The 20 Best Movies Set In London To Add To Your Watchlist

With its historical landmarks and iconic images — such as the red telephone boxes and black taxi cabs — London is an instantly recognizable location. Over the years, the U.K. capital has featured prominently in a number of movies, with the city coming alive on the big screen across a wide variety of genres. There is also a proud history of filmmaking in the capital, with studios such as Ealing, Elstree, and Pinewood located in, or very near to, the city center.

For many movie fans, London may be associated with the quintessentially British rom-coms starring Hugh Grant, or the gritty gangster films from directors like Guy Ritchie. London is a bustling, diverse city and many of the films set or filmed there seek to capture its unique identity. At times it feels like a city that never sleeps, with new things to be found around every corner, taking you from an important historical building one minute to a trendy restaurant or night spot the next.

From films that emphasize the whimsy and romanticism of the city to those that explore the occasionally harsh realities of life in a huge metropolis, there is a London-set movie to suit all tastes. These are 20 of the best movies set in London that you need to add to your watchlist.

Released in 1964 at the height of "Beatlemania," The Beatles' first feature film is a fun and frivolous comedy following the band as they prepare for a television performance. Opening with them running from screaming fans in their native Liverpool, they board a train to London where they are met with similar chaos. The band's antics in this mockumentary-adjacent farcical comedy see them frolicking in the streets of London in the swinging '60s.

"A Hard Day's Night" barely has a plot to speak of, but it's still tremendous fun — full of silly skits and Monty Python-esque surreal humor that serves to showcase the band's personalities as well as their musical talent. One of the highlights is when drummer Ringo Starr goes missing and embarks on a solo wander around some of the lesser-known parts of London. "A Hard Day's Night" doesn't just rely on the obvious tourist landmarks, but instead takes us along some of the back streets to the clubs, theaters, and pubs of the city, making this a thrill for locals and would-be visitors to London to watch.

The music speaks for itself, and some of The Beatles' all-time greatest songs are featured in "A Hard Day's Night." While it demonstrates signs of its age now, it also has an irreverent charm and youthful energy that makes it feel fresh and exciting. It provides fascinating insight into '60s London — arguably one of the most exciting decades for the city.

There is a certain throwback charm to this British heist movie, with veteran Ealing Studios director Charles Crichton at the helm. When you throw two British comedy icons — "Monty Python" stars John Cleese and Michael Palin — into the mix alongside American actors Kevin Kline and Jamie Lee Curtis, you've got the makings of a classic. It focuses on a diamond heist, orchestrated by British gangster George Thomason (Tom Georgeson) and his stuttering assistant, Ken Pile (Palin). Hired to steal the valuable jewels are a pair of American thieves (Kline and Curtis), but things take a turn when they attempt to double-cross George — and each other.

There are plenty of recognizable London locations used in this film, with the heist taking place in Hatton Garden — the center of the city's diamond trading businesses — and some key scenes set around London's historic courthouse, the Old Bailey. While the locations make this feel like a thoroughly British affair, the fact the criminals are from both sides of the pond creates ample opportunities for the characters to take aim at each other — including a particularly foul-mouthed exchange between Otto and lawyer Archie (Cleese).

"A Fish Called Wanda" ultimately became one of the highest-grossing films of 1988. It was also recognized by the Academy, nominated for three awards and winning best supporting actor for Kevin Kline. "A Fish Called Wanda" has been hailed as one of the best British films by the BFI, placing 39th on their list (via BBC).

Setting the bar for Guy Ritchie's late '90s and early '00s British gangster movies, "The Long Good Friday" dives into the gritty criminal underbelly of London. Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins) is a crime boss with dreams of becoming a property magnate and developing part of London's docklands with some of his American counterparts. After his properties are attacked over the Easter weekend, Shand begins to suspect someone close to him is conspiring against him — and he plans to find out who it is, whatever it takes.

Tying together some of the hot-button issues at the time — including corruption and the rise of terrorist groups — "The Long Good Friday" presents a rough and ready version of London with an undeniably nasty streak. If you know Bob Hoskins best for his roles in family-friendly films such as "Hook" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," his performance as the foul-mouthed Harold Shand may be a shock to the system, but it is equally a testament to his versatility as an actor.

