Escape Room Movies
Photo by Felix Mooneeram on Unsplash
1. Cube (1997) is an exceptional independent science fiction film that serves as an early forerunner to the more widely recognized escape room genre that emerged in subsequent years. In this film, five individuals awaken in a cubic chamber, devoid of any recollection of how they arrived there. As they navigate through the various doors, they soon realize they are ensnared in a labyrinthine structure where each chamber closely resembles the others. The primary distinctions among the rooms lie in their colors and the presence of lethal traps in some of them. Although Cube may not initially resemble a conventional escape room experience due to the traps not being framed as puzzles, the narrative evolves as the characters come to understand that interpreting a sequence of numbers found in each room might be crucial to their potential escape, assuming that escape is even feasible. (See also Cube Zero and Cube 2: Hyper Cube)
2. Saw (2004) The Saw series got linked to escape room flicks once people started to notice the similarities, but only a handful of the films really fit into that escape room vibe. The original movie, Saw, is one of the few that actually meets the criteria, even if it’s just by a hair. In it, two guys, played by Cary Elwes and co-writer Leigh Whannell, find themselves trapped in a room. They’re both chained to a pipe, and there’s a body lying face down in a pool of blood right between them. Throughout the movie, the two guys piece together clues about why they’re being held and how they’re linked. There’s a fair bit of puzzle-solving as they uncover items and hints in their surroundings, but their chances of getting out rely more on mind games and, in the end, some serious sacrifices. (We recommend making a task of wathcing all the saw movies in order as they build on each other)
3. Fermat’s Room (2007) is a Spanish cinematic work that centers around an increasingly constrictive escape room scenario. The narrative follows four exceptionally talented mathematicians who receive an invitation to a gathering aimed at unraveling a significant mathematical conundrum. Upon their arrival at a remote venue, the participants realize they have been confined within a locked room. They are confronted with a series of mathematical challenges that must be addressed within a predetermined time frame; failure to do so results in the walls of the room progressively closing in, posing a lethal threat. In addition to tackling these mathematical puzzles, the individuals must also decipher the connections among themselves and devise a means of escape. Fermat’s Room presents a compelling mystery and stands as an overlooked treasure within the escape room film subgenre.
4. Exam (2009) is another movie that feels like a direct precursor to what would evolve into the escape room subgenre. In the movie, eight people are placed in a room for an employment assessment exam that they are told has only one question. They are each given a sheet of paper with a number on it, and they are given three rules: no talking to the armed guard at the door, do not mess up your paper, and anyone who leaves the room is disqualified. They are then left alone with an 80 minute time limit. Tensions rise to dangerous heights as the candidates try to figure out what the question is they are supposed to answer. Exam may not fit exactly into the escape room format since they can leave any time they want, but they puzzle solving, reasoning, and group dynamics make it feel like an escape room movie nonetheless. It’s also quite an interesting movie with some nice twists.
5a. Escape Room (2017). The first of the two features Skeet Ulrich (of Scream fame) as an escape room host who uses a creepy box with a demonic past as a new prop to scare his guests. An actor wearing a burlap mask has also been placed in the room to add a haunted-house-style vibe, but once the escape room begins, the actor apparently becomes possessed by the box and tries to actually murder people. With most of the movie taking place in a single room, Escape Room is good for fans of isolation horror who want some some light genre thrills.
5b. Escape Room (2017), takes a more realistic approach compared to the Skeet Ulrich film that shares the same name and release year. The story follows a group of friends who decide to visit a fancy, expensive escape room to celebrate Tyler's (Evan Williams) birthday. Each friend has their own secrets, which creates tension when they find out that the challenges in the escape room are actually life-threatening. While this film has been compared to the Saw series in some ways, its focus on puzzles keeps it firmly in the escape room genre.
5c. Escape Room (2019) burst onto the scene just as the phenomenon of real-life escape room experiences was hitting its stride. While a skeptical observer might dismiss the film as a mere opportunistic grab at a popular trend, it ultimately proves to be an enjoyable ride filled with compelling drama and captivating puzzle challenges. The storyline follows a familiar formula found in many escape room flicks: six individuals come together, believing they’re in for a lighthearted competition with a cash prize, only to find themselves trapped in a series of deadly escape rooms where failure could cost them their lives. A standout feature of the film is its talented cast, each delivering impressive performances amid some outlandish situations. Equally noteworthy are the escape rooms themselves; each one is uniquely crafted and unforgettable, with puzzles designed to engage the audience, inviting them to join the characters in their quest for solutions.
6. No Escape Room (2018) offers an entertaining blend of escape room thrills and supernatural elements. In a bid to strengthen their relationship, Michael takes his teenage daughter, Karen, to an escape room attraction. What begins as a lighthearted day of puzzle-solving quickly spirals into a nightmarish experience when they, along with other participants, find themselves hunted by a sinister force. To survive, they must collaborate and unravel the enigma of the escape room before they become the next victims of the lurking danger. While some viewers might find the plot's twists a bit disorienting, the conclusion is skillfully crafted and stands out in the genre.
More to Explore: Not quite escape rooms, but trapped/locked-in style thrillers.
The Killing Room (2009) – This psychological thriller is about a group of four people who are locked in a room and subjected to a series of mental and physical tests.
Follow Me (2020) - A social media personality travels with his friends to Moscow to capture new content for his successful VLOG. Always pushing the limits and catering to a growing audience, they enter a cold world of mystery, excess, and danger.
Truth or Dare (2018) - A harmless game of Truth or Dare among friends turns deadly when someone - or something - begins to punish those who tell a lie or refuse the dare.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022) - Forced to travel with her boyfriend to an Escape Room, Laine begins to experience premonitions associated with the urban myth of The Creeper. She believes that something supernatural has been summoned - and that she is at the center of it all.
