The Films About The Film Industry subgenre resides within the Drama and Comedies genres and typically includes other subgenres such as Black Comedies, Action Thrillers and Suspense Thrillers. Films about Movies often feature different areas of Film production including screenwriting, casting, production, special effects and stunt work. The Film Industry itself often has the mirror turned back onto it by these films as it’s one of the most popular yet dysfunctional industries in the world.
Hollywood has parodied itself going all the way back to the 1950’s with Sunset Boulevard (1950). This film paved the way for a slew of films over the next two decades which included many Film Industry parodies and satires with The Producers (1970), Hollywood Boulevard (1976), Silent Movie (1976) and The World’s Greatest Lover (1977). Other films in this decade included biopic films of Hollywood icons with Valentino (1977), how the inner workings of a studio operate with The Last Tycoon (1976) or highlighting an area of film production such as stunt work with Hooper (1978).
In the 1980’s, films about Hollywood and filmmaking continued in popularity and covered a variety of themes. Parodies of the Film Industry continued to be popular with To Be or Not to Be (1983), Three Amigos (1986) and Hollywood Shuffle (1987). Films focusing on areas of production and editing such as special effects, stunt work and sound recording were also popular with The Stunt Man (1980), Blow Out (1981), Special Effects (1984) and F/X (1986). Other notable films about Hollywood this decade included Hero at Large (1980), S.O.B. (1981), Body Double (1984), Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988), Cinema Paradiso (1988) and The Big Picture (1989).
The 1990’s saw an increase in Films About The Film Industry with many classics of the subgenre. Classic subgenre films of this decade included The Hard Way (1991), The Player (1992), Swimming with Sharks (1994), Ed Wood (1994), Living in Oblivion (1995), Get Shorty (1995), Boogie Nights (1997) and Bowfinger (1999). Other notable films of the decade included White Hunter, Black Heart (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Gods and Monsters (1998) and Notting Hill (1999).
The 2000’s saw a continuation of Films About Hollywood but suffered from quantity over quality. While there was an increase in the number of films using Hollywood or filmmaking as a backdrop, there were only a few classic subgenre films of the decade including Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Adaptation. (2002), Lost in Translation (2004), The Aviator (2004), For Your Consideration (2006) and Tropic Thunder (2009). Notable films of this decade included Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), S1m0ne (2002), Baadasssss! (2004), The Last Shot (2004), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), Bewitched (2005) and Inglourious Basterds (2009).
The 2010’s saw a Golden Age of Films About The Film Industry emerge as many classic films of the subgenre were released and other themes of filmmaking were explored. Voice-over work was featured In In a World… (2013), Hollywood agents and child actors were the main theme of Trust Me (2013), and Actors’ rights over their digital representations were covered in The Congress (2013). The Horror genre and Suspense subgenre also saw prominence in this decade with a fake movie production set against the Iranian Revolution in Argo (2012), the horror of ambition in Hollywood with Starry Eyes (2014), and a classic Quentin Tarantino film split between a past his prime actor and alternate reality with the Manson Family in Once Upon A Time… in Hollywood (2019). Classic subgenre films from this decade included Saving Mr. Banks (2013), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)(2014), Uzumasa Limelight (2014), Moonwalkers (2015), The Disaster Artist (2017), One Cut of the Dead (2017) and Dolemite Is My Name (2019).
There have been a few Hollywood and filmmaking-themed films from the 2020’s, but none have become classics or achieved the status of the great subgenre films from prior decades. However, a few notable films from this decade include Mank (2020), The Beta Test (2021) and Being the Ricardos (2021).
Our list of Films About The Film Industry includes over 143+ films from 1950 – 2021. The films in this subgenre feature many aspects of filmmaking including casting, editing, screenwriting, production, stunt work, special effects and more. For our list of Top Films About The Film Industry You Haven’t Seen Yet, we had to leave a few great films off the list including these notable efforts: Hero at Large (1980), The Stunt Man (1980), F/X (1986), The Big Picture (1989), The Hard Way (1991), Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Shadow of the Vampire (2000), S1m0ne (2002), And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (2003), The Last Shot (2004), In a World… (2013) and Uzumasa Limelight (2014). Finally, we also wanted to highlight a film any aspiring Screenwriter should watch with Tales from the Script (2009). This is technically a documentary but has many interviews with established screenwriters on how they’ve made it and what they’ve had to deal with in Hollywood. This film is only on DVD but it’s a must buy and watch if you plan on a screenwriting career. You can watch a highlight of the film here.
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here is our list of Top Films About The Film Industry You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Hooper
Plot: Legendary stunt man knows he must get out of the industry before he becomes permanently disabled.
