A sunset view over Los Angeles, with the title of the article "Must see movie locations in Los Angeles".

Must See Movie Locations In Los Angeles

Share This Post

There is only one city in the world that has so many cinema spots that make you feel like you’re on the big screen… Los Angeles. Whether it’s TV shows or movie locations, Los Angeles is second to none.

Most of these spots are simple locations that normally you wouldn’t give a second glance. However, through the magic of the movies, these commonplace sites are converted into unforgettable icons. Grand buildings to watch the stars or take in the city skyline. Everyday locations transformed into action movie hotspots, dangerous warzones, and lawless comic books. When exploring the movie locations of Los Angeles, you aren’t just seeing the sights. You are exploring a whole new reality.

Keep scrolling for the MUST SEE MOVIE LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES!

A top movie location in Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory overlooking the illuminated city with the overhead night sky.

1.) Griffith Park Observatory

Most Known For: Rebel Without a Cause

Location: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles

Overlooking the city like a palace over a concrete kingdom, the Griffith Park Observatory is a movie location in Los Angeles that is as stunning in real life as it is in the movies. Taking in a scenic sunset or watching the stars dance above the city lights, it’s easy to see how this spot has been featured in so many Hollywood films.

Looking up at the Glass Fox Plaza building, the location of Die Hard.

2.) Fox Plaza

Most Known For: Die Hard

Location: 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles

In real life, it may be called Fox Plaza, but to most, it’s known as Nakatomi Plaza. At first glance, you would never suspect this normal looking office building to be the setting for one of the most popular action movies of all time. With sleek windows and quiet surroundings, the towering Fox Plaza is a great visit, even if you don’t see John McClane.

Lush plants and flowers decorate the mountain while the ocean waves crash below.

3.) Point Dume

Most Known For: Planet of the Apes and The Big Lebowski 

Location: Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, Malibu

Movie locations in Los Angeles are usually among the busy streets and city towers, but Point Dume shows the quiet and natural side of the city. An open vista of vibrant flowers and foliage with the ocean waves crashing along the shore below, even if you’re not into films, Point Dume is a beautiful spot well worth checking out.

Pristine streets and palm trees make up the glamorous Rodeo Drive, one of the top movie locations in Los Angeles.

4.) Rodeo Drive

Most Known For: Pretty Woman 

Location: Beverly Hills 

You will be hard pressed to find other movie locations in Los Angeles with the amount of glamour as Rodeo Drive. Showcasing dozens of the finest stores in the world, this pristine stretch of street is exactly what comes to mind when picturing the extravagant lives of Hollywood. But don’t worry, you won’t have to empty your wallet to have a good time on Rodeo Drive.

The sun set below the Santa Monica Pier with the carnival rides and soft sand in the foreground.

5.) Santa Monica Pier

Most Known For: Forest Gump 

Location: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica

One of the most iconic movie locations in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Pier is a place that’s always full of fun times. From the soft sand to the Ferris Wheel and carnival games, it’s no wonder many films have chosen this spot to fully encapsulate the West Coast vibes that Los Angeles is known for.

Looking down from the second level to see thousands of books on shelves at the Last Bookstore.

6.) The Last Bookstore

Most Known For: Gone Girl 

Location: 453 S Spring St Ground Floor, Los Angeles

Not every movie location in Los Angeles has to be a grand display or a historical landmark. Some can be as simple as a bookstore packed full of books. The Last Bookstore is a literary oasis surrounded by stories, and after coming here, you may even feel inspired to create your own.

The sun sets majestically over the city from the lookout point of Cathy's Corner, a must see movie location in Los Angeles.

7.) Cathy's Corner

Most Known For: LA LA Land

Location: Mt Hollywood Dr, Los Angeles

Perched right on the edge of a gorgeous lookout, it’s no wonder Cathy’s Corner was chosen as the perfect spot for one of LA LA Land’s most memorable scenes. Feel free to sing and dance just like Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as the sun sets on this sanctuary of scenic sights.

The gorgeous open wing of the Union Station in Los Angeles with its decorative ceiling and spotless floors.

8.) Union Station

Most Known For: The Dark Knight Rises

Location: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles

Train stations have been appearing in movies all throughout history, but few look as unique as Union Station. What makes this station special is the additional wing of open space ready to be transformed into whatever creative scene your film requires. Just like in The Dark Knight Rises, turning this elegant station into a scene of lawless madness.

Looking up at the giant donut decoration standing atop the roof of Randy's Donuts.

9.) Randy's Donuts

Most Known For: Iron Man 2

Location: 805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood

A seemingly normal 24-hour donut stand but with one unmistakable attraction. A massive donut placed right on top of the roof. Although we wouldn’t recommend you follow in Tony Stark’s footsteps by sitting in the center of the giant donut, it is still a great spot for some pictures and, of course, donuts.

19th century stairs leadup to the large glass roof of the Bradbury Building, a stunning movie location in Los Angeles.

10.) Bradbury Building

Most Known For: Blade Runner 

Location: 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles

A quiet place just off the city streets, you would never guess that inside this building would be a marvel of 19th-century architecture. Metal staircases and smooth finished wood bathed in the glow from the massive skylight show how stunning the Bradbury Building is, even without the help of movie magic.

One of the sets in Warner Brothers Studios, this being one of the Big Bang Theory with a couch, chair, and other apartment items.

11.) WB Studios

Most Known For: Thousands of shows and movies

Location: Burbank

It is almost guaranteed that you have seen at least one show or movie shot on this lot. Take a tour through fake buildings, houses, streets, and even entire towns, all recreated for shooting the gold standard of entertainment. Both TV and movies wouldn’t be what they are today without the imaginative ambition of Warner Brothers Studios.

A sign showing what the set of MASH looked like during the time of shooting at this spot in Malibu Creek State Park.

12.) Malibu Creek State Park

Most Known For: M*A*S*H

Location: Malibu

Malibu Creek State Park is a gorgeous open area full of peaceful views, and it was also the home of the most popular TV show in history. Used as the film site for M*A*S*H, the lush state park was turned into “wartime Korea,” complete with barracks, trucks, and other military equipment. Today, you can still see some of the props and plaques of this era defining show.

Share This Post