Cinema & the Office: Work as Comedy

9 to 5 Has Never Been So Existential

The modern workplace is a comedy goldmine — hierarchy, humiliation, pointless meetings, and people trapped together who would never choose to be. These films understood it early.

Comedy Political
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Created: September 11, 2025

The Collection

Office Space

Office Space

1999
1
Office Space
1999
1
Office Space
IMDb 7.6 / 10
Director Mike Judge
Cast Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman
Box Office $10,827,810
Why An essential entry — Office Space embodies exactly what this collection is about.
9 to 5

9 to 5

1980
2
9 to 5
1980
2
9 to 5
IMDb 6.9 / 10
Director Colin Higgins
Cast Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton
Box Office $103,290,500
Why An essential entry — 9 to 5 embodies exactly what this collection is about.
The Big Short

The Big Short

2015
3
The Big Short
2015
3
The Big Short
IMDb 7.8 / 10
Director Adam McKay
Cast Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling
Box Office $70,259,870
Why An essential entry — The Big Short embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Glengarry Glen Ross

Glengarry Glen Ross

1992
4
Glengarry Glen Ross
1992
4
Glengarry Glen Ross
IMDb 7.6 / 10
Director James Foley
Cast Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin
Box Office $10,725,228
Why An essential entry — Glengarry Glen Ross embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Broadcast News

Broadcast News

1987
5
Broadcast News
1987
5
Broadcast News
IMDb 7.3 / 10
Director James L. Brooks
Cast William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter
Box Office $51,249,404
Why An essential entry — Broadcast News embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Network

Network

1976
6
Network
1976
6
Network
IMDb 8.1 / 10
Director Sidney Lumet
Cast Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch
Box Office $23,689,877
Why An essential entry — Network embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Swimming with Sharks

Swimming with Sharks

1994
7
Swimming with Sharks
1994
7
Swimming with Sharks
IMDb 7.0 / 10
Director George Huang
Cast Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley, Michelle Forbes
Box Office $382,928
Why An essential entry — Swimming with Sharks embodies exactly what this collection is about.
In Good Company

In Good Company

2004
8
In Good Company
2004
8
In Good Company
IMDb 6.5 / 10
Director Paul Weitz
Cast Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson
Box Office $45,806,659
Why An essential entry — In Good Company embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Morning Glory

Morning Glory

2010
9
Morning Glory
2010
9
Morning Glory
IMDb 6.5 / 10
Director Roger Michell
Cast Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton
Box Office $31,011,732
Why An essential entry — Morning Glory embodies exactly what this collection is about.
The Intern

The Intern

2015
10
The Intern
2015
10
The Intern
IMDb 7.1 / 10
Director Nancy Meyers
Cast Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo
Box Office $75,764,672
Why An essential entry — The Intern embodies exactly what this collection is about.
Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses

2011
11
Horrible Bosses
2011
11
Horrible Bosses
IMDb 6.9 / 10
Director Seth Gordon
Cast Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis
Box Office $117,538,559
Why An essential entry — Horrible Bosses embodies exactly what this collection is about.

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