There’s something both terrifying and fascinating about stalker movies. These films tap into our deepest fears of being watched, followed, and obsessed over by someone with less-than-pure intentions. The best stalker movies leave us checking over our shoulders and wondering about that strange neighbor down the hall.
From the classic thriller Fatal Attraction to the twisted romance of The Boy Next Door, these 20 films represent the cream of the crop when it comes to exploring themes of obsession, voyeurism, and dangerous fixations. So lock your doors, draw the curtains, and settle in for a skin-crawling movie marathon. These are the 20 best stalker movies of all time.
20. The Resident (2011)
The Resident stars two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank as Dr. Juliet Devereau, a recently single ER surgeon who moves into a too-good-to-be-true Brooklyn loft. Her charming landlord Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) helps her settle in, but Juliet soon suspects she may not be alone in her new apartment. Someone is watching her every move. This tense thriller keeps you guessing until the very end.
19. The Perfect Guy (2015)
After a painful breakup, successful lobbyist Leah Vaughn (Sanaa Lathan) jumps into a passionate relationship with a charming stranger (Michael Ealy). Initially, Carter seems like the perfect guy, but his protective nature soon morphs into something far more sinister. The Perfect Guy is a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, entry in the stalker genre with solid performances from its lead actors.
18. P2 (2007)
P2 is a claustrophobic thriller set in a parking garage on Christmas Eve. Angela (Rachel Nichols), a workaholic businesswoman, is imprisoned by Thomas (Wes Bentley), a psychopathic security guard obsessed with her. This cat-and-mouse game is a tense two-hander anchored by Bentley’s creepy performance as the lonely stalker.
17. When the Bough Breaks (2016)
When the Bough Breaks puts a maternal spin on the stalker movie formula. A young, professional couple (Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall) hire a blue-collar surrogate named Anna (Jaz Sinclair) to carry their baby. But Anna develops a dangerous fixation on the husband that threatens to tear the family apart. It’s a familiar but effective thriller about obsession and the dark side of desire.
16. The Crush (1993)
Before Alicia Silverstone was a Clueless fashion icon, she was a teenage temptress in this early ’90s stalker flick. Silverstone plays Adrian, a precocious 14-year-old who becomes dangerously obsessed with Nick (Cary Elwes), a handsome journalist renting her parents’ guest house. The Crush is a campy guilty pleasure with Silverstone’s unhinged performance as its main attraction.
15. Swimfan (2002)
Swimfan dives into the world of competitive high school swimming, following star athlete Ben Cronin (Jesse Bradford) as he is relentlessly stalked by an obsessive new girl in town (Erika Christensen). This teen thriller hits all the genre beats—forbidden love, jealous exes, violent outbursts—but it’s the pool-centric setting that sets it apart. Swimfan is a solid, if forgettable, entry in the teen stalker canon.
14. Obsessed (2009)
Obsessed pits a happily married couple against a sultry office temp in this glossy stalker thriller. Idris Elba stars as Derek, a successful asset manager whose new assistant Lisa (Ali Larter) will stop at nothing to seduce him away from his wife Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles). While it’s not going to win any awards for subtlety, Obsessed is a fun, soapy romp with an over-the-top finale you won’t soon forget.
13. The Boy Next Door (2015)
Jennifer Lopez stars as Claire, a high school teacher who has a one-night stand with her teenage neighbor Noah (Ryan Guzman). What starts as a simple indiscretion spirals out of control as Noah’s obsession with Claire turns violent and deranged. The Boy Next Door is a campy, erotic thriller that lets J.Lo flex both her acting and her fighting chops.
12. Fear (1996)
Fear is a quintessential ’90s thriller about a 16-year-old girl (Reese Witherspoon) who falls for a charming older guy (Mark Wahlberg) with a dark side. Wahlberg’s David McCall starts out as the perfect boyfriend but soon reveals his controlling, abusive nature. With a pulsing soundtrack and a young, stacked cast, Fear is a nostalgic stalker movie time capsule.
11. Hush (2016)
Hush takes the classic “alone in the woods” horror trope and adds a fresh twist. Kate Siegel stars as Maddie, a deaf-mute author living in a remote cabin in the woods. One night, a masked killer begins stalking her in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse. Directed by modern horror master Mike Flanagan, Hush is a lean, mean stalker movie that will have you on the edge of your seat.
10. Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Julia Roberts stars as Laura, a battered wife who fakes her own death to escape her abusive husband Martin (Patrick Bergin). She starts a new life in a small town but soon realizes Martin is still stalking her, unwilling to let her go. Sleeping with the Enemy is a tense, well-acted thriller that tackles the realities of domestic abuse.
9. The Gift (2015)
The Gift marks the directorial debut of actor Joel Edgerton, who also stars as Gordo, a man with a mysterious past who begins leaving unsettling gifts for his former high school classmate Simon (Jason Bateman) and his wife Robyn (Rebecca Hall). As Gordo’s obsession escalates, shocking secrets are revealed that make you question who the real villain is. The Gift is a smart, twisty psychological thriller that keeps you guessing.
8. Unlawful Entry (1992)
Unlawful Entry stars Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe as a couple terrorized by a sociopathic cop (Ray Liotta) who develops an obsession with the wife. Liotta is perfectly cast as the unhinged Officer Pete Davis, who uses his badge to stalk and manipulate the couple. Unlawful Entry is a pulpy, provocative thriller that taps into our fear of authority gone wrong.
7. Misery (1990)
Based on the novel by Stephen King, Misery follows a famous novelist (James Caan) who is “rescued” from a car crash by his self-proclaimed biggest fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). But Annie’s obsession takes a dark turn as she holds the writer captive and forces him to resurrect her favorite character. Bates won an Oscar for her chilling portrayal of a deranged stalker, and Misery remains a tense, darkly funny thriller.
6. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a quintessential ’90s thriller about a vengeful nanny who infiltrates the home of the woman she blames for her husband’s death. Rebecca De Mornay is chilling as the unhinged Peyton Flanders, who poses as the perfect caretaker in order to destroy the unsuspecting Bartel family from within. With its taut pacing and juicy twists, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a stalker movie classic.
5. Single White Female (1992)
Single White Female stars Bridget Fonda as Allie, a software designer who takes in a new roommate named Hedy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) after a messy breakup. At first, Hedy seems like the perfect confidante, but her needy, obsessive behavior soon spirals out of control. Single White Female is a tense, stylish thriller anchored by two knockout lead performances.
4. Cape Fear (1991)
A remake of the 1962 film of the same name, Cape Fear stars Robert De Niro as Max Cady, a convicted rapist seeking revenge on the lawyer who failed to keep him out of jail. De Niro is terrifying as the heavily tattooed Cady, who ruthlessly stalks and terrorizes lawyer Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) and his family. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Cape Fear is a masterful, operatic thriller that pushes its actors to the brink.
3. Dressed to Kill (1980)
Dressed to Kill is a stylish, Hitchcockian thriller from director Brian De Palma. The film follows a sexually frustrated housewife (Angie Dickinson) who is brutally murdered after a tryst with a stranger. Her son (Keith Gordon) and a high-class escort (Nancy Allen) team up to find the killer, all while being stalked by a mysterious blonde in sunglasses. With its dizzying camera work and shocking twists, Dressed to Kill is a provocative stalker movie classic.
2. One Hour Photo (2002)
Robin Williams subverts his nice guy persona in One Hour Photo, a chilling stalker drama about a lonely photo technician named Sy who becomes obsessed with a picture-perfect suburban family. As Sy’s fascination escalates into full-blown stalking, his unhinged desperation is slowly revealed. Williams gives a riveting, against-type performance in this tense, visually striking thriller.
1. Fatal Attraction (1987)
Fatal Attraction is the stalker movie against which all others are judged. Michael Douglas stars as Dan Gallagher, a married man who has a brief fling with publishing executive Alex Forrest (Glenn Close). But Alex becomes obsessed with Dan, and her behavior grows increasingly unhinged as she tries to coerce him into continuing the affair. Close is unforgettable as the bunny-boiling Alex in this tense, provocative thriller that became a cultural touchstone. Fatal Attraction is simply the best stalker movie of all time.
So there you have it—the 20 best stalker movies to make you think twice about flirting with that mysterious stranger at the bar. These films tap into our deepest fears and fascinations, serving up pulse-pounding thrills while shining a light on the darker sides of desire. From the high school halls of Fear to the parking garage terrors of P2, these stalker flicks represent the pinnacle of the genre.
Whether you’re in the mood for a glossy ’90s throwback or a gritty psychological drama, this list has something to get under your skin. Each of these films offers its own unique take on the stalker mythos, with captivating performances from both stalkers and stalkees alike.
So next time you’re in the mood for a good scare, queue up one of these classic thrillers and get ready to sleep with one eye open. As these movies prove, you never know who might be watching.
