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With lots of famous buildings and an extremely diverse population, London can serve as a backdrop or even something of a character in the movies that it appears in across multiple genres. This is evidenced by games set in London, and by the following films that showcase what makes the city special.
7 Paddington (2014)
Paddington was pretty much guaranteed to be a success, as a live-action reboot of a much-loved established franchise. Set in London with the lead role being a sentient bear (a bit more child-friendly than Ted), it’s a feel-good family movie that makes excellent use of London as a memorable, atmospheric backdrop.
The movie had an extended cast of popular actors such as Ben Whishaw, Peter Capaldi, Julie Walters, and more. While Paddington isn’t one of the best comedy movies, it’s a great film to relax to with the whole family.
6 Nil By Mouth (1997)
Nil by Mouth, written and directed by Gary Oldman, is a British drama film that revolves around a family of South East Londoners, and was very popular amongst audiences. It’s a gritty film, filled with classic British swear words and other derogatory language, but Nil By Mouth offers a window into daily life for a lot of the everyman Londoners.
For those interested in London and the lives of the people there, Nil by Mouth is an unflinching, compelling portrayal that is distinct from a lot of the other movies based in London. It’s one of the best drama movies out there, and highly worth watching.
5 Kidulthood (2006)
Kidulthood is another gritty British drama movie that is based in London, covering the teenagers and young adults of its time. Starring a cast of relatively unknown actors at the time, the movie is very similar to Nil by Mouth in terms of its gritty portrayal of what life is like in the famous city.
Unlike some films that glamorize London, Kidulthood doesn’t shy away from extreme storylines such as trafficking, drugs, and gang violence. All of the actors give realistic and compelling performances that make the audience feel like they’re in the room with the characters.
4 Skyfall (2012)
Skyfall was one of the best-received James Bond films of all time, and was a commercial success as well. The 50th Anniversary of the film series, Skyfall features lots of great shots of London, putting the city firmly on display for a global audience. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary, it’s a love letter to the fans of the series, including many elements of past James Bound movies. As a result, ends up feeling like an instant classic entry into the film franchise.
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It’s true that Skyfall is not as grounded as other films set in London, but that’s not to say that the city doesn’t have an important role to play in the movie. Widely considered one of the best Daniel Craig Bond movies, it’s worth a watch for anyone who is fan of both London and 007.
3 V For Vendetta (2005)
V for Vendetta is layered, captivating, and a great watch for just about anybody. Adapting the graphic novel of the same name, this movie features some of the best performances to date from Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
A modern-day movie set in London, the titular character of V for Vendetta is influenced by historical figure Guy Fawkes. London is very much present throughout the whole film, and there are lots of contextual observations made by V about the city. V for Vendetta is one of the best Natalie Portman movies, so fans of hers should give it a watch if they haven’t already.
2 Love, Actually (2003)
Love, Actually is one of the most popular romance ensemble movies of all time, featuring a plethora of well-respected actors that contribute to the overall feel-good factor of the movie. The film tells ten separate love stories across the ensemble cast, with an epilogue that ties it all together. To some, it’s regarded as one of the best 21st century comedy movies.
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For those who love cheesy Christmas movies, love stories, and the city of London, Love Actually is one of the best choices to watch, particularly with a significant other. It encapsulates the romantic side of Britons and indeed the romantic side of London, which is in a direct juxtaposition to lots of the London-focused movies out there.
1 Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones’s Diary immediately makes watchers want to endeavour on a pub crawl of London. A romantic comedy film with performances from heavy-hitter actors such as Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, this movie has a particularly distinct London feel that serves as the perfect backdrop to this light-hearted and charming story. It rivals even the best Netflix original comedies out there.
Bridget Jones’s Diary has proven to be a success with critics and audiences alike, spawning an entire film franchise that has earned a handful of Award Wins and Award Nominations over its lifespan. Any rom-com lovers can attest to its genius.
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