Los Angeles Movies: Top 10 LA Movies

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the US with a city residence of around 3.8 million and a metro area population with about 12.9 million people. It is perhaps best known as the home of Hollywood’s biggest stars. This Top 10 list of Los Angeles Movies highlights the rich history of movie making in the “The City of Angels”, with a focus on more recent films (2000 and later).

In order to be ranked among the best Los Angeles movies, the film had to not only be filmed in the city, but the movie had to be centered either on the city, or the city had to serve as a major setting or factor in the film. The number of movies in Los Angeles is vast, so there is special emphasis given to LA movies that incorporate the city more prominently in the plot or story, and films made in Los Angeles since 2000 are highlighted (Sorry LA Confidential). Along with this basic set of qualifications, the best Los Angeles films are also ones that are entertaining, memorable, iconic or classic, and have long-lasting appeal.

Top 10 Los Angeles Movies of All Time (in random order)

10. Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001) – Okay. It might be a “bit” of a stretch to suggest that this film is one of the “Best” LA movies. However, it was mildly entertaining and definitely very centered on the city. The general premise was the crocodile hunter’s (Paul Hogan) unorthodox and awkward visit to LA.

9. Training Day (2001) - Very much an LA movie, Training day follows to LA cops (Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke) during a 24 hour period through the crime-riddled gang areas of Los Angeles. The story takes a disturbing turn about halfway through and leads to a wild ride through the heart of the city.

8. Hollywood Homicide (2003) - This is a very quirky action comedy film that stars Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett. The film is based on the writer’s true experience as a homicide detective in the LAPD Hollywood Division who also moonlighted as a real estate broker in his final ten years on the job.

7. Crash (2004) – Crash is one of the most memorable movies in Los Angeles. This disturbing, but poignant film features a star-studded cast and ties several stories together that combine to depict the reality of racial and social tensions that are present in Los Angeles. Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Thandie Newton, Ludacris, Ryan Philippe, Larenz Tate, and Michael Pena star in the film that has one of the most powerful endings ever in a movie.

6. Duck (2005) – Duck is a very well written and directed film that has an important societal and environmental message. The plot summary reads “In 2009, when Los Angeles’ last city park is closed to the public, a dispossessed man — and the duck who follows him as a mother — quest west, on foot, in search of water and meaning, in the desert that is L.A.”

5. Crank (2006) - Action star Jason Statham is a British hitman in Los Angeles, Chev Chelios. Chev is poisoned and the only way for him to stay alive is to keep his adrenaline going. This motivation combined with his natural instincts leads to non-stop action, thrills, mayhem, and a bit of romantic flare with co-star Amy Smart’s character.

4. The Soloist (2009) – Among the more recent Los Angeles movies, this excellent drama film stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. It tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), a brilliant who develops schizophrenia and becomes homeless. Downey plays the Los Angeles Times reporter who discovers Ayers on the street, writes about him in the paper, and helps him to find a place to use his talents.

3. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) – All of the Terminator movies had an important connection to Los Angeles, but this is the only one made after 2000 which fits the parameters of this best Los Angeles movies list. John Connor (Nick Stahl) has been living off the grid near Los Angeles after the events of Terminator 2. Judgment Day didn’t come as expected in 1997, but John still believes disaster from computer takeover is imminent. He appears to be right! Arnold Schwarzenegger and Claire Danes star.

2. Dark Blue (2003) – Dark Blue is a movie in Los Angeles that has a theme of “corrupt LA cops”, an all-too-common one if Hollywood films. It is set in the Los Angeles Police Department in April 1992, just days before the acquittal of four officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent L.A. riots. Kurt Russell stars as Sargent Eldon Perry, a corrupt LA cop.

1. The Fast and the Furious (2001) – This is one of the more loosely connected LA movies on the top 10 list of Los Angeles movies. But, it does explore the Hollywood street racing scene in a story about Brian O’Conner, a police officer tasked with infiltrating Hollywood’s street racing scene, suspected to be the origin of a string of high-speed truck hijackings perpetrated by a trio of black Honda Civics. The film offers a great cast with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster.

There are certainly other great Los Angeles movies not included in this list and likely more good ones to come. However, this top 10 list of best LA films and additional ones for your consideration gives a good scope of the impact the great city has had on the film industry.

Want to tell us your favorite film not on our list of top movies in Los Angeles and why? Just add a comment and share your thoughts!

This feature article about the Best Los Angeles movies was written by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

See also:

• Best New York movies
• Best Chicago Movies