In its debut weekend, Barbarian topped the domestic box office, according to Box Office Mojo, earning $10 million dollars as horror fans could finally see the movie that everyone was talking about at San Diego Comic-Con back in July. And it looks like it could be one of the most successful movies in the genre this year with Bill Skarsgård leading an ensemble cast of recognizable faces.
For those that enjoyed this hit, there are plenty of other titles to check out that try to make the seemingly ordinary or suburban house into something much more sinister. A mixture of classic movies from the '80s and recent hits, they will surely keep fans entertained after their theatrical trip.
Silent House (2011)
Stream On Starz
Before she would become known by many as Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch in the MCU, Elizabeth Olsen starred in this movie as a young woman who, along with her father, is attacked by an unknown assailant at their holiday home. Filmed to look like it was made in one continuous take, the movie attempted to capture the ordeal in real time.
Setting up a perfectly safe and potentially luxurious home, the filmmakers were able to turn it into a terrifying experience that fans of Barbarian might enjoy as much as Marvel ones for effectively using the location to build some jump-scaring moments. With the unknown assailant stalking them, the movie's mystery also plays a big part in the enjoyment as both the stories will make the audience question what or who it could be.
Intruders (2016)
Stream On Tubi
Released in 2015, Intruders follows Anna, a woman with agoraphobia who can't leave the house. But when a group of thieves attempts to steal from her, she must protect herself and her home against this antagonizing group.
What makes this an intriguing watch for those that love house invasion movies or the secrets that lie within the walls is Anna's reveal over time of being more sinister than any of the criminals ever considered that turn them into the victims. Add to that and her condition acting as a good reason for not being able to escape, and it certainly had some interesting ideas that might pique some people's interest.
The Cellar (2022)
Stream On Shudder & AMC+
An original movie on Shudder, Elisha Cuthbert starred in The Cellar as Keira Woods, a mother whose daughter vanishes after moving into an old house. She soon discovers that sinister supernatural forces are in play and are tied to the house's ominous cellar.
Seeing an old house become a source for the supernatural may not be too surprising, but it's how it plays in the modern era that might intrigue some to check out on the horror streaming service. And with a big name actor like Cuthbert who has starred in several horror movies, fans of hers will be surprised to see her taking a much more mature role.
The Strangers (2008)
Rent On Apple TV
The debut feature movie by Bryan Bertino, The Strangers eventually became a horror hit in 2008, earning way more than its budget. Enjoying their time at a holiday home, a couple soon encounter three masked, deadly intruders, turning their evening of love into a nightmare.
Using the concept of a holiday home, The Strangers unintentionally set up future releases like Barbarian while also stepping away from the isolated cabins seen in a plethora of previous horror titles. While it doesn't set up any mysteries, it does transform a cozy locale into a bloody deathtrap that Bertino would revisit in The Strangers: Prey At Night in 2018.
Misery (1990)
Stream On Paramount+
Based on one of Stephen King's many acclaimed pieces of fiction, the movie tells the story of an author named Paul Sheldon who is rescued from a car accident by Annie Wilkes, a nurse who also happens to be a big fan of his. But as his time with her slowly grows, he realizes just how dangerous Annie is and the lengths she will go to keep him there.
Like some of Stephen King's other stories, this adaptation turned the protagonist's world on his head and twisted his surroundings into something else entirely. It may not be a house invasion or a cabin-set movie, it does however feature a lot of suspenseful mysteries that fans of horror and thrillers will appreciate.
Friday The 13th (1980)
Rent On Vudu
Whether they have seen it or not, every horror enthusiast has heard of Friday the 13th, the movie franchise that eventually introduced everyone to Jason Voorhees and his countless murders against unsuspecting teenagers. And it all started in 1980, when a group of camp counselors are killed by an unknown assailant at Crystal Lake which led to one of the scariest twist endings of all time.
The slasher movie would popularize cabins as a location for many horror movies that follow, including Cabin Fever, The Evil Dead, and The Cabin in the Woods, which turned these safe havens into nightmares. This would in time transform into holiday homes and Airbnb locations that have been seen in several recent movies that could all be rooted back to this classic title.
The Boy (2016)
Stream On Netflix
The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan plays Greta Evans, a nanny who takes on an unusual client and must look after a doll while an elderly couple who treat it like their son leave. In their absence, the unsuspecting Greta soon questions the mysterious happenings surrounding the doll.
A successful movie upon its release and seen as one of the best horror movies about evil dolls by many, what made it so gripping to many was the enigma surrounding this inanimate object and how it would eventually be revealed. This focus on mystery is what will undoubtedly grip viewers, and they will surely be in for a treat if they are looking for stories like it.
Don't Breathe (2016)
Rent On Apple TV
Following up from his theatrical debut with the Evil Dead remake, Fede Álvarez's next movie would be one of his best. Don't Breathe starred Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette as criminals who attempt to steal a fortune rumored to be hiding in a blind man's house.
But what made this such a hit that everyone should watch was how the crooks become trapped in a house that the blind man is all too familiar with, making them the unsuspecting victims in one of the best thrillers of the 2010s. And after discovering his dark secret, he becomes an opposing force that they regret encountering, trapped in the house with him that those who enjoyed Barbarian's twists and turns will be more than happy to tag along for the gripping ride.
Split (2016)
Stream On DirecTV
Regarded by many as one of M. Night Shyamalan's best movies, Split followed the relationship between three teenagers and their captor, a man with multiple personalities. Seeing Anya Taylor-Joy's Casey attempting to escape James McAvoy's multiple personalities delighted many that eventually saw it reveal to secretly be a sequel to Unbreakable.
What made it so intriguing to many was what the twist would be and how and what The Beast would actually be that kept everyone on their toes. If it revealed to be a supernatural force, extraterrestrial, or something else entirely, the antagonist's nature kept people guessing throughout that newcomers will enjoy.
The Black Phone (2022)
Stream On Peacock
After it's premiere at Fantastic Fest last year, The Black Phone was finally released at cinemas this summer that saw teenager Finn abducted by a masked killer known as The Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke. With Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill reuniting once again after their collaboration on Sinister and Doctor Strange, fans of their work would be in for another standout movie.
What made this terrifying for some was the performance by Hawke and what he wanted with his victim which made him an uneasy monster to watch. And while Barbarian may or may not head in the supernatural direction, it too featured an uncomfortable force that audiences couldn't help but watch.