Ten Best Films Set in Los Angeles

Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the ten best films set in Los Angeles from classics like Chinatown and Sunset Boulevard to The Big Lebowski and La La Land.

Los Angeles, a city of dreams and shadows, has served as a captivating backdrop for countless films, each capturing a unique facet of its sprawling landscape and complex soul.

From the sun-drenched boulevards to the gritty underbelly, these ten films stand out for their masterful storytelling, memorable characters, and indelible portrayal of the City of Angels.

Ten Best Films Set in Los Angeles

1. Chinatown (1974) Directed by Roman Polanski

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston

In 1937 Los Angeles, private detective Jake Gittes is hired by a woman claiming to be Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband, the chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

The case quickly spirals into a complex web of deceit, corruption, and incest, revealing the dark history of how the city's water supply was manipulated for power and profit. Gittes navigates a city where power players operate above the law, and the past casts a long, disturbing shadow over the present.

Visit: While the original Chinatown neighborhood has changed significantly, the themes of water manipulation echo the history of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, a colossal engineering feat that brought water from the Owens Valley to fuel the city's growth.

Though not a single film location, understanding the aqueduct's history provides context for the film's plot. You can visit the Mulholland Dam, named after William Mulholland, a key figure in the city's water development during the period depicted in the film.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/4m7UJog

2. Sunset Boulevard (1950) Directed by Billy Wilder

Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim

A struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis, stumbles upon a decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard and becomes entangled with its inhabitant, Norma Desmond, a forgotten star of the silent film era who dreams of a triumphant return.

Trapped in her opulent, isolated world, Norma descends further into delusion, while Joe becomes her kept man, witnessing the tragic decay of a once-bright star consumed by the cruelties of Hollywood. The film is a mordant commentary on the transience of fame and the darker side of the movie industry.

Visit: While the iconic mansion used in the film was eventually demolished, the idea of the grand, faded Hollywood estate persists. You can drive along Sunset Boulevard itself, taking in the eclectic mix of old Hollywood history and modern sprawl.

The Paramount Pictures Studio lot, where parts of the film were shot, offers tours that delve into the history of filmmaking in the city.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/4k5zFgh

3. L.A. Confidential (1997) Directed by Curtis Hanson

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger

Set in the glamorous and corrupt world of 1950s Los Angeles, the film follows three detectives with vastly different approaches to justice as they investigate a series of murders connected to a downtown coffee shop massacre.

Their paths intertwine with a powerful police captain, a tabloid journalist, and a call girl who resembles Veronica Lake, uncovering a deep conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the LAPD and Hollywood. It's a stylish and intricate neo-noir that captures the era's blend of glitz and grime.

Visit: The Los Angeles City Hall stood in for the LAPD headquarters in the film. Its distinctive tower is a recognizable part of the downtown skyline and is open to the public. The Formosa Cafe, a historic restaurant and bar, was a real Hollywood hangout frequented by stars and was featured in the film; it has been restored and is open for visitors.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/437JXWo

4. Pulp Fiction (1994) Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis

This highly influential crime film interweaves multiple storylines involving two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits in a non-linear narrative. Through sharp dialogue and unexpected plot twists, the film explores themes of crime, redemption, and pop culture against the backdrop of various Los Angeles locales, from seedy apartments to vibrant diners.

It's a film that redefined independent cinema and left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Visit: The Hawthorne Grill (now a different establishment) was the setting for the memorable diner scenes at the beginning and end of the film. While you can't step into "Jack Rabbit Slim's," the fictional 1950s-themed diner, you can capture the spirit of the film's diverse locations by exploring different neighborhoods, from the South Bay where the Hawthorne Grill is located to the Hollywood Hills.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/3YxzMZV

5. The Big Lebowski (1998) Directed by Joel Coen

Stars: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi

Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, an amiable slacker and avid bowler in Los Angeles, is assaulted by thugs who mistake him for a millionaire of the same name. This case of mistaken identity pulls the Dude and his bowling buddies into a bizarre kidnapping plot involving the millionaire's young wife, nihilists, and a severed toe.

