The Best "Film & Architecture" Movies of the Decade

It’s hard enough making a list for “Best Movies of the Year”, let alone a list for “Best Movies of the Decade.” But a list of “Best Film & Architecture Movies of the past 10 years”? Almost impossible. So yes, we probably left out one, or two, or seven really, really great films and we probably have movies in the “wrong” order. But, we tried our best and that’s what counts. Hopefully, we’ll get it right for next decade’s list. Or not…

10. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Yes, a movie with very few architectural spaces made the list for the best “Film & Architecture” Movies of the Decade. Why? Because George Miller created an entire world that is so immersive, original and visually stunning.

9. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Blade Runner 2049 borrows a page from Mad Max: Fury Road, where it pulls inspiration from it’s prequel film but tries to establish its own architectural universe. The original Blade Runner is one of the greatest Architectural Movies of all time so Blade Runner 2049 had a lot to live up to but Denis Villeneuve far exceeded our expectations.

8. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)

The film is a beautiful love letter, not only to an entire city (San Francisco), but to a very specific house. Joe Talbot and Jimmie Fails were able to tell an incredible story about the concept of family, an undying friendship and urban gentrification in today’s society. Also, to see our Interview with the film’s Production Designer, Jona Tochet, click here.

7. Black Panther (2018)

Due to special effects and computer-generated realities, Superhero Movies sometimes don’t get enough recognition for their Art Direction and Production Design. However, Black Panther was the first to get nominated and win for Best Production Design at the Academy Awards in 2019. This was thanks to Ryan Coogler and Hannah Beachler’s amazing depiction of the fictional African country of Wakanda.

6. Roma (2018)

For Roma, Production Designer, Eugenio Cabellero, had to take very personal memories from Director, Alfono Cuarón, and create exact locations from his childhood. Caballero and his team constructed or revamped entire boulevards to depict an accurate representation of 1970s Mexico City, all while creating spaces that would translate well into Black and White. For all that, it might be one of the most complex feats of Production Design ever done this decade.

5. A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story not only looks at the Architectural space of a home, but the psychology and phenomenology of these spaces in relation to ghosts. This film creates conversations and powerful discussions based on these concepts with a visual depiction that stays with you long after. Also, to see our Interview with the film’s Production Designer, Jade Healy and Director, David Lowery, click here.

4. Her (2013)

The Architecture for the film, Her, is subconscious. It is one of the most important aspects of the movie, and yet, it is not assuming or overpowering in any way. Director, Spike Jonze and Production Designer, K.K. Barrett were more interested in reflecting the emotional qualities of the characters through the Production Design. Everything from Theodore Twombly’s (Joaquin Phoenix) apartment to the entire city of Los Angeles was handled with unique perspective and masterful execution. Also, to see our analysis of the film for Archdaily, click here.

3. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson created a fictional Eastern European land called Zubrowka with its own original architecture, design aesthetic and fashion. Heavily inspired by the German artistic style Jugendstil, The Grand Budapest Hotel featured Art Nouveau details and referenced historical texts and photographic negatives from the 1920s to make sure the architectural landscape was accurate. It’s no wonder it won the Academy Award, Art Directors Guild Award and Critics Choice Award for Production Design.

2. Inception (2010)

Honestly, Inception could have made this list based on this scene alone - a scene in which an entire group of buildings are being flipped up and over a city during a dream sequence. Christopher Nolan has a knack for creating breathtaking Architectural Realities in his films and Inception is his best example of this. Fun Fact: It’s also the number 1 movie most referenced when you tell someone you like architecture and movies.

1. Columbus (2017)

To understand the film Columbus, you need to know some backstory: the city of Columbus, Indiana became a Midwestern Mecca of Architecture in the mid-1950s, thanks to J. Irwin Miller. Columbus tells the story of 2 characters trying to find themselves through the Architecture and Buildings of this amazing town. The Film’s director, Kogonada, has an affinity for Architecture and Architectural spaces and he delivers on every possible aspect you would want from a movie about “Film & Architecture”.