10 Best Home Invasion Horror Movies

10. The Strangers

Though marketed as a run-of-the-mill studio-backed horror film, 2008's The Strangers proved to be an uncommonly atmospheric entry into the subgenre, following couple Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) as they're terrorised by a trio of masked murderers.

In addition to writer-director Bryan Bertino's efficient, visually accomplished approach to his streamlined premise, the chilly brilliance of The Strangers lies in the nihilistic senselessness of the violence.

There's no convoluted backstory here - the villains simply do what they do because they like it, which is infinitely more terrifying than a specifically motivated killer whose reasons we might at least be able to understand.

The performances are strong, it's remarkably well-made for a directorial debut, and it knows just when to ramp up the sadistic violence and when to pare it down.

Most of all, like the best entries into the genre, it's a genuinely anxious sit if watched while home alone. However, the less said about the sequel - aside from that exceptional pool fight scene - the better.