Los Angeles movies: 50 films that best capture the essence of LA

From seedy mysteries and Hollywood satires to the bounciest of beach films, we rank the greatest Los Angeles movies of all time, the ones that get it.

By David Fear, Stephen Garrett, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Mon Sep 17 2012

Los Angeles movies

The world knows Los Angeles better than it thinks. Not even counting the many classic satires of Hollywood itself, the vast majority of American-made movies are filmed within the city limits, with the Valley supplying a neighboring every-suburb for all varieties of domestic drama. But which films really nail what it means to live here? Time Out scoured the history of cinema to come up with a ranked list of essential Los Angeles movies—a trove of shady noirs, sunny comedies and everything in between. (Pardon our occasional cynicism: Hating Los Angeles is definitely a part of loving it.) And please leave your suggestions in the comments box below. We’re aware that this subject, like the city itself, is a sprawl. It’s time to explore the best (and worst) Los Angeles movies.

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(7 ratings)

a longshot: Foxes. one of the worst-named films ever (and cheezily marketed by all-time cheezemasters, Casablanca) but a beautifully shot work by Adrian Lyne. Jodie Foster as good as she's been. Cherie Currie was Courtney Love-lightning (as in Larry Flynt vs.) as Annie. a lost teenage classic.

Crash Wed Oct 24 2012
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Really? Ghost World! Real Women have Curves, ditto Pulp Fiction, and how about The Player or Short Cuts, and Save the Tiger? Not to mention Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton movies - several to choose from.

CWms Sun Oct 21 2012
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Wow... just wow. I think you missed a couple: Colors, A Star Is Born, Valley Girl, Star Maps, Wassup Rockers, Collateral, Crash, La Bamba, Dragnet, Angels Flight, Cry Danger, Valley of the Dolls, Car Wash, 1941, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Zoot Suit, Grand Canyon, Falling Down. Seriously, half the stuff on this list is superfluous marketing garbage about the film industry, actors, and fame. This list was apparently supposed to bring out the essence of what L.A. encapsulates. Apparently they missed Hollywood Homicide considering the about of fluff there is on this list.

Franco Sat Oct 20 2012
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I kept waiting for "Pulp Fiction" to be #1 on this list. I can't believe it was not even on the list! Are you kidding? Somebody really screwed up.

jonni Fri Oct 19 2012
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Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It didn't just take place in L.A., it was ALL ABOUT L.A.

Rick Thu Oct 18 2012
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Blake Edward's "SOB?"

David Thu Oct 18 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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Lincoln Lawyer and End of Watch should be in the top 50. Falling Down and Collateral should be in the top 30. ALthough overrated as a best picture, Crash should be in the top ten. Pulp Fiction is NUMBER 1, HANDS DOWN. Very disappointing list. 1 1/2 stars.

Roo Wed Oct 17 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Collateral ?

Frank Tue Oct 16 2012
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Um, Pulp Fiction? That's the best LA film period. Why it's not on this list escapes me.

Nick Tue Oct 16 2012
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Okay, seeing Greenberg about T2 is all I have to see.

CT Sun Oct 14 2012
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