Also starring Helen Mirren, Eddie Constantine, and Pierce Brosnan (in his feature film debut, no less), "The Long Good Friday" is a darkly comedic and often shockingly violent British gangster classic. Mostly filmed around the East End of London, there is a sense of realism to this film that proved to be hugely influential: Empire included it in the top 20 on their list of the 100 best British films.

Now a certified British national treasure, Richard E. Grant's first major movie role was as the flamboyant, sarcastic, out-of-work actor, Withnail — a far cry away from his later work, but one of his most memorable characters. Withnail lives in a shabby London apartment with his friend and fellow actor, Marwood (Paul McGann). Even though the pair spends more time at their local pub than they do trying to find work, they decide to get away from it all by taking a holiday in the English countryside — a decision that proves to be fraught with trouble from the start.

While the storyline dictates that the pair leave the hustle and bustle of the city for a spell, "Withnail and I" still owes a great deal to London. While said to be in Camden, Withnail and Marwood's flat is actually located in Notting Hill (via Far Out) — now a very prosperous part of the city. Early in the film, the pair are also seen walking through London's Regents Park — which later becomes the setting for Withnail's impassioned monologue to the animals of the park's zoo.

Foul-mouthed, endlessly quotable, and with an unmistakably British sense of humor, "Withnail and I" is considered a cult classic. With its own drinking game and a host of celebrity fans including Margaret Cho, Paul Rudd, and Steve Martin (via Los Angeles Times), "Withnail and I" is a rare gem that manages to transcend its inherent Britishness to become a revered comedy masterpiece.

Released in 1951, this Ealing Studios comedy is a classically British heist movie, set in the heart of London's major financial institution, the Bank of England. Henry Holland (Alec Guinness) — now living the high life in Rio de Janeiro — recounts the story of how he robbed the bank. Responsible for supervising the deliveries of gold bullion from the refineries to the bank, Holland saw vast fortunes pass him by every day. With the help of artist Alfred Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway) and two petty criminals (Sid James and Alfie Bass), the mob hatch a plan to steal the bullion and melt it down to be disguised as Eiffel Tower paperweights.

"The Lavender Hill Mob" is a farcical and wildly entertaining film, with the far-fetched and outrageous plans wonderfully contrasting with the buttoned-up, austere feeling of Britain at this time — embodied by the bank that becomes the gang's target. With extensive scenes at London's iconic Bank of England, and with its name taken from the Battersea boarding house where the mob is formed, "The Lavender Hill Mob" owes a great deal to the city in which it is set.

Featuring excellent performances across the board, "The Lavender Hill Mob" is a thrilling crime caper that keeps the surprises coming right to the end. As well as having an enduring legacy as one of the best British films, "The Lavender Hill Mob" was rewarded upon its release, winning the Oscar for best writing, and the BAFTA for best British film.

Set in post-war London, this Ealing Studios film focuses on a small area of the city where the aftershocks of the conflict are felt in more ways than one. When an undetonated bomb is discovered beneath the streets of Pimlico, it reveals a treasure trove of artifacts, treasures, and documents. One of these documents stipulates that Pimlico is owned by the French Duke of Burgund and, as such, is no longer part of Britain. Upon learning of this, Pimlico descends into a near-lawless state, no longer bound by post-war rationing restrictions and rules.

"Passport to Pimlico" perfectly captures the eccentric and quirky characters that you meet in London — particularly when they are able to throw off the shackles and live life with the frivolity that war had denied them. It also features some whip-smart and wonderfully astute satirical observations of Londoner's skepticism toward outsiders or "foreigners" — again speaking to the attitudes of many after the war.

While very much a product of the period in which it is set, "Passport to Pimlico" also feels surprisingly fresh. The residents of Pimlico are initially overjoyed to be a law unto themselves, however, the reality of the situation quickly sinks in when supplies are cut off and bureaucratic borders present a unique set of problems. This notion feels oddly reminiscent of Brexit. Writing for the Radio Times, Barry Norman reflected on the foretelling of "Passport to Pimlico," saying, "it reflects in microcosm what the nation has just been through."

Based on the Charles Dickens classic "Oliver Twist," this lavish period musical recreates the poverty and hardships of London in the 1800s. After escaping from the workhouse, orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) finds himself on the mean streets of London, where he is taken in by street urchin and pickpocket, the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild), before joining the gang of criminal kids led by Fagin (Ron Moody).

