20 Comedies That Take Place Almost Entirely Indoors

Setting a film in a single location presents a unique challenge for filmmakers and actors alike. These productions rely heavily on sharp dialogue and strong character dynamics rather than elaborate set changes. The following movies utilize confined spaces to heighten comedic tension and focus on narrative depth.

‘Clue’ (1985)

Six strangers arrive at a secluded New England mansion after receiving mysterious invitations from an unknown host. They discover the man blackmailing them is present before he turns up dead under suspicious circumstances. The guests must cooperate with the butler and the maid to identify the killer as the body count rises. This cult classic adapts the famous board game into a chaotic whodunit filled with slapstick humor.

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

Five high school students from different social cliques report for Saturday detention in their school library. They initially clash due to their opposing personalities and perceived stereotypes about one another. The group gradually opens up about their personal struggles and strained relationships with their parents. Director John Hughes utilizes the single setting to focus deeply on character development and teenage angst.

‘Clerks’ (1994)

Dante Hicks is forced to cover a shift at the Quick Stop convenience store on his scheduled day off. He spends the day debating pop culture and dealing with unruly customers alongside his friend Randal Graves. The black and white film captures the mundane yet hilarious reality of working a minimum wage job. Director Kevin Smith launched his career with this dialogue-driven comedy set almost exclusively within the store.

‘Carnage’ (2011)

Two pairs of parents meet in a Brooklyn apartment to discuss a playground fight between their sons. The initial polite conversation quickly devolves into chaos as alcohol is consumed and underlying tensions surface. Each character reveals their true nature and prejudices during the confined interaction. This adaptation of a play relies heavily on the performances of its four lead actors to drive the uncomfortable humor.

‘This Is the End’ (2013)

James Franco hosts a house party for his celebrity friends just as the biblical apocalypse begins. The survivors barricade themselves inside the house while demons and disasters destroy Los Angeles outside. They struggle to ration supplies and deal with cabin fever while facing their own vanity. The film features actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves in a confined setting.

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1944)

A drama critic discovers that his two sweet aunts have been poisoning lonely old men with elderberry wine. He attempts to manage the situation while dealing with his eccentric brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt. The chaotic events unfold almost entirely within the family’s Brooklyn home during Halloween. Cary Grant delivers a high-energy performance in this adaptation of the popular stage play.

‘Death at a Funeral’ (2007)

A dysfunctional British family gathers at their ancestral home to mourn the passing of their patriarch. The somber occasion turns into a disaster involving hallucinogenic drugs and a blackmail attempt. Secrets are revealed and relationships are tested as the family tries to maintain decorum. The farce utilizes the confined setting of the funeral reception to heighten the absurdity of the escalating mishaps.

‘Noises Off…’ (1992)

An ambitious director attempts to herd a chaotic cast of actors through the dress rehearsal of a flop play. The story shows the production falling apart both on stage and behind the scenes during its tour. Relationship dramas and technical failures plague the troupe as they perform in various theater venues. The film captures the frantic energy of a stage production going wrong within the confines of the theater.

‘The Party’ (1968)

An awkward aspiring actor accidentally gets invited to a lavish Hollywood dinner party. He proceeds to destroy the sophisticated event through a series of clumsy mishaps and misunderstandings. The visual comedy unfolds almost exclusively within the high-tech home of the studio executive host. Peter Sellers utilizes physical humor and improvisation to create a mounting sense of disaster.

‘Murder by Death’ (1976)

Five famous literary detectives are invited to a creepy mansion to solve a murder that has not yet happened. The host challenges them to solve the mystery for a one million dollar prize. They encounter bizarre traps and a blind butler while trying to outsmart one another. The film parodies classic mystery tropes within the atmospheric setting of the isolated estate.

‘Mallrats’ (1995)

Two friends retreat to the local shopping mall to seek comfort after being dumped by their girlfriends. They encounter a variety of eccentric characters and participate in a game show while roaming the corridors. The story takes place entirely within the mall environment and explores the culture of hanging out in retail spaces. This follow-up to ‘Clerks’ expands the scope slightly while maintaining a singular location focus.

‘Empire Records’ (1995)

The employees of an independent record store learn that their shop is about to be sold to a large chain. They attempt to raise enough money to save the business while dealing with a visiting pop star. The events occur over the course of a single day within the music shop. The film highlights the unique bond between the young staff members as they fight for their workplace.

‘Oscar’ (1991)

A gangster promises his dying father that he will give up his life of crime to become a legitimate businessman. His attempts to go straight are thwarted by a series of mix-ups involving black bags and mistaken identities. The screwball comedy takes place almost entirely within the gangster’s lavish mansion during a single morning. Sylvester Stallone leads the ensemble cast in this fast-paced homage to classic farces.

‘The Man Who Came to Dinner’ (1942)

A sharp-tongued radio personality slips on ice and breaks his hip while visiting a prominent Ohio family. He is forced to recuperate in their home and proceeds to take over the household with his demands. His presence disrupts the lives of the residents as he meddles in their affairs and invites eccentric guests. The film adapts a stage play and keeps the action centered in the family’s living room.

‘My Dinner with Andre’ (1981)

Two old friends meet for dinner at a fancy restaurant in New York City after not seeing each other for years. One man shares stories of his spiritual travels around the world while the other defends his grounded life. The film consists almost entirely of their conversation at the table. It explores complex philosophical themes through the simple setup of a shared meal.

‘Four Rooms’ (1995)

A bellhop is left alone to manage a hotel on New Year’s Eve and encounters four different groups of strange guests. He moves between different rooms where he gets entangled in a coven ritual and a hostage situation. Each segment is directed by a different filmmaker and offers a distinct comedic tone. The narrative stays within the hotel as the bellhop tries to survive his shift.

‘Free Fire’ (2016)

Two gangs meet in an abandoned warehouse to conduct a black market arms deal. The transaction goes wrong when a personal grudge sparks a massive shootout. The characters spend the duration of the film pinned down behind debris while trading insults and bullets. This action comedy utilizes the single open space to create a kinetic and humorous standoff.

‘The Exterminating Angel’ (1962)

Guests at a lavish dinner party find themselves inexplicably unable to leave the room at the end of the evening. They eventually shed their upper-class manners and resort to primitive behavior as days turn into weeks. The surreal situation forces them to confront their own hypocrisy and desperation. Luis Buñuel directs this satire that traps the bourgeoisie within their own social confines.

‘The Odd Couple’ (1968)

Two divorced men with opposite personalities decide to share an apartment in New York City. The neat and neurotic Felix drives the messy and easygoing Oscar crazy with his cleaning habits. Their conflict escalates as they struggle to coexist within the confined living space. The film adapts the famous play and relies on the chemistry between the two leads.

‘8 Women’ (2002)

A family gathers at an isolated country house for the holidays only to find the patriarch murdered. The eight women present suspect each other and begin to reveal dark secrets and hidden motives. They break into song and dance numbers while investigating the crime in the snowy estate. The film blends murder mystery elements with musical comedy in a theatrical setting.

Tell us which single-location comedy is your favorite in the comments.