100+ Movies like La La Land
Day Out of Days
Both "La La Land" and "Day Out of Days" follow the struggles of aspiring actresses in Los Angeles trying to make it big in the entertainment industry. The protagonists, Mia and Mia Roarke, face numerous setbacks and rejections in their pursuit of acting careers, including demoralizing auditions and missed opportunities. They also navigate complex romantic relationships with men in the entertainment business, Sebastian and Liam respectively, which intersect with their professional ambitions. The films explore the challenges of balancing personal dreams with the harsh realities of the industry, as well as the sacrifices required to achieve success. Ultimately, both movies depict the protagonists achieving a level of fame and recognition, though at the cost of their romantic relationships not working out as envisioned. The narratives parallel each other in chronicling the ups and downs of chasing artistic aspirations in Hollywood.
Here and Now
Both "La La Land" and "Here and Now" follow the stories of artists pursuing their dreams and passions in the entertainment industry, while navigating the complexities of relationships and personal sacrifices. The protagonists, Mia and Vivienne, are aspiring actresses facing numerous rejections and setbacks, but find solace and inspiration in their respective love interests, Sebastian and Jordan, who are musicians struggling to make their mark in the music world. The films explore the themes of ambition, love, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional goals. Both couples experience a rift in their relationships due to conflicting priorities and misunderstandings, leading to a temporary separation. However, they ultimately come to appreciate and support each other's dreams, even if it means letting go of their romantic relationship. The narratives also feature parallel scenes of the protagonists wandering aimlessly through the city, reflecting on their lives and choices. Additionally, both films incorporate musical performances and dream sequences that showcase the characters' artistic talents and imagined futures. In the end, the protagonists find success in their respective fields, but at the cost of their romantic relationships, leaving them with a bittersweet acknowledgment of the paths they have chosen.
Sylvie's Love
"Sylvie's Love" and "La La Land" are both romantic dramas that explore the challenges of pursuing artistic dreams while navigating a romantic relationship. Both films center around a couple - Sylvie and Robert in "Sylvie's Love", and Mia and Sebastian in "La La Land" - who share a passion for their respective art forms (music and acting) but struggle to balance their careers with their love for each other. The plots follow similar arcs, with the couples meeting, falling in love, and initially supporting each other's ambitions, only to face conflicts and separations as their careers take different paths. Ultimately, both films explore the bittersweet reality of sacrificing aspects of one's dreams for love, or vice versa, with the endings leaving the couples separated but acknowledging their enduring connection. The themes of artistic passion, romantic compromise, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of reality are central to both stories.
Mulholland Drive
Both "La La Land" and "Mulholland Drive" explore the dreams and struggles of aspiring artists in Los Angeles. The protagonists, Mia and Betty/Diane, pursue careers in acting while navigating complex romantic relationships. The films depict the harsh realities of trying to make it in Hollywood, with characters facing rejection and setbacks. There are surreal, dream-like sequences that contrast with the gritty reality, reflecting the characters' fantasies and desires. The stories also involve love triangles and the darker side of ambition, with characters making difficult choices to achieve their goals. Ultimately, both films examine the sacrifices and compromises required to succeed in the entertainment industry, and the toll it can take on personal relationships and mental well-being.
Expired
Both "La La Land" and "Expired" follow the story of an aspiring artist pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles while navigating a tumultuous romantic relationship. The protagonists, Mia and Claire, encounter their respective love interests, Sebastian and Jay, through chance encounters and develop an initial attraction despite their contrasting personalities and lifestyles. The films explore the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with romantic commitments, as Mia and Claire struggle to reconcile their partners' lack of support for their artistic pursuits. Ultimately, both movies culminate in the protagonists achieving success in their careers but parting ways with their romantic partners, leaving the audience to ponder the sacrifices required to achieve one's dreams.
If I Stay
Both "La La Land" and "If I Stay" follow the stories of young, passionate artists pursuing their dreams in the arts - Mia as an actress and Sebastian as a jazz musician in "La La Land", and Mia as a cellist in "If I Stay". The films explore the challenges of balancing their artistic ambitions with romantic relationships, as Mia and Sebastian's relationship in "La La Land" faces strain due to their diverging career paths, similar to Mia and Adam's relationship in "If I Stay". Both movies feature pivotal moments where the characters must choose between their art and their love, leading to bittersweet endings where they achieve success in their respective fields but end up separated from their romantic partners. The films also incorporate fantasy sequences imagining alternate realities where the characters' dreams and love coexist harmoniously. Overall, the movies share themes of passion, sacrifice, and the difficult choices artists face in pursuing their ambitions while maintaining personal relationships.
