Top 10 Movies that Unfold in One day/night :: Monday Movies

Another kind of movie I love are ones that take place in a 24-hour period, whether it be one night in the life, or one day, whether it be just two characters, or many whose stories may, or may not, intersect, all of it, that kind of one-day storytelling, is a favorite of mine. There are MANY more movies that utilize that storytelling technique than I realized, so coming up with JUST TEN was a challenge – a few I love had to be left off – but they still live in my cinematic heart.

I love that my lists crosses movie-genres, and that it includes great scenes and memorable soundtracks. And just like with the road trip movie lists, some of my favorite movies of all-time are on this list, too.

I’d love to hear/read what yours are. Please share in the comments.

1. Before Sunrise (1995)
Written by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
Directed by Richard Linklater

“I feel like this is, uh, some dream world we’re in, y’know.” ~ Jesse

“Yeah, it’s so weird. It’s like our time together is just ours. It’s our own creation. It must be like I’m in your dream, and you in mine, or something.” ~ Celine

“And what’s so cool is that this whole evening, all our time together, shouldn’t officially be happening.” ~ Jesse

“Yeah, I know. Maybe that’s why this feels so otherworldly.” ~ Celine

2. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Written & Directed by John Hughes

“Remember how you said your parents use you to get back at each other?” ~ John Bender

[nods] ~ Claire Standish

“Wouldn’t I be OUTSTANDING in that capacity?” ~ John Bender

3. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
Written by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (book), Lorene Scafaria
Directed by Peter Sollet

“Are you sad that we missed it?” ~ Norah

“We didn’t miss it. This *is* it. C’mon. You wanna go home?” ~ Nick

4. Modern Girls (1986)
Written by Laurie Craig & Anita Rosenberg
Directed by Jerry Kramer

“You know, Cliffie, the hottest nights are the ones where you don’t know who you are coming home with. . .here we are. . .we don’t even know who we are going out with!” ~ CeCe

5. Go (1999)
Written by John August
Directed by Doug Liman

6. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Written by Nicholas Ray (story), Stewart Stern & Irving Shulman (screenplay)
Directed by
Nicholas Ray

“Once you been up there you know you’ve been someplace.”  ~ Jim Stark

7. Empire Records (1995)
Written by Carol Heikkinen
Directed by Allan Moyle

“We mustn’t dwell… no, not today. We CAN’T. Not on Rex Manning day.” ~ Mark

8. 200 Cigarettes (1999)
Written by Shana Larsen
Directed by Risa Bramon Garcia

“You need to find somebody that likes you the way you are.” ~ Lucy

“And who would possibly like me the way I am?” ~ Kevin

“I have no idea.” ~ Lucy

9. Mallrats (1995)
Written & Directed by Kevin Smith

“Suitor number one. If we fell in love, how would you propose to me?” ~ Brandi

[aside] “When Jaws popped out of the water...” ~ Brodie

10. Tonight You’re Mine (2011)
Written by Thomas Leveritt
Directed by David Mackenzie

[singing] “Tonight you’re mine, you’re mine, you’re mine!” ~ Ada,