20 Comedies That Take Place Almost Entirely Indoors

As a movie lover, I’ve always been fascinated by films that mostly take place in one location. It’s a tough trick to pull off, really – filmmakers and actors have to really nail the dialogue and make the characters compelling because they can’t rely on jumping around to different sets. The movies I’m about to share do this brilliantly, using that confined space to ramp up the laughs or just dig deeper into the story and the people in it.

‘Clue’ (1985)

When six strangers receive puzzling invitations, they find themselves at a remote mansion in New England. They quickly realize their host is the person who has been blackmailing them—but he doesn’t stay alive for long. As the guests try to figure out who killed him—and as more people turn up dead—they must work with the mansion’s butler and maid to solve the mystery. This beloved film is a funny, fast-paced adaptation of the classic board game.

‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)

Okay, so this movie starts with five totally different high school kids – the jock, the princess, the brain, the criminal, and the weirdo – all stuck in Saturday detention together. At first, it’s just a mess of arguing and judging each other, you know, all based on what they think they know about each other. But as the day goes on, they start to actually talk and you find out they’re all dealing with some really tough stuff at home and with their parents. What I love is that the whole movie takes place in just one room – the library – which really lets you get to know each character and feel what it’s like to be a teenager. It’s all about teenage angst, but in a really relatable way thanks to the director, John Hughes.

‘Clerks’ (1994)

Dante Hicks reluctantly works a shift at the Quick Stop on his day off, spending the day chatting about pop culture and handling difficult customers with his friend Randal. This black and white film realistically and humorously portrays the everyday experience of a low-wage job. It’s also where director Kevin Smith began his career, creating a comedy almost entirely set inside the store and driven by its witty conversations.

‘Carnage’ (2011)

In a Brooklyn apartment, two sets of parents gather to talk about a fight between their sons at the playground. What starts as a civil conversation soon falls apart as they drink and old resentments come out. The meeting quickly exposes each parent’s true personality and biases. This stage play adaptation depends heavily on the actors’ performances to create its awkward and funny moments.

‘This Is the End’ (2013)

When the apocalypse starts, James Franco throws a party at his house, and his celebrity friends are caught in the middle of it. As Los Angeles is destroyed by demons and disasters, the group barricades themselves inside and tries to survive. They have to deal with limited supplies, getting on each other’s nerves, and their own personal flaws, all while actors play heightened versions of themselves in this chaotic, confined situation.

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1944)

A drama critic makes a shocking discovery: his kind aunts are secretly poisoning lonely elderly men with elderberry wine. He tries to handle this delicate situation, complicated by his unusual brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt. Most of the hilarious and unsettling events take place inside the family’s Brooklyn home on Halloween night. Cary Grant gives a lively and energetic performance in this film, which is based on a well-known play.

‘Death at a Funeral’ (2007)

When a British family comes together at their old family home for the funeral of their father, things quickly go wrong. What starts as a sad occasion descends into chaos with drugs and a blackmail plot. As the family attempts to appear dignified, long-held secrets come out and relationships are strained. The story takes place entirely at the funeral reception, amplifying the humor and ridiculousness of everything that happens.

‘Noises Off…’ (1992)

The movie follows a determined director trying to manage a disastrous dress rehearsal for a failing play. It depicts the production’s unraveling, both onstage and backstage, as the acting troupe tours from theater to theater. They struggle with personal conflicts and constant technical difficulties, and the film vividly portrays the chaotic energy of a show falling apart.

‘The Party’ (1968)

A struggling actor blunders his way into an elegant Hollywood party and completely disrupts the refined atmosphere with a string of mishaps and miscommunications. The hilarious chaos happens almost entirely inside the host’s incredibly modern home. Peter Sellers relies on slapstick and quick thinking to build a feeling of escalating disaster.

