Movies Set in Cabins In The Woods

To coincide with the new release of M.Night Shayamalan’s Knock At The Cabin, we have compiled a list of films set in or around Cabins In The Woods. Not a complete list, just a selection of films out there…

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

If your going to have a list called ‘Cabin In The Woods’ you will have Drew Goddard’s horror flick. Whilst this film aware of it’s roots in the ‘Cabin In The Woods’ movies, it took things to another level. Only scratching the surface in what the viewer was in for with the trailer, but soon as you see the movie it take things to an unexpected level. It’s a parody/ satire horror and this film acknowledges the characters are ‘stereotypical’ for the genre. It has fun with the genre with a group of young people heading to a cabin, cue a flurry of undead creatures. The film was an unexpected success all thanks to it’s final act that reminds us expect the unexpected.

The Evil Dead (1981)

Some may call this one the iconic Cabin movie, when a group of friends stay at a remote cabin where they find an old book which unleashes an ancient curse. Considered one of the best directorial debuts using a low budget which put Sam Raimi on the map. Evil Dead II the follow up film was essentially the same film made with a bigger budget. Plenty of gore but also introducing slapstick comedy however things got serious again in 2013 version. The remake considered more an alternate take of the original film that over time has gained more respect and this year we get a sequel that some are calling one of the scariest horrors to be released in 2023.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Quentin Tarantino is a film-maker who wants to pay homage of classic genres of decades of the past. As and if how good those films are, is all down to your own tastes. This is Tarantino’s Western genre with the Cabin as the central focal point of the film. Hotbed of violence, dialogue and action and with the cold weather outside as deadly as the bullets as the guns in our eight characters in the film. Each of those characters must attempt to read or learn what their motives are this film could be played as if The Thing was a western. Who will walk out the door alive?

Snow White And Seven Dwarfs (1937)

This could be one of the most famous films set around a Cabin, Disney’s classic animation. The studio’s first full length animated feature based around the Grimm Brothers story. One of a young woman Snow White who flees after her wicked stepmother the queen orders her death because she is more beautiful than her. She finds solace with seven jewel mining dwarves who she befriends.

Cabin Fever (2002)

Cabins can also be claustrophobic isolated places and Eli Roth’s 2002 directorial feature plays into that theme. When four young adults head to a remote cabin only to become victims of a flesh eating virus. A film that attacks from the inside with gory results and plenty of dark humour on show.

Antichrist(2009)

Horror comes in many shapes and forms and Lars Von Trier’s Arthouse entry is one of those. The film stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg play a couple who head to a cabin in the woods. They lost their child and are in the cabin to grieve in seclusion. What we get is something truly disturbing, visually dark and cold. Von Trier takes a biblical approach that’s existential, human versus nature? Is the world a good place that horrible things happen in it or the total opposite? A very hard watch, then again so are many other Lars Von Trier films.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

The directorial debut from Neil Marshall who would go onto direct Descent as well as many Game Of Thrones episodes. Which sees a group of British soldiers who take refuge in a remote cabin in the Scottish highlands. Why? Under attack from werewolves! The film has plenty of scares and laughs and a character named after the actor from one of the other films on this list, Bruce Campbell…Groovy!

On Golden Pond (1981)

This list could have been made up mostly with horror films and very predictable. This film has 2 screen legends starring together for the first and sadly last time on the screen, Peter Fonda and Kathryn Hepburn. Mark Rydell’s drama comes with a lots of emotion as well as one of the few cabin setting that won’t take your life thanks to anything horrific. A wonderfully constructed film set around Golden Pond. The grandparents holiday time is interrupted thanks the arrival of the grandson thanks to their onscreen daughter (played by Peter Fonda’s own daughter Jane). Fonda and Hepburn would go onto win Oscar gold for their roles.

The Kings Of Summer (2013)

Cabins can be memorable places to escape and in this coming of age comedy highlights that reason. A summer that sees a trio of teen boys who run away from the chore filled summer that waits for them if they stayed at home. What they get escaping to the Cabin in the woods is a dream like, fulfilling holiday which cabin is a metaphor for their freedom. A rebellious film that pays homage to the Stand By Me, adventure and discovery.

Secret Window (2004)

All set around Stephen King’s novella Secret Window, Secret Garden starring Johnny Depp. He plays a depressed writer who heads to a remote cabin to overcome his writers block. However he is stalked by a demented writer who accuses him of plagiarism and from here things get extra weird. This is not the best film in the world, it does showcase that Depp doesn’t always need to hide behind make up or pirate uniforms to do his thing.

Notables – Leave Her To Heaven (1945), The Parent Trap, The Strangers, Funny Games, What Keeps You Alive, The Ritual, The Hallow, Deliverance, Eden Lake, Misery, Friday 13th , Your Sister’s Sister, Queen Of Earth, Under The Skin.