The best movies and shows set in Los Angeles, ranked

182 titles set in Los Angeles from the recognizable third of the CouchRot catalog, ranked by quality and fame. Every page carries scare, gore, violence and emotional-weight tags, plus where to stream in the US.

1. 1Pulp Fiction (1994)Mildly scary · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RHitmen, molls, and boxers collide in a sprawling, darkly comic crime saga that twists through time.Prime Video · Paramount+92
2. 2Lucifer (2016) · seriesLight gore · brisk · TV-14The Lord of Hell brings his darkly comic whimsy to Los Angeles crime fighting, with brisk, witty results.Netflix
3. 3American History X (1998)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA reformed skinhead confronts his violent past and the devastating impact it has on his younger brother.
4. 4Memento (2000)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA man with no short-term memory hunts his wife's killer, piecing together a gritty, cerebral puzzle.Netflix · Hulu · Peacock82
5. 5The Usual Suspects (1995)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RA low-level con man's intricate tale of a mythic crime lord unravels with gritty, suspenseful precision.Prime Video · Max · Hoopla
6. 6The Rookie (2018) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-14An earnest small-town guy navigates gritty LAPD life, finding heartwarming humor as the oldest rookie.Hulu
7. 7La La Land (2016)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13Aspiring artists in Los Angeles chase their dreams, finding bittersweet romance amidst nostalgic, uplifting melodies.77
8. 8BoJack Horseman (2014) · seriesNo gore · emotionally devastating · measured · TV-MAA washed-up 90s sitcom horse navigates Hollywood's bleak, darkly comic absurdities with witty, dry satire.Netflix
9. 9Blade Runner (1982)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA gritty, atmospheric Los Angeles detective hunts artificial humans while confronting his own melancholy existence.
10. 10The Kardashians (2022) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-14An intimate, earnest, and feel-good series reveals the truth behind the headlines of a famous family.Disney+ · Hulu
11. 11Her (2013)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA lonely writer finds intimate, heartwarming connection with an AI, exploring love's evolving nature in a measured, melancholy romance.Apple TV+
12. 12Die Hard (1988)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA lone, off-duty cop battles relentless terrorists in a gritty, suspenseful high-rise siege.Prime Video
13. 13Sunset Boulevard (1950)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · NRA forgotten star clings to faded glory, ensnaring a writer in Hollywood's darkly comic and tragic undertow.Kanopy · MGM+ · Hoopla
14. 14The Big Lebowski (1998)Light gore · measured · RA slacker bowls and drinks White Russians, then stumbles into a pulpy, darkly comic crime caper.Pluto TV
15. 15Heat (1995)Light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RA master thief and a relentless detective engage in a high-stakes, gritty game across atmospheric Los Angeles.Plex87
16. 16The Terminator (1984)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA relentless cyborg assassin hunts a woman across 1980s Los Angeles, sparking a gritty fight for the future.AMC+
17. 17Nightcrawler (2014)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA relentless, darkly-comic descent into L.A.'s gritty crime journalism, blurring lines for a chilling ascent.Netflix · Kanopy
18. 189-1-1 (2018) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · TV-14Relentless emergencies and intimate struggles define the gritty lives of first responders.Hulu
19. 19Blade Runner 2049 (2017)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA bleak, slow-burn mystery unfolds as a blade runner unearths a secret that could shatter society.Paramount+
20. 20Singin' in the Rain (1952)No gore · measured · GHollywood's silent era gives way to song and dance as a charming star pursues a delightful chorus girl.Max
21. 21Drive (2011)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA stoic stuntman navigates the neon-soaked underworld, protecting a family while a heist unravels into gritty violence.
22. 22Fallout (2024) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · TV-MASurvivors navigate a surreal, violent, and darkly comic wasteland where haves and have-nots clash.Prime Video
23. 23Mulholland Drive (2001)Mildly scary · light gore · emotionally heavy · a slow burn · RA dreamlike mystery unfolds as a blonde ingénue and an amnesiac brunette navigate Hollywood's chilling, surreal depths.
