M. Night Shyamalan’s newest horror flick,Knock at the Cabin, wasmet with great reception, beatingAvatar: Way of Waterout of the top spot in theaters. It’s a heartbreaking horror film with a fresh take on apocalyptic themes and takes place in a remote cabin in the woods. The plot revolves around a family of three who travels out of town to spend their vacation in a nice cabin, and four strangers break in, tying the family up and informing them that they must sacrifice one of their own.Knock at the Cabinis everything a fan of psychological horror movies wants and needs to start the year off right. If you enjoyed this movie, and you’re looking for something similar, this list contains 10 movies that have a similar vibe to what Shyamalan created withKnock at the Cabin.
10The Rental (2020)
An underrated Netflix thriller comes fromThe Rental, and it’ll have you second-guessing your next AirBnB stay. Four friends head to a remote house in the middle of nowhere near a huge cliff by the ocean and expect nothing to go wrong as they all move in for the weekend. They take drugs, have affairs, and lose their dog, all while being watched by the owner of the house, unbeknownst to them. Little cameras are placed all over the rental, even in the shower, and when they find out what’s happening, things take a sharp turn as panic begins to set in.Jeremy Allen White(The Bear)and Allison Brie (Glow) are electric in this thriller, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time as new problems arise for the friend group.
Related:Home Invasion Films: Why the Sub-Genre is Among the Scariest in Horror
9The Ritual (2017)
There’s something about horror movies revolving around cults that could possibly make your viewing experience a bit hazy.The Ritualis guaranteed to bring you out of your comfort zone as a group of friends from college head to the woods in Sweden and experience hell. The Norse god Loki makes an appearance in his true form, and the cinematography will have you speechless as you watch. It’s not so much a horror movie with several jump scares, but one full of heavy symbolism and eerie music to give you the creeps.
8The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Another horror-comedy starring a group of college students who escape to the woods for some much-needed alone time and space from school. They’re not aware that a lab hascomplete control of the cabinthey’re staying in, and eventually they begin to be targeted one by one as the scientists send different monsters after them. The monsters include zombies, a merman, werewolves, and more. It’s not so much corny as it is lighthearted and a cult classic.
7Us (2019)
One of Jordan Peele’s bestfilms isUs.Us, like the other home invasion movies on this list, distinguishes itself by having the invaders be different versions of the main characters. It’s a thrilling and jarring watch as each member of the family goes against the other version of themselves. You’ll be placing your bets on who survives by the end of the movie, and the plot twist will leave you feeling absolutely betrayed.
6Barbarian (2022)
Barbarianis the newest movie featured on this list and is based on a woman named Tess who books an Airbnb that is double-booked by a man named Keith. The two aren’t spooked by the double booking and stay the night, not expecting anything bad to come out of this rooming situation. Justin Long appears in this movie as one of the worst characters he’s ever played, and when Mother is introduced, you’ll be slack-jawed with how much happens in a rapid amount of time. Barbarian israw, full of jumpscares, and truly thrilling.
Related:Most Unkillable Horror Villains and Monsters, Ranked
5Them That Follow (2019)
If you’re into horror movies that center around heavy religious themes, you need to check outThem That Follow. Similar toKnock at the Cabin, this film relies on a secluded setting to really bring home the isolation factor. InThem That Follow, a small town centers around an even smaller Pentecostal church, where the pastor dabbles in snake handling within the church services. Although a bit slow-paced,Them That Followwill leave you feeling uneasy by the time it’s over.
4The Strangers (2008)
The Strangersis the ultimate home invasion movie. There’s something genuinely very scary about home invasions, truly because it’s something that can happen in your day-to-day life. A couple heads out to a secluded cabin, where three masked strangers show up and torture them just for fun. Movies centering around this topic are always creepy, but when you add off-putting masks to the equation, it makes it that much worse. It’s another movie on this list that will make you question your next getaway in a remote area, but maybe that’s a good thing.
3The Purge (2013)
The entirePurgefranchise is a must-watch, especially when comparing it toKnock at the Cabin. However,The Purge, the first installment of the series, is truly unsettling. 12 hours of lawless rule are plaguing their version of America, making all crime legal, even murder. The plot revolves around a wealthy white family who believes they are untouchable but soon discovers that they are not as they become targets for a group of purge enthusiasts.
2It Comes at Night (2017)
When two families who are complete strangers come together in a panic and adrenaline-filled situation, not much is expected to go right.It Comes at Nightis a perfect example of this. The setting takes place in the middle of the woods, and, you guessed it, terrible and creepy things go on in the middle of the night. A ravenous disease has taken over the world, and a family has secluded themselves in a remote private cabin in the woods until an intruder is found breaking in. Another slow burn, but when it all comes together and gives youthebig scare, it’s worth it.
1Cabin Fever (2002)
Maybe you’re in the mood for a more comedy-based horror movie that’s not filled with so many heart-stopping moments you feel the need to pause it to catch your breath.Cabin Feveris a great comedy-horror film that was released in 2002 but is still enjoyable and entertaining today. It’s one of those films that doesn’t get old, with the plot centered on a group of college friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods, where everything is fine until they discover they’re in the grip of a flesh-eating virus. It’s fast-paced, funny, and a bit gross; all important factors for a comedy-horror flick. Eli Roth actually based this movie on areal-life flesh-eating virus, which makes the film that much more terrifying.
