Summary

• Dive deeper into the style of Vanished into the Night with these thrilling movies.
• The Nameless, Searching, and Without a Trace provide different perspectives on Vanishing Into the Night's themes.
• Prisoners, Changeling, and Taken are classics that share major connections to Vanishing Into the Night.

After watching Pietro La Torre try to find his missing children in Vanished into the Night's cast includes Riccardo Scamarcio and Annabelle Wallis.

Vanished into the Night is a tense mystery from a long line of films centering on kidnapping. Over the years, some of the best thriller movies have focused on what happens when a child is taken. Oftentimes, the journey to find the kid unravels a far larger and scarier conspiracy. The movies that are most like Vanished in the Night are those that propose a similar situation. These movies wonder what a parent does when their child goes missing, or explores the terrifying criminal underbelly that society often forgets about. Without a doubt, each of these films is thrilling until the last second.

10 The Nameless (1999)

A Woman's Murdered Daughter Claims To Be Alive

The Nameless is a 1999 Spanish horror movie following Claudia, a woman whose six-year-old daughter, Angela, was brutally murdered. Several years later, Claudia gets a call from someone claiming to be Angela, pleading for help. Though Claudia thought her daughter was dead, she can't help but investigate this call with the hope that maybe Angela has been alive this whole time. But if so, where has she been?

Though The Nameless takes a more paranormal route than Vanished in the Night does, the movies definitely have their similarities. Like Pietro, Claudia is desperate to find Angela, no matter the cost. Therefore, when she uncovers something truly horrifying, she plows ahead anyway, intent on saving the daughter she thought she lost. The Nameless is perfect for those who might like a scarier, more gruesome version of Vanished into the Night.

9 Changeling (2008)

A Missing Child Returns But Something Isn't Right

It is awful enough to lose a child, but this 2008 film poses an even spookier scenario. Changeling follows Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins, a woman in the 1920s who comes home to discover her son is missing. Months later, the police claim they have found the boy, but when they reunite, Collins knows the child isn't hers. Despite this, the authorities force Collins to take him home. From there, her pleas for help only turn the public more and more against her.

All in all, those who enjoyed the mystery of Vanished into the Night, but wouldn't mind an unexpected twist, will likely appreciate this film.

Changeling puts a twist on the classic kidnapping movie. Not only does Christine Collins lose her son, but she is forced to accept a child that isn't hers and is vilified for seeking the truth. What makes this movie even more intriguing is that it is based on the true story of the Wineville Chicken Coop murders. Plus, the movie is directed by Clint Eastwood. All in all, those who enjoyed the mystery of Vanished into the Night, but wouldn't mind an unexpected twist, will likely appreciate this film.

8 You Were Never Really Here (2017)

A Man Seeks Out Missing Girls & Finds A Dark Conspiracy

You Were Never Really Here is a psychological crime movie following a troubled man named Joe, whose job is to find missing girls. However, Joe's work takes an unexpected turn when the girl he needs to save is part of a much bigger crime ring. Suddenly, Joe's entire life is put at risk as he attempts to save this child. He must defeat the bad guys, and also, overcome his own mental health issues.

You Were Never Really Here stars Joaquin Phoenix as Joe.

Although You Were Never Really Here and Vanished into the Night both follow child kidnapping stories, what truly connects them are their main characters. Though Joe and Pietro have stark differences, their motive is the same. They want to do everything they can to protect endangered children. You Were Never Really Here is definitely steeped in themes of kidnapping and crime, but more than anything, it is a case study of a deeply unwell man who, despite everything, remains a hero.

7 Ransom (1996)

A Wealthy Man Puts Out A Ransom For His Kidnapped Son

Ransom tells the story of Tom Mullen, a rich businessman whose son is kidnapped. In response, Mullen arranges a $2 million ransom. However, when the drop doesn't go as planned, Mullen changes the game entirely. Rather than offering the money as ransom, Mullen publicly announces that the $2 million will be a bounty for the kidnappers.

With Mel Gibson in the leading role, Ransom is a classic 1990s thriller. It is like Vanished into the Night due to its themes of child kidnapping, but it sees the protagonist in a totally different position. Where Pietro must return to his criminal roots to find his children, Tom Mullen uses his wealth as a superpower to get his child back. Additionally, with Ron Howard as the director, Ransom is a star-studded adventure that is definitely worth a watch.

6 Lost Girls (2020)

A Woman Uncovers The Work Of A Serial Killer

A more recent release that is like Vanished into the Night is Lost Girls. This movie follows Mari Gilbert, a woman who pushes law enforcement to find her missing daughter, and, in the process, discovers a string of murders of young sex workers linked to a prolific serial killer. The film is based on a true story, which was documented in Robert Kolker's book, Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery.