24. 24Chinatown (1974)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA private eye navigates sun-drenched 1930s Los Angeles, uncovering a pulpy web of crime and deceit.MGM+
25. 25Marriage Story (2019)No gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RAn intimate, earnest drama explores the melancholy and grueling extremes of a coast-to-coast divorce.Netflix
26. 26Paris, Texas (1984)No gore · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · RA silent wanderer slowly pieces together his past, confronting the intimate, bleak memories of a broken family.Max · Criterion · Plex
27. 27Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RHollywood's golden age fades as a TV cowboy and his stuntman navigate a darkly comedic, changing industry.
28. 28Snowfall (2017) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MAGritty 1980s Los Angeles becomes a bleak, tense battleground as crack cocaine ravages a community.Disney+ · Hulu
29. 29Straight Outta Compton (2015)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · brisk · RFive young men transform their frustration and anger into powerful music, sparking an epic cultural rebellion.Netflix · Starz
30. 30All About Eve (1950)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA cunning ingenue manipulates her way to Broadway stardom, leaving a trail of witty, pulpy drama.
31. 31Wrath of Man (2021)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA mysterious cash truck guard unleashes precise, brutal skills while settling a score in gritty Los Angeles.AMC+
32. 32The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-PGA street-smart teen brings wholesome, broad humor and feel-good whimsy to his posh new family.Hulu
33. 33Pretty Woman (1990)No gore · measured · RA charming streetwise woman and a buttoned-up businessman find whimsical romance in an unexpected, uplifting week.
34. 34Training Day (2001)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA rookie cop's first day becomes a relentless, gritty descent into a corrupt detective's pulpy underworld.MGM+ · The Roku Channel
35. 35On My Block (2018) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-14Four streetwise teens navigate the heartwarming and gritty realities of friendship in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood.Netflix
36. 36S.W.A.T. (2017) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · brisk · TV-14A gritty Los Angeles S.W.A.T. sergeant earnestly balances loyalty to his streets and his brothers in blue.Netflix
37. 37The Shield (2002) · seriesMildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MARelentless LA cops bend every rule, blurring lines between justice and self-interest in a bleak, pulpy world.Prime Video · Hulu
38. 38Six Feet Under (2001) · seriesLight gore · emotionally devastating · measured · TV-MAA family running a funeral home navigates life's darkly comic and intimate challenges with measured melancholy.Max
39. 39(500) Days of Summer (2009)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A wistful writer revisits a whimsical romance, searching for answers in 500 days of bittersweet memories.Hoopla
40. 40Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · PGA jaded detective navigates a darkly comic, absurd world where cartoon capers meet gritty crime.Disney+
41. 41Changeling (2008)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA mother's desperate search for her missing son unearths a bleak, corrupt world in 1920s Los Angeles.
42. 42Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)No gore · measured · PG-13A newly single man navigates dating with a charming mentor, finding unexpected romance and heartwarming humor.Max
43. 43Jackie Brown (1997)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · RA flight attendant plays both sides of the law in a gritty, witty game for a fortune.
44. 44The Graduate (1967)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · PGA young man's melancholy affair with an older woman becomes a witty, dark satire of suburban ennui.Prime Video · Kanopy · The Roku Channel
45. 45High Potential (2024) · seriesLight gore · brisk · TV-14A brilliant single mom's unconventional crime-solving skills forge an unstoppable, gritty partnership with a seasoned detective.Hulu
46. 46Cars (2006)No gore · measured · GA hotshot race car learns life's true speed in a heartwarming, whimsical adventure with wholesome humor.Disney+
47. 47Boogie Nights (1997)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RA measured descent into the gritty, atmospheric melancholy of a fading era's dark satire.Criterion
48. 48Superbad (2007)No gore · brisk · RTwo co-dependent seniors navigate a raunchy, cringe-filled night as their whimsical party plans go hilariously awry.Apple TV+ · Starz · Tubi76
49. 4924 (2001) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · TV-14A counterterrorism agent battles relentless threats in real-time, making every second a high-octane fight for survival.Hulu
50. 50Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) · seriesNo gore · measured · TV-MAA darkly comic Larry David navigates social minefields with cringe-inducing, witty observations.Max
51. 51Barry (2018) · seriesMildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · TV-MAA hitman finds unexpected artistic passion in Los Angeles, leading to darkly comedic and tense complications.Max
52. 52The Kissing Booth (2018)No gore · measured · PG-13A high school student's secret romance with her best friend's brother becomes a whimsical, earnest comedy.Netflix
53. 53Falling Down (1993)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RA man's ordinary frustrations ignite a violent, pulpy rampage through a bleak, crumbling city.