The Year of Spectacular Men
Both "The Year of Spectacular Men" and "La La Land" follow the story of a young woman pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress in Los Angeles, while also exploring a romantic relationship with a struggling artist. The main characters in both films have a chance encounter that leads to a romantic connection, despite initial conflicts and misunderstandings. They support each other's artistic ambitions but also face challenges as their careers progress, leading to tensions in the relationship. Ultimately, they achieve success in their respective fields but have to make difficult choices about their relationship, resulting in a bittersweet ending where they part ways but still share a deep connection. The films explore themes of following one's passion, the sacrifices required for artistic success, and the complexities of balancing career and personal life.
Breathe In
Both "La La Land" and "Breathe In" explore the theme of pursuing artistic dreams versus settling for a more conventional life. The protagonists, Sebastian and Keith, are musicians who have put their passions on hold to support their relationships and families. They find renewed inspiration through young, aspiring artists - Mia and Sophie - with whom they develop romantic connections. However, their affairs threaten to disrupt their existing lives and relationships. Ultimately, both films depict the protagonists having to choose between their artistic ambitions and their domestic responsibilities, with the endings leaving their futures ambiguous. The parallel character arcs, themes of artistic fulfillment versus conformity, and the central romantic entanglements make "Breathe In" a thematically similar film to "La La Land".
Stretch
Both "La La Land" and "Stretch" follow the stories of aspiring artists in Los Angeles struggling to achieve their dreams. The protagonists, Sebastian and Stretch, are passionate about their crafts - jazz music and acting, respectively - but face numerous setbacks and challenges. They meet and form a romantic connection with Mia and Charlie, fellow artists pursuing their own ambitions. The films explore the sacrifices and compromises the characters must make to balance their careers and relationships. Ultimately, while their paths diverge, the protagonists find a way to stay true to their artistic visions, even if it means letting go of their romantic relationships. The movies capture the bittersweet nature of chasing one's dreams in the competitive world of the entertainment industry.
Post Grad
Both "La La Land" and "Post Grad" follow the stories of young, ambitious individuals pursuing their dreams in the entertainment industry while navigating the challenges of relationships and careers. The protagonists, Mia and Ryden, face setbacks and disappointments in their respective fields of acting and publishing, but find solace and inspiration in their romantic partners, Sebastian and Adam. The films explore the themes of passion, sacrifice, and the balance between personal and professional aspirations. Both movies feature a central romantic relationship that undergoes strain due to conflicting goals and priorities, ultimately leading to a bittersweet resolution where the characters achieve success in their careers but must make difficult choices regarding their personal lives. The narratives parallel each other in their depiction of the struggles and compromises inherent in chasing one's dreams in a competitive and demanding industry.
Babylon
Both "La La Land" and "Babylon" follow the intertwined stories of aspiring artists pursuing their dreams in the entertainment industry of Los Angeles. The protagonists, Sebastian and Manny, are passionate about their respective art forms of jazz music and filmmaking, while Mia and Nellie are struggling actresses determined to make it big. The films explore the challenges of balancing personal relationships with professional ambitions, as well as the sacrifices required to achieve success. They also depict the allure and excess of Hollywood's party culture. Ultimately, both movies culminate in the protagonists achieving their goals but at the cost of their romantic relationships, reflecting the bittersweet nature of pursuing one's dreams. The films share a nostalgic, romanticized view of the entertainment industry's golden age while acknowledging its darker underbelly.
Dark Horse
Both "La La Land" and "Dark Horse" follow the story of an aspiring artist pursuing their dreams in a big city while navigating a romantic relationship. The protagonists, Mia and Abe, face struggles and setbacks in their respective artistic fields of acting and writing. They find solace and inspiration in their romantic partners, Sebastian and Miranda, who are also artists striving for their own ambitions in music and literature. The films explore the challenges of balancing personal dreams with relationships, and the sacrifices one must make to achieve success. Ultimately, both stories depict the bittersweet reality of how careers and relationships can diverge, even for those deeply in love, as the characters must choose between their passions and their partners. The films use dream sequences and surreal elements to contrast the characters' aspirations with their eventual realities, highlighting the theme of unfulfilled dreams and the paths not taken.
Chico & Rita
Both "La La Land" and "Chico & Rita" follow the story of two aspiring artists - a musician and an actress/singer - who fall in love and struggle to balance their careers and relationship. The central characters have a passionate but tumultuous romance, driven by their ambitions and the challenges of pursuing their artistic dreams. Their relationship is tested by career opportunities that pull them apart, leading to a bittersweet ending where they achieve success but ultimately go their separate ways, though still harboring feelings for each other. The movies explore themes of sacrifice, compromise, and the conflict between personal desires and professional aspirations in the artistic world.
