If you’re a fan of the heart-pounding horror film The Strangers, you know there’s nothing quite like a good home invasion movie to get your adrenaline pumping. The suspense, the jump scares, the feeling of utter helplessness – it’s the perfect recipe for a sleepless night.
Well, good news for all you horror junkies out there. We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best movies like The Strangers that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. From classics like Rear Window to modern masterpieces like Hush, these films will have you double checking the locks on your doors. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready for a wild ride.
1. Hush (2016)
Hush is a masterclass in suspense from director Mike Flanagan. The film follows Maddie (Kate Siegel), a deaf writer who lives alone in the woods. One night, a masked killer appears at her window, determined to make her his next victim. With no one to hear her screams, Maddie must rely on her wits to survive the night.
What makes Hush so effective is its clever use of sound (or lack thereof). Since Maddie is deaf, much of the film plays out in eerie silence, heightening the tension to almost unbearable levels. Siegel’s performance is also fantastic, conveying so much fear and determination without saying a word.
If you loved the relentless dread of The Strangers, then Hush is a must-watch. It’s a lean, mean, 81-minute thrill ride that will leave you breathless.
2. You’re Next (2011)
On the surface, You’re Next looks like your typical home invasion slasher. A wealthy family gathers for a reunion at their remote vacation home, only to be terrorized by a group of animal-mask-wearing assailants. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
What sets You’re Next apart is its delightfully twisted sense of humor. Yes, it’s a brutal and bloody affair, but it’s also surprisingly funny, thanks in large part to Sharni Vinson’s star-making turn as Erin, the badass girlfriend of one of the family members. Watching her turn the tables on the intruders is immensely satisfying.
Like The Strangers, You’re Next plays with the audience’s expectations, delivering plenty of shocks along the way. It’s a clever, well-crafted horror-comedy that deserves a spot on any genre fan’s watchlist.
3. The Purge (2013)
The Purge takes the home invasion concept and expands it to a national scale. Set in a near-future America where all crime is legal for one night a year, the film follows the Sandin family as they hunker down in their heavily fortified mansion, hoping to ride out the mayhem.
Of course, things don’t go according to plan, and soon the Sandins find themselves besieged by a group of bloodthirsty purgers. What follows is a tense, claustrophobic thriller that makes the most of its high-concept premise.
While The Purge may not be as scary as The Strangers, it makes up for it with its biting social commentary. The film has a lot to say about class warfare and the dark side of human nature, making it a thought-provoking watch as well as a entertaining one.
4. Them (2006)
Them (or Ils in its native France) is a lean, mean home invasion movie that wastes no time getting to the goods. The film follows a young couple, Clémentine and Lucas, who live in a remote farmhouse in the Romanian countryside. One night, they’re awakened by strange noises outside, and soon find themselves under attack by a group of hooded assailants.
What makes Them so effective is its stripped-down approach. There’s very little dialogue, and even less explanation for why the attackers are targeting the couple. Instead, the film relies on pure, visceral terror, using sound and shadow to create an almost unbearable sense of dread.
If you’re a fan of The Strangers‘ minimalist approach to horror, then Them is definitely worth checking out. It’s a taut, terrifying thriller that will leave you sleeping with the lights on.
5. Inside (2007)
Fair warning: Inside is not for the faint of heart. This French extreme horror film follows a pregnant woman named Sarah who, on the night before her due date, is attacked by a mysterious woman who wants to steal her unborn baby.
What follows is a grueling, bloody battle for survival as Sarah fights to protect herself and her child. Inside is a relentlessly intense film, with graphic violence and gore that pushes the boundaries of good taste. But it’s also a masterfully crafted thriller, with a palpable sense of dread that never lets up.
If you can stomach the brutality, Inside is a must-see for hardcore horror fans. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
6. The Invitation (2015)
The Invitation is a slow-burn thriller that builds to a shocking, unforgettable climax. The film follows Will (Logan Marshall-Green) as he attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife Eden (Tammy Blanchard) and her new husband David (Michiel Huisman). As the night goes on, Will begins to suspect that something sinister is afoot.
What makes The Invitation so effective is its sense of creeping dread. Director Karyn Kusama (who also helmed the excellent Jennifer’s Body) expertly ratchets up the tension, dropping subtle hints that all is not as it seems. The film’s final act is a masterclass in suspense, with a series of shocking twists that will leave you reeling.
Like The Strangers, The Invitation preys on our fear of the unknown, and the idea that even those closest to us may not be what they seem. It’s a chilling, thought-provoking thriller that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
7. Funny Games (1997/2007)
Austrian director Michael Haneke is known for his unflinching, often controversial films, and Funny Games is no exception. The film follows a wealthy family who are taken hostage by two young men who force them to participate in a series of sadistic “games.”
What sets Funny Games apart from other home invasion thrillers is its meta approach. Haneke frequently breaks the fourth wall, having the attackers address the audience directly and even rewinding the film at one point. It’s a bold, unsettling choice that forces us to confront our own complicity in the violence onscreen.
Funny Games was remade shot-for-shot by Haneke in 2007 with an American cast, but both versions are equally effective. If you’re in the mood for a challenging, thought-provoking horror film, Funny Games is a must-see.
8. Vacancy (2007)
Vacancy is a lean, mean thriller that makes the most of its simple premise. The film follows David (Luke Wilson) and Amy Fox (Kate Beckinsale), a married couple who are forced to spend the night at a seedy motel after their car breaks down. Once there, they discover that the motel is being used to make snuff films, and that they’re the next stars.
