Was supposed to be released theatrically everywhere in 1989, but Vestron Pictures went broke before the film's release. In the end, while the film gained at least one theatrical release in Europe, as Vestron had already pre-sold the film there, it skipped every other theatre and was largely straight to video.
Matthew Patrick's work on the picture was liked by legendary producer Moustapha Akkad, who seriously considered him to direct the next Halloween film - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.
Judith Barsi was asked to audition for the part of Holly. She missed the appointment for it on July 25th, 1988 and was found dead, along with her mother Maria, two days later. Judith and her mother had been killed by Judith's father, who had also taken his own life after committing said murders. The part of Holly in "Hider in the House" would go to Judith's co-star in "The Land Before Time", Candace Hutson. Barsi had also previously co-starred with lead actor Gary Busey in the 1986 action film, Eye of the Tiger.
A psychologist was hired as an adviser to make the sure the psychology of the Tom Sykes character was as realistic as possible. After a meeting with the psychologist, Gary Busey was excited, saying it was a "NAR film." He explained that NAR meant "No acting required." Gary said: "I am the character!"