a sharp look at elitism and the dark side of fine dining. Bon appétit, witches.

✦ Fresh – If you like your dark thrillers served with a side of cannibalism (yeah, you heard me), this twisted tale will keep you on edge. It’s disturbing, darkly funny, and absolutely binge-worthy.

Dark Comedy

Sometimes, you just need to laugh—especially when things get dark. This genre blends the gothic and mysterious vibes of Dark Academia with biting wit and a dash of absurdity. It’s clever, it’s twisted, and it reminds us not to take things too seriously. If you’re in the mood for something that’s equal parts hilarious and morbid, these dark comedies are for you.

✦ Arsenic and Old Lace – A black-and-white classic. Two sweet old ladies with a dark secret? It’s as hilarious as it is darkly twisted.

✦ The Gentleman – This crime flick is filled with sharp wit, snappy dialogue, and plenty of dark humor. The plot twists and characters keep you hooked, but the vibe is dark and classy.

✦ Saltburn – A new release that's a perfect blend of dark humor and privileged dysfunction. A twisted and stylish ride through a posh but sinister world.

Adventurous with a Dark Twist

Adventure may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Dark Academia, but hear me out—sometimes, you need a little action with your gloom. These picks add a supernatural, adventurous twist to the usual dark themes, giving you the thrills without losing that eerie vibe. Perfect for when you want something a bit lighter without straying too far from the shadows.

✦ The Mummy – Brendan Fraser + ancient Egypt + a dark curse? Yes, please. It’s adventurous, but still gives you the supernatural fix you crave.

✦ The Return of the Mummy – More mummies, more adventure, and plenty of dark, mystical elements. This one’s a fun ride if you’re looking for a lighter Dark Academia day.

✦ Halloween H2O – Because what’s fall without a little slasher horror? Set in a private school, this one’s got all the spooky vibes, even if it leans more toward horror than academia.

Disclaimer: Not Quite Dark Academia, But Still Dark AF

Okay, so not everything fits neatly into the Dark Academia box, but that doesn’t mean they don’t bring the dark, mysterious energy we crave. These films and shows might not follow the strict academic vibes, but they still deliver on moody, atmospheric storytelling. And let’s face it, sometimes you just want to watch something dark without worrying if it checks all the aesthetic boxes. These picks do just that.

✦ Outlander – Sure, it’s more of a time-traveling love story than classic Dark Academia, but the historical intrigue, Scottish landscapes, and witchy undertones give it plenty of moody, dark vibes. Plus, if you’re like me, it’s an absolute comfort watch.

✦ The Menu – A sharp, satirical take on elitism and fine dining with a sinister twist. It’s not exactly intellectual in the Dark Academia sense, but it’s dark, disturbing, and twisted in the best way.

✦ Pearl Harbor – This epic wartime drama may not scream Dark Academia, but the sweeping historical narrative, peak fashion, moral conflicts, and high-stakes drama will still pull you in. Plus, sometimes you just need a little grand romance with your darkness.

✦ The Mummy – Adventure, supernatural curses, ancient Egypt? Yes, please! While it’s not exactly the brooding intellectualism of Dark Academia, it has enough mystery, history, and dark elements to keep you entertained. Plus, it’s a total classic and 100% the VIBE.

✦ Halloween H2O – Set in a private school and dripping with slasher horror, it’s more about running from a killer than reading poetry in candlelight. But hey, it’s spooky season, and sometimes you need a little scream with your academia.

The Final Spell

Alright witches, now that you’ve got this killer list of moody, dark, and spooky movies and shows, it’s time to kick back and embrace the fall vibes. Whether you're creating magic in your business or curling up for a Netflix binge, balance is key (just like Mabon taught us, right?). So, light a candle, pull on your coziest sweater, and get lost in the shadows for a while. Even the most badass soulpreneur deserves a little playtime, after all.

Happy watching, and may your autumn be filled with all the dark, witchy vibes you can handle. 🖤