London is one of the most filmed cities in the world. Movies are how many Anglophiles, whom are unable to travel there, attempt to experience a small bit of Britain.
For many years up until my first trip to Britain, I took comfort in watching as many London movies as I could. Many have become my favorite movies – not all just because they take place in London. Some are just damn fine movies.
While one cannot rely on movies to portray an accurate picture of what London is like, there is still nothing like curling up on the couch on a cold Saturday night and watching a London movie.
So, here’s the official Anglotopia Top 10 London Movies. Obviously, this list is my own opinion and if you think any of these movies are rubbish, by all means tell us in the comments!
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
Good choices. I’m man enough to admit that I love “Notting Hill” and “About a Boy.” When I first saw “28 Days Later” I was very much surprised. I’ve never been one for zombie movies, but I thought I should see it before watching “Shaun of the Dead” (Hey, another London movie!), and I really enjoyed it. It’s one of those movies that’s just stayed with me. The scenes of empty London are just eerie as hell, and the soundtrack is fantastic. The less said about the sequel, the better.
How about…
Mary Poppins
Oliver!
28 Days Later (yeah, bit different from others above!)
Wasn’t Mary Poppins filmed on a backlot? That always bugged me about it. Haven’t seen Oliver! But I agree with you on 28 Days Later!
How can you possibly forget ‘Football Factory’?
If you have ever lived in London, you will know this is possibly one of the truest accounts of life in London. No, I’m not a football fan, or a hooligan, but there are so many parts of this film that you see if everyday life. It just has to make this list.
On top of that you missed ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’. Both of which make the IMDB top 250 movies of all time.
Chris.
Never seen Football Factory… going to add it to the list. certainly wish I lived in London!
I considered Lock Stock on the list, but opted not to. Snatch is the weaker of the two, imho.
yo, i grew up on tha streets of london, peckham if you has heard of it. probably. i now live in australia innit, but if you like london films you would like Kidulthood and Adulthood cos they is very true about the streets of london, i am one to no believe me
The Long Good Friday (1980) – cracking gangster film set in London’s East End and Docklands at a time when their regeneration was just beginning, which is a plot point.
Hmmmm… as these are sent to create debate, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but no Lock, Stock?
And Match Point is awful. Even more boring than tennis itself…
Last Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson definitely needs to be on this list too. Seems like London is a good place for romcoms
I really wanted to love Last Chance Harvey but I just didn’t like it.
Match Point and Closer, seriously?
… hear that? That’s the sound of the barrel being well and truly scraped.
Also…
“Wasn’t Mary Poppins filmed on a backlot? That always bugged me about it.”
Isn’t this list titled ‘The Top 11 London Based Movies – Best Movies SET in London’ not ‘The Top 11 London Based Movies – Best Movies FILMED in London’?
Surely it should be compiled of films with representations of London rather than the actual location itself.
True, however, my arbitrary criteria was based on significant London eye candy.
Thanks for the great post! There are a couple on here I’ll have to check out (like 28 Days Later, which seems to be a zombie movie for people who don’t like zombie movies?).
I’d like to add the new Sherlock Holmes movie to the list. Filming was done in a variety of locations (some of which were in Brooklyn, according to Wikipedia), but a lot of it was done in London. I don’t know about other Holmes fans who frequent anglotopia.net, but I loved the movie, and thought the portrayal of Victorian London was superb.
Also, I second Laura’s addition of Mary Poppins. While it may have been filmed on a back lot, it was a film I watched in my formative years that helped me develop a love for London and all that is British.
Eastern Promises for my money.
I can’t believe I forgot that one. That movie is AWESOME.
Glad Dirty Pretty Things made your list.
Fever Pitch for the ‘nicer’ world of football.
For a more a more accurate representation of London than that given in the likes of Notting Hill watch Bullet Boy.
Errrrr – Passport to Pimlico!!!!!!!
One of my favorite films set in London is the dreadful “Killing Me Softly.” Heather Graham’s acting and outfits are unintentionally hilarious (plus her character’s name is Alice Tallis — come on!), but Joseph Fiennes is absolutely gorgeous. There are some great shots of the city, too! I watch it every so often for a giggle (and a goggle at Joe!).
London live theatre is among the world’s most vibrant. Many of us go to London for the theatre as much as for anything else. You would do a great service to add a theatre review section – or even just a listing of current productions, if nothing else.
Thankx. Bob K
Wait…can’t we go a little retro and add to the mix “Hanover Street” featuring Harrison Ford as the American pilot in London during WWII?
From a slightly pre-baby boomer point of view, “The Blue Lamp” is a fascinating London-based film. It is set in and around Harrow Road. Edgware Road and Notting Hill, with many location shots, in the late 1940s. it reminds me strongly of the area I grew up in (Bayswater) and just how grim those days were. It stars Jack Warner as none other than PC George Dixon, who is shot to death, and portrays the ensuing hunt (young Dirk Bogarde is the culprit). Magically, of course, the good PC was brought back from the dead to play Dixon of Dock Green for years on TV, also set (I think) in and around Paddington Green. Might be wrong there, though. But a great London film.
Let us not forget: The Importance of Being Earnest, A Clockwork Orange, Sleepy Hollow, Finding Neverland, Harry Potter and 84 Charing Cross Rd. Just a few of my favorites
On another note, Jonathan, you should start a thread of movies filmed in the English countryside. Just a thought.
how bout To Sir With Love – that’s my own real vision of London to this day – lol
Here’s my best London films: The Blue Lamp, Sapphire (1958),The Frightened City, Peeping Tom, The Ipcress File, Alfie (1966),Frenzy,The Long Good Friday.
Best London TV shows: The Sweeney, Minder.
What about ‘Blow-up’ and ‘Imagine me & you’?