The film is a quirky, comedic odyssey through the laid-back, often absurd, corners of L.A.

Visit: The iconic bowling alley where the Dude spends much of his time is the Hollywood Star Lanes (now demolished), but the spirit of L.A.'s bowling culture lives on in places like Shatto 39 Lanes. The film also features scenes at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, a vibrant and eclectic oceanfront area that embodies the city's diverse population.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/436URfg

6. La La Land (2016) Directed by Damien Chazelle

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

A vibrant musical set in modern-day Los Angeles, the film tells the story of a struggling jazz pianist, Sebastian, and an aspiring actress, Mia, who fall in love while pursuing their dreams in Hollywood.

As they navigate the challenges of their artistic ambitions and the compromises they face, their relationship is tested. The film is a love letter to classic Hollywood musicals and to the city of Los Angeles itself, showcasing its iconic landmarks and romantic possibilities.

Visit: Griffith Observatory is the setting for a memorable song and dance sequence and offers stunning panoramic views of the city. Angels Flight Railway, a historic funicular in downtown Los Angeles, is featured prominently as a romantic backdrop for the couple.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/4m6H4hp

7. Training Day (2001) Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Stars: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke

A rookie LAPD officer, Jake Hoyt, spends his first day in the narcotics unit partnered with Detective Alonzo Harris, a charismatic but corrupt veteran. As the day progresses, Hoyt is drawn into Harris's morally ambiguous world, forcing him to confront the brutal realities of street-level police work and the blurred lines between justice and corruption in the city's diverse and often dangerous neighborhoods.

Visit: The film was shot extensively on location in various South Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Crenshaw and Watts. While specific interiors may be difficult to access, driving through these areas provides a sense of the urban landscape depicted in the film. The Second Street Tunnel in downtown Los Angeles is featured in a tense car chase scene.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/3Z9wTyu

8. Boyz n the Hood (1991) Directed by John Singleton

Stars: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne

This powerful coming-of-age drama follows three young Black men growing up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles in the late 1980s. The film explores themes of friendship, family, violence, and the limited opportunities available to young Black men in an urban environment. It offers a poignant and realistic portrayal of life in a specific L.A. community.

Visit: The film is deeply rooted in the Crenshaw neighborhood. While specific houses or street corners may be private property, exploring the general area and understanding its history provides insight into the film's setting and themes. Fats Burger, a real burger stand in the area, was a filming location and remains a local institution.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/4kbDuRo

9. Heat (1995) Directed by Michael Mann

Stars: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro

A meticulous professional thief, Neil McCauley, and a driven LAPD detective, Vincent Hanna, engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse across the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles.

Their parallel lives and contrasting philosophies are explored as Hanna's team hunts McCauley's crew after a violent heist. The film is renowned for its realistic depiction of criminal and police procedures and its iconic shootout scene on the streets of the city.

Visit: The famous bank robbery shootout scene takes place on Sixth Street in the Financial District of downtown Los Angeles. The film also features scenes at the stunning modernist Stahl House (Case Study House #22) in the Hollywood Hills, which offers tours and provides breathtaking views of the city below.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/3RXi5zk

10. Mulholland Drive (2001) Directed by David Lynch

Stars: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux

A surreal and dreamlike psychological thriller set in Los Angeles, the film follows an aspiring actress, Betty Elms, who arrives in Hollywood and befriends an enigmatic woman suffering from amnesia.

As they attempt to uncover the woman's identity, they are drawn into a mysterious conspiracy that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, dreams and nightmares. The film captures the unsettling and often bizarre nature of Hollywood and the pursuit of stardom.

Visit: The winding, scenic Mulholland Drive itself is a key location and offers stunning views of the city, both the glittering lights of the basin and the vast San Fernando Valley. Winkie's Diner, a fictional diner in the film, represents a type of classic L.A. eatery; while the specific location used has changed, seeking out vintage diners in the city can evoke the film's atmosphere.

Watch it here: https://amzn.to/4m7PapS

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