Favorite San Francisco Movies
by videodude80 | created - 28 Jun 2011 | updated - 29 Sep 2011 | PublicSan Francisco has been a backdrop of many films, from Steve McQueen's Lt. Frank Bullitt gunning down the streets to chase bad guys in "Bullitt" to Jimmy Stewart's traumatized detective and his fear of heights in "Vertigo".
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1. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
PG-13 | 93 min | Comedy, Romance
A San Francisco poet who fears commitment suspects his girlfriend may have a knack for killing off her significant others.
Director: Thomas Schlamme | Stars: Mike Myers, Nancy Travis, Anthony LaPaglia, Amanda Plummer
Votes: 42,819 | Gross: $11.59M
In many respects, I consider SIMAAM the best contemporary representation of contemporary San Francisco, even if it is set in the 90's. Employing top notch cinematography, SIMAAM is in no short order of fulfilling the Myers onscreen persona, with Austin Powers in dual roles both as lead Charlie and Charlie's eccentric Scottish father. The latter role defines Myers in a scenery chewer of a role that shows early signs of Fat Bastard from the Austin Powers series. Among some of the more San Franciscoish things put onscreen, include local places like Fog City Diner where Myers and company have dinner to a tour of Alcatraz that's lead by the late great Phil Hartman (in one of many cameos).
2. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
PG-13 | 125 min | Comedy, Drama
After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife.
Director: Chris Columbus | Stars: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Votes: 290,591 | Gross: $219.20M
Former resident Robin Williams stars in one of his biggest hits as an unemployed actor who poses as an English nanny to be closer to his family. Quality shots of Pacific Heights
3. Vertigo (1958)
PG | 128 min | Mystery, Romance, Thriller
A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock | Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Votes: 426,451 | Gross: $3.20M
4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
PG | 115 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city's residents one body at a time.
Director: Philip Kaufman | Stars: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
Votes: 69,751 | Gross: $24.95M
5. Bullitt (1968)
M/PG | 114 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A nonconformist San Francisco cop is determined to find the underworld kingpin who killed the witness under his protection.
Director: Peter Yates | Stars: Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, Don Gordon
Votes: 75,767 | Gross: $42.30M
6. Mother (II) (1996)
PG-13 | 104 min | Comedy, Drama
A neurotic, twice-divorced sci-fi writer moves back in with his mother to solve his personal problems.
Director: Albert Brooks | Stars: Albert Brooks, Debbie Reynolds, Paul Collins, Laura Weekes
Votes: 6,787 | Gross: $19.12M
7. The Presidio (1988)
R | 97 min | Action, Crime, Mystery
A San Francisco civilian police detective is forced to work on a series of murders with his former enemy commanding officer while dating his daughter.
Director: Peter Hyams | Stars: Sean Connery, Mark Harmon, Meg Ryan, Jack Warden
Votes: 19,977 | Gross: $20.04M
8. Pacific Heights (1990)
R | 102 min | Thriller
A couple work hard to renovate their dream house and become landlords to pay for it. Unfortunately, one of their tenants has plans of his own.
Director: John Schlesinger | Stars: Melanie Griffith, Matthew Modine, Michael Keaton, Mako
Votes: 22,740 | Gross: $29.38M
9. Milk (I) (2008)
R | 128 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of American gay activist Harvey Milk, who fought for gay rights and was elected as California's first openly gay official.
Director: Gus Van Sant | Stars: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna
Votes: 179,775 | Gross: $31.84M
10. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Passed | 100 min | Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery
San Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre
Votes: 166,485 | Gross: $2.11M
11. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
PG-13 | 105 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
A substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.
Director: Rupert Wyatt | Stars: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Karin Konoval
Votes: 557,878 | Gross: $176.76M
12. Dirty Harry (1971)
R | 102 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
When a man calling himself "the Scorpio Killer" menaces San Francisco, tough-as-nails Police Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is assigned to track down the crazed psychopath.
Directors: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood | Stars: Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
Votes: 168,134 | Gross: $35.90M
13. The Laughing Policeman (1973)
R | 112 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
In San Francisco, California, one victim in a mass murder is a police detective. His partner and a new partner investigate in the city's seamy side.
Director: Stuart Rosenberg | Stars: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, Louis Gossett Jr., Albert Paulsen
Votes: 3,223 | Gross: $1.36M
14. Zodiac (2007)
R | 157 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Between 1968 and 1983, a San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorizes Northern California with a killing spree.
Director: David Fincher | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards
Votes: 597,565 | Gross: $33.08M
15. The Game (1997)
R | 129 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
After a wealthy San Francisco banker is given an opportunity to participate in a mysterious game, his life is turned upside down as he begins to question if it might really be a concealed conspiracy to destroy him.
