It’s a common practice in literature and media to create fake places for your stories. Maybe the real ones aren’t available or are poorly suited to your movie or show. Perhaps no real place exists that can meet the needs of your story, yet you want everything to be grounded in reality. Being a major […]
The London Fiver – Five London Film Studios Where Hollywood Magic Happens
Since the days of silent films, London has had a number of studios producing movies that entertain audiences all over the world. Today, several major studios can be found within the city itself and in the outer reaches of Greater London. The studios present in the city today are responsible for some of cinema’s biggest […]
The 00Fiver – Five James Bond Experiences in London
You don’t need “00” clearance to know that James Bond calls London home. From Whitehall to Les Ambassadeurs, London is as important a setting in a James Bond film as Monaco, Jamaica, and Macau. It should come as no surprise, then, that the city is full of Bond and spy related experiences. Fans of the […]
The London Fiver – Five Classic Animated Series That Take Place in London
As one of the major cities of the world, London has had plenty of media in which it features as the setting. Plays, films, radio, and television have all taken turns making London as much of a character in their tales as any protagonist. Much like these media, cartoons have also used London as a […]
Top Ten Things to See and Do in Notting Hill
Known to most people outside of London for the 1999 film written by Richard Curtis and starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, Notting Hill is really one of the most affluent and charming boroughs in London. Those wanting to visit this neighborhood can easily find a number of great restaurants, pubs, shops, and sights to […]
London on Film: Harry Potter Filming Locations To Visit in London
While the latest film in the Harry Potter universe, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, takes places exclusively in New York City, London has certainly been an important place to these stories. Throughout the books and over the course of eight films, London has played a central role in the story of the Boy […]
London on Film: London Filming Locations in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
While many of Marvel’s films have not focused on London, it hasn’t stopped Marvel Studios from filming there, typically at Pinewood or Shepperton Studios. However, these films have not simply confined themselves to the studio lots and have often moved into the city as well. At least four Marvel films have used different locations in […]
London on Film: Top Ten Children’s Films Set in London
While many London films focus on adults, it’s important to remember that children have an important place in the city’s stories too. Plenty of movies geared towards a younger audience have London as a setting. These can range from classic literature adaptations to entirely original tales, both animated and live-action. In each, London is an […]
London on Film: Top Five London Based Sports Films
Sports are one of the most important parts of London city life, whether football, cricket, tennis, rugby, the London Marathon, and more. The city is home to thirteen football clubs, Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. London even has American Football teams such as the London Blitz and the London Cobras. For […]
London on Film: Ten London Based Gangster Movies – Which one is your favourite?
Every city has its criminal element, and London is no exception. The universe of the criminal underground is one that varies in its organization and is full of complex, interesting characters. Filmmakers have long called on the complexities to tell stories of another side of the city that most people do not see. These films […]
London on Film: Top Ten Comedy Films Set in London – Which One is Your Favourite?
London is a city of laughs, and that has been on display for decades in British film. From the poshest part of Kensington to the most Cockney neighbourhood in the East End, many humourous stories have been put to the screen. They feature some of Britain’s greatest actors from Sir Alec Guinness to John Cleese. […]
London on Film: Top Ten Romance Films Set in London – Which is Your Favourite?
Everyone loves a good romantic film. We like the idea of two people living happily ever after, and the City of London has many such stories. In every corner of the city over the last few decades, there have been stories of people falling madly in love, often through trying (and sometimes hilarious) circumstances. What’s […]
The London Fiver – Top Five London Dystopia Films – Which One is Your Favourite?
A dystopia can be defined as an imaginary place where life is unpleasant, the opposite of a utopia. This is more than just the characters having a bad day, nearly always featuring an oppressive government that has come about either as a response to some past cataclysm or the gradual development of a police state. […]
This is the End: The London Film Fiver – Five London Apocalypse Films
There are lots of ways that civilisation can end, especially in movies. Sometimes it’s through disease, a disaster, or man trying to play god. In any event, the cataclysm results in the breaking down of society. Sometimes it comes back and turns into a dystopia, but in the meantime, it’s generally every person for themselves […]
Event Alert: Watch a Movie in the Moat at the Tower of London in August
For centuries, the moat surrounding the Tower of London was the last thing many unfortunate guests saw as they went to the execution at the bloody tower. This summer, the moat will serve a completely different purpose – an open air cinema. The Luna Cinema, an open-air film-screening event company, revealed they would be partnering […]
London on Film: Five of the Top Filming Locations in London Used in Movies
As much as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Prague, London is one of the most popular places in the world to film a motion picture. Of course, it certainly has plenty of iconic locations that can be used for anything from simple establishing shots to major plot settings. With all of these locations, it […]
London Movies: London Blows Up in London Has Fallen
You may remember a few years ago that there were two movies about the White House being taken over. One was called Olympus Has Fallen. It was a pretty terrible movie. But it made a ton of money. So, a sequel was inevitable. What have they decided to destroy in the sequel? London! The trailer […]
For Silly Walks: A Guide to Monty Python’s London
“It’s!” This line opening nearly every episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus heralded comedy unlike any Britain had seen at the time. Growing out of such comedy shows as Spike Milligan’s Q5, At Last the 1948 Show, and The Frost Report, the six Pythons comprising John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, […]
Movies Under the Stars: Film4 Summer Screen line-up at Somerset House
Every summer, a series of outdoor film screenings is held in the courtyard at Somerset House in London. It’s a popular event and comes back every year. Film4 who are sponsoring the event this year have released the line-up for this year – it’s a mix of new movies and classic films: Gemma Bovery Gustave […]
City of Magic: A Brief Guide to Harry Potter’s London
Besides Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, London is perhaps the most featured location in the Harry Potter films. Unlike the first two locations, London is a place that isn’t dressed up to look like somewhere else, as Alnwick Castle has filled in for Hogwarts or the Goathland train station has played the role of Hogsmeade. In London, […]
The London Fiver – Top 5 Modern (Post 1990) Films Set in London – What’s Your Favorite?
With London as their backdrop, a number of films from the 1990s-onward have become instant classics and given audiences a modern view of the city. Crime, comedy, romance, diversity, and magic are all present in London’s recent film history, and even though the films are newer, they nonetheless established themselves as classics. Have a look […]
Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!
