Don't Breathe

Don't Breathe
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFede Álvarez
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPedro Luque
Edited by
Music byRoque Baños
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • March 12, 2016 (2016-03-12) (SXSW)
  • August 26, 2016 (2016-08-26) (United States)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$9.9 million
Box office$157.8 million

Don't Breathe is a 2016 American horror film co-produced and directed by Fede Álvarez, who co-wrote it with Rodo Sayagues. It is the first installment in the Don't Breathe franchise. The film stars Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang, and focuses on three home intruders who find themselves trapped and hunted in the home of their blind target.

The project, originally titled A Man in the Dark, was announced in early 2014, with Álvarez directing, Sayagues writing, and Levy starring. In contrast to his previous work on Evil Dead (2013), Álvarez decided the project would have less blood, an original storyline, more suspense, and no dependence on supernatural elements—which he felt were overused. Principal photography began in June 2015, and wrapped in July in Detroit.

Don't Breathe premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2016, and was theatrically released on August 26, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film grossed over $157 million world and received positive reviews.

A sequel, Don't Breathe 2, was released in August 2021.