Director: David Fincher | Stars: Michael Douglas, Deborah Kara Unger, Sean Penn, James Rebhorn
Votes: 428,711 | Gross: $48.32M
16. The Towering Inferno (1974)
PG | 165 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
At the opening party of a colossal, but poorly constructed, office building, a massive fire breaks out that threatens to destroy the tower and everyone in it.
Director: John Guillermin | Stars: Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunaway
Votes: 48,199 | Gross: $116.00M
17. North Beach (2000)
Not Rated | 78 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
News of a slacker's infidelity spreads like wildfire throughout a tight knit San Francisco neighborhood, leading the man to retrace his steps and win back his girlfriend.
Directors: Jed Mortenson, Richard Speight Jr. | Stars: Casey Peterson, Jennifer Milmore, Richard Speight Jr., Jim Hanna
Votes: 161
18. Fog City Mavericks (2007)
TV-14 | 119 min | Documentary
Fog City Mavericks explores and applauds the extraordinary cinematic achievements of San Francisco Bay Area filmmakers, with notable attention to the way in which their lives and work ... See full summary »
Director: Gary Leva | Stars: Carroll Ballard, Brad Bird, Ronald Colby, Chris Columbus
Votes: 211
19. The Bridge (I) (2006)
R | 94 min | Documentary, Drama
Filmmakers use hidden cameras to capture the various suicide attempts at the Golden Gate Bridge - the world's most popular suicide destination. Interviews with the victims' loved ones describe their lives and mental health.
Director: Eric Steel | Stars: Eric Geleynse, Chris Brown, Susan Ginwalla, Caroline Pressley
Votes: 12,203 | Gross: $0.18M
20. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
PG-13 | 117 min | Biography, Drama
A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career
Director: Gabriele Muccino | Stars: Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Votes: 560,096 | Gross: $163.57M
21. The Rock (1996)
R | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
A mild-mannered chemist and an ex-con must lead the counterstrike when a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz against San Francisco.
Director: Michael Bay | Stars: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, John Spencer
Votes: 357,852 | Gross: $134.07M
22. Sneakers (1992)
PG-13 | 126 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
A security pro finds his past returning to haunt him when he and his unique team are tasked with retrieving a particularly important item.
Director: Phil Alden Robinson | Stars: Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Sidney Poitier, Jo Marr
Votes: 62,471 | Gross: $51.43M
23. Haiku Tunnel (2001)
R | 88 min | Comedy
Josh has an offer to "go perm" at his employer and the first task is to mail 17 high priority letters....something that seems a little difficult to do.
Directors: Jacob Kornbluth, Josh Kornbluth | Stars: Josh Kornbluth, Warren Keith, Sarah Overman, Leah Alperin
Votes: 1,339 | Gross: $0.25M
24. Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
PG | 112 min | Action, Biography, Crime
Alcatraz is the most secure prison of its time. It is believed that no one can ever escape from it, until three daring men make a possibly successful attempt at escaping from one of the most infamous prisons in the world.
Director: Don Siegel | Stars: Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau
Votes: 147,300 | Gross: $43.00M
25. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
PG-13 | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A rough-and-tumble trucker and his side kick face off with an ancient sorcerer in a supernatural battle beneath Chinatown.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong
Votes: 153,721 | Gross: $11.10M
26. The Darwin Awards (2006)
R | 94 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance
To investigate bizarre insurance claims that transpired in either accidents, death or both, a former cop and an insurance investigator travel throughout the country to look at the cases up close.
Director: Finn Taylor | Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Winona Ryder, David Arquette, Ty Burrell
Votes: 10,436
27. Cherish (2002)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
After a martini-induced rampage, a fantasy-prone young woman is placed under house arrest.
Director: Finn Taylor | Stars: Robin Tunney, Tim Blake Nelson, Brad Hunt, Liz Phair
Votes: 2,939 | Gross: $0.18M
28. Freebie and the Bean (1974)
R | 113 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
San Francisco police detectives Freebie and Bean are determined to bust local crime boss Red Meyers at any cost, even if this means destroying the whole city in the process.
Director: Richard Rush | Stars: Alan Arkin, James Caan, Loretta Swit, Jack Kruschen
Votes: 3,582
29. Crumb (1994)
R | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
An intimate portrait of controversial cartoonist Robert Crumb and his traumatized family.
Director: Terry Zwigoff | Stars: Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb
Votes: 21,578 | Gross: $3.17M
30. 24 Hours on Craigslist (2005)
82 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
This is about Craig Newmark popular classified ads website and the diverse postings that occur on the site in a single day.
Director: Michael Ferris Gibson | Stars: Rachel Berney, Mike Curtis, Holly Dalton, Darleen Hollis
Votes: 220
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