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London has always been an inspirational city. From its people to its iconographic landmarks, the British capital is the perfect location to tell certain stories. Indeed, this is what many filmmakers have done over the years. Famous directors have made some of their best work in London, but so have many independent ones. From rom-coms to horror flicks, London stands out as one of the top film capitals of the world.
In this gallery we compile some of the best movies set in London. Click through to get to know them.
Mike Newell's rom-com starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell is quintessentially British. Set in the capital, viewers are treated to views of Highbury Fields (where the main character lives) and the South Bank.
Aliens invading a South London estate? Sounds like fun, right? Most of the film is set in the Heygate Estate in Elephant & Castle.
This comedy set in mid-’80s South London gives us a glimpse into the political, social, and racial tensions lived during the Thatcher era in the capital. Most of the movie is set in Wandsworth and Lambeth.
This film is as London as it gets—Paddington's journey through the London Underground is already a classic. But the movie is not all about the tube, or indeed Paddington station. There are plenty of other cool locations, including the Natural History Museum.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are two Londoners who try to survive a zombie invasion. They ultimately take refuge in a pub called The Winchester. This is actually a real pub in New Cross called the Duke of Albany.
The British social realism movie directed by New Cross-born Gary Oldman explores the themes of violence, poverty, and addiction. The movie was mostly shot in the Ferrier Estate in Kidbrooke, Greenwich (now demolished).
Another quintessential British rom-com, 'Bridget Jones's Diary' is mostly set in London. The character played by Renée Zellweger lives in Borough, South London.
Arguably one of the greatest British gangster movies of all time, John MacKenzie takes us into the world of Cockney crime boss Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins). From pubs to St George-in-the-East church in Shadwell, there are plenty of cool London locations in this movie.
'Notting Hill' is a classic London movie. After all, it revolves around a bookshop on the famous Portobello Road.
Richard Lester filmed the famous Liverpool band in London. Locations include Marylebone Station and Mayfair, among others.
The funny heist movie features plenty of London locations, including Heathrow Airport. The scene where Otto (Kevin Klein) dangles Archie Leach (John Cleese) out of a window was shot at New Concordia Wharf in Bermondsey, southeast London.
As the name suggests, this horror comedy cult classic is set in the capital. In fact, it could well be an itinerary for any tourist visiting London. Locations include Tower Bridge, the London Zoo, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, and Hampstead Heath.
Clive Barker's cult movie is also set in the capital. In fact, fans can actually visit the 'Hellraiser' house at 187 Dollis Hill Lane in northwest London.
Cillian Murphy's character wakes up from a coma to a London wiped out by a virus. The movie has incredible shots of many of the capital's highlights completely desolated.
Stanley Kubrick's iconic film featuring a milk-drinking ultraviolent gang is set in London. There are a few classic scenes around the Thamesmead estate in southeast London.
Michelangelo Antonioni's film about a London fashion photographer transports us to the Swinging Sixties. From Stockwell Road to Holland Park Avenue, the movie takes us on a journey through the capital.
James Bond is a British spy, and as such, most James Bond movies are (at least partly) set in the capital. Pictured is Daniel Craig as James Bond during the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012.
The movie may be set in a dystopian future version of the capital, but it's still shot in London, from Hackney to Westminster and beyond.
'Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels' is just one of the many Guy Ritchie movies set in the capital. After all, London is home to Ritchie's favorite cockney mobsters.
Everyone knows Sherlock Holmes is a London detective who lives on Baker Street, right?
Bruce Robinson's movie depicts working-class life in Camden Town in the late '60s pretty well. There is, however, a scene on the M25 orbital motorway, which hadn't yet been built at the time.
Michael Powell's film has the seedy streets of Soho as a backdrop. Spots such as Rathbone Place feature in the movie, among others.
The movie starring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter depicts the royal family, and as such, a great part of it is shot in London.
A Guy Fawkes mask? This has to be in London, right? The dystopian political movie was shot in multiple locations across the capital, including Aldwych and Surrey Street, to name a few.
'Love, Actually' is yet another great London movie. After all, Hugh Grant plays the prime minister and lives in the PM's residence at 10 Downing Street.
Katie Jarvis plays a dance-obsessed teenager named Mia who lives in Barking, so technically it's still part of London. There are many scenes shot in Essex, but some Tower Hamlets estates also make an appearance in the film.
Gurinder Chadha's sports comedy-drama revolves around a teenager from Hounslow in west London.
Set in post-war east London, the movie features a really cool chase scene in the old Temple Mills railway yard in Stratford.
The main character in 'The Servant' lives in one of London's most expensive areas: the Royal Avenue in Chelsea.
Sources: (IMDB) (Time Out) (Yardbarker) (Condé Nast Traveler)
See also: Iconic movies set in New York
The best movies set in London
From rom-coms to horror films
MOVIES Uk
London has always been an inspirational city. From its people to its iconographic landmarks, the British capital is the perfect location to tell certain stories. Indeed, this is what many filmmakers have done over the years. Famous directors have done some of their best work in London, but so have many independent ones. From rom-coms to horror flicks, London stands out as one of the top film capitals of the world.
In this gallery, we compile some of the best movies set in London. Click through to get to know them.