18 Movies Like Carnivàle That Will Leave You Spellbound

"The Story of Marie and Julien" is reminiscent of "Carnivàle" in its blend of drama, fantasy, mystery, and romance. Both movies transport the audience to a different time period, with "Carnivàle" set during the Great Depression and "The Story of Marie and Julien" taking place in Paris. While "Carnivàle" explores a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, "The Story of Marie and Julien" delves into the themes of love, tragedy, loss, and farewells. Both films have a supernatural element that adds intrigue to the storytelling. However, "The Story of Marie and Julien" focuses more on the complexity of its characters and their emotions, while "Carnivàle" captivates with its visually stunning and surreal sequences.

"True Blood" is reminiscent of "Carnivàle" in that both shows explore a supernatural world hidden within our own. While "Carnivàle" takes place during the Great Depression and focuses on the battle between Heaven and Hell, "True Blood" is set in modern-day Louisiana and delves into the complex relationships between humans, vampires, witches, and other supernatural beings. Both shows captivate viewers with their intriguing plots and intricate storytelling. However, "True Blood" infuses more romance and thriller elements into its narrative, making it a perfect choice for fans of supernatural dramas with a touch of mystery and romance. So, if you enjoyed the supernatural world-building and intense character dynamics of "Carnivàle," you'll definitely want to sink your teeth into the captivating world of "True Blood.

Secret Pleasures is reminiscent of Carnivàle in its exploration of mysterious and supernatural themes. Both shows take place during challenging times in history, with Carnivàle set in the Great Depression and Secret Pleasures in an undisclosed period. While Carnivàle delves into a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, Secret Pleasures follows an attractive woman detective who becomes entangled in a feverish love triangle while investigating cases of conjugal infidelity. Both shows feature elements of mystery, drama, and romance, but Carnivàle stands out with its fantasy and thriller elements, while Secret Pleasures focuses more on sensual and erotic aspects. If you enjoyed the dark and supernatural atmosphere of Carnivàle, Secret Pleasures offers a different kind of intrigue and passion that will captivate you in its own unique way.

"Tokko" is reminiscent of "Carnivàle" in that both shows explore supernatural elements within a specific historical context. While "Carnivàle" delves into the Great Depression and a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, "Tokko" takes place in modern times and follows the Special Public Safety Task Force as they battle 108 demons. Both shows have a dark and mysterious atmosphere, but "Tokko" leans more towards gore and splatter anime, while "Carnivàle" focuses on surrealistic and complex dream sequences. Despite their differences, fans of "Carnivàle" would enjoy "Tokko" for its humor, stylized gore, and intriguing characters. Although "Tokko" ends abruptly without a second season, it still manages to entertain without leaving viewers desperately craving answers.

Master i Margarita is reminiscent of Carnivàle due to their shared elements of fantasy and drama. Both movies explore supernatural themes within historical contexts, with Carnivàle set during the Great Depression and Master i Margarita taking place in 1930's Russia under Stalin. The intertwining of multiple storylines is another similarity between these two movies. Carnivàle follows the journey of a farm boy and a minister as they discover their roles in a proxy war between Heaven and Hell. Similarly, Master i Margarita weaves together the satire of Stalin's era, the inner struggle of Pontius Pilate, and the love story between a writer and his lover Margarita. However, while Carnivàle focuses on the battle between light and dark forces, Master i Margarita delves into themes of love, power, and artistic expression.

Earth is reminiscent of Carnivàle in its blend of fantasy and drama, as well as its visually stunning cinematography. Both movies take place in different time periods and explore supernatural elements within their narratives. While Carnivàle is set during the Great Depression and follows a farm boy and a minister involved in a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, Earth takes place in a small Spanish town and focuses on an exterminator who communicates with the deceased townspeople. Both films have a unique and captivating storyline that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The use of visual cues and surrealistic dream sequences in Carnivàle, reminiscent of David Lynch's work, contribute to its overall artistic appeal. Similarly, Earth captivates viewers with its visually stunning scenes and the way it immerses them in its magical world. The performances in both movies are commendable, with talented actors bringing their characters to life.

