Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, known for Hollywood, beautiful beaches, its infamous car culture (and the dreaded traffic jams) and wonderful year-round weather.  Los Angeles boasts great art museums like LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and impressive Architecture (like the Walt Disney Concert Hall). There are so many iconic sites from the Santa Monica Pier, to its mountains, to Griffith Park to Hollywood and the walk of fame. Fun attractions like Universal City and Disneyland are all close and the dining options are extremely diverse and delicious. 

Sadly, we can’t enjoy any of those things right now, due to the global pandemic. Luckily, so many wonderful movies were set right here, in the City of Angels. This top ten list is just a small sample of great movies featuring scenery from and some eccentric characters Los Angeles. Enjoy!

L.A. Story

1991, Comedy/Romance, Rated PG-13

As a TV weatherman in Los Angeles, where the weather is predictable, Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin) has a pretty easy job. Ennui sets in as he feels unsatisfied with his job, his life, his relationship with his longtime girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner) and the overall superficiality of Los Angeles culture. However, he begins to receive mysterious messages from an all too appropriate sign of Los Angeles – the electronic freeway sign. The messages lead him to look for romance with a British journalist (Victoria Tennant) and a young model (Sarah Jessica Parker).

L.A. Confidential

1997, Crime/Thriller, Rated R

An unsolved murder in a downtown Los Angeles coffee shop in the early 1950s. Three policemen, each with his own motives. One detective, Exley (Guy Pearce) is out to avenge his father’s killing. Meanwhile, the ex-partner of Officer White (Russell Crowe) was one of the victims. Finally, Sergeant Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is giving classified information to the tabloid magnate played by Danny de Vito.  In addition, this movie features the iconic Lovell Health House, built by famed architect Richard Neutra in the 1920s. 

LaLa Land

2016, Musical/Romance, Rated PG-13

Pursuing their individual passions, Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are attracted to each other.  However, as each achieves their own success, the decisions they face start to damage their love affair. 

Pulp Fiction

1994, Crime/Comedy, Rated R

A multi-strand crime movie tells the disturbing tale of interwoven lives, set in Los Angeles. These lives include hitman Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) who would just as well discuss philosophy; their boss, the gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) and his actress wife, Mia (Uma Thurman).  Then comes the boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis); the guy who fixes it and cleans up the mess, Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel) and the jumpy robbers, “Pumpkin” (Tim Roth) and “Honey Bunny” (Amanda Plummer). 

Die Hard

1988, Action/Thriller, Rated R

Visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve, NYC policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) joins her at her company’s holiday party in downtown Los Angeles.  The party goes array when terrorists take over the high-rise and everyone in it. The only one who can save the hostages is McClane himself.

The Big Lebowski

1998, Comedy/Indie film, Rated R

Jeff ‘The Dude’ Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a Los Angeles loser and avid bowler, is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), who is The Big Lebowski, a millionaire. The Dude gets beat up and his rug is ruined so he goes in search of restitution.  He finds the actual Big Lebowski, who offers him a job. The Dude takes the job, aided by his bowling buddies Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi). Also with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore.

Swingers

1996, Comedy/Indie film, Rated R

Newly transplanted to Los Angeles, Mike Peters (Jon Favreau) is trying to make it in the Los Angeles comedy scene and pathetically get over his ex-girlfriend.  His buddy and somewhat of a playboy, Trent Walker (Vince Vaughn) tries to properly seduce women. Finally though, as he regains his confidence, Mike meets the beautiful yet real Lorraine (Heather Graham).

The Graduate

1967, Drama/Comedy-drama, Rated PG

“What do you want to do with your life?” is the question recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is trying to avoid.  When bored housewife and friend of his parents Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) seduces him, what begins as a superficial affair turns complicated.  Despite demanding that he stay away from her, Benjamin falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). Set in Southern California, the movie aesthetic, from interior design to fashion is wonderfully mid-century in style.

The Big Sleep

1946, Noir/Mystery, Not rated

In this seductive film noir, Philip Marlow (Humphrey Bogart) is a private investigator who is hired by General Sternwood to help pay off the gambling debts of his wild daughter, Carmen (Martha Vickers).  However, Sternwood has an older daughter, Vivian (Lauren Bacall) who tries to help Marlow solve the problem but things are more complicated than they seem. Marlow finds himself becoming more involved in the case as people linked to the Sternwoods start getting murdered. 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

2019, Comedy/Drama, Rated R

Once famous actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo di Caprio), a 1950’s Western television star is now struggling to find work in Hollywood.  Most of the time he spends drinking and hanging around with his best friend and former stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). He happens to live next door to filmmaker Roman Polanski and beautiful actress Sharon Tate.  All of their lives will be changed by member of the Manson family. The movie includes wonderful shots of 1960’s and 1970’s Los Angeles, with an emphasis on its car culture.

Guest post by

Glory is a Los Angeles based writer and blogger who writes about inspiring art, architecture and cultural travel. She can be found at www.gscinparis.com You can keep up with ther stories through her Facebook, IG, Pinterest, Twitter and Youtube.

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