The subject matter may appear to be bleak, but there is great joy in this beloved musical as well, thanks to some exuberant and beautifully choreographed musical numbers. Even though the film was shot entirely in a studio, the labyrinthine set still manages to capture the danger, excitement, and possibilities that lurk around every corner for our protagonists. One of the standout sequences — as the street-sellers fill the beautiful Bloomsbury Square for the song "Who Will Buy?" — is so painstakingly staged that it's hard to believe it isn't filmed on location.

Earning eleven Oscar nominations and winning five including best picture and best director, "Oliver!" was a resounding success with audiences and critics. Roger Ebert called it "a treasure of a movie" and said it was "a splendid experience." The timelessness of "Oliver!" and its status as a cultural institution is evident in how much it is still adored today, with Time Out and the BFI both including it in their lists of the best British films.

What would happen if aliens chose to invade a decidedly rough area of South London? This is the premise of "Attack the Block," with the extraterrestrial invaders meeting a formidable foe in the form of a gang of youths. After mugging a young woman (Jodie Whittaker) on the streets of a fictional part of South London, Moses (John Boyega) and his gang witness something fall from the sky. As they head off in pursuit of the mysterious creature, it seems they may have bitten off more than they can chew, and these unlikely heroes are tasked with defending their block from the invaders.

Notable for a number of reasons, "Attack the Block" marked the breakout feature film role for John Boyega, who reached superstar status after he was cast in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as the reformed stormtrooper Finn. Also featuring Jodie Whittaker — who went on to become the 13th Doctor in "Doctor Who" — "Attack the Block" blends genuine scares with sharp social commentary, highlighting a very specific part of London, even though it isn't named.

As well as being a frenetic and funny sci-fi thriller, "Attack the Block" also explores gang and youth culture in London. Owing a certain debt to Edgar Wright's filmmaking style — Wright is in fact a friend of this film's director, Joe Cornish (via Empire) — "Attack the Block" similarly explores uniquely British culture through the lens of genre cinema.

Opening with a shot of the iconic Camden lock bridge and the uniquely eclectic architecture of the trendy London borough, the city's identity is stamped all over this romantic musical. Simone (Michaela Coel) is a single mother with seemingly no interest in getting out there and finding love again. When she is dragged out for a night on the town by her best friend Yvonne (Ronke Adekoluejo), Simone meets the handsome stranger, Raymond (Arinzé Kene), and the pair form an instant connection.

While the tone is a little uneven in this film — particularly the sub-plot involving the jealous Gil's (George MacKay) quest for revenge — the performances from Coel and Kene really sell the story. The musical elements make "Been So Long" feel like a modern fairytale, and the sizzling chemistry of the two leads is particularly electric against the backdrop of the neon lights of romantic London.

As well as sweeping us away with its surprisingly touching love story, "Been So Long" also feels like a love letter to London itself — with the film subtly exploring the gentrification of the city. Throughout the film, we see that a lot of the old bars and nightclubs are closing down or have already closed, and through Simone and Raymond's relationship, there is a wistful nostalgia for the places within the community that are so important to London's identity.

Set in a dystopian near-future fascist London, "V for Vendetta" uses the story of Guy Fawkes and the 1605 plot to destroy the Houses of Parliament as its springboard for a fresh and thrilling tale of uprising and anarchy. Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) finds herself at the mercy of the secret police one night, until she is rescued by a masked vigilante who calls himself "V" (Hugo Weaving). After V bombs the Old Bailey — a prominent criminal court building in London — and hijacks the television network, he warns that the attacks will continue and encourages the people to join him in insurrection on the following November 5.

As an antihero, V is particularly intriguing and enigmatic. While evidently capable of causing great damage, he is also highly intelligent and eloquent — something that makes him even more formidable. The film creates a vision of London that is equally foreboding, with the well-known landmarks and historical buildings symbolizing the supposedly decadent past that has allowed totalitarianism to take root and spread.

With the slick action translating well from its graphic novel origins, "V for Vendetta" is a visually striking and provocative film. Its stark imagery — and particularly the symbol of the Guy Fawkes mask — have now become synonymous with anti-government groups, particularly the hacker collective known as "Anonymous" (via CNBC). "V for Vendetta" is one of those rare films that has maintained its sociopolitical relevance, and it has become a firm cult favorite.