Movies About San Francisco

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Rated PG

Vertigo is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. The film tells the story of John "Scottie" Ferguson (Stewart), a retired police detective suffering from vertigo, who is hired by an old college friend to follow his wife, Madeleine (Novak). As Scottie investigates Madeleine, he becomes obsessed with her and eventually falls in love with her, despite his knowledge that she is in danger. After Madeleine's death, Scottie is driven to unravel the mystery of her life and death, leading him to a shocking and tragic conclusion. The film explores themes of obsession, identity, and sanity. It is widely regarded as Hitchcock's masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time.

From Gabriele Muccino, starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe
Rated PG-13

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 biographical drama film based on the inspiring true story of Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith). Chris is a struggling single father struggling to make ends meet and provide for his young son. When Chris loses his job, he is determined to make a better life for himself and his son. He takes an unpaid internship at a prestigious investment firm where he must compete with other interns in order to secure a job. Through his determination, hard work, and courage, Chris is able to overcome the odds and eventually achieve his dream of becoming a successful stockbroker. The film is a powerful reminder that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve great success, no matter the odds.

From J.J. Abrams, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy
Rated PG-13

Star Trek is a 2009 American science fiction action film directed by J.J. Abrams. The film follows James T. Kirk, a young rebellious Starfleet cadet, and Spock, a half-Vulcan/half-human science officer, on their journey to save the galaxy from a vengeful Romulan from the future, Nero. Along the way, they must work together to overcome their differences and save the universe from destruction. With the help of their crew, the USS Enterprise, and their friends, the two are able to find a way to defeat Nero, and restore order and balance in the universe. The film also explores the complex relationships between their crew, and how the decisions they make have an impact on the fate of the universe.

From David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Rated PG-13

The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. The film focuses on the story of Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of the social networking website Facebook. The film chronicles the legal struggles that ensued as various parties vied to gain control of the company. It stars Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, and Armie Hammer as the Winklevoss twins. The story begins in the fall of 2003 when Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard University sophomore, is dumped by his girlfriend. In a fit of rage, he creates a website called Facemash, which allows visitors to compare two photos side by side and vote on which is hotter. The site quickly becomes a massive success, crashing Harvard's computer network and drawing the attention of the university's administration. He is soon summoned to the administration's office where he faces formal charges of violating the university's honor code. Afterward, Mark's best friend Eduardo Saverin and he create a social network called thefacebook, which soon catches on with students across the country. As thefacebook grows in popularity, the attention of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs begins to focus on

From John Frankenheimer, starring Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand
Rated Not Rated

Birdman of Alcatraz is a 1962 drama film directed by John Frankenheimer. It stars Burt Lancaster as Robert Stroud, a convicted murderer who is sent to the notorious Alcatraz Prison. While imprisoned, Stroud discovers a passion for ornithology, which helps him cope with his harsh environment. Over time, Stroud becomes an expert on birds and becomes known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz", gaining respect from his fellow inmates and prison staff alike. Despite his achievements, Stroud's hopes for a pardon are repeatedly denied and he is eventually transferred to a prison in Washington. The film follows Stroud's journey of self-discovery and showcases the impact of his newfound passion on his life.

From David Fincher, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards
Rated R

Zodiac is a 2007 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. The film is based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film follows the investigation of a police inspector (Ruffalo) and a cartoonist (Gyllenhaal) as they attempt to solve the mystery of the Zodiac Killer. As the investigation progresses, they uncover evidence pointing to a suspect (Downey Jr.), but are unable to make a conviction. As time passes, the suspects life goes on and the case remains unsolved. The film culminates in a tense showdown between the cartoonist and the suspect, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

From Directors: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
Rated R

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action-thriller film directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood as San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan. It follows Callahan as he pursues a terrorist known as the "Scorpio Killer" (Andy Robinson). After the city refuses to pay the ransom demanded by Scorpio, Callahan works outside the law to bring him to justice. The film set the style for a whole genre of police films and has been followed by four sequels. It was a critical and commercial success and it established Eastwood as a major movie star.

From Wayne Wang, starring Tamlyn Tomita, Rosalind Chao, Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin
Rated R

The Joy Luck Club is a 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan's best-selling novel of the same name. The film tells the story of four Chinese-American immigrant families and their struggles to bridge the gap between the traditional world of their Chinese mothers and the modern world of their American-born daughters. The film follows the lives of four mothers, Suyuan, An-Mei, Lindo, and Ying-Ying and their four daughters, June, Rose, Waverly, and Lena, over the course of several decades as they battle conflicts, guilt, and cultural expectations. Despite their differences, the mothers and daughters form an unbreakable bond that carries them through a journey of identity, self-discovery, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of their family and their place in the world.

