The Top 20 Movie Apartments in History
The types of settings used in movies can make a significant difference to the impact the film has on the audience and the viewer’s perception of the various characters in a film. The setting can create an atmosphere, such as a haunted house in a horror movie, and adds extra detail to the storyline. One type of setting that is used in many movies is an apartment. If one of the main characters in a film lives in an apartment, then this setting is an important aspect of the movie. It tells you about the character’s personality traits and personal preferences, the type of lifestyle they live and which income bracket they fit into. The apartment may also be the place where some of the most significant events in the storyline occur. While some apartments in movies are simply a part of the background, others are memorable for a variety of reasons. Here are 20 of the best apartments in the movies.
20. Bronte Mitchell’s Apartment in ‘Green Card’
There is something extremely romantic and warming about Bronte Mitchell’s apartment in ‘Green Card’. It is almost impossible to imagine that the apartment is located in the middle of New York City as it features a huge greenhouse that makes the apartment seem like it is located in the countryside. The apartment is both homely and kitschy making it stand out from the rest of the city which is perceived as a concrete jungle. ‘Green Card’ is a 1990 romantic comedy film that was written, produced, and directed by Peter Weir. The lead roles in the film were played by Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu. It is about a woman who agrees to a sham marriage to help a French man get a green card so he can live as a citizen of the United States.
19. Monsieur Hulot’s Apartment in ‘Mon Oncle’
‘Mon Oncle’ is the work of French Filmmaker Jacques Tati. He co-wrote, produced, and directed this film which was the first of his works produced in color. This 1958 comedy focuses on Monsieur Hulot who is a socially awkward but loveable character. It was largely about the social and economic situation in France but the film was also loved in the United States because the residents of America were experiencing a similar situation during that era. Monsieur Hulot lives in a rooftop studio apartment that is characterful, unique, full of light, and somewhat bizarre. It is these characteristics of the property that make it so appealing. This film starred Jacques Tati as Monsieur Hulot and others who starred in the movie include Jean-Pierre Zola, Adrienne Servantie, Alain Becourt, and Lucien Fregis.
18. Jules’ Apartment in ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’
‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ was one of the biggest hit movies of the 1980s and it was this film that launched the careers of many young aspiring actors of the decade. This coming-of-age film was released in 1985 and was co-written and directed by Joel Schumacher. It starred Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Andie MacDowell, Mare Winningham, Martin Balsam, and Andrew McCarthy. The character Jules Van Patten is played by Demi Moore. She is the party girl of the group and this is reflected in the interior décor of her wonderful apartment. The walls are decorated in pastel pink and the apartment features accessories in various shades of pink. There is a pop art style wall painting that adds an extra element of fun to the overall design.
17. Patrick Bateman’s Apartment in ‘American Psycho’
‘American Psycho’ is a 2000 black comedy horror film starring Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas, Jared Leto, Samantha Mathis, Chloe Sevigny, Justin Theroux, Reese Witherspoon, and Cara Seymour. It is based on a novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. The movie was written and directed by Mary Harron. In the movie, Patrick Bateman’s apartment is minimalistic in design with all the walls, floors, and furniture in a dazzling white. There are highlights of black in accessories and artwork on the walls. This is a surprisingly sterile looking environment for the murders that then take place in the apartment, but the bright red blood against the white background makes the scenes all the more memorable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5Oqf4NfAIk
16. The Apartment of Dr. Eldon Tyrell in ‘Blade Runner’
It is believed that many of the apartments in ‘Blade Runner’ were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House. Dr. Eldon Tyrell’s apartment in the film is astounding and has a mysterious vibe. The apartment has huge windows that allow ethereal light to flood through the windows and the textured stone walls give the impression of the interior of a temple. The polished stone floors add a touch of splendor and there are extravagant touches throughout the doctor’s home. ‘Blade Runner’ was directed by Ridley Scott and starred Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos. This 1982 neo-noir science-fiction film has influenced many other films, television series, video games, and anime.
