The Home Invasion Film subgenre typically resides in the Horror genre and has some crossover with other subgenres including Slasher Films and Films About Stalkers. Most of these films utilize the psychological aspect of someone invading the security and comfort of one’s home while that person is at their most vulnerable. A few films have upended and refined this common Home Invasion trope to create innovation within the subgenre.
Home Invasion Films burst onto the scene in the 1970’s and quickly became a very popular subgenre. A Clockwork Orange (1971), Straw Dogs (1971), The Last House on the Left (1972), Black Christmas (1974), Someone’s Watching Me (1978) and When a Stranger Calls (1979) are classics of the subgenre and some of the most popular films of this decade.
The 1980’s saw a drop-off in the Home Invasion subgenre as the Slasher Film subgenre became popular and used many Home Invasion tropes in their films. However, there were still a few notable films in this decade including The Boogens (1981), Venom (1981), Of Unknown Origin (1983), Manhunter (1986), Fatal Attraction (1987).
The 1990’s saw a shift where many Home Invasion films also involved Films About Stalkers. This decade still produced some classic films of the subgenre with Pacific Heights (1990), Desperate Hours (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Single White Female (1992) and Funny Games (1997).
The 2000’s featured both classics of the subgenre as well as a new wave of Home Invasion Films from countries such as France. These classic World Cinema Horror Films that featured shocking and brutal Home Invasion scenes include Them (2006), Inside (2007) and Martyrs (2008). These films from France were especially violent and often categorized in the “Torture Porn” subgenre of film. Other classics of the subgenre from this decade included Panic Room (2002), Funny Games (2007), The Strangers (2008) and The Collector (2009).
The 2010’s rivaled and eventually surpassed the 1970’s with an unprecedented number of quality Home Invasion films that ushered in a new Golden Age for the subgenre. The 2010’s produced classic subgenre films including You’re Next (2011), The Collection (2012), Kristy (2014), Knock Knock (2015), Hidden (2015), Intruders (2016), Hush (2016), Don’t Breathe (2016), Better Watch Out (2016), Ghostland (2018), Killers Within (2018), Us (2019), Parasite (2019), After Midnight (2019), and Villains (2019). During this decade one of the most popular and classic franchises of the Home Invasion Film subgenre was born with The Purge (2013). That initial film was then followed by sequels including The Purge: Anarchy (2014), The Purge: Election year (2016), The First Purge (2018) and The Forever Purge (2021).
The 2020’s hasn’t produced any classics of the Home Invasion subgenre yet but has featured a few notable films including The Rental (2020), The Owners (2020) and Don’t Breathe 2 (2021).
Our list of Home Invasion Films includes over 134+ movies from 1967 – 2021. Our list is primarily focused on films whose narrative prominently features Home Invasion tropes though there is some crossover with Horror Films About Slashers and Films About Stalkers subgenres. For our list of The Top Home Invasion Films You Haven’t Seen, we unfortunately could not include these honorable mentions: The Vagrant (1992), Inside (2007), Mischief Night (2014), Killers Within (2018) and 1BR (2019).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Home Invasion Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Venom
Plot: A Black Mamba snake terrorizes hostages and their kidnappers in a London home.
KBZ’s Take: This film is listed more for nostalgia purposes as it was likely seen by Gen X and Boomers. While it’s not a great film, it still has some suspenseful moments as the Black Mamba is loose in the house. Plus, it also has two of the greatest actors of their generation with Klaus Kinski and Oliver Reed (though it’s admittedly not their best work).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://tubitv.com/movies/535545/venom
#9
Villains
Plot: A fugitive couple break into a house looking for a new car but instead find some very strange homeowners.
KBZ’s Take: This is a film that initially embraces many Home Invasion tropes but soon turns them on their head. It’s a Dark Comedy but also has some very suspenseful moments when the fugitive couple being to realize the situation they’re now in. Discussing the plot would give too much away, so all we can say is that fans of the Home Invasion subgenre will enjoy this offbeat and original film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XO09IY
#8
Intruders
Plot: A homeowner with agoraphobia traps three criminals in her house.
KBZ’s Take: Another film of the subgenre that completely flips many common Home Invasion film tropes. Though the film is a bit too long, its suspense-filled and you will find yourself rooting for different characters throughout. What the film will always get credit for is doing something completely original within the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VMpGk7
Plot: A man becomes obsessed with ridding rats from his home.
KBZ’s Take: A lost film of the 1980’s, this is also one of the better Animal Attacks films. Peter Weller gives a commanding performance as a man who is slowly losing his sanity. Though the film often goes into horror territory with his pursuit of the ‘giant rat’, the film plays much better as a Psychological Thriller.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VFYQKi
#6
Kristy
Plot: A college girl alone on campus over holiday break is stalked by a group of outcasts.
KBZ’s Take: A film you probably don’t want to watch alone, Kristy is one of the lesser-known but best of the Home Invasion subgenre. While technically not a home that is invaded, a desolate campus is a more harrowing setting as Justine (Haley Bennett) tries to hide and evade the cult-like killers. Definitely recommended for fans of the subgenre and Suspense Thrillers.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XRj4m2
Plot: A couple rents out a room in their home but can’t get rid of the tenant.
KBZ’s Take: Another lost film of the 1990’s, Pacific Heights has Michael Keaton playing a very disturbing and dangerous tenant. This film is worth seeing for Keaton’s performance alone though Matthew Modine and Melanie Griffith are also great as the frustrated landlords. The film delves into a California law that wouldn’t allow an unpaying tenant to be evicted which drives the core narrative of the film. Recommended for fans of the subgenre and Psychological Thrillers.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fj6p46
Plot: A babysitter has to defend a 12-year old boy from home invaders.
KBZ’s Take: One of the best films of the Home Invasion subgenre that, while not widely seen, is very original. The film can be equally funny and brutal at the same time, with a shocking twist that comes fairly early in the film. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre and it’s also a great holiday film (though not for kids).
Additional Lists: Top Christmas And Holiday Movies You’ve Never Seen #3
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FkPluT
#3
Knock Knock
Plot: Devoted husband and father alone at home has two young women show unexpectedly at his door.
KBZ’s Take: This Eli Roth film has quite a divided audience where people either love it or hate it. Put us down for the former as we though this film was one of the best of the Home Invasion subgenre. Even with Keanu Reeves starring (and amazing performances from Loernza Izzo and Ana de Armas as the home invaders) its not a widely known film. All we can say is that after stumbling across this gem, we’ve recommended it to anybody we can.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UmVCKM
#2
Hush
Plot: A deaf woman is stalked by a killer in her home.
KBZ’s Take: An early effort from Mike Flanagan (Gerald’s Game (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019)), to say watching Hush is anxiety-inducing would be an understatement. While playing off the ‘home alone in a secluded area’ Home Invasion trope, Flanagan raises the stakes with the woman also being deaf. However, that’s where the inventiveness of this film makes it so special within the subgenre. Kate Siegel gives a career defining performance as she battles wits with her would be killer.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80091879
#1
Funny Games
Plot: Two psychotic young men take a family hostage.
KBZ’s Take: This Austrian film is not easy to watch. It was remade in in the U.S as Funny Games (2007), and though the sequel is almost a beat for beat remake of the 1997 film, the original film is much more brutal, shocking and sadistic. It’s a film that will occasionally offer a glimmer of hope for the family held hostage, but often shuts that hope down immediately in increasingly cruel ways. Recommended for fans of the subgenre and World Cinema Horror Films.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H4BASa