From Don Siegel, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan
Rated Approved

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1956 science fiction horror film directed by Don Siegel. The film is based on Jack Finney's novel The Body Snatchers, and tells the story of a small town in California that is slowly being taken over by alien "pod people". The protagonist, Miles Bennell, is one of the few people left who hasn't been replaced by a pod person and must battle to save his town and the world. Through it all, Miles slowly discovers the truth about the alien invasion and the horrifying implications for the future of humanity. The film is renowned for its allegorical themes and its commentary on Cold War paranoia.

From David Fincher, starring Michael Douglas, Deborah Kara Unger, Sean Penn, James Rebhorn
Rated R

The Game is a 1997 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, and Deborah Kara Unger. The film follows Nicholas Van Orton (Douglas), a wealthy investment banker who is given an unusual gift for his 48th birthday—his brother, Conrad (Penn), gives him the opportunity to participate in a mysterious game that could either make or break him. After encountering a mysterious set of rules and a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations, Van Orton must battle his own psychological demons in order to survive and win the game. Along the way, he begins to unravel the truth behind the game and finds himself fighting for his life and sanity. In the end, Van Orton must decide whether or not to accept his fate and become a part of the game.

From Bennett Miller, starring Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated PG-13

Moneyball is a 2011 film directed by Bennett Miller. It is based on the true story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his attempt to build a successful baseball team on a budget. After the team loses most of its stars to wealthier teams, Beane is forced to reinvent his approach to scouting and player acquisition. He turns to Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), an economics graduate, who uses sabermetrics, a form of data-driven statistical analysis, to identify undervalued players. Beane and Brand assemble a roster of undervalued players that manage to compete with the richer teams and make a historic 20-game winning streak. Despite the team's success, Beane's methods are met with opposition from the traditionalists within the organization. In the end, Beane's methods prove to be successful, and the Oakland A's become one of the most successful teams in baseball.

From Rupert Wyatt, starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Karin Konoval
Rated PG-13

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a 2011 science-fiction film directed by Rupert Wyatt. The film follows the story of a scientist, Will Rodman, and a chimpanzee, Caesar, who are at the center of a medical breakthrough that could change the world. Will’s company, Gen-Sys, has created a revolutionary drug designed to cure Alzheimer’s, but it has unexpected side effects on primates, giving them advanced intelligence. Caesar eventually escapes the lab and joins a group of apes living in the Muir Woods, where he is able to use his newfound intelligence to unite them and lead them in a revolt against humanity. As the conflict between the humans and the apes intensifies, it becomes clear that Caesar and his people are set to inherit the planet in a battle of survival.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna
Rated R

Milk is a biographical drama film which follows the life and times of Harvey Milk. He was an American politician and the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. The film chronicles his successes in the gay rights movement, the adversity he faced due to his sexuality, and his eventual assassination in 1978. It stars Sean Penn as Milk and Josh Brolin as his assassin, Dan White. The film also features James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, and Alison Pill, among others. Through the lens of Harvey Milk's life, the film holds up a mirror to the social, political, and legal struggles of the LGBT community in the 1970s. It is a powerful and inspiring celebration of a remarkable man who changed history and made a lasting impact on the fight for civil rights.

From Alexander Payne, starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Rated R

Sideways is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne and directed by Alexander Payne. It stars Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church as two middle-aged men who take a road trip to the Santa Ynez Valley in California wine country to celebrate one's upcoming wedding. Along the way, the two men bond and reflect on their lives, while encountering several characters unique to the region. The friendship between the two men is tested as they explore their relationships with the people around them and with themselves.

From Peter Yates, starring Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, Don Gordon
Rated M/PG

From Michael Bay, starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed Harris, John Spencer
Rated R

From Leonard Nimoy, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

From W.S. Van Dyke, starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Barry Nelson, Donna Reed
Rated Passed

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein
Rated PG-13

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn
Rated R

From Chris Columbus, starring Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill, Oliver Platt
Rated PG

From Walter Hill, starring Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O'Toole, Frank McRae
Rated R

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow
Rated PG-13

From Brett Ratner, starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Matt Damon, Cécile de France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Thierry Neuvic
Rated PG-13