10 iconic movies to watch before you visit Los Angeles

As the entertainment epicenter of the world, the “City of Angels” has long served as a cinematic backdrop for some of the most iconic films from the US. 

Movies don’t just entertain us — they can get us stoked to travel and inspire us to explore different places around the globe. From dreamy musicals to sun-soaked thrillers, here are 10 unforgettable movies set in Los Angeles — each offering a different glimpse into the city’s storied history and cultural landscape. 

1. La La Land

This modern-day musical tells the tale of aspiring actress Mia and struggling pianist Seb as they experience triumph and heartbreak pursuing their dreams in the “City of Stars.” Few films capture the glamor and longing of LA’s artistic spirit as well as this 2016 film.

Sights to spot: Visitors to LA can see where the movie’s show-stopping dance sequence takes place at “Cathy’s Corner” on Mt. Hollywood Drive, a scenic overlook in LA’s Griffith Park. 

2. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to Hollywood’s Golden Age is full of twists and turns. With an ending that pulls the rug from under you, this stylish saga colorfully brings 1960s Hollywood to life. It's complete with fading movie stars, hippie tie-dye, and a film industry on the verge of change.

Sights to spot: Fans of Tarantino can check out his favorite theater while in LA, the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard, which is featured in the film. It’s a geodesic dome built in the 1960s and a one-of-a-kind historic landmark from that era.

3. The Holiday

Lovesick Londoner Iris and recently single Amanda swap houses to escape their romantic troubles in this Christmastime classic. Iris’s excitement as she enters Amanda’s luxurious LA mansion, along with her heartwarming friendship with retired screenwriter Arthur Abbott, perfectly captures the cozier side of Los Angeles.

Sights to spot: Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills was a film location in the movie where Cameron Diaz and Jude Law’s characters meet for lunch. Today, visitors to the mansion can explore the grounds and gardens, which showcase the quieter side of Los Angeles' green spaces and parks. 

4. Blade Runner

Blade Runner’s vision of a future Los Angeles is dark and dystopian. The city is soaked in neon, shadowed by bleak architecture, and drenched in endless rain. The 1982 original is a landmark sci-fi classic that led to an equally stunning sequel in 2017. This is a mesmerizing version of LA to see on screen.

Sights to spot: This film features the famous Bradbury Building, an important architectural landmark on South Broadway and the filming location for one of the movie’s most dramatic fight scenes. The building’s atrium and Victorian-era ironwork have been restored, and it’s included on many of the city’s walking tours. 

5. Clueless

Fans of this film will immediately recall the iconic: "Ugh, as if!" Loosely based on the classic Jane Austen novel “Emma,” Clueless introduces us to Cher — a Beverly Hills high schooler navigating friendship, fashion, and budding new love. From Rodeo Drive to Westfield Fashion Square, over-the-top shopping scenes in the film are a pop culture joy as you follow the luxury-loving teen through a maze of glitzy LA hotspots. It’s also a perfect film to watch to try to talk like a Californian with its classic, 90s-era slang.

Sights to spot: Take a stroll down Rodeo Drive to relive the glitzy shopping spree during Cher’s “retail therapy.” Or visit the illuminated Electric Fountain on Santa Monica Boulevard, the location of her eye-opening epiphany at the end of the movie.

6. The Fast and the Furious

The original film in this high-octane series revs up the engine for a whirlwind ride through palm-tree-lined streets, golden-hour skylines, and LA’s underground streetracing scene. With depictions of Dodger Stadium and the LA River, the film captures the cooler, more rebellious side of the city.

Sights to spot: If you love the thrill of the open road (but without the dangerous speeds), take a leisurely drive down Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, an essential road trip for any traveler to Southern California.

7. Disaster Artist

Based on the true story of the “greatest worst movie” ever made, this semi-autobiographical film focuses on two friends and their quest to gain respect in Hollywood. The strangely uplifting tale showcases the power of self-belief against all the odds (and evidence) within the film industry

Sights to spot: Grab a booth at the retro Astro Family Restaurant in Silver Lake, where the movie’s lead characters first bond over their big-screen dreams. With its classic diner vibes and neon glow, it’s a real slice of old-school LA that still serves up burgers, shakes, and Hollywood history.

8. Point Break

Bank heists meet surf culture in this genre-blending action film starring 90s heartthrobs Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Shot across some of the best beaches in Los Angeles, the film’s surfing locations included Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Malibu, tapping into LA’s passion for adventure.

Sights to spot: Head to Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, a stretch of coastline that’s popular with surfers and has been featured in dozens of other films and TV shows.

9. A Star is Born

From world-famous venues like the Greek Theatre to local favorites like the Virgil, A Star is Born shines a light on the dizzying highs and crushing lows of LA’s music scene. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper both earned Oscar nominations for their performances, and together won Best Original Song for their powerful duet “Shallow.”

Sights to spot: Catch a show at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park, where Ally performs on a massive stage in one of the film’s most emotional scenes. This iconic outdoor amphitheater has hosted countless legendary acts and offers stunning views of the surrounding hills.

10. Speed

This isn’t your average sightseeing tour. In this relentless action thriller, an LAPD officer races to save passengers on a bus rigged to explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour. Speed uses LA’s sprawling freeway system to create suspense, placing the city’s vast urban landscape at the heart of the action.

Sights to spot: While much of this film depicts high speeds on the 105 Freeway, a heart-pounding scene is depicted right in front of the TLC Chinese Theatre (otherwise known as the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre). This icon on Hollywood Boulevard is a classic LA landmark, and a “must-see” in LA.

We hope these iconic LA films will leave you inspired to kick off your own Californian adventure. Ready, set, action!