The Best Movies Made About L.A. Ranked

Not many cities in the world are as beloved today as L.A. Since the 1970’s, Los Angeles has often been depicted in memorable movies. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, western actors or pulp gangsters, the city has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies filmed in the city, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about L.A. which deserve to be celebrated.

1. La La Land

L.A. is a beautiful city that my father always loved dearly. During my childhood, I bonded with a father that was a huge fan of Hollywood. He would always marvel at the way that actors prepared for big roles in L.A. He would love to discuss a great city which offered entertainment that left him in a state of astonishment. My father often believed movies were an art that could never capture the beauty of a city that held a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen captured the beauty of Los Angeles as a land of dreams as powerfully as “La La Land”. Ever since its release in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about Los Angeles. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture beauty of a city where dreams appear. Chazelle has always had an aptitude for making compelling movies about Los Angeles, and “La La Land” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Chazelle effectively uses musical montages to capture lovers pursuing dreams in Los Angeles. For instance, the scene in which Mia sings about her dreams to become an actress in an audition inspired by her grandma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of great turns from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of strong artists chasing dreams in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” my favourite film about Los Angeles of all-time is its great message. It delivers a bold message about the value of pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade after the release of a musical capturing lovers dancing on a lovely night in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of a city that made movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

2. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Charles Manson is a legendary serial killer that earned my teacher’s appreciation. I remember my teacher was once fascinated with the life of a frightening serial killer. He would often marvel at the way Manson got away with murders in L.A. In 2019, Quentin Tarantino paid tribute to the serial killer that terrorized Hollywood in his movie “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. With the most personal film of his career, Tarantino created a passionate love letter to the city that he grew up in. Tarantino effectively uses montages to capture actors bonding in Hollywood during the 1960’s. For instance, the scene in which Rick has a breakdown before filming a scene causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible role by Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed a western actor. Ultimately, what makes “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” a classic is appeal. Unlike most movies about Hollywood, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A touching tribute towards an era once upon a time in in Hollywood, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has stood test of time making movies that are good.

3. Magnolia

It’s always challenging facing the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit crushing lows when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the loss of a housekeeper that tragically died. As someone haunted by the death of a housemaid that caused trauma, I loved “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie captured the lives of individuals affected by loss in Los Angeles. Anderson has always had an aptitude for making movies about L.A., and “Magnolia” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Mackie breaks down crying watching his father dying in a hospital causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Cruise, who embodied an L.A. comedian with mental health issues. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of individuals affected by loss causing individuals in L.A. to face trauma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated city that has manufactured great movies that attract audiences to the Cinema.

4. Heat

Bank robbers participating in criminal behaviour always fascinated my brother. I remember my brother was intrigued by frightening bank robbers facing danger. He would marvel at ways bank robbers got away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the heat of bank robberies as powerfully as “Heat”. Released in 1999, Michael Mann’s movie captured bank robbers committing crimes in Los Angeles. Mann has always had an aptitude for making great movies about Los Angeles facing danger, and “Heat” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Mann used captivating handheld camerawork to capture bank robbers committing crimes in a doomed city. For instance, the scene in which the police have a tense confrontation with bank robbers causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Al Pacino, who embodied an L.A. cop facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Heat” a crime classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about bank robberies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of bank robbers catching heat, it’s a riveting reminder of a city that has produced movies audiences consider a treat.

5. Adaptation

Writer’s block is a painful process that causes stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the whole world than when great ideas don’t always spring to a writer’s mind. I have often faced trouble putting my pen to paper to come up with great ideas as a writer. My writing has often been affected by a common problem that’s frustrating. As someone that has witnessed dark writer’s block causing great frustration, I appreciated “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie captured the hardships that screenwriters in Los Angeles with grim writer’s block go through. Jonze effectively used voice-over narration to capture the troubled mind of a screenwriter with writer’s block facing frustration. For instance, the scene in which Charlie stares at his paper struggling to put a word on the page causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Nicolas Cage, who embodied a writer in Los Angeles facing a dilemma.  Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a great Los Angeles film is its message. The film delivers a bold message about the writing process which would resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of writer’s block causing writers in Los Angeles to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre making movies which audiences appreciate.

6. Nightcrawler

Night crime is common in the city of L.A. today. Los Angeles has built an image of being a city where criminals often commit crimes at night causing damage. The way in which murder occurring at night in L.A. is recorded by journalists is beautifully depicted in the film “Nightcrawler”. Released in 2014, Dan Gilroy’s movie captured night crimes in Los Angeles. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Nightcrawler” stand out is its depiction of news media. Gilroy uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a news media journalist recording crimes is facing. Assisted by Jake Gyllenhaal who is extraordinary in the lead role, Gilroy captures night crimes in the city. A captivating portrait of crimes occurring in L.A. at night, it’s a compelling reminder of a genre that has made bright movies achieving the spotlight.

7. My Week With Marilyn

Few movie-stars that achieved fame in L.A. years ago are as beloved as Marilyn Monroe. With her attractive looks, charming personality and strong demeanour, Monroe gained a huge following in the 1950’s. In 2011, Simon Curtis honoured the iconic actress in his movie “My Week With Marilyn”. Unlike most movies about Los Angeles, what makes “My Week With Marilyn” stand out is its depiction of movie-stars. Curtis effectively uses various perspectives of actors Marilyn worked with in the film industry to create a powerful portrait of the iconic actress. Assisted by Michelle Williams who is magnificent in the lead role, Curtis honoured a legendary movie-star’s legacy. A marvellous tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

8. Mulholland Drive

David Lynch is a fantastic filmmaker that made great movies about Los Angeles in danger. With their compelling acting, strong storytelling and meaningful themes, Lynch’s movies earned a huge following. L.A. has often played a strong role in Lynch’s movies, and it is most evident in “Mulholland Drive”. Released in 2001, David Lynch’s movie offered an engaging L.A. murder mystery. Lynch used captivating locations across L.A. to capture the hardships that mentally disturbed actresses in the city are experiencing. Assisted by Naomi Watts who is extraordinary in the lead role, Lynch captured the darkness of the city. As strong as Betty’s desire to become an actress, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about a beautiful city which have never lost abilities to impress.

9. L.A. Confidential

Cops often face conflict in L.A. today. The city long had a history of cops struggling to resolve crimes causing tragedies. Being a cop often comes with a painful price to pay in L.A. In 1997, Curtis Hanson captured the struggle faced by cops keeping their issues confidential in his movie “L.A. Confidential”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “L.A. Confidential” stand out is its depiction of police-officers. Hanson uses captivating montages capturing tensions cops in L.A. seeking to resolve crimes are facing. Assisted by Guy Pearce who is extraordinary in the lead role, Hanson captured a powerful portrait of L.A. police. A powerful portrait of cops seeking to investigate crimes in L.A. committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated city that has manufactured memorable movies audiences always appreciated.

10. Crash

Few films ever made about individuals in L.A. whose lives crash are as beloved as “Crash”. Released in 2004, Paul Haggis’ movie captured racism in Los Angeles. Haggis used captivating montages capturing hardships that individuals in L.A. affected by racism are facing. Assisted by Michael Pena who is amazing in the lead role, Haggis captured racism in America. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of Los Angeles as a city where corrupt police commit racist crimes has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. A powerful portrait of individuals in L.A. that are affected by discrimination, it’s dazzling reminder of a genre making great movies about a beautiful city that has become a tourist location which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.