6 Best Security Guard and Night Watchman Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 25, 2026

An overlooked job watching over empty buildings at night has powered everything from family-friendly magic to dark comedy and tense action thrillers. In Night at the Museum (2006): A struggling night guard discovers the museum’s exhibits magically come to life after dark. Equally memorable is Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009): A former night guard returns to help his animated museum friends battle a mischievous Egyptian pharaoh.

Security (2017)

TMDB ★ 5.4

A lone mall security guard must defend a terrified witness from a ruthless team of mercenaries overnight.

Directed by Alain Desrochers · 1h 27m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Watch (2012)

TMDB ★ 5.8

A suburban neighborhood watch group formed to catch a killer instead uncovers an alien invasion.

Directed by Akiva Schaffer · 1h 42m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Hulu, fuboTV, FXNow, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Observe and Report (2009)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A delusional, unstable mall security guard pursues a flasher while chasing his dream of becoming a real cop.

Directed by Jody Hill · 1h 26m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

TMDB ★ 5.6

An overzealous mall security guard must single-handedly stop a gang of thieves during a holiday lockdown.

Directed by Steve Carr · 1h 31m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Starz, Starz Apple TV channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A former night guard returns to help his animated museum friends battle a mischievous Egyptian pharaoh.

Directed by Shawn Levy · 1h 45m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu, FXNow · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Night at the Museum (2006)

IMDb ★ 6.5 RT 43% Metacritic 48

A struggling night guard discovers the museum's exhibits magically come to life after dark.

Directed by Shawn Levy · 1h 48m · Rated PG

2 wins & 8 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu, FXNow · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Security Guard and Night Watchman Movies

Security (2017)

The Watch (2012)

Observe and Report (2009)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

Night at the Museum (2006)

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