This list features emotionally heavy, dark, and tragic films that echo the haunting tone of Donnie Darko. These movies explore themes like isolation, mental illness, doomed love, existential dread, trauma, and the breakdown of reality. Whether through surreal storytelling, psychological drama, or raw character studies, each film on this list leaves a deep emotional impact. Some are cult favorites, others are critically acclaimed — but all of them make you feel. From the unsettling spiral of Joker to the time-bending heartbreak of Eternal Sunshine, these are stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.