15. Josh Baskin’s Apartment in ‘Big’
Anyone who is still a big kid at heart would love the apartment of Josh Baskin in ‘Big’. This fantasy comedy film was released in 1998 and starred Tom Hanks in the role of Josh Baskin who is a boy who wishes he was an adult and is granted his wish. As he is still a child in an adult’s body, Josh transforms his apartment into one huge play space that most dreams could only dream of enjoying. The room features bunk beds for a sleepover, a huge trampoline, arcade games, and toys galore. The style of the apartment comes as a real shock to his date when he invites her back to the apartment to stay over and she is all the more surprised when she is expected to sleep in a bunk bed rather than the comfortable double bed she was expecting to share with him. ‘Big’ was directed by Jenny Marshall and directed by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLZkl5R2Xpk
14. The Apartment of Alice and Willian Harford in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ was the final film that Stanley Kubrick co-wrote, produced, and directed. The film is based on Arthur Schnitzler’s novel ‘Traumnovelle’. This 1999 erotic drama film starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as Dr. Bill Harford and his wife Alice. Bill is shocked to discover that his wife had thought about having an affair the previous year. He then spends the night with an unnamed secret society who are conducting a massive masked orgy. Their New York apartment in the film is both sophisticated and extravagant. It features high ceilings and moulded architectural details. The floors and walls are neutral but the rich fabrics add an element of warmth to the apartment. The one anomaly in the apartment is the bathroom which is decorated in a completely different style and is cluttered with the couple’s toiletries and personal belongings.
13. Bruce Wayne’s Apartment in ‘The Dark Knight’
Bruce Wayne’s Gotham penthouse is a triumph in both light and darkness. The sleek and minimalist property in which he lives has huge windows that overlook Gotham City and is decorated in steel-gray land chrome interiors. The apartment is one of the main settings used in ‘The Dark Knight’, which is a 2008 superhero film that was co-written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Gary Oldman. This movie was a commercial success as it was made on a budget of $185 million and grossed over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office.
12. Holly Golightly’s Apartment in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’
Holly Golightly’s apartment in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ has become one of the most iconic apartments in film. It has also inspired many interior and film set designers. The apartment is the perfect mix of sophistication and eccentricity as it blends fixtures that were modern at that time with antiques, vintage posters, and stuffed animals. ’Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is a 1961 romantic comedy that is based on a novel of the same name by Truman Capote. The screenplay was written by George Axelrod and the film was directed by Blake Edwards. It starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and others who starred in this movie included George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Mickey Rooney, and Martin Balsam. In 2012, this movie was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.
11. Carrie and Big’s Apartment in ‘Sex and the City 2’
‘Sex and the City 2’is the 2010 sequel to the 2008 film ‘Sex and the City’. It is about the lies of four women who live in New York City. The film was written by Darren Starr, directed by Michael Patrick King and starred Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Cattrall. In the movie, Carrie and Big decide to move in with each other and begin to look at apartments. They have a high budget, so they are seeing some of the best properties available in New York. The period apartment has wonderful architectural details and original features which they then combine with modern furnishings and accessories that represent their personalities and tastes perfectly.
10. Midge’s Apartment in ‘Vertigo’
There are two things that stand out about Midge Wood’s apartment in ‘Vertigo’. The first is the fantastic view across the city. The second is the cluttered appearance of the apartment which, rather than being offensive to the eye, is actually very appealing. There is something exciting about the walls covered in half-finished paintings and the pots of paint and water all over the place. The style perfectly matches Midge’s artistic personality. ‘Vertigo’ is a film noir psychological thriller that was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and co-written by Alec Coppel and Samuel Taylor. The movie starred James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, and Henry Jones. In the 2012 British Film Industry Sight & Sound critics poll, this film replaced the 1941 movie ‘Citizen Kane’ as the ebst film ever made.
9. Dana Barrett’s Apartment in ‘Ghostbusters’
The apartment in which Dana Barrett lives in ‘Ghostbusters’ is widely considered one of the most unrealistic properties in film. This is because she is a musician with an unstable income, yet her apartment is large and beautiful. It is unlikely that she could ever afford such a desirable property in the middle of New York City. ‘Ghostbusters’ is a 1984 supernatural comedy that was directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver. This movie was made on a budget of $30 million and grossed $295.2 million at the worldwide box office.
8. Dylan Harper’s Apartment in Friends with Benefits
Although the characters in this film have decent jobs, it seems a little unlikely that Dylan Harper, an art director for a small Internet company, could possibly afford to live in the swanky Manhattan apartment in this film. The apartment is delightfully decorated with modern fittings and fantastic cityscape views. It is certainly a desirable property even if it is somewhat unrealistic that the character would live in that particular abode. This romantic comedy movie was co-written and directed by Will Gluck. It starred Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, and Jenna Elfman. The film was both a critical and commercial success, receiving excellent reviews and grossing $150.4 million.
