Best Movies Set In California

by Kevin Gardner

California is the home of Hollywood, where the world of movies and film comes to life. You will find celebrities walking down the street, the walk of fame, universal studios, and infinite theatres to watch your favorite flicks. It makes sense that some of the best cinematic masterpieces are set in the golden state. From the classics to recent releases, here are some of Hollywood's greatest films that have been set in California.

Space Jam

If you grew up in the '90s, Space Jam was probably one of your favorite childhood classics. With talents like the basketball hero Michael Jordan, beloved actor Bill Murray, and Hollywood legend Danny DeVito, the movie was an automatic hit with kids and adults alike. The production combined aspects of live-action and animated film all into one, which was a fairly unique task at the time. With the sequel, Space Jam: A New Legacy having been released in 2021, the film has only gained more traction over the years. '90s kids are able to view movies from a new lens now that they have reached adulthood. Some even claim that the movie is best enjoyed after visiting San Jose dispensaries.

500 Days of Summer

This rom-com starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a uniquely formatted narrative centering around the main character's failed relationship with a girl named Summer. The story explores the plot in a non-linear fashion, jumping from point to point throughout the main character's journey. The movie utilizes the presence of a timer shown on the screen to display when each scene is taking place. Winning two awards (including best original screenplay and best screenplay) and receiving nominations for two others (Best motion picture- musical or comedy, and best actor- Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

Lady Bird

This film, released in 2017, is a drama centering around the coming of age of a high school senior and her strained relationship with her mother. The film explores some of the generational gaps that exist between parents and children, and how the resulting strained relationships can impact the most important parts of a person's life, and how being apart from someone can cause you to appreciate them more. This film, acting as director Greta Gerwig's debut, has won several awards for its cinematic excellence.

Milk

Milk, released in 2008, is a biographical film centering around the life of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected into office in California. The drama follows Milk's life from his involvement with activism up until his assassination in 1978. The movie touches on several horrifying yet genuine realities for the gay community in the 1970s, including the AIDS epidemic, hate crimes, suicide, and even conflict within the community itself. The film artfully depicts the historical events of Milk's life and time in office, meeting the sweet spot between historical accuracy and artistic representation.

Clueless

Another 90s classic is the hit movie Clueless. Based on Jane Austin's famous novel, Emma, this film follows the high school life of materialistic Cher Horowitz as she decides to play matchmaker for two teachers at her school. Through the course of the movie, though, Cher learns to balance her material possessions with meaningful relationships. Clueless has retained a strong cult following since its release in '95. Although the story is based off of a novel originally published in 1815, the movie puts a spin on it that keeps the tale fresh and unexpected. Rumor has it that a remake of the film is currently in the works.

California is a place not only where stars are made, but also one where the stories of stars come to life. There are so many incredible films set in the beautiful state of California, only some of which have been mentioned above. To celebrate the success of the Hollywood film industry, why not have a California-themed movie marathon, complete with all of your favorites?