Imagine the chaos when disaster strikes in the one place you thought was safe - your student dorm. This curated list of films brings you into the heart of the action, where students must navigate through various calamities, from natural disasters to man-made horrors. These films not only provide thrilling entertainment but also offer a unique perspective on how young adults cope with extreme situations, making them perfect for anyone who loves a good survival story or just wants to see how their own dorm life might look in a crisis.

The Burning (1981)
Description: Set at a summer camp, this slasher film features a group of students facing a vengeful caretaker, which could easily be transposed to a dorm setting with its themes of isolation and revenge.
Fact: The film features early roles for Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, and was one of the first films to use a body double for a nude scene.


The Dead Zone (1983)
Description: Although not a traditional disaster film, the story of a teacher with psychic abilities who sees disasters can be related to the theme of students facing unforeseen crises in their dorm life.
Fact: Directed by David Cronenberg, this film was adapted from Stephen King's novel and features a chilling performance by Christopher Walken.


The Faculty (1998)
Description: This sci-fi horror film involves students at a high school dealing with an alien invasion, which can be likened to the chaos of a dorm under siege.
Fact: The film features a young cast that would later become well-known, including Josh Hartnett and Elijah Wood.


Cabin Fever (2002)
Description: Although set in a cabin, the premise of a group of friends dealing with a flesh-eating virus mirrors the tension and claustrophobia of a student dorm during a crisis.
Fact: Eli Roth's directorial debut, this film was inspired by real-life events, including a flesh-eating bacteria outbreak in the '90s.


The Descent (2005)
Description: A group of friends on a caving trip face monstrous creatures, a situation that mirrors the feeling of being trapped in a confined space like a dorm.
Fact: The film was shot in a real cave system in the UK, adding to its claustrophobic atmosphere.


The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Description: While not set in a dorm, the survival horror of a family attacked by mutants in the desert can be paralleled to students trapped in a dorm with external threats.
Fact: This is a remake of Wes Craven's 1977 film, with a more intense and graphic approach.


The Mist (2007)
Description: While not set in a dorm, the supermarket setting where people are trapped by a mysterious mist filled with creatures can be seen as a metaphor for being confined in a dorm during a disaster.
Fact: The film's ending was changed from the novella by Stephen King, causing some controversy but also adding to its cult status.


The Ruins (2008)
Description: A group of friends on a vacation in Mexico find themselves trapped by a deadly plant in an ancient Mayan ruin, which can be seen as a metaphor for being trapped in a dorm with no escape.
Fact: The film was based on a novel by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay, ensuring a faithful adaptation.


The Final Girls (2015)
Description: While not strictly a disaster film, this movie involves a group of friends who get sucked into a '80s slasher film set in a summer camp, which could easily be likened to a student dorm. They must survive the movie's plot to escape back to reality.
Fact: The film was praised for its meta-narrative and heartfelt performances, especially by Taissa Farmiga and Malin Akerman.


The Dorm That Dripped Blood (1982)
Description: This slasher film takes place in a deserted student dorm during the summer break, where a group of students encounter a series of gruesome murders. It's a classic example of how a seemingly safe environment can turn into a nightmare.
Fact: The film was originally titled "Pranks" but was changed to capitalize on the success of "The Dorm That Dripped Blood." It has since become a cult classic among horror enthusiasts.
