Best Movies About New Orleans

From Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Rated PG-13

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the life of Frank Abagnale, who, before his 19th birthday, successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars by posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor and a Louisiana parish prosecutor. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale, with Tom Hanks as FBI agent Carl Hanratty. Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, and Nathalie Baye are featured in supporting roles. The film follows the life of Frank Abagnale, who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor and a Louisiana parish prosecutor. Despite being pursued by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), Abagnale is able to evade capture while learning vital lessons in life. In the end, Abagnale lands a job with the FBI to help Hanratty, and is pardoned for his crimes. This inspiring story highlights the importance of trust and friendship, and is a testament to the power of forgiveness.

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 American historical legal thriller film about the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy directed by Oliver Stone. The film explores the events leading up to the assassination and its aftermath. A New Orleans district attorney, Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), discovers there is more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy involving key figures in the military, CIA and government who may have been part of a larger plot. The film also explores the magic bullet theory, which suggests that more than one shooter was involved in Kennedy's murder. Many of the details surrounding the assassination are disputed, but Oliver Stone's investigation reveals the possibility of a much more intricate plot than what was originally thought.

From Elia Kazan, starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
Rated PG

A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1951 American drama film directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, and Kim Hunter. The screenplay is adapted from Tennessee Williams's 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name. The film tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern belle who, after encountering a series of personal losses, moves in with her sister and brother-in-law in New Orleans. Although she attempts to adjust to her new life, she struggles to deal with their poverty, her faded beauty, and her brother-in-law's brutish behavior. The film also touches on issues of race, gender, and class in the post-WWII South. The film was critically acclaimed and won four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Leigh and Best Supporting Actress for Hunter.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond
Rated PG-13

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows the story of Benjamin Button, a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. Throughout his life, Benjamin experiences unique and extraordinary events, from making friends with a young girl in a nursing home to serving in World War II. Along the way, he struggles to find a purpose and place in the world as he moves through life in reverse. Throughout his journey, Benjamin's love for Daisy, a woman he meets while living in New Orleans, is a constant source of support and motivation. As his life winds down, Benjamin discovers the true power of love and learns to accept the ever-changing nature of life.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Rated R

Down by Law is a 1986 black-and-white comedy-drama film directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Tom Waits, John Lurie and Roberto Benigni. It follows the story of three men from different walks of life who have all been wrongfully imprisoned and must overcome their differences in order to escape. The trio includes a pimp, an unemployed disc jockey, and an Italian tourist and, through a series of misadventures, they find themselves attempting to break out of prison and make a run for freedom. With its blend of humor, pathos and philosophical musings, Down by Law is a classic of modern independent cinema.

From Tim Robbins, starring Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry
Rated R

Dead Man Walking is a 1995 crime drama film directed by Tim Robbins, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Based on the non-fiction book by Sister Helen Prejean, it tells the story of a death-row inmate and his spiritual redemption at the hands of a nun who befriends him. The film follows Matthew Poncelet, a Louisiana inmate on death row for the murder of two teenagers, and his spiritual advisor, Sister Helen Prejean, as they grapple with the morality of the death penalty. Through her counsel and friendship, Matthew begins to find a sense of peace and redemption, and the two are eventually able to reconcile the crime with the person who committed it. Despite having helped Matthew find peace, Sister Helen remains firmly opposed to capital punishment, and the film ends with a call to abolish the death penalty in the U.S.

From Dennis Hopper, starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Mendoza
Rated R

From Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling
Rated X

From Louis Leterrier, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson
Rated PG-13

From Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Jim Caviezel, Val Kilmer
Rated PG-13

From Shainee Gabel, starring Scarlett Johansson, John Travolta, Gabriel Macht, Deborah Kara Unger
Rated R

From Gary Fleder, starring John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman
Rated PG-13

From Robert Schwentke, starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

From Joel Schumacher, starring Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

From Guy Hamilton, starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James
Rated PG

From Alan J. Pakula, starring Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, John Heard
Rated PG-13

From Jim McBride, starring Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman
Rated R

From Bruce Beresford, starring Ashley Judd, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Benjamin Weir
Rated R

From Louis Malle, starring Brooke Shields, Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon, Frances Faye
Rated R

From Tarsem Singh, starring Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley
Rated PG-13

From Iain Softley, starring Kate Hudson, Peter Sarsgaard, Joy Bryant, Gena Rowlands
Rated PG-13

From Gavin Hood, starring Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston
Rated PG-13

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren
Rated R

From Eric Heisserer, starring Paul Walker, Genesis Rodriguez, Nancy Nave, Shane Jacobsen
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Richard Tuggle, Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Geneviève Bujold, Dan Hedaya, Alison Eastwood
Rated R