Sure, this one is a zombie classic, but it’s also great way to mix up your home-invasion marathon.Īvailable to stream on Hulu. Here’s a terrifying question: What do you do if the sinister home invader is a woman pretending to be a babysitter, and you entrust her with the lives of your children? That is the premise of Emelie, which is powered by an utterly disturbing performance from lead actress Sarah Bolger. Just remember: You want the original version of this movie, not the 2006 remake starring Camilla Belle. Is any question more chilling than, “Have you checked the children?” It’s the line that puts this movie in the horror hall of fame. The first 30 minutes of When a Stranger Calls capitalize on the fundamental terror of home invasion in a way that few movies have ever been able to replicate. It’s a French film, and the French are straight crazy with their horror. A couple is alone in their dark, cavernous house, where they’re hunted by a mysterious person - or persons - who revel in torture. Īvailable to rent or purchase on iTunes, Amazon Video, and Google Play.īefore The Conjuring tested nerves with those scary hands clapping in the dark, the villains of Them chipped away at audiences’ sanity with some wretched noisemakers. Just the fear of your ultimate safe space being violated and used against you. The premise is simple: Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman are trapped in their house as three masked sociopaths taunt and terrorize them. Upon its release, The Strangers became a home-invasion classic, which is a true testament to the power of this horror subgenre. The impact of this film vastly overshadows its poor critical performance. It’s the connective power of art in practice, manifested in mutual terror.īelow, we present 24 home-invasion movies to ensure that you don’t sleep soundly until Christmas. There’s plenty here for both the bloodhounds and those who prefer less gory frights. The universal fear of domestic violation transcends language and local custom. It’s pretty twisted to think about watching movies that exploit these fears for fun, but there’s something to be said for sharing such an emotional experience with people from across the world. It’s why wind chimes become instruments of terror when the sun goes down. Home-invasion movies are driven by a universal fear: Who hasn’t worried about someone breaking into their home with malicious intent? It’s why creaks and bumps scare you when you’re home alone.

Photo: Lionsgate, Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, Sundance Institute

Home invasion 1997 full movie