‘Murder by Death’ (1976)

Five renowned literary detectives receive a mysterious invitation to a spooky mansion, where they’re challenged to solve a murder… before it even happens. The host promises a million-dollar reward to whoever cracks the case. As they compete with each other, they face strange traps and a peculiar blind butler. The movie playfully spoofs traditional mystery stories, all set within the eerie and secluded grounds of the estate.

‘Mallrats’ (1995)

After getting dumped, two friends head to the mall to feel better. While wandering around, they meet some strange people and even end up on a game show. The entire movie takes place inside the mall, offering a look at how people spend time in these retail spaces. It’s similar in style to the film ‘Clerks,’ but with a slightly broader scope, all while keeping the action confined to one location.

‘Empire Records’ (1995)

A group of employees at a locally-owned record store face losing their jobs when a big chain store buys the business. Over the course of one hectic day, they try to come up with a plan to save the shop, all while unexpectedly hosting a famous pop star. The film focuses on the close relationships between these young workers as they rally to protect their beloved workplace.

‘Oscar’ (1991)

A hardened criminal vows to his father on his deathbed that he’ll leave his life of crime and become an honest businessman. However, a chaotic morning filled with mistaken identities and mixed-up packages keeps derailing his efforts. This fast-paced, funny movie, reminiscent of classic comedies, is set almost entirely inside the gangster’s opulent home and stars Sylvester Stallone alongside a talented cast.

‘The Man Who Came to Dinner’ (1942)

A witty but difficult radio host breaks his hip after slipping on ice while visiting a well-known family in Ohio. He has to recover at their house, and quickly begins to boss everyone around. His constant interference in their lives, and the parade of unusual guests he invites, throws the family into chaos. The story, originally a play, takes place almost entirely within the family’s living room.

‘My Dinner with Andre’ (1981)

After years apart, two old friends reconnect over dinner at an upscale New York City restaurant. One friend recounts his experiences with spiritual journeys around the globe, while the other champions the value of a more conventional life. The entire film unfolds as a conversation between them, using this intimate setting to delve into deep and thought-provoking ideas.

‘Four Rooms’ (1995)

As a total film buff, I recently saw this really wild movie! It centers around a hotel bellhop stuck working New Year’s Eve, and things get seriously bizarre. He’s dealing with a series of incredibly strange guests – one group is involved in a witchy ritual, another’s holding someone hostage, and it’s just chaos! What’s cool is that each of these mini-stories is directed by a different filmmaker, so the humor really shifts around. The whole thing takes place inside the hotel, and it’s basically a night about this guy just trying to make it through his shift alive. It’s a really unique and funny ride!

‘Free Fire’ (2016)

A deal for illegal weapons brings two rival gangs together in an old warehouse, but a long-held personal conflict quickly turns the meeting into a chaotic gunfight. The characters are forced to take cover and spend the rest of the movie exchanging both insults and gunfire. This fast-paced, funny action film uses the warehouse’s wide-open space to create a dynamic and comedic showdown.

‘The Exterminating Angel’ (1962)

A group of wealthy dinner guests discover they’re mysteriously unable to leave the room. As days stretch into weeks, their polite facades crumble, and they begin to act on their most basic instincts. This strange predicament forces them to face their own flaws and underlying anxieties. Directed by Luis Buñuel, the film is a sharp satire about the upper class and the limitations of their social world.

‘The Odd Couple’ (1968)

The movie follows two divorced men, Felix and Oscar, who are complete opposites. They decide to become roommates in New York City, but their very different personalities quickly clash. Felix is obsessively neat, while Oscar is much more relaxed and messy, leading to constant arguments as they try to live together. The film is based on a well-known play and depends heavily on the strong connection between the two actors playing the leads.

‘8 Women’ (2002)

When a family gathers at a remote country house for the holidays, their celebration turns into a mystery after the father is found murdered. The eight women in the family become suspects, and as they investigate, long-held secrets and hidden motivations come to light. Surprisingly, the investigation unfolds through musical numbers and dance sequences, creating a unique blend of murder mystery and musical comedy, all set within the grand, snowy estate.

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

2025-12-01 02:16