Rainy Day Chills: 22 Dark and Captivating Films to Set the Mood

Movies that feature stormy, rainy weather can create a unique atmosphere and add an extra layer of tension and drama to the storyline. Whether you're looking for an action-packed adventure or a moody romance, atmospheric movies like Twister and Twilight offer an immersive and exciting viewing experience that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

But, if vampires and tornadoes aren't your things, don't worry; we found many more movies that'll match the rainy day vibes.

1. Léon: The Professional (1994)

It feels like it would be hard to make an action thriller “heartwarming,” but this flick manages the task. Here, a mysterious hitman named Léon befriends a recently orphaned little girl, and over a short period of time, she warms his heart. Jean Reno shines as an empathetic assassin, while Natalie Portman served up a breakout performance as his young accomplice in training. 

2. Last Holiday (2006)

Queen Latifah's ability to emit joy and sorrow help make Last Holiday a touching adventure that can be funny, sad and hopeful. The movie follows the life of Georgia Byrd, who decides to live life to the limit after being diagnosed with a deadly disease. Her journey is a transformative one that swerves between laughs and moments of pathos for an easygoing feel-good film. 

3. Crawl (2019)

Crawl is a Sam Raimi natural horror film following a father (Barry Pepper), daughter (Kaya Scodelario), and their dog finding themselves trapped in the crawl space of their house during a Category five hurricane in Florida. However, to add an extra element of terror, the family is preyed upon by alligators. 

4. Twilight (2008)

Love it or hate it, Twilight takes place in one of the rainiest places in the country, Forks, Washington. It's a five-film franchise starring Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, a teenage girl, and Robert Pattinson as a vegetarian vampire who's been 18 for a while.

The first film centers around the development of their relationship and keeping Bella safe from a small coven of vengeful vampires. The soundtracks and instrumental movie scores are both incredible. 

5. The Batman (2022)

The Batman is a superhero movie based on the beloved DC Comics character, but with a darker detective side viewers haven't seen before. Robert Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne/Batman in two hours of dark and rain. The music is phenomenal, and it's the perfect film for rain lovers. Additionally, Zoë Kravitz plays a convincing Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

6. Identity (2003)

Identity is an ensemble neo-noir thriller following ten strangers stranded in an isolated hotel due to a horrific storm with a torrential downpour of rain. The strangers begin dying one by one, and the survivors attempt to discover their commonality. Additionally, a parallel story follows a murderer waiting for a verdict to determine if he will be executed for his crimes. 

7. Cast Away (2000)

Cast Away is a survival drama following a FedEx troubleshooter (Tom Hanks) whose plane goes down in the South Pacific on Christmas. He's the only survivor and makes it to an uninhabited island, where he survives for four years. There is rain and a volleyball companion named Wilson.

8. The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies is an adventure comedy cult classic following a group of kids living in the Goon Docks neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon. They find a treasure map leading them to the legendary pirate, One-Eyed Willy's, long-lost treasure. Additionally, a criminal family chases them through the booby-trapped adventure to the loot. There is rain and a fun Cyndi Lauper song that screams, The Goonies. 

9. Platoon (1986)

Platoon is an epic war film based on Oliver Stone's experiences during the Vietnam War. It follows a U.S. Army volunteer (Charlie Sheen) serving in the war. At the same time, his Platoon Sergeant (Tom Berenger) and his Squad Leader (Willem Dafoe) argue over the morality of the platoon and the Vietnam War. It also stars John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp, and plenty of rain.

10. The Crow (1994)

The Crow is a dark and rainy superhero film starring Brandon Lee in his final film. Eric Draven (Lee) and his fiancée are brutally attacked and murdered; she suffers greatly. However, after a year passes, a crow taps on Draven's gravestone, and he's resurrected to exact revenge on the perpetrators. It's based on James O'Barr's comic of the same name. 

11. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a sci-fi action film and the second in the original trilogy of dinosaur flicks. The story follows a team on the second island that John Hammond used for his creation of dinosaurs. Additionally, an InGen team is there to capture dinosaurs and take them to the U.S. 

12. The Perfect Storm (2000)

The Perfect Storm is a biographical disaster drama about the commercial swordfishing boat Andrea Gail. Sadly, Andrea Gail was lost at sea during the 1991 Perfect Storm of two powerful weather fronts and Hurricane Grace. It features an ensemble of George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, John C. Reilly, Karen Allen, Bob Gunton, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

13. Twister (1996)

Hailed for being one of the best storm movies of all time, Twister makes the list. Helen Hunt (Dr. Jo) and Bill Paxton (Bill) are the stars of this storm-slash romance drama. And we can’t forget Philip Seymour Hoffman (Dustin Davis), who brings comedy and a sense of epic adventure.

14. Se7en (1995)

Two detectives search for a serial killer whose motives are the seven deadly sins. Se7en intentionally incorporates a lot of rain because it adds a sense of dread to the crime-ridden drama and thriller. The suspense and psychological manipulation will keep you on edge.

15. Blade Runner (1982)

From Ridley Scott comes one of the most loved science-fiction movies. Harrison Ford plays Rick Deckard, a cop in the futuristic society set in… 2019… where synthetic humans work in space colonies. When one escapes down to Earth, Rick agrees to hunt them down.

16. Hard Rain (1998)

During a devastating flood, a group tries to prevent the theft of three million dollars from being taken during the storm. This movie stars Morgan Freeman, Randy Quaid, Minnie Driver, and Christian Slater.

17. Prisoners (2013)

When Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) loses his daughter and her friend during the day, he decides he needs to find the person who abducted the girls after working with a detective, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. 

18. Arrival (2016)

This popular science-fiction movie focuses on the story of a linguist who is recruited to work with the military after aliens land on Earth. She needs to figure out how to communicate with them before the invasion grows.

19. Jurassic Park (1993)

One of the best rain scenes is in Jurassic Park, but overall, the film is one of the best movies to watch on a cozy, rainy day. Let your imagination go wild while you watch this dinosaur classic, and still dream of what it would be like to actually meet one in real life.

20. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Over several years in prison, two convicts create a new friendship as they try to survive their time in Shawshank prison without losing their sense of humanity.

21. Road to Perdition (2002)

When a mobster's son witnesses a murder in the 1930s, the father and son duo are forced to come to terms with what it means to be loyal to your family and to protect them at all costs.

This film stars Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Paul Newman, Daniel Craig, and many others.

22. The Shape of Water  (2017)

When a lonely janitor at a top-secret research facility falls in love with a new, amphibious creature that lives at the facility, it changes the course of the lives of everyone involved.

This thread inspired this post.