Given how action movies these days tend to be huge, sprawling epics, as they globe-trot from continent to continent, the pendulum can swing the opposite way too. Though there generally needs to be quite a bit of space in action movies for choreographed fights and such, which is why so many action sequences take place outdoors, some directors get creative with confined spaces.

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In 1988, Die Hard started a trend in action movies where almost entire films would take place in one area, and it worked perfectly. And since then there have been so many action movies that are set in one building, and these are the best of them.

Die Hard 2 (1990)

John McClane and Holly Gennero with a blanket wrapped around them in Die Hard 2

Die Hard influenced so many action movies, as they all tread the same formula, which is an action hero who tries to take down a terrorist organization in an isolated space, whether it’s on a plane in Con Air, or on a boat in Under Seige. But the very first movie to copy Die Hard was, of course, Die Hard 2.

The sequel completely copied the original’s premise, and instead of taking place in a skyscraper, it’s based in an airport. Nevertheless, it’s still a fun movie, and though it’s sandwiched between the two better films in the series, Die Hard 2 has some of the franchise’s best scenes.

The Belko Experiment (2016)

Wendell and Barry try to settle nerves in The Belko Experiment

Given how satirical and violent it is, it doesn’t come as a surprise that The Belko Experiment was written by James Gunn. The movie is a Battle Royale-type movie where a messed up company makes its employees murder each other until there’s just one person left standing.

It’s a tried and true formula, and The Belko Experiment gives it a new skin by setting it in an office building. Viewers can live vicariously through this action-horror flick as they may have wanted to fight some co-workers in the past.

Gremlins 2 (1990)

Daniel Klamp and Billy speak in Daniel’s office in Gremlins 2

No other sequel is more unlike its predecessor than Gremlins 2. Compared to the cutesy horror vibe of the original, the sequel is an action-comedy that all takes place at a TV network. Though it’s all set in one building, there’s so much happening on every floor.

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Each room is like a magical world of its own, whether it’s a newsroom, a TV scientist concocting weird potions, or the set of a late night talk show. The movie is just as bizarre as it is entertaining, as it sees Billy and Kate going through the building fighting their way through weird Gremlin mutations.

The Platform (2019)

Zorion Eguileor holding a knife as he sits on his bed in The Platform

Though it might be more of a horror than an action movie, The Platform is filled to the brim with action and some of the most gruesome fights seen in a movie in the past 10 years. The Platform takes place in a vertical prison that has hundreds of floors, and though it has a ridiculous plot, there are some interesting ideas.

The film isn’t just action-packed, but it's layered with allegories too, whether it's Goreng’s obsession with Don Quixote, the mysterious child living in the prison, or even the types of food the inmates choose to eat.

Panic Room (2002)

Meg and Sarah hold each other in the panic room in Panic Room

Coming from the mind of gothic guru David Fincher, the idea of him directing a home invasion movie is the least surprising thing that could have ever happened. However, what fans didn’t expect was that Panic Room was actually very much a popcorn flick, something Fincher had never done before.

Being a home invasion movie, the whole film takes place in one house, and the thriller was a sharp left turn after the dense Fight Club, as it’s an intense, thrilling, and action-packed 100 minutes that flies by in a flash.

High-Rise (2015)

Robert’s face is covered in paint in High-Rise

In what is one of the most surreal movies of the past few years, High-Rise is about a 40-floor apartment building where wealthy residents live on higher floors, and poorer residents live on the lower ones. The building looks like a dream come true, as it has a pool, a gym, a grocery store, and bars.

However, it doesn’t take long until it becomes a giant free-for-all amongst the residents, as they start turning on one another and resorting to murder, just as it does in The Platform, The Belko Experiment, and so many others. If there’s anything that viewers learn from these movies, it’s that isolation really does send people crazy.

Dredd (2012)

Judge Dredd stands in front of an American flag in Dredd

Dredd has become a cult hit in its time since being released, and in true Die Hard fashion, it sees the titular character work his way up a high-rise building to take down a drug lord. It plays out like a video game, as the Judge starts on the first level, and with each consecutive floor, it gets tougher with stronger and more violent enemies.

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And given how much slo-mo there is and how stylish the whole movie is, Dredd would actually make an incredible video game. It looked as if the movie was setting up a franchise, but as it underperformed at the box office despite glowing reviews and strong audience reception, it’s a film that’s begging for a sequel.

Free Fire (2016)

Brie Larson in Free Fire

Coming from the same director as High-Rise, Ben Wheatley seems to have a penchant for shooting action movies based in one building. Free Fire is essentially a 90-minute long gunfight that takes place in a warehouse, and it’s hysterical.

Not one minute or one bullet is wasted. The movie is so entertaining, and though it’s unrealistic how every character soaks up so many bullets, it’s like if Reservoir Dogs was a dreamlike comedy.

Die Hard (1988)

Bruce Willis in a vent in Die Hard

Die Hard is so many things. It’s a Christmas movie fans can watch all year round, and it was the first action movie to take place in one building. It was hugely influential in the genre and continues to be to this day, as there are still action movies coming out today that use the same formula as Die Hard. The movie is so connected to its setting that the Nakatomi Plaza is the most iconic movie building.

Not only is it incredible for the way it takes place in one building, but it also introduced John McClane, who is special for not actually being special at all. He was just an average New York City cop thrust into this unimaginable situation with a terrorist group.

The Raid (2011)

Rama holds ups a bloody knife in combat

The quality of The Raid was passed through word of mouth so fast, as there was barely any hype surrounding the movie before its release. There’s a very thin narrative to the movie, but it’s two hours of martial arts experts simply drop kicking and stabbing each other.

The Indonesian movie takes place in one high-rise building in which a special forces unit is tasked with infiltrating it and taking down the drug lord at the top, just like in Dredd. It’s essentially like Mortal Kombat without the special powers, but with just as brutal fatalities, and it’s one of the best action movies of the 2000s.

NEXT: Die Hard: The Best (& Worst) Scenes From Each Movie