9 Best Horror Thrillers Like Don’t Breathe

Movies Like Don’t Breathe

“Don’t Breathe” is a gripping horror-thriller movie released in 2016, directed by Fede Alvarez. The film follows a group of teenagers who break into the home of a blind war veteran hoping to steal his money, only to find themselves trapped and fighting for their lives against a man who is not as helpless as he seems.

One of the primary themes of the movie is the concept of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The blind man, played by Stephen Lang, is initially perceived as a weak and defenseless old man, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that he is far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined. The movie also explores themes of morality, justice, and the consequences of our actions.

One of the reasons why people love “Don’t Breathe” is its intense and suspenseful atmosphere. The movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout, as the characters navigate a series of increasingly terrifying situations. The film’s use of sound, lighting, and cinematography all contribute to its overall sense of tension and unease.

Another factor contributing to the film’s popularity is its unexpected twists and turns. The story takes several unexpected directions, keeping viewers guessing until the very end. This unpredictability adds to the movie’s sense of intrigue and excitement.

Overall, “Don’t Breathe” is a well-crafted and intense horror-thriller that has become a fan favorite since its release. It has earned critical acclaim for its suspenseful storytelling, strong performances, and unique premise.

  1. “The Strangers” (2008) – A couple is terrorized by a trio of masked assailants who break into their remote vacation home.
  2. “Hush” (2016) – A deaf author living alone in the woods is targeted by a masked killer.
  3. “You’re Next” (2011) – A family gathering is interrupted by a group of animal mask-wearing killers who start picking them off one by one.
  4. “Green Room” (2015) – A punk band is trapped in a secluded venue and targeted by a group of neo-Nazis after witnessing a murder.
  5. “The Purge” (2013) – In a future America, all crime is legal for 12 hours once a year, and a family is targeted by a group of masked intruders during the Purge.
  6. “The Invitation” (2015) – A man attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and her new partner, but as the night progresses, he becomes convinced that they have sinister intentions.
  7. “10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016) – After a car crash, a woman wakes up in an underground bunker with a man who claims he saved her from a chemical attack.
  8. “The Collector” (2009) – A burglar breaks into a house that is already being targeted by a sadistic serial killer.
  9. “Panic Room” (2002) – A woman and her daughter hide in a fortified safe room in their home while intruders try to break in and steal their valuables.

1. “The Strangers” (2008)

“The Strangers” is a horror-thriller movie directed by Bryan Bertino. The story follows a couple who are terrorized by three masked intruders who break into their remote vacation home in the middle of the night. The couple soon realizes that the attackers have no apparent motive and are intent on killing them.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “The Strangers” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The couple in the movie initially feels safe in their isolated vacation home, but they quickly become targets of the ruthless attackers. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

The performances by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman are strong and believable, adding to the film’s sense of realism. The movie’s pacing is slow and deliberate, gradually building up to the intense and frightening finale. “The Strangers” is a well-crafted and chilling horror movie that will leave viewers feeling uneasy and unnerved.

2. “Hush” (2016)

“Hush” is a horror-thriller movie directed by Mike Flanagan. The film follows a deaf author named Maddie who is living alone in the woods. She is targeted by a masked killer who begins stalking her outside her isolated home.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “Hush” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. Maddie’s deafness makes her particularly vulnerable to the killer’s attacks, and the movie uses silence and sound to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. The film also features strong performances by Kate Siegel, who plays Maddie, and John Gallagher Jr., who plays the killer.

One of the unique aspects of “Hush” is its focus on the character of Maddie and her disability. The movie effectively conveys the challenges and dangers that deaf individuals can face, adding depth and complexity to the story. The film’s pacing is fast and intense, with a thrilling climax that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

3. “You’re Next” (2011)

“You’re Next” is a horror-thriller movie directed by Adam Wingard. The story follows a family gathering that is interrupted by a group of animal mask-wearing killers who start picking them off one by one.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “You’re Next” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The family initially feels safe in their remote vacation home, but they soon become targets of the ruthless attackers. The film uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

One of the unique aspects of “You’re Next” is its focus on the character of Erin, played by Sharni Vinson. Erin is a tough and resourceful survivor who fights back against the attackers, turning the tables on them in unexpected ways. The film’s pacing is fast and intense, with a thrilling finale that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. “You’re Next” is a well-crafted and entertaining horror movie that will satisfy fans of the genre.