Queen's Blade: The Exiled Virgin, a Japanese animated series, shares some similarities with Carnivàle. Both shows feature strong female characters and explore themes of power and competition. However, the similarities end there. While Carnivàle is a supernatural period drama set during the Great Depression, Queen's Blade is an ecchi anime that focuses on women from different regions preparing for a tournament. Unlike Carnivàle, which is known for its complex storytelling and stunning visuals, Queen's Blade leans more towards fan service and lacks the depth and artistic quality of its counterpart. Nonetheless, if you're looking for a light-hearted and occasionally intense ecchi anime, Queen's Blade might be worth a watch.

Black Out is reminiscent of Carnivàle because both movies delve into mysterious and supernatural themes. While Carnivàle explores the battle between Heaven and Hell during the Great Depression, Black Out delves into the introspection of a Greek fashion model after her fighter pilot boyfriend crashes his jet into the ocean. Both films take the viewer on a journey through the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotions as they reflect on their relationships and the events that shaped them. However, the two movies differ in their genres and settings. Carnivàle is a fantasy series set in the 1930s, while Black Out is a drama mystery romance thriller set in modern-day Greece. Despite their differences, Black Out offers a captivating exploration of love and loss that fans of Carnivàle will appreciate.

Underbelly is reminiscent of Carnivàle because both shows delve into the darker side of society and explore the lives of characters who are involved in criminal activities. While Carnivàle is set during the Great Depression and focuses on a traveling carnival, Underbelly takes place in Melbourne and follows the rise and fall of real-life Australian underworld figures. Both shows showcase a blend of drama, mystery, and thriller elements to captivate the audience. However, Underbelly differs from Carnivàle in terms of its setting, as it is based on true events in a contemporary setting rather than a supernatural period piece. Additionally, Underbelly tackles themes of violence, corruption, and the blurred lines between good and evil, providing a gritty and realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld. Overall, if you enjoyed the intriguing storytelling and complex characters of Carnivàle, you should definitely give Underbelly a watch.

The movie "4" takes us on a wild ride through the streets of Moscow, where three intriguing characters meet in an all-night bar. As they share their fabricated life stories, we are transported into their fantastical realities. Oleg claims to work for President Putin, Marina poses as a marketing executive, and the notorious lead singer of Leningrad, Volodya, pretends to be a geneticist cloning twins in a laboratory since Stalin's era. These imaginative tales start to bleed into their everyday lives, especially Volodya's. While "4" shares the element of fantasy with "Carnivàle," it deviates in its setting and tone. Instead of the Great Depression backdrop, "4" immerses us in the vibrant city of Moscow. While "Carnivàle" delves into a battle between Heaven and Hell, "4" explores the blurring lines between reality and fantasy.

Monsters. Imagine a horror anthology series where a family of monsters gathers around their TV every week to watch a different horror story. That's what you get with "Monsters". This show, reminiscent of the classic "Tales From The Darkside", delivers separate tales that are equal parts cautionary and darkly humorous. Each episode features deadly creatures, with a touch of irony and occasional dark humor. While "Monsters" may not have the same cult following as "Carnivàle", it still holds its own in the realm of supernatural storytelling. With its blend of comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller genres, "Monsters" offers a unique and entertaining viewing experience. So, if you're a fan of the strange and bizarre, give "Monsters" a try. You never know what deadly creature might be lurking around the corner.

The Ray Bradbury Theater is reminiscent of Carnivàle because both are anthology series with a touch of the supernatural. While Carnivàle is set during the Great Depression and explores the battle between Heaven and Hell, The Ray Bradbury Theater showcases teleplays based on Ray Bradbury's novels and short stories. Both shows have a knack for blending drama, fantasy, mystery, and thriller elements to create captivating storytelling. However, they differ in their settings and themes. Carnivàle delves into the dark and gritty world of a traveling carnival, while The Ray Bradbury Theater takes us on a journey through Bradbury's imaginative and thought-provoking stories. If you enjoyed the mesmerizing visuals and unique storytelling of Carnivàle, The Ray Bradbury Theater is a must-watch for its brilliant adaptations of Bradbury's works.