KBZ’s Take: The second collaboration between stuntman-turned-director Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds. It’s also one of the only films that show practical stunt work in Hollywood before CGI became popular (Stunt Man (1980) being the other film). It’s not as well known as Reynolds more popular Smokey and the Bandit (1977) franchise but it’s still a great film showing both the danger of the stunt work in Hollywood and the personalities that lay their life on the line for one last great stunt. Highly recommend film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RjZMmH
#9
Moonwalkers
Plot: In 1960’s London, a CIA agent has to put together a team to fake the moon landing.
KBZ’s Take: This is a little-known gem of a film that is also a Stoner Comedy – and this is one laugh out loud funny film. It’s a bit hard to describe but it features stoners, gangsters, a fake moon landing (with stoned actors), an unstable CIA agent (played by Ron Pearlman), and a search for Stanley Kubrick. Highly recommended comedy of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Stoner Comedies You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XPMBfM
Plot: A look at the day in the life of an assistant to a powerful entertainment executive.
KBZ’s Take: This film won’t be for everyone as there’s little to no plot and it’s basically just the daily tasks an entertainment executive’s assistant deals with over the course of a few days. However, if you are looking to get into the film industry, this is a must-see film as it shows a bit of the mundane tasks you’ll endure before you can even get into a position of importance. It’s not as shocking as Swimming with Sharks (1994) but is a slow burn on how ambition can take its toll on you.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80182014
Plot: The story of Rudy Ray Moore, who created the pimp character Dolemite in the 1970’s.
KBZ’s Take: Over 40 years of Eddie Murphy’s storied career, this is one of his best and funniest films. It’s a great look into the ‘fake it until you make it’ mentality of low budget filmmaking and the belief in what you’re creating. There are many funny moments in this film including quite a few ‘budget filmmaking’ improvisations that even the best filmmakers have to make at times. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Y6gXu7
#6
Bowfinger
Plot: Filmmaker puts together a ragtag production team that will feature the biggest star in Hollywood – without the star knowing he’s in the picture.
KBZ’s Take: A classic film of the subgenre, it was a popular film in the late 1990’s but has been a forgotten film over the last two decades. It’s still a laugh out loud funny film that parodies many aspects of filmmaking. With Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy anchoring the film, it’s still one of the best films of the subgenre and shouldn’t be missed.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Dqdq1Z
Plot: Film crew shooting a zombie film are attacked by real zombies.
KBZ’s Take: There’s not much more you can say about this film beyond its basic plot without ruining the film. Yes, it’s a Horror Comedy about a film shoot gone wrong, but it’s much, much more than that. It’s one of those films where when you get to the end, you want to rewatch right away to see what you might have missed. It truly is a ‘meta’ defining film.
Additional Lists: Top World Cinema Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #8, Top Films About Zombies You Haven’t Seen #4
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wGTJiI
Plot: Director of a low budget indie film tries to keep his production together as things fall apart.
KBZ’s Take: This film is required watching for anybody thinking of getting into film. While it’s a comedy, it’s also realistic in its portrayal of ‘what can go wrong, will go wrong’ on a film production. There are so many classic moments in this film, it’s hard to list just one. While non-filmmakers will still enjoy this film, it’s a film that will have anybody involved with a film production laughing from start to finish. One of the best films of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WQKyH1
#3
Trust Me
Plot: Former child star and struggling agent tries to sign a young Hollywood starlet.
KBZ’s Take: Two areas of Hollywood and the filmmaking process are not often covered by Films About The Film Industry – child actors and agents. While Jerry Maguire (1996) focused on an agent in the Sports Industry, Trust Me covers both an entertainment agent and the young children in film productions that require agents. While the film is noted as a Black Comedy, it’s much more than that. The first half of the film is more comedic in nature as Clark Gregg’s agent attempts to sign the up-and-coming Hollywood starlet. However, the second half of the film takes a much darker turn and shows some of the seedier sides of Hollywood. A must watch film of the subgenre and one of its best.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Hn37wA
Plot: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel brought to life in a film about a movie producer slowly working himself to death.
KBZ’s Take: This film has been lost to time but it’s still one of the best of the subgenre. Many people that work in Hollywood will tell you they have no life outside of work – and this film helps show how and why. While it covers the inner workings of a movie studio and the demands required to run it, the film is much better at showing how a relationship will always take a back seat to the demands of entertainment. Though the film received mixed reviews at the time, we can vouch for this being a great film of the subgenre and one that you shouldn’t miss. Special note: This is the only film to star both Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson in the same film and also has a stellar cast with Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jeanne Moreau, Donald Pleasance, Theresa Russell and Ingrid Boulting.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Rpvcbq
Plot: Young film executive snaps and takes his abusive Hollywood Producer boss hostage.
KBZ’s Take: This film is #1 for one reason only – if you have worked in the film industry (especially on the development or producing side), you will nod your head knowingly at some of the scenes that seem outlandish to people who have never experienced it. It’s about the constant abuse an assistant will take before eventually snapping. And it’s about how Hollywood operates and the mentality of ‘the abuse is because I care and want to make you stronger to survive in this industry’. It’s