10 Movies & Shows Similar to Fear the Night (2023)

Description: As one of the earliest home invasion thrillers, 'The Desperate Hours' shares with 'Fear the Night' the fundamental premise of a family held hostage in their own home. Both films explore the psychological dynamics between captors and captives, and the breakdown of normal domestic safety. The tension arises from the constant threat of violence in a familiar space.

Fact: 'The Desperate Hours' was based on a Broadway play and a novel by Joseph Hayes. It starred Humphrey Bogart in one of his few villainous roles. The film was remade in 1990 with Mickey Rourke in the Bogart role.

Description: 'Panic Room' and 'Fear the Night' both feature protagonists using architectural features of their home (a panic room, darkness) to evade intruders. The films share a focus on maternal protection, with Jodie Foster's character in 'Panic Room' mirroring the protective instincts in 'Fear the Night'. The high-tech versus low-tech survival methods create interesting parallels.

Fact: 'Panic Room' was David Fincher's follow-up to 'Fight Club'. The entire film takes place over one night in a single location. A young Kristen Stewart plays Foster's daughter in her breakout role.

Description: 'The Strangers' shares with 'Fear the Night' the terrifying premise of random, unmotivated violence during a home invasion. Both films emphasize the psychological terror of being targeted by strangers, with a focus on suspense and the characters' desperate attempts to survive. The minimalist approach to the antagonists' motives increases the fear factor in both movies.

Fact: 'The Strangers' was inspired by real-life events, including the Manson Family murders. The film was shot in just 20 days. Its sequel, 'The Strangers: Prey at Night', was released a decade later in

Description: Both 'Don't Breathe' and 'Fear the Night' involve characters trapped in a confined space with a dangerous antagonist. The films share a focus on sensory deprivation (silence in 'Don't Breathe', darkness in 'Fear the Night') as a key element of suspense. The moral ambiguity of the protagonists and the relentless pursuit create similar tension in both films.

Fact: 'Don't Breathe' was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $157 million worldwide. The film's antagonist is a blind veteran, a unique twist on the home invasion genre. A sequel was released in 2021, continuing the story of the blind man.

Description: Similar to 'Fear the Night' (2023), 'The Purge' explores themes of home invasion and survival under extreme societal breakdown. Both films feature protagonists who must defend themselves against violent intruders, highlighting the primal fear of being hunted in one's own home. The high-stakes tension and moral dilemmas faced by the characters are central to both narratives.

Fact: 'The Purge' franchise was inspired by the idea of a 12-hour period where all crime is legal. The first film was made on a modest budget of $3 million but grossed over $89 million worldwide. The series has expanded into multiple sequels and a TV series, exploring different aspects of the Purge night.

Description: Similar to 'Fear the Night', 'A Quiet Place' creates tension through sensory limitations (sound in 'A Quiet Place', light in 'Fear the Night'). Both films focus on family survival against external threats, with strong emotional cores beneath the horror elements. The use of environmental constraints to build suspense is a key similarity.

Fact: 'A Quiet Place' was directed by and stars John Krasinski, known primarily for comedy before this film. The film's sound design was critically acclaimed for its innovative approach. A sequel was released in 2020, with a third film planned.

Description: 'Breaking In' mirrors 'Fear the Night' with its premise of a mother protecting her family during a home invasion. Both films feature strong female leads who must outsmart their attackers using their knowledge of the home's layout. The reversal of traditional gender roles in survival situations is a key similarity.

Fact: 'Breaking In' stars Gabrielle Union, who also served as executive producer. The film was directed by James McTeigue, known for 'V for Vendetta'. It was released on Mother's Day weekend as counter-programming to big-budget blockbusters.

Description: 'Ready or Not' shares with 'Fear the Night' the theme of being hunted by people who should be protectors. Both films blend horror and thriller elements with dark humor, and both feature a strong female lead fighting for survival against overwhelming odds. The satirical take on family dynamics in 'Ready or Not' parallels the societal commentary in 'Fear the Night'.

Fact: 'Ready or Not' was inspired by classic thrillers like 'The Most Dangerous Game'. The film's climax features one of the most explosive endings in recent horror cinema. It marked a breakout role for actress Samara Weaving.

Description: The anthology series 'Them' shares with 'Fear the Night' the theme of a family terrorized in their new home, blending real-world threats with psychological horror. Both explore how environmental factors (racism in 'Them', darkness in 'Fear the Night') amplify the danger. The creeping dread and escalation of threats are handled similarly in both.

Fact: 'Them' is set in 1950s America during the Great Migration. The series was created by Little Marvin and executive produced by Lena Waithe. Its first season was marketed as a 'terror anthology' with each season telling a different story.

Description: Like 'Fear the Night', 'Hush' is a home invasion thriller that pits a vulnerable protagonist against a relentless attacker. Both films use the protagonist's disability (deafness in 'Hush') to heighten tension and create unique survival challenges. The cat-and-mouse game between the victim and the intruder is a key similarity.

Fact: 'Hush' was directed by Mike Flanagan, known for his work on 'The Haunting of Hill House'. The film was shot in just 18 days. The lead actress, Kate Siegel, is actually Flanagan's wife and co-wrote the screenplay with him.