
Desperate Hours
1990 · Movie · R · 105 min · ★ 5.4 · 35% critics
An escaped convict on the run forces his way into a suburban home and holds a fractured family hostage while he waits for help to arrive. As police pressure builds outside, the uneasy standoff inside turns into a tense battle of nerves, control, and survival.
Based on The Desperate Hours
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1990
- Release date
- 1990-10-05
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 35/100
- TMDB rating
- 5.4/10 (223 votes)
About
You may enjoy this if you like late-80s/early-90s thrillers with a home-under-siege premise, big performances, and bursts of action; Not for you if you need tight realism, consistent tone, or subtle character drama like Mercury Rising.
Pros: gripping home-invasion setup; memorable lead menace; occasional dark humor | Cons: uneven acting; shaky logic; messy pacing
Themes
- based on novel or book
- hostage
- utah
- escaped convict
- remake
- home invasion
- family hostage
Awards & recognition
- Golden Raspberry Award — Worst Actor · 1991 · nominated
Cast & crew

Mickey Rourke
as Michael Bosworth

Anthony Hopkins
as Tim Cornell

Mimi Rogers
as Nora Cornell

Lindsay Crouse
as Brenda Chandler

Kelly Lynch
as Nancy Breyers

Elias Koteas
as Wally Bosworth

David Morse
as Albert

Shawnee Smith
as May Cornell
- DG
Danny Gerard
as Zack Cornell

Gerry Bamman
as Ed Tallent
Directed by Michael Cimino