If you’re hooked by the nail-biting tension, claustrophobic setting, and psychological manipulation in movies like Phone Booth (2002), you’re in for an adrenaline rush. This thriller traps its protagonist in a single location while an unseen sniper plays a deadly game of control. Similar movies like Phone Booth deliver high-stakes suspense, mind games, and relentless tension that keep you on the edge of your seat.
“Isn’t it funny? You hear a phone ring and it could be anybody. But, a ringing phone has to be answered doesn’t it?” -The Caller
1. Buried (2010)
Ryan Reynolds stars as a man trapped in a coffin with only a lighter and a phone. Much like Phone Booth, the entire movie is set in one confined location, making for an intense, anxiety-inducing experience.
2. Panic Room (2002)
Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart play a mother and daughter trapped in their home’s panic room while burglars try to break in. The film’s enclosed setting and high tension make it a gripping thriller for fans of Phone Booth.
3. The Guilty (2021)
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a 911 operator trying to save a kidnapped woman using only a phone call. Like Phone Booth, the film relies on voice interactions and escalating psychological pressure to build suspense.
4. Locke (2013)
Tom Hardy carries this entire film from inside a car, making tense phone calls that threaten to upend his life. It’s a minimalist but gripping thriller, perfect for those who enjoy character-driven tension.
5. Cellular (2004)
Chris Evans stars in this fast-paced thriller where he receives a call from a kidnapped woman (Kim Basinger) and must race against time to save her. It shares Phone Booth’s reliance on phone-based suspense and urgent decision-making.
6. Grand Piano (2013)
A concert pianist (Elijah Wood) is threatened by a sniper who tells him he must play perfectly or die. Like Phone Booth, this thriller uses a confined setting and an unseen antagonist to create unbearable tension.
7. Man on a Ledge (2012)
A former cop (Sam Worthington) stands on the ledge of a high-rise building while negotiating with police, but he has a secret plan in motion. The movie shares Phone Booth’s sense of high-stakes danger and manipulation.
8. Exam (2009)
Eight candidates are locked in a room and given a mysterious test with only one question. Like Phone Booth, this psychological thriller thrives on pressure, mind games, and a confined setting.
9. 1408 (2007)
John Cusack plays a skeptical writer who checks into a haunted hotel room that refuses to let him leave. Though supernatural, the movie shares Phone Booth’s sense of isolation and psychological torment.
10. Inside Man (2006)
A masterfully orchestrated bank heist forces a detective (Denzel Washington) into a tense game of cat and mouse. While it isn’t confined to one location, it delivers the same psychological manipulation and high-stakes suspense as Phone Booth.
Didn’t like our choices?
Explore more intense thrillers that trap characters in impossible situations. You can buy Phone Booth on Amazon or watch it on streaming platforms. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out more similar movie lists to discover your next gripping thriller!