7. Bridget Jones’s Apartment in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’
Although it is not the biggest apartment in the world, Bridget Jones’s home has become one of the most iconic London flats from the movies. While it may not have the high-end features of many of the other apartments on the list, it is a comfortable flat that is representative of the lifestyle of a single working woman in England’s capital. This romantic comedy film was released in 2001 and is based on a novel written by Helen Fielding. It was directed by Sharon Maguire and Starred Renee Zellweger in the title role alongside Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, and Embeth Davidtz. The story is about the ups and downs of Bridget Jones’s working, romantic, and personal life. The movie grosses $281.9 million from a budget of $25 million.
6. Coco Chanel’s Apartment in ‘Coco Before Chanel’
‘Coco Before Chanel’ is a 2009 French film that depicts the life of Coco Chanel before she became a famous fashion designer. The movie was co-written and directed by Anne Fontaine. Audrey Tatou plays the leading role with others starring in thee film including Benoit Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Emmanuelle Devos, and Marie Gillain. The Parisian apartment in which Coco Chanel lives in the film is full of character, sumptuous, and elegant. It perfectly depicts the old-world French style and the personal tastes of this famous French fashion designer.
5. Theodore Twombly’s Apartment in ‘Her’
Released in 2013, ‘Her’ is romantic science-fiction drama film that was written, produced, and directed by Spike Jonez. It is about a man who develops a romantic relationship with an intelligent computer operating system that has a female voice. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Olivia Wilde. KK Barrett designed the set and Gene Serdena was responsible for the set decoration. The pair were nominated for an Oscar for their work. The apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows with colored flexi-glass that floods the space with light. The polished wooden floor reflects the high-rises from opposite the apartment and the artwork by Geoff Mcfeteridge, which was specially commissioned for the film, adds a splash of color to an otherwise minimalistic space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpRB4UFbkHw
4. Sunday in New York
‘Sunday in New York’ is a 1963 romantic comedy that was filmed in Metrocolor. It was written by Norman Krasna and directed by Peter Tewksbury. The film starred Jane Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Rod Taylor. It was made on a budget of $2 million and broke even at the box office. One of the main reasons that the apartment in this film is one of the best is the fantastic way they have made the most of the small space available in this studio apartment. It is a split-level apartment with a mezzanine bedroom and a built-in bar. The style of the apartment is best-described as retro-luxe. Although the design of the apartment would have been very modern at the time of the film’s release, it wouldn’t look out of place today as the retro look is back in fashion.
3. Sam and Molly’s Apartment in ‘Ghost’
As one of the main setting used in ‘Ghost’, Molly and Sam’s apartment is one of the most memorable apartments in movie history. Their apartment is a huge, split-level loft apartment that they move into to renovate at the beginning of the film. Some of the best scenes in this story also take place in the apartment, such as the famous scene at the potter’s wheel and the moment when Sam carries a coin to Molly after he has died to prove he really is still with her and to tell her that he loves her, or ‘ditto’ as he says in the film. This 1990 romantic fantasy thriller starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. It was written by Bruce Joel Rubin and directed by Jerry Zucker. The movie cost $22 million to make and grossed $505.7 million at the worldwide box office.
2. Christian Grey’s Apartment in ‘50 Shades of Grey’
When it comes to opulent fittings and luxurious décor, Christian Grey’s apartment in ’50 Shades of Grey’ has to come close to the top of the list. The wealth of this fictional multi-millionaire is obvious in every room of this spacious apartment. The film is based on the book by E.L. James with a screenplay written by Kelly Marcel. Sam Taylor-Johnson directed the movie which stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle, and Marcia Gay Harden. This erotic romantic drama film was made on a budget of $40 million. When it was released in 2015, it grossed $571 million at the worldwide box office.
1. The Loft
The apartment that definitely has to come top of this list is the amazing loft-style apartment from ‘The Loft’. This 2014 erotic thriller mystery film is about five men who have shared ownership of upmarket loft apartment where they each meet their mistresses. A murdered woman is found in the loft and the men all suspect each other. This film was directed by Erik Van Looy and was written by Bart De Pauw and Wesley Strick who also co-wrote the book of the same name on which the movie is based. The film stars Karl Urban, Wentworth Miller, Matthias Schoenaerts, James Marsden, and Eric Stonestreet. The apartment in this movie is a fabulous space that is spacious, light, decadent, and exquisitely furnished.