Deadwood is reminiscent of Carnivàle in its attention to detail, story, and character. Both shows excel in creating immersive worlds that transport the viewers to a different time and place. While Carnivàle is set during the Great Depression and revolves around a traveling carnival, Deadwood takes place in the late 1800s in the corrupt and crime-ridden town of Deadwood, South Dakota. The dialogue in both shows is captivating and realistic, with Deadwood being particularly known for its wonderfully theatrically profane language. The production standards in both series are impeccable, with costumes, sets, and scenery that bring the time period to life.
One standout performance in Deadwood is Ian McShane's portrayal of Al Swearengen, a foul-mouthed and back-stabbing villain who manages to humanize his character despite his repellent nature.

"Point Pleasant" is reminiscent of "Carnivàle" in its supernatural elements and mysterious storytelling. Both shows involve a protagonist with extraordinary abilities that have a significant impact on the people and events around them. While "Carnivàle" takes place during the Great Depression and explores the battle between Heaven and Hell, "Point Pleasant" is set in a small coastal town in New Jersey and focuses on a series of supernatural events. Despite their differences in setting and plot, both shows captivate viewers with their intricate narratives and visually stunning cinematography. If you enjoyed the supernatural elements and immersive storytelling of "Carnivàle," then "Point Pleasant" is a must-watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its plot twists and compelling characters.

"Eerie, Indiana" takes us on the adventures of teenage weirdness investigator Marshall Teller, as he explores the mysteries of his new small-town home with his friends Simon Holmes and Dash X. Just like "Carnivàle," this series combines different genres such as adventure, comedy, drama, family, fantasy, horror, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller, creating a unique and captivating viewing experience. While "Carnivàle" delves into the supernatural during the Great Depression, "Eerie, Indiana" brings us supernatural phenomena, quirky characters, and clever plotlines set in a contemporary small town. Both shows excel in creating a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting the audience to join the characters as they uncover the secrets of their respective worlds. If you enjoyed the supernatural elements and unconventional storytelling of "Carnivàle," you'll find "Eerie, Indiana" to be a delightful and nostalgic journey into the strange and unexplained.

Gargoyles is reminiscent of Carnivàle because both shows delve into the realm of the supernatural and feature complex storylines. While Carnivàle takes place during the Great Depression and follows a farm boy and a minister who become entangled in a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, Gargoyles transports us to modern-day New York City, where a clan of heroic night creatures protect the city just as they did in Scotland a thousand years ago. Both shows have an air of mystery and fantasy, but they differ in their settings and time periods. Carnivàle immerses us in the gritty reality of the 1930s, while Gargoyles adds a touch of steampunk and superhero elements to its modern urban landscape. So, if you loved the supernatural and intricate storytelling of Carnivàle, give Gargoyles a watch and prepare to be captivated by its unique blend of action, adventure, and mythology.

Baywatch Nights, released in 1998, is reminiscent of Carnivàle, a TV series that aired in 2003. While Carnivàle explores a proxy war between Heaven and Hell during the Great Depression, Baywatch Nights takes a hard turn towards supernatural horror in its second season. Both shows share a common thread of blending genres, with Carnivàle combining drama, fantasy, mystery, and thriller, and Baywatch Nights mixing action, crime, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, and thriller. However, the similarities end there. Carnivàle is a cult classic known for its leisurely paced story and visually stunning sequences, while Baywatch Nights is a wild and crazy combination of Baywatch and The X Files. So, if you enjoyed the unique storytelling and bizarre visuals of Carnivàle, Baywatch Nights might just be the crazy and fun ride you're looking for.

The Outer Limits is reminiscent of Carnivàle because both shows delve into the realm of the supernatural and mystery. While Carnivàle takes place during the Great Depression and follows a farm boy and a minister caught in a proxy war between Heaven and Hell, The Outer Limits is a modern revival of the classic science fiction horror anthology show. Both shows explore otherworldly themes, with Carnivàle focusing on the battle between light and dark forces and The Outer Limits featuring twist endings and episodes involving aliens. Despite their similarities, there are some notable differences between the two. Carnivàle is a drama, fantasy, mystery, and thriller series, while The Outer Limits encompasses drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller genres. Additionally, Carnivàle has a higher average rating of 8.4, compared to The Outer Limits' rating of 7.7.