There are two official movies with “Escape Room” in the title. The first is Escape Room (2019). The second is Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021).
But the idea of being trapped and needing to solve your way out isn’t new. Many films have played with the escape room concept long before these two hit theaters.
This article looks at both the official series and other films that echo escape room themes. You’ll also see how this genre shaped horror and thriller movies, why people love it, and where it’s popping up outside of film.
Key Takeways
- Two official Escape Room movies exist: 2019 and 2021.
- Several older and newer films use escape room-style setups.
- The concept blends puzzles, suspense, and survival.
- The escape room trend affects games, schools, and workplaces.
The Official Escape Room Movie Series
Escape Room (2019) – Directed by Adam Robitel. Six strangers enter a high-stakes escape room. As they solve puzzles, they learn their lives are in danger. It mixes psychological tension with physical challenges. The movie was a surprise hit, earning over $150 million worldwide.
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021) – A direct sequel. Survivors from previous rooms are forced to play again. The traps are tougher, and the stakes are higher. Critics had mixed opinions, but it kept the story moving and brought in over $66 million at the box office.
Interpretation of Escape Rooms in Other Movies
Not all escape room movies say “escape room” in the title. But many use the same structure: a closed space, a ticking clock, and a group trying to survive.
12 Angry Men (1957)
No traps. No blood. But still intense. The whole movie happens in one room. Jurors must reach a unanimous decision. Logic, persuasion, and pressure drive the action.
The Cube (1997)
One of the earliest true “puzzle trap” films. Characters wake up in a cube filled with hidden dangers. Each room is a new logic problem. They must work together—or die trying.
Saw (2004)
Horror at its sharpest. Victims wake up trapped and must follow brutal rules to escape. Puzzles are deadly. It helped launch escape-room horror as a serious genre.
Exam (2009)
Eight candidates fight for one job. One room. One question. But no one knows what the question is. Time’s ticking. Tension builds. Minds crack.
The Belko Experiment (2016)
Office workers are locked inside their building. They’re told to kill or be killed. It’s corporate survival under pressure. Moral breakdown and panic set the tone.
Inside No. 9 – Ctrl Alt Esc (2024)
This TV episode takes a satirical look at escape rooms. A team enters a digital-themed room. Nothing works right. The puzzles glitch. The horror and humor blend. It’s short, sharp, and memorable.
Escape Rooms' Impact on the Horror and Thriller Genres
Escape rooms changed horror. Instead of jump scares, it’s brainwork. Tension comes from solving or failing. Lives hang on clues. The structure shaped films like Saw, The Cube, and newer thrillers. Survival meets smarts.
So, How Many Escape Room Movies Are There?
There’s no exact number. There are two official ones.
But dozens more follow the escape room style. Trapped rooms. Deadlines. Mental and physical trials. They cross into horror, sci-fi, drama, and thrillers. New ones appear every year.
Why People Love Escape Room Theme Movies
People like pressure. These films give you that. The clock’s ticking. You’re trapped. You solve or suffer.
It’s exciting. It’s sharp. It feels like something you could experience—if you dared.
Watching people figure things out is fun. Group dynamics, tension, and unexpected turns keep it interesting. Some escape. Some don’t.
Influence of Escape Room Games on Other Industries
This idea moved fast. Now you’ll find escape room elements in:
- Games – Both digital and board games use time limits and logic.
- Education – Teachers create classroom puzzles to teach lessons.
- Corporate Training – Teams solve tasks to build trust and skills.
From Screen to Real Life
Watching escape room movies is fun. But doing one? Even better.
If you’re near San Angelo, TX, check out Think in a Box Escape Rooms. They offer real escape room adventures. Solve puzzles. Beat the clock. Be the hero of your own story.
📄 Check out our page for FAQs
📞 Call us at 325.650.1755 or 📱 send a text
✉️ [email protected]
📍 Visit us at 123 E Concho Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903