54. 54True Romance (1993)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA whirlwind romance ignites a cross-country crime spree, fueled by stolen drugs and dark humor.Netflix
55. 55Lost Highway (1997)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · RA jazz musician's torment unravels into a surreal nightmare of murder, doppelgängers, and impossible transformation.Criterion
56. 56Speed (1994)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA rigged bus hurtles through Los Angeles, and every dip below fifty miles per hour means explosive death.Netflix · Max
57. 57Airplane! (1980)No gore · brisk · PGAn ex-fighter pilot battles food poisoning and absurd antics at 30,000 feet in this brisk, crowd-pleasing comedy.Paramount+ · Kanopy · Hoopla
58. 58Lethal Weapon (1987)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RTwo mismatched detectives with a broad sense of humor relentlessly pursue a gritty, pulpy crime ring.AMC+
59. 59Rocketman (2019)No gore · emotionally heavy · brisk · RA musical prodigy's life unfolds with brisk, feel-good energy, celebrating an enduring partnership.Paramount+ · Kanopy · Hoopla
60. 60End of Watch (2012)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastating · RTwo young officers face relentless, intimate dread after crossing a cartel, leading to a tragic end.AMC+ · Kanopy · The Roku Channel
61. 61The Artist (2011)No gore · measured · PG-13A silent film star's world fades with the advent of sound, but a new love story begins.Kanopy · Hoopla · YouTube (free)
62. 62The Fast and the Furious (2001)No gore · strong violence · relentless · PG-13Undercover street racing and high-stakes truck heists collide as a cop chooses between duty and a new family.Netflix
63. 63The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)No gore · brisk · PG-13A bumbling detective uncovers an assassination plot, leading to a brisk, absurdist, and broadly funny caper.Paramount+ · Kanopy · YouTube (free)
64. 64Ed Wood (1994)No gore · measured · RA quirky director and his eccentric friends chase their dreams, crafting heartfelt B-movies with earnest passion.
65. 65Fracture (2007)Light gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA measured, gritty game of cat-and-mouse plays out in a tense courtroom, full of cerebral surprises.The Roku Channel · Plex · Tubi
66. 66BEEF (2023) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · TV-MATwo strangers' road rage escalates into a darkly comedic feud, revealing their most primal, satirical impulses.Netflix
67. 67Bosch (2015) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-MAA grim detective navigates departmental politics and a cold case while confronting his own dark past.Prime Video
68. 68Babylon (2022)Light gore · emotionally heavy · relentless · RHollywood's silent era collapses into sound with relentless, darkly comic chaos and melancholy ambition.Hulu · Paramount+
69. 69The Karate Kid (1984)No gore · measured · PGA bullied teen finds an unlikely mentor, learning karate and life lessons that uplift his spirit.Netflix
70. 70The Substance (2024)Mildly scary · extreme gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA fading star's quest for youth becomes a darkly comedic, surreal body horror nightmare.Max
71. 71They Live (1988)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · brisk · RA drifter's special sunglasses reveal a world where aliens manipulate humanity, leading to absurd, briskly paced action.Prime Video
72. 72Beverly Hills Cop (1984)Light gore · strong violence · brisk · RA Detroit cop brings his street smarts and broad humor to sunny Beverly Hills to solve a murder.Kanopy · Hoopla · Pluto TV
73. 73Face/Off (1997)Light gore · brutal violence · relentless · RAn FBI agent surgically steals a terrorist's face, but the criminal mastermind wakes up and wants his life back.Paramount+ · Kanopy · Hoopla
74. 74Barton Fink (1991)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · RA celebrated playwright finds Hollywood's golden age is a darkly comic, surreal descent into creative hell.Hoopla
75. 75Rush Hour (1998)No gore · brisk · PG-13Two mismatched cops trade witty barbs and broad physical comedy while cracking a pulpy kidnapping case.
76. 76mid90s (2018)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA lonely 13-year-old finds gritty, nostalgic camaraderie among skaters in 90s Los Angeles.Max
77. 77The Holiday (2006)No gore · measured · PG-13Two heartbroken women swap homes for the holidays, finding unexpected romance and a new lease on life.