Lost Girls focuses on the crimes of the Long Island serial killer.

Lost Girls provides the same tense questions and seedy criminal underground as Vanished into the Night. Mari follows a similar quest to the one Pietro goes on, but rather than putting herself in danger, she unlocks the secret to the disappearances of countless other young women. While this movie is certainly thrilling in some respects, it also has a strong sense of heart. Mari's discoveries create hope that other violent crimes will one day be solved. Therefore, this true story is a good pick for those who enjoy true crime more than fiction.

5 Gone Baby Gone (2007)

A Boston Cop Seeks Out A Doomed Child

When a child goes missing in a movie, sometimes it is the authorities who risk their lives, not the parents. Gone Baby Gone is a 2007 thriller starring Casey Affleck as Patrick Kenzie, a Boston cop who sets out to find a little girl that everyone else believes is long dead. Kenzie thinks he has a suspect in mind, but it turns out that the perpetrator may be much closer to home than he thought.

Gone Baby Gone is a unique pick on this list because it shows law enforcement's perspective rather than that of a parent. In some ways, this makes the movie even more action-packed. However, it doesn't take away from the emotional factor. Affleck's Kenzie is as dedicated to this missing child's case as any parent would be, plus he has the expertise to pull it off. Additionally, as Ben Affleck's directorial debut, this movie remains a classic within its genre.

4 Taken (2008)

A Man Will Do Anything To Find His Daughter

One of the best-known kidnapping movies is the Liam Neeson classic, Taken. In this film, Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a former government operative who wants to reconnect with his daughter, Kim. However, his efforts take a sudden turn when Kim is kidnapped in Europe. Mills must revive the skills he learned in Black Ops in order to save Kim from being lost forever.

Overall, Taken is a must-see for those seeking more films about parents whose children are kidnapped.

Though movies centered on kidnappings have been around for a while, Taken is likely the first movie audiences think of when they consider this specific storyline. Neeson's portrayal of Bryan Mills has become iconic, and was popular enough to spawn two sequels. In fact, Neeson would never have become an action star if it weren't for this movie. Overall, Taken is a must-see for those seeking more films about parents whose children are kidnapped.

3 Searching (2018)

A Father Seeks His Missing Daughter Through The Computer

Imagine Vanished into the Night but shot entirely through the screen of a computer. That's 2018's Searching. This thriller follows David, a man whose daughter disappears without a trace. Determined to find her, David tracks his daughter's life through her social media and technology. Eventually, he catches on to where she might have disappeared.

Where Vanished into the Night takes place in the Italian countryside, Searching takes place entirely online. This makes it stand out among other movies about kidnapping, but also other thrillers in general. Despite taking place fully on screens, Searching manages to keep audiences invested in its mystery and drama. In many ways, Searching takes the story of Vanished into the Night and follows it in an entirely new direction.

2 Without A Trace (1983)

A Woman Faces Her Son's Disappearance

Without a Trace puts the drama in the traditional child kidnapping plotline. The 1983 movie follows Susan Selky, a college professor whose son goes missing. Though Susan is dedicated to finding her child, she faces countless obstacles. At first, Susan is deemed a suspect. Then, another suspect is found, yet Susan doesn't believe it's him. Susan realizes she may have to face the facts. Her son might be gone forever.

All in all, Without a Trace is gripping without the flashy plots of the thriller genre.

Where the other movies on this list are thrillers, horror movies, and mysteries, Without a Trace takes a more dramatic route. Unlike Pietro, Susan does not go beyond the law to find her son, nor does she unlock a terrible hidden secret. Instead, Without a Trace shows the more realistic traumas of having your child be kidnapped. Rather than delving into criminal conspiracies, this movie focuses on the highs and lows Susan faces while her son is missing, and the injustices she suffers through. All in all, Without a Trace is gripping without the flashy plots of the thriller genre.

1 Prisoners (2013)

A Father Takes His Daughter's Disappearance Into His Own Hands

The final movie to watch after Vanished into the Night is 2013's Prisoners. This film stars Hugh Jackman as Keller Dover, a man whose six-year-old daughter goes missing. Though the lead detective, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, seems to have a lead, it quickly falls apart. From there, Dover decides to take matters into his own hands, but eventually realizes the danger he is putting himself in.

There are several reasons why viewers should see Prisoners. This movie has an incredible cast, including Jackman, Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and more. Furthermore, it was directed by critically acclaimed director, Denis Villeneuve. However, Prisoners is at the top of this list because of its successful depiction of a story that is incredibly similar to Vanished into the Night. Prisoners embodies the tragedy, pain, and desperation of a character losing their child. Plus, it takes unexpected turns that constantly keep it fresh. This is the ideal movie to watch after Netflix's Vanished Into the Night.