4. “Green Room” (2015)

“Green Room” is a horror-thriller movie directed by Jeremy Saulnier. The story follows a punk band who becomes trapped in a secluded venue after witnessing a murder committed by a group of neo-Nazis. The band soon realizes that they are being hunted down by the group and must fight for their survival.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “Green Room” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The punk band initially feels safe in their isolated venue, but they quickly become targets of the ruthless neo-Nazis. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

The performances by Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, and Patrick Stewart are all outstanding, adding to the film’s sense of realism and intensity. “Green Room” is a well-crafted and intense horror movie that will leave viewers feeling uneasy and on edge.

5. “The Purge” (2013)

“The Purge” is a horror-thriller movie directed by James DeMonaco. The story takes place in a future America where all crime is legal for 12 hours once a year. A family is targeted by a group of masked intruders during the Purge and must fight for their survival.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “The Purge” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The family initially feels safe in their fortified home, but they soon become targets of the ruthless attackers. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

One of the unique aspects of “The Purge” is its exploration of social and political issues, including class inequality and the ethics of violence. The film’s pacing is fast and intense, with a thrilling climax that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. “The Purge” is a well-crafted and thought-provoking horror movie that will leave viewers questioning their own morals and values.

6. “The Invitation” (2015)

“The Invitation” is a psychological horror movie directed by Karyn Kusama. The story follows a man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and her new partner. As the night progresses, he becomes convinced that they have sinister intentions.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “The Invitation” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The protagonist initially feels safe in his ex-wife’s home, but he soon becomes increasingly paranoid and suspicious of the other guests. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

One of the unique aspects of “The Invitation” is its exploration of grief and trauma. The protagonist’s past experiences with his ex-wife and their shared history adds depth and complexity to the story. The film’s pacing is slow and deliberate, gradually building up to the intense and frightening finale. “The Invitation” is a well-crafted and unsettling horror movie that will leave viewers questioning their own perceptions and assumptions.

7. “10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016)

“10 Cloverfield Lane” is a sci-fi thriller movie directed by Dan Trachtenberg. The story follows a young woman who wakes up in an underground bunker after a car accident. She is told by her captor that the world has been destroyed in a chemical attack, and that they are the only survivors. However, as she starts to uncover the truth, she realizes that her captor may be more dangerous than the supposed apocalypse outside.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “10 Cloverfield Lane” also explores the theme of captivity and the lengths people will go to survive. The protagonist is initially grateful for the shelter and protection provided by her captor, but she soon realizes that he is not what he seems. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

John Goodman’s performance as the captor is outstanding, creating a sense of unease and uncertainty throughout the film. “10 Cloverfield Lane” is a well-crafted and intense thriller that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.

8. “The Collector” (2009)

“The Collector” is a horror-thriller movie directed by Marcus Dunstan. The story follows a desperate man who breaks into a wealthy family’s home to steal a valuable gem. However, he soon realizes that the home has been booby-trapped by a masked killer who has trapped the family inside.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “The Collector” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The family is initially unaware of the killer’s presence and feels safe in their own home, but they soon become targets of the ruthless attacker. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

The killer’s elaborate traps and gruesome kills are a highlight of the film, adding to its sense of horror and brutality. “The Collector” is a well-crafted and terrifying horror movie that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

9. “Panic Room” (2002)

“Panic Room” is a thriller movie directed by David Fincher. The story follows a divorced mother and her daughter who move into a new home with a high-tech panic room. However, on their first night in the house, they are targeted by burglars who are determined to get their hands on what’s inside the panic room.

Similar to “Don’t Breathe,” “Panic Room” also explores the theme of vulnerability and how it can be exploited. The family is initially safe in their fortified home with their high-tech security system, but they soon become targets of the ruthless burglars. The film also uses suspenseful sound and lighting to create an atmosphere of tension and fear.

Jodie Foster’s performance as the mother is outstanding, adding to the film’s sense of realism and intensity. “Panic Room” is a well-crafted and intense thriller that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the movies we have discussed so far:

Movie TitleIMDb RatingRotten Tomatoes Score
The Strangers6.247%
Hush6.693%
You’re Next6.575%
Green Room7.091%
The Purge5.738%
The Invitation6.688%
10 Cloverfield Lane7.290%
The Collector6.429%
Panic Room6.876%
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