The Most Horrifying Home Invasion Movies

Matt Burch
Updated September 17, 2023 4.6K votes 904 voters 52.2K views
Over 900 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Most Horrifying Home Invasion Movies
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite horror films featuring home invaders.

The Purge, The Strangers, Hush, You're Next - the best home invasion movies tap directly into our most primal domestic fears, those nagging worries that wake us in the middle of the night, drenched in a cold sweat. 

What was that noise? Did I leave the front door unlocked? Did I set the security alarm? Who is the sketchy lady on my doorstep asking to use the phone at 1 am? Who is that strange man in the rabbit mask outside my window? And, seriously, what is the deal with that crossbow?

A good, scary home invasion flick asks all of these questions. The best of them withhold answers for as long as possible, drawing out the suspense. Most of them have a high body count, though they're not always the bodies you'd expect.

The movies on this list take our home invasion nightmares to a whole new level. Unlock the deadbolt at your own risk...

Ranked by
  • The Strangers
    1

    The Strangers

    Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward
    432 votes
    • Released: 2008
    • Directed by: Bryan Bertino
    In the chilling movie The Strangers, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman) find themselves trapped in their secluded vacation home by three masked assailants. As the night unfolds, this couple's romantic retreat turns into a heart-stopping fight for survival. The film, directed by Bryan Bertino, is a tense exploration of fear and violence that plays out under the cover of darkness. Its unsettling realism and relentless suspense make it a standout in the horror genre. A nerve-racking game of cat-and-mouse ensues as Kristen and James strive to stay alive against increasingly insidious attacks.

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  • Hush
    2

    Hush

    John Gallagher, Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco
    329 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: Mike Flanagan
    In Hush, Maddie Young (Kate Siegel) is a deaf-mute author, living in isolation. A serene existence in the woods, punctuated by her writing and the companionship of her cat. But tranquillity shatters when a masked intruder (John Gallagher Jr.) invades her solitude. The film, directed by Mike Flanagan, is a thriller that plays on the senses. It's a nightmarish game of cat-and-mouse, where silence isn't just golden; it's survival. Hush treads the line between horror and suspense, immersing viewers into Maddie's silent world while keeping them on edge with its relentless tension.
  • You're Next
    3

    You're Next

    Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn
    239 votes
    • Released: 2011
    • Directed by: Adam Wingard
    In You're Next, a home invasion turns deadly during the Davison family reunion. Erin (Sharni Vinson), an unassuming guest, quickly becomes their only hope for survival. Directed by Adam Wingard, this horror-thriller cleverly subverts genre expectations while delivering pulse-pounding suspense. The film's ensemble cast includes Rob Moran and Barbara Crampton as the unsuspecting parents, with Joe Swanberg and Amy Seimetz playing their eldest children. You're Next stands out for its unique blend of black comedy and intense scares.

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  • Don't Breathe
    4

    Don't Breathe

    Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto
    274 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: Fede Alvarez
    Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex and Money are three Detroit thieves who get their kicks by breaking into the houses of wealthy people. Money gets word about a blind veteran who won a major cash settlement following the death of his only child. Figuring he's an easy target, the trio invades the man's secluded home in an abandoned neighborhood. Finding themselves trapped inside, the young intruders must fight for their lives after making a shocking discovery about their supposedly helpless victim.

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  • The Last House on the Left
    5

    The Last House on the Left

    Sandra Cassel, Lucy Grantham, David Hess
    230 votes
    • Released: 1972
    • Directed by: Wes Craven
    In The Last House on the Left, a harrowing tale of revenge and horror unravels. The plot pivots around Mari Collingwood (Sandra Peabody) and her friend, Phyllis Stone (Lucy Grantham), who encounter escaped convicts while venturing into the city for a birthday celebration. Krug Stillo (David Hess), the maniacal leader of the convicts, orchestrates horrifying events that lead to an unforeseen backlash. This film, directed by Wes Craven, is a chilling exploration of retribution in its rawest form, set against the backdrop of an ordinary suburban landscape.

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  • The Purge
    6

    The Purge

    Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane
    271 votes
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: James DeMonaco
    In the dystopian thriller, The Purge, society has created an annual event in which all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke), a successful salesman of home security systems, believes his family is safe within their fortified suburban home. His wife Mary (Lena Headey) and children Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and Charlie (Max Burkholder) prepare for a quiet night in during this horrific tradition. However, when Charlie compassionately allows a stranger into their secure domain, chaos ensues. As the night progresses, the Sandins must face violent intruders and moral dilemmas that challenge their very survival. The film explores themes of class inequality and societal breakdown in chilling detail.

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