When it comes to creating stories, the timeline from start to finish is one of the most important aspects. It shows us how long we will see our characters develop. Some films take place over the course of decades, while others are confined to a matter of hours. Although films that take place over several years can show an immense amount of growth and change within the characters, films with shorter timelines can be just as effective. Films that take place over the course of one day give the audience a chance to hone in on the characters and see a slice of their life.
We have seen films that take place within one day in several genres. Movies like Before Sunrise, Richard Linklater’s romantic trilogy, showed two people connecting and reconnecting within 24-hour periods. Comedy is also a great genre for this idea, and we have seen several comedic filmmakers take advantage of the one-day storyline. It is refreshing to watch characters within this timeframe, and it makes for tight plot lines that are easy to follow. While stories that take place over the course of years might be more epic in a sense, smaller plot lines can be just as thought-provoking when it comes to storytelling. Let’s look at the greatest films that take place within 24 hours, ranked
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9 The Breakfast Club
Universal Pictures
John Hughes’ iconic film, The Breakfast Club, depicting the turmoils of the high school experience, follows five youths sentenced to a Saturday detention. The film is a fine blend of comedy and drama, and we learn so much about each character over the course of one day. Throughout their Saturday detention, the five high schoolers learn about each other, friendship and romance blossoms, and we are given one of the best films of Hughes’ career.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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8 Die Hard
20th Century Fox
Die Hard showed us that you can absolutely make an effective action film that takes place within 24 hours. The story follows Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he takes down a group of terrorists at a heist in Nakatami Plaza. Blood is shed and bullets fly, as one of the greatest action films progresses. The film is legendary, and it launched one of the most successful action franchises of all time.
7 Clerks
Miramax Films
Kevin Smith wrote and directed his feature film debut, Clerks, which follows a group of underachievers over the course of one day at work. The film showed us a great example of how to keep its audience engaged through smart and hilarious dialogue. Anyone who has ever worked a “dead-end” job can absolutely relate to the desperate attempts of passing the time in the story of Clerks.
6 Dazed And Confused
Gramercy Pictures
Dazed and Confused is one of the greatest high school films of all time. It follows a group of students on the last day of high school in the 1970s. The film is filled with the nostalgia of youth and living without a care in the world. The characters are dynamic and everyone brings something to the table. At the same time, the soundtrack is unforgettable. Throughout the course of one day, we get to watch these characters party, cause trouble, and laugh along the way.
5 12 Angry Men
United Artists
12 Angry Men is another great example of keeping the audience engaged through effective dialogue. The film is based on the teleplay of the same name, and follows a group of jurors attempting to reach the verdict of a murder trial. The performances are top-notch, and the film, which takes place in one room, is fascinating to watch from beginning to end. 12 Angry Men’s cast includes Henry Fonda, Jack Warden, and more.
4 Reservoir Dogs
Quentin Tarantino’s debut film, Reservoir Dogs, tells the story of a group of gangsters after a botched robbery. Besides a few flashbacks, the film basically takes place in a single room. Through Tarantino’s masterful dialogue, we learn much about each character and the tension grows. The film has comedy, drama, and a good amount of bloodshed. It is a great example of how to make an effective film on a tight budget.
3 Do The Right Thing
Universal Pictures
Spike Lee’s legendary film Do the Right Thing takes place over the course of one hot summer day in Brooklyn, New York. The story follows a group of characters navigating family, racial tensions, and cultural conflicts. As the story progresses, tensions rise until the film reaches its violent and chaotic climax. It is an extremely thought-provoking film that should be seen more than once. The story has comedy, drama, conflict, and several memorable characters.
2 Magnolia
New Line Cinema
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film Magnolia features an ensemble cast of characters over the course of one fateful day in Los Angeles. Each character’s story is intertwined with one another creating an epic story. The film focuses on family, heartbreak, and confronting one’s past. The film features fantastic performances from Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and more.
1 Dog Day Afternoon
Warner Bros.
Dog Day Afternoon tells the incredible story of a botched bank robbery over the course of one day in Brooklyn, New York. Al Pacino gives one of the finest performances of his career as a desperate bank robber faced with a life and death situation. At the same time, John Cazale is legendary with his subtle performance as the simple-minded Sal. Through their performances, the tension and stress of the situation is shown through every frame. It is certainly one of the greatest bank robbery films in history.
