The Best Movies Made About Life in 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

Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school that had big dreams of marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a pretty girl that my entire school would often adore. However, immigration became a big barrier bringing our bonds to closure. When my family immigrated to Canada, I was forced to give up romance with a girl I appreciated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured sacrifices involved in accomplishing dreams that are planned 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 movie 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 phenomenal performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of great artists chasing dreams in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” my favourite film about Los Angeles of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies set in L.A., it discusses themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about the value of casing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade after the release of a classic musical capturing lovers dancing on a lovely night in L.A., it’s a bold reminder of a city that has been home to commemorated movies which deserve to be celebrated absolutely today.

2. Adaptation

Writer’s block is a painful process that causes stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the world than when ideas don’t spring to a writer’s mind. I have often faced trouble putting pen to paper coming up with great ideas as a writer. As someone that has witnessed writer’s block causing frustration, I appreciated “Adaptation”. Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie captured hardships that screenwriters in Los Angeles with 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 typewriter 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 screenwriter in Los Angeles facing a dilemma.  Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a great Los Angeles masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about the writing process which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of writer’s block causing screenwriters in Los Angeles to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a genre producing movies which audiences commonly appreciate.

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 modern-day Cinema.

4. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Charles Manson is a legendary serial killer that earned my teacher’s appreciation. I remember my teacher was fascinated with history 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 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. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. 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 unforgettable movies that are commonly good.

5. Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino is a legendary filmmaker that always impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher once appreciated Tarantino. He would always speak fondly about a filmmaker making movies in L.A. that shaped his identity. Tarantino has always filmed great movies set in L.A. as a location, and his love for the city is evident in “Pulp Fiction”. Released in 1994, Tarantino’s greatest movie captured the lives of gangsters seeking redemption in Los Angeles.  Tarantino’s greatest strength as a filmmaker is his ability to create compelling characters through engaging dialogue, and its evident in “Pulp Fiction”. For instance, the iconic scene in which Jules and Vincent discuss their favourite burger restaurants during a car ride in L.A. is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed a gangster seeking redemption in Los Angeles. Ultimately, what makes “Pulp Fiction” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Quentin Tarantino movies targeted towards a small audience, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about redemption which resonates with everyone. A powerful portrait of pulp gangsters in L.A. seeking redemption, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a city making great movies deserving appreciation.

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 newsworthy spotlight.

7. 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 commonly impress.

8. 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 commonly appreciated.

9. The Big Lebowski

The Coen Brothers are fantastic filmmakers that have often made great movies about Los Angeles. L.A. has often been a commemorated backdrop in the brothers’ iconic movies. In 1998, the Brothers used L.A. as an effective backdrop for their movie “The Big Lebowski”. Unlike most commemorated movies about Los Angeles, what makes “The Big Lebowski” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. The Coen Brothers use satirical comedy capturing the lives of drug dealers committing crimes causing tragedies. Assisted by John Goodman who is extraordinary in the lead role, the Brothers created a captivating satire about Los Angeles. As powerful as drugs stolen by the Dude, it’s a riveting reminder of a beautiful city with commemorated locations that has produced unforgettable movies which audiences have commonly consistently valued.

10. Babylon

Substance abuse is a serious addiction that impacts celebrities in Los Angeles. Since the 1920’s, drugs affect celebrities in L.A. In 2022, Damien Chazelle depicted the era when drugs had a huge impact on L.A. celebrities in his movie “Babylon”. Chazelle used production-design to capture an era when celebrities abused substances. Assisted by Margot Robbie who is superb in the lead role, Chazelle honoured drug use in history. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of Los Angeles as a city where drugs destroy celebrities has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. A dazzling depiction of celebrity drug addiction, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies honouring the location of Los Angeles which I will forever treasure for shaping my filmmaking passion.