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This story was originally published in 2016 and has been updated to include additional home-invasion movies.
Its why creaks and bumps scare you when youre home alone.
Its why wind chimes become instruments of terror when the sun goes down.
The universal fear of domestic violation transcends language and local custom.
Its the connective power of art in practice, manifested in mutual terror.
Below, we present 28 home-invasion movies to ensure that you dont sleep soundly until Christmas.
Theres plenty here for both the bloodhounds and those who prefer less gory frights.
The Desperate Hours(1955)
There are two movies calledTheDesperate Hours.
The one you should watch is from 1955 and stars Humphrey Bogart.
The other is from 1990, and its not very good at all.
Its home invasion for the gentler sensibility of the mid-1950s.
After two local men rape Amy, a violent siege of the couples home ensues.
This is Dustin Hoffmans beast mode.
Torso (1973)
Add some texture to your home-invasion experience with this Italiangiallofilm.
The killer follows them, and it doesnt end well for most of the coeds.
In the tradition ofgiallo, expect the blood to run bright red and the clothes to be sparse.
Is any question more chilling than Have you checked the children?
Its the line that puts this movie in the horror hall of fame.
Just remember: You want the original version of this movie, not the 2006 remake starring Camilla Belle.
Haneke toys with genre tropes, forcing the audience to feel very uncomfortable about their choice of entertainment.
Once again, its sweet and simple.
Exercise caution on this one.
Its a French film, and the French are straight crazy with their horror.
Good luck watching them in any other roles after you watch this movie.
Outside her home, a mysterious, terrifying woman waits to break in and cut the baby out.
They dont call itNew French Extremityfor nothing.
The Strangers(2008)
The impact of this film vastly overshadows its poor critical performance.
Just the fear of your ultimate safe space being violated and used against you.
With deadly traps everywhere, the house becomes the enemy.
These are definitely bad men.
The movie received fairly poor reviews, but Olsens slide into fear and paranoia is truly gripping.
Watch this one with the lights off and youll be right there in hell with her.
And props to the filmmakers Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett for putting their baddies in very scary animal masks.
As Lena Headeys character reminds herself, Just remember all the good the Purge does.
Sleep Tight (2013)
Hows this for a movie description?
Cesar is the superintendent of an apartment building and keeps very close tabs on the tenants.
He secretly enjoys inflicting pain on others.
(Keep quiet,The Thingstans!
That is the premise ofEmelie, which is powered by an utterly disturbing performance from lead actress Sarah Bolger.
HisInvisible Manremake is a hair-raising, gaslighting, home-invading nightmare.
Elisabeth Mosss Cecilia is terrorized by the thought of Adrian, her ex, hiding in every corner.
