<Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $20,149,106 $1,262,052 (1980 re-release) </Td> </Tr> <P> When a Stranger Calls is a 1979 American psychological horror film . It was directed by Fred Walton and stars Carol Kane and Charles Durning . The film derives its story from the classic folk legend of "The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs" and the 1974 horror classic Black Christmas . The film was commercially successful, grossing $21,411,158 at the box office, though it received a mixed critical reception . It was followed by the 1993 made - for - television sequel When a Stranger Calls Back and a remake in 2006 . </P> <P> The film has developed a cult following over time because of the first 20 minutes, now consistently regarded as one of the scariest openings in horror movie history . The opening sequence was largely influential for the horror genre and was paid homage to in Wes Craven's Scream in the latter film's opening 12 minutes . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed . Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise . (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Get out of the house the call is coming from inside the house