By 2013, the horror genre in the 2000s already had many successful franchises in motion and under its belt; Saw, Paranormal Activity, and the Scream franchise to name a few. When The Purge came to the big screen, viewers got a taste of a semi-dystopian world where people living in the United States get 12 hours to "purge." Thinking of this as a reality is terrifying, yet intriguing, depending on the spectrum fans are on. The Purge was an incredibly successful movie from the get-go, churning in over $300 million at the box office; so it goes without saying that this movie gained a fan base quite quickly.
As fans wait until 2021 for The Forever Purge, there are quite a few movies out there that carry the same tone and creepy vibes of a home invasion or for no particular reason at all. Whether a crime is legal or not, these movies pack a bunch when it comes to everything a fan of The Purge craves.
The Strangers (2008)
When a young couple that has just ended in a fight because of marriage, they stay at an isolated vacation home for a night of rest. While that seems all fine and semi-normal, things go south, quickly. Three people in masks arrive and terrorize them to no end. The creepiest part about it? They seemingly have no reason or relation to the main characters, James and Kristen.
As they fight to survive, they are left confused and scared beyond measure at who these three people could possibly be. Starring Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler, this film has got to be one of the scariest "home invasion" type films out there.
You're Next (2011)
Sure there have been a lot of home invasion movies throughout the years, but there's nothing quite like You're Next. It's unclear at first, but this storyline has a motive when it comes to the villains and the family dynamic is enough awkwardness to last a lifetime.
When the said family meets at their parents' house for their wedding anniversary, the so-called perfect plan of attack isn't so well thought out as an unsuspecting hero is among them. This movie was well executed and even has some very interesting behind-the-scenes facts the audience may want to read after watching this film.
Escape Room (2019)
Escape Room may give off major Saw vibes, but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to the characters as well as the storyline. When six strangers are invited to an escape room for the chance to win money. They reluctantly all arrive and are immersed in the deadly rooms of doom. As the story unfolds, viewers see why these strangers were picked and what they have to do to survive.
There's a bigger force at large here and the characters have to fight their way to beat the odds of death.
Us (2019)
The Wilson family needs a getaway from their busy lives and decide to take a trip to Santa Cruz, California. After a day at the beach, the family goes back to their vacation home, and that night, find that there are four strangers standing at the end of the driveway. Seemingly innocent, Gabe, the father, decides to check it out. From there, the pace is fastly set and the strangers aren't so unfamiliar after all. Confused, the Wilson family needs to stick together to survive and figure out why this is happening to them and how to escape it. There's a delicious plot twist at the end that no one saw coming.
Directed by Jordan Peele, Us portrays some of the scariest scenes that will have the audience jumping out of their seat. It's also a film full of twists, turns, and familiar faces and stars Winston Duke and Lupita Nyong'o; which both do an incredible job. So much so that it's very obvious that this film is one of Lupita's best movies to date, as her character is very multi-dimensional.
Hush (2016)
There are a lot of different approaches to horror movies, but one of the best might be when the viewers are in on what's going on before the innocent victims are. Because of this, there's a sense of dread and terror that isn't recognized yet and makes the movie that much more suspenseful; take the film Hush for instance.
When a deaf and mute writer named Maddie decides to move into the woods to live a simpler life, she thinks she's getting away from the crowds and danger. Unbeknownst to her, there is evil in remote areas too. While a masked man gets the lay of the land at first, Maddie realizes she's not alone and must fight for her life once she realizes what's going on. The Masked Man is so memorable, that he's considered one of the best stand-alone villains in a horror movie.
Don't Breathe (2016)
Don't Breathe brings back the classic situation of being at the wrong place, at the wrong time; specifically, messing with the wrong man is more suitable for this film. When a young band of thieves decided to set their sights on a blind man's house, they think they've struck gold. He's a wealthy man, that they take for being weak, but he's anything but that.
When The Blind Man, played by Stephen Lang, realizes there are unwelcomed guests in his house, he will stop at nothing to get rid of them so his initial plan isn't stumbled upon. Don't Breathe has the potential for the start of a horror franchise, as the ending was a little open-ended.
Straw Dogs (2011)
Classified as a remake of the original from 1971, Straw Dogs tells the story of big-wig Los Angeles screenwriter David Sumner and his wife, Amy Sumner. Deciding to relocate back to Amy's hometown of Blackwater, Mississippi after her father's passing, David decides to immerse himself in a new screenplay here. It's then that they hire a contractor named Charlie, also Amy's childhood sweetheart, to fix their barn roof.
From then on, everything goes downhill and it's apparent Charlie and his friends aren't going to play nice. David must protect his wife at all costs while becoming trapped in the crossfire of conflict in the small town. Straw Dogs also depicts an ex-boyfriend going a bit crazy years after a breakup, which is terrifying and hard to watch at times.
Children Of Men (2006)
Set in a post-apocalyptic London circa 2027, humans have become unable to reproduce for an unknown reason, meaning that humanity is threatened by an age of extinction. While Britain is the only livable and inhabited area on the entire globe, people are flocking there for solace. Anyone that isn't from London is considered an immigrant and thus, is placed in refugee camps.
It's then when a former activist agrees to help a young immigrant with a baby to an oceanside sanctuary to save humanity. Starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore, this classic film tells the story of compassion and the will to live. According to Rotten Tomatoes, this is one of Moore's best performances in her career thus far.
The Intruder (2019)
Considered a loose remake of 2003's Cold Creek Manor, The Intruder tells the story of Scott and Annie, who recently purchased a home in Napa Valley. They find a home and purchase it from an engineer and widower named Charlie Peck, played by Dennis Quaid. Once Scott and Annie get to know Charlie a bit better, they notice that there are a few things off about him.
Charlie is often caught poking around the outside of their home, while outwardly flirting with Annie in front of Scott. Scott decides to do some digging to find out who Charlie really is and what his intentions are. What he finds out is more sinister than he could've imagined.
Panic Room (2002)
Recently divorced Meg Altman, played by Jodi Foster, moves her and her daughter Sarah, played by a young Kristen Stewart, to a new home in New York. During their first tour of the home, Meg and Sarah notice a panic room that's indestructible and impossible to break into. After settling in a bit, three burglars break in and Meg must do whatever she can to keep her and her asthmatic daughter safe.
What she doesn't know is that these men know the layout of the mansion and what they need is in the panic room. This might not be one of Jodi Foster's most credible films, but she plays the part that made the movie a successful film.