78. 78Point Break (1991)Mildly scary · light gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RAn FBI agent goes undercover with a gang of bank-robbing surfers, and the relentless action is gritty and suspenseful.Peacock · AMC+ · Kanopy
79. 79Molly's Game (2017)No gore · emotionally heavy · brisk · RA gritty, brisk true story of an Olympic skier’s fall into a high-stakes, witty poker empire.Paramount+ · YouTube (free)
80. 80Crash (2005)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally devastating · measured · RIntertwined lives in Los Angeles collide with gritty tension, revealing melancholy truths in a measured drama.Kanopy · Hoopla · The Roku Channel
81. 81The L Word (2004) · seriesNo gore · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-MAIn Los Angeles, a close-knit group of lesbian friends navigates careers and intimate, earnest romances.Paramount+
82. 82To the Bone (2017)No gore · emotionally devastating · measuredA young woman's intimate, melancholy journey toward self-acceptance unfolds with earnest, measured bleakness.Netflix
83. 83Creed II (2018)Light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · PG-13A young boxer faces a brutal legacy, fighting to define his own name while honoring his family's past.Hulu · Paramount+
84. 84Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)Light gore · strong violence · brisk · RA petty thief, a dream girl, and a detective stumble through a darkly comedic, pulpy murder mystery.
85. 85NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · brisk · TV-14Undercover agents in Los Angeles tackle high-stakes crime with brisk action and gritty suspense.
86. 86The Disaster Artist (2017)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RAn aspiring actor's life takes a darkly comic and whimsical turn when he meets an enigmatic, terrible filmmaker.Tubi
87. 87Burlesque (2010)No gore · measured · PG-13A small-town dreamer finds her voice and saves a vibrant club with dazzling song and dance.Hulu · YouTube (free)
88. 88A Single Man (2009)No gore · emotionally devastating · a slow burn · RA grieving professor navigates a single day in 1962 Los Angeles, searching for meaning in a bleak, intimate atmosphere.Kanopy · Hoopla · Fandango at Home (free)
89. 89Evil Dead Rise (2023)Terrifying · extreme gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA family reunion becomes a relentless, gritty battle for survival against flesh-possessing demons.Max
90. 90Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RTwo gritty detectives relentlessly pursue South African diplomats, uncovering a criminal enterprise with witty, dry humor.AMC+
91. 91Punch-Drunk Love (2002)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA volatile man's isolated life turns whimsical and romantic after a phone scam unravels his world.Kanopy · Hoopla
92. 92Friday (1995)No gore · measured · RTwo friends in Los Angeles navigate a darkly comic Friday afternoon filled with raunchy, broad humor.Pluto TV
93. 93Ray Donovan (2013) · seriesLight gore · strong violence · emotionally heavy · measured · TV-MAA Hollywood fixer's gritty world unravels with his father's release, stirring intimate family suspense.Paramount+ · Prime Video · The Roku Channel
94. 94The Italian Job (2003)Light gore · strong violence · brisk · PG-13A double-crossed crew and a safecracker execute a high-octane, gritty chase for stolen gold.Starz
95. 95Trumbo (2015)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA blacklisted writer fights for his career and beliefs with earnest melancholy in a gritty, measured drama.Kanopy · Hoopla · Fandango at Home (free)
96. 96Leaving Las Vegas (1995)Light gore · emotionally devastating · measured · RA self-destructive screenwriter finds a bleak, darkly comic connection with a sex worker in Las Vegas.MGM+ · Kanopy · Hoopla
97. 97Garden State (2004)No gore · emotionally heavy · measured · RA young man's melancholy homecoming becomes a whimsical journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance.
98. 98Rush Hour 2 (2001)Light gore · strong violence · relentless · PG-13A relentless, raunchy crime caper unfolds as two mismatched cops stumble into a massive counterfeiting plot.
99. 99Den of Thieves (2018)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RAn elite sheriff's unit and a cunning robbery crew clash in a relentless, high-octane heist saga.AMC+ · Fandango at Home (free) · Tubi
100. 100Seven Psychopaths (2012)Mildly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally heavy · RA struggling writer's absurd friends kidnap a gangster's dog, sparking a darkly comedic, pulpy crime spree.Paramount+ · Kanopy · Hoopla

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This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Intensity, tone and pace tags are CouchRot's own.