What makes Vacancy work is its claustrophobic setting and strong performances from Wilson and Beckinsale. The film wrings every ounce of suspense out of its motel room setting, using clever camera angles and sound design to keep the audience on edge.
Like The Strangers, Vacancy taps into our fear of being trapped and hunted, with no escape in sight. It’s a taut, effective thriller that’s perfect for a late-night viewing.
9. The Collector (2009)
The Collector is a twisted take on the home invasion thriller, with a dash of Saw-style torture porn thrown in for good measure. The film follows Arkin (Josh Stewart), a thief who breaks into a wealthy family’s home, only to discover that a sadistic serial killer has already claimed it as his own.
What follows is a cat-and-mouse game as Arkin tries to escape the house while also saving the family from the killer’s elaborate traps. The Collector is a gory, intense film that doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, but it’s also a cleverly constructed thriller with a memorable villain.
If you’re a fan of The Strangers but wish it had a bit more of a Saw vibe, then The Collector is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for some seriously gruesome scenes.
10. Kidnapped (2010)
Kidnapped (or Secuestrados in its native Spain) is a brutally effective home invasion thriller that unfolds in real time. The film follows a wealthy family who are taken hostage by a group of masked intruders, who demand a large sum of money from the father’s business partner.
What sets Kidnapped apart is its stylistic approach. The film is shot in a series of long, unbroken takes, which heightens the sense of realism and makes the violence feel all the more visceral. It’s a bold choice that pays off, creating a truly harrowing viewing experience.
Like The Strangers, Kidnapped is a relentless assault on the senses, with a palpable sense of dread that never lets up. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a masterfully crafted thriller that will leave you shaken.
11. Cherry Tree Lane (2010)
Cherry Tree Lane is a British home invasion thriller that takes a slightly different approach than most films in the genre. The film follows a middle-class couple who are terrorized by a group of teenage thugs who break into their home. But as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that the couple’s relationship is far from perfect, and that they may have brought this upon themselves.
What makes Cherry Tree Lane so effective is its exploration of class and privilege. The attackers are from a lower socioeconomic background than the couple, and the film doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths that this dynamic brings to light. It’s a thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning your own assumptions about who the “good guys” and “bad guys” really are.
If you’re in the mood for a home invasion thriller with a bit more substance than your average slasher, Cherry Tree Lane is definitely worth checking out. It’s a smart, well-acted film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
12. Torment (2013)
Torment is a Canadian home invasion thriller that puts a unique spin on the genre. The film follows a newlywed couple, Sarah (Katharine Isabelle) and Cory (Robin Dunne), who travel to Cory’s family cottage for a romantic getaway. But when they arrive, they discover that the cottage has been ransacked, and that they’re not alone.
What sets Torment apart is its focus on the relationship between Sarah and Cory. The film takes its time establishing their dynamic, which makes the eventual invasion all the more harrowing. Isabelle and Dunne have great chemistry, and their performances anchor the film.
Like The Strangers, Torment is a slow-burn thriller that builds to a shocking climax. It’s a well-crafted film that makes the most of its isolated setting and strong cast.
13. Goodnight Mommy (2014)
Goodnight Mommy is an Austrian psychological thriller that will leave you questioning everything you think you know. The film follows twin brothers Elias and Lukas, who live with their mother in a remote country home. But when their mother returns home from the hospital with her face covered in bandages, the boys begin to suspect that something is amiss.
What makes Goodnight Mommy so effective is its sense of creeping dread. Directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz expertly build tension, using unsettling imagery and a haunting score to keep the audience on edge. The film’s twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
Like The Strangers, Goodnight Mommy preys on our fear of the unknown, and the idea that even those closest to us may not be what they seem. It’s a chilling, thought-provoking thriller that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
14. Hush (2016)
Hush is a home invasion thriller with a twist: the protagonist, Maddie (Kate Siegel), is deaf and mute. When a masked killer begins stalking her in her remote home, Maddie must rely on her other senses to survive the night.
What makes Hush so effective is its clever use of sound (or lack thereof). Since Maddie can’t hear, the film often plays out in eerie silence, heightening the tension to almost unbearable levels. Siegel’s performance is also fantastic, conveying so much fear and determination without saying a word.
Like The Strangers, Hush is a masterclass in suspense, with a simple premise that is executed to perfection. It’s a must-watch for any fan of the genre.
15. Get Out (2017)
Okay, so Get Out may not be a traditional home invasion thriller, but hear us out. The film follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young black man who travels with his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) to meet her family for the first time. But as the weekend unfolds, Chris begins to suspect that something sinister is afoot.
What makes Get Out so brilliant is the way it uses the tropes of the home invasion thriller to explore issues of race and privilege. Director Jordan Peele expertly builds tension, dropping subtle hints that all is not as it seems before unleashing a series of shocking twists in the film’s final act.
Like The Strangers, Get Out preys on our fear of being trapped in a hostile environment, with no escape in sight. But it’s also a biting social commentary that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll. It’s a must-see for any fan of smart, thought-provoking horror.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks – 15 of the best movies like The Strangers that are guaranteed to keep you up at night. From brutal French extremism to clever social commentary, these films showcase the many ways that the home invasion thriller can be used to explore our deepest fears and anxieties.
So the next time you’re in the mood for a good scare, give one of these films a try. Just be sure to lock your doors first – you never know who (or what) might be lurking outside.