Those People
"Those People" parallels "La La Land" in its central story of two aspiring artists pursuing their dreams in a major city while navigating a complex romantic relationship. Both films follow the arcs of a musician (Sebastian/Tim) and an actress/artist (Mia/Charlie) who meet, fall in love, and struggle to balance their careers and ambitions with their relationship. Key plot points include the initial meet-cute, bonding over their artistic passions, supporting each other's dreams, relationship strain due to career conflicts, a temporary breakup, and ultimately parting ways while still caring for one another as their paths diverge. The films explore similar themes of sacrifice, compromise, and the challenges of maintaining love amidst pursuing one's artistic ambitions in a harsh, competitive environment like New York or Los Angeles.
Santa Barbara
"Santa Barbara" parallels "La La Land" in its story of two aspiring artists in Los Angeles - Jung-woo, a music director, and Soo-kyung, a creative director - who meet by chance and develop a romantic relationship as they pursue their dreams in the entertainment industry. Like Mia and Sebastian in "La La Land", Jung-woo and Soo-kyung face challenges balancing their careers and relationship, leading to a temporary breakup due to a misunderstanding. However, they are given another chance to work together and rekindle their romance on a project in Santa Barbara, mirroring the dream sequence in "La La Land" where Mia and Sebastian imagine their ideal life together. Both films explore the sacrifices and compromises required to achieve success in the arts while maintaining a meaningful relationship.
Friends with Benefits
Both "La La Land" and "Friends with Benefits" follow the story of two aspiring individuals pursuing their dreams in a major city while navigating a complex romantic relationship. The protagonists, Sebastian and Mia in "La La Land" and Dylan and Jamie in "Friends with Benefits", initially meet by chance and form a close connection despite their different career paths. Their romantic involvement starts as a casual fling but evolves into deeper feelings, leading to conflicts as they struggle to balance their ambitions with their relationship. Ultimately, they part ways to focus on their respective careers, though they still harbor love for each other. The films explore themes of following one's passion, the sacrifices required for success, and the challenges of maintaining a relationship amidst personal goals. Both movies feature dream sequences depicting an idealized version of the couple's life together, contrasting with the reality of their diverging paths.
Coyote Ugly
Both "La La Land" and "Coyote Ugly" follow the story of a young woman pursuing her dreams of a career in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles/New York City. The protagonists, Mia and Violet, face struggles and setbacks in their respective fields of acting and songwriting. They meet a romantic interest, Sebastian and Kevin, who is involved in the music industry and supports their ambitions. The films depict the challenges of balancing a relationship with career aspirations, culminating in a temporary separation before the protagonists ultimately achieve success in their chosen paths, though their romantic relationships take different trajectories. The movies explore themes of following one's passion, perseverance, and the sacrifices required to make it in the entertainment world.
Disappearing Acts
Both "La La Land" and "Disappearing Acts" follow the romantic relationship between two aspiring artists struggling to achieve their dreams in a big city. The central characters are a jazz musician (Sebastian in La La Land, Franklin in Disappearing Acts) and an aspiring actress/singer (Mia in La La Land, Zora in Disappearing Acts). Their initial meeting is marked by a chance encounter and an immediate connection despite initial friction. As their relationship blossoms, they inspire and support each other's artistic ambitions. However, the pursuit of their careers eventually strains the relationship, leading to conflicts and a temporary breakup. In the end, though they part ways, they acknowledge the profound impact their love had on each other's lives and artistic journeys. The films explore themes of following one's passion, the sacrifices required to achieve dreams, and the bittersweet nature of love and ambition.
Love Again
"Love Again" parallels "La La Land" in its central premise of two aspiring artists - a musician and an actress/writer - meeting and falling in love in a major city while pursuing their creative dreams. Both films follow the ups and downs of their romantic relationship as they navigate the challenges of their respective careers and ambitions. Key similarities include: - The initial meet-cute between the two leads, followed by a series of chance encounters that bring them together - The struggle to balance their passion for their art with the practical realities of making a living - A pivotal moment where their relationship is strained due to conflicting priorities and missed opportunities - An extended dream/fantasy sequence depicting an idealized version of their life together had their careers and relationship flourished - The bittersweet ending where, despite their enduring love, they ultimately go their separate ways to pursue their individual paths to success Both films explore the themes of love, ambition, sacrifice, and the challenges of making it in the entertainment industry, with the city itself serving as a vibrant backdrop and character in the story.
On the Line
Both "La La Land" and "On the Line" are romantic comedy-dramas that follow the lives and careers of aspiring artists in Los Angeles. The protagonists, Sebastian and Mia in "La La Land" and Kevin and Abbey in "On the Line", meet by chance and develop a romantic connection despite pursuing their respective dreams of becoming a jazz musician and an actress/actor. Their relationships face challenges as they navigate the difficulties of pursuing artistic careers in a competitive city like Los Angeles. The films explore themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the balance between personal relationships and professional goals. Both movies feature dream sequences where the characters imagine an idealized version of their lives together. Ultimately, the couples realize that while their romantic relationships may not last, they can still support each other's artistic aspirations and find fulfillment in their chosen paths.