Rec (2007) if you like the genre .
this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2026
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Cube
My Dinner With Andre
Silent Running
I recently watched Iron Lung (2026) and really enjoyed it. Certainlynot the best of single set movies but I thought it was pretty well done.
Since the best two were taken ( cube and saw) I guess I'll go with Dredd, although it's not entirely one location
I quite liked Buried. It takes place in a coffin. I haven't seen it in a long time so there may be a scene or two outside the coffin setting up the situation and at one point I think Ryan Reynolds watches a video of somewhere else outside the coffin.
There is technically one scene outside the coffin, but I don't think it violates the rule. To say anymore would be a spoiler.
I discovered this movie a long time ago while browsing a TV Tropes page on the same premise. If this comment section doesn't offer enough ideas for OP, that might be the next good stop.
Would Oscar (1991) count? Most of the time, technically, they are in the same "location" (a mansion), but switching rooms.
There are some sci fi movies like Passengers or Pandorum that are set on one space craft. Or various other movies like Titanic or Snowpiercer or Murder on the Orient Express...
Technically, I think "Cube" fits the bill.
Yeah came to say this one, it's so dam good
First one that came to mind. Cube has two sequels and a remake also.
12 Angry Men (the original), The Dresser (both movie versions are great, the 2015 is a big production though), The Hateful Eight (technically two locations I guess, because first part is inside a stagecoach, then they reach the cabin the whole movie takes place), Moon (most of the movie takes place inside a moon station, but there are a few scenes he goes outside, so maybe doesn't count?), the first version of The Front Page (1931) takes place almost entirely inside the police department press room (if not entirely, I don't remember anymore)
12 Angry Men (the original)
From memory, this leaves the jury room on a couple of occasions. One could argue that the courtroom scenes are in the same place, but is there not also a brief outdoor scene when they are discussing the details of the case? It's been a while since I've seen it so maybe I've hallucinated that.
From memory, there are exactly two scenes which take place outside the deliberation chamber, one at the beginning of the movie showing the last moments of the trial before the jury retires (and, crucially, it shows you the face of the defendemt). The other scene is at the very end, on the steps of the courthouse as the jurors depart. There's a brief instance of dialog between Fonda and the old man juror.
Still, hardly seems fair to hold these instances against calling the movie a one location picture.
For some reason I remember the scene shifting to the house/apartment where the crime was allegedly committed while they are analysing a diagram and debating the time it would have taken to move from one place to another.
Not in my recollection of the movie, though it doesn't surprise me to hear that. They certainly go over the facts in close, illustrative detail, such that you can picture your mind's eye that apartment and street. Arguably that's the picture's core gimmick lol. I wonder if they ever do a more straight reenactment in a different version? I know there are a couple.
The Man From Earth was a great movie. Hopefully it qualifies, even though there are a few parts outside the cabin. Based on a play of the same name. It's also one of those movies where you can't recapture the first watch. Those who have seen it understand. I've heard the sequel wasn't nearly as good, and I'd figure as much, some stories just need to have their conclusion and let it sit with the viewer.
Phone Booth. The entire movie takes place in a phone booth.
Clue?
my favorite movie!
The Lighthouse and The Man From Earth come to mind. Probably even Reservoir Dogs.
Have not seen the Lighthouse, but I absolutely love the Man from Earth. Such a magical movie!
Not Reservoir Dogs. Most of the movie takes place in the warehouse, but there's also a scene in a diner, one on the streets, one that follows Orange before the heist, and probably some others too.
I understand why it's not perfectly fitting the requirement of the initial question, but I think it deserves an honorary mention. You are correct, quite a few scenes are flashbacks to before the warehouse main story of the movie. But to me it was fairly impressive back in the day how it was possible to create such a complex plot with the majority of the movie taking place in one location.
Rec, pontypool
Seconded. Underrated film imo.
I was about to say Clerks but they do go to a funeral for a minute. Like 95% one place.
Dark City fits even if it's a big location.
The Raid: Redemption
Delicatessen
Is delicatessen really all happening in the apartment building? I have memories of outdoor scenes as well but maybe I'm mixing things up with dikkenek.
There are a few exteriors shots but it's primarily inside one building.
I'm not familiar with Dikkenek but just looked it up and it appears to be many locations. The clown is in that one too though.
Saw was mostly filmed in one room. Bloody good film, the first one.
Yep that was my second option, it held up to many viewings
Four Rooms takes place in one hotel, during one night.
This is what I thought of as well. Fun movie.
Evil Dead 1/2
Rope is the best one I can think of that doesn't have any kind of caveat. It takes place within an apartment, set across three connected rooms (kitchen, hallway, living/dining area) and the scenes are even stitched together in such a way that it gives the impression of being shot in a single take.
Rear Window is close, but it does leave the apartment at least once. One could also argue that the binoculars scenes are taking the viewer to a different location.
Phonebooth (2002)
Locke (2013)
Kimi (2022)
Phone Booth was my choice.
I was going to say Locke what a great film!
Climax. It's a French movie where a bunch of music video dancers drink LSD-spiked punch and get totally wrecked. It's also a one-cut movie.
The classic answer: "El ángel exterminador"
Russian Ark. The entire movie is one continuous shot, filmed in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. It took one day to film the whole movie, but it took 3 years to plan out the shot.
If you like one shot films, watch Victoria. It's set and shot in Berlin and begins at night, but the sun starts to rise during the film, giving it a unique quality.
The director allowed three attempts to get the shot before enacting a backup plan to shoot it traditionally and the actors got it on the third attempt!
See also: One Cut of the Dead
The Raid (2012)
With the exception of the opening scene where they're sailing to it, "Shutter Island" takes place on the titular Shutter Island.
"The Hunt for Red October" and "Crimson Tide" both take place on submarines.
"Sucker Punch"
spoiler
takes place entirely in Rocket's mind
The Outfit (2022)
Massively under-appreciated movie that I would highly recommend. Mark Rylance is absolutely superb in it.
Been a while, but I think "From Dusk Till Dawn"
They start at a hotel and then go to the bar, but I'd kick myself for being a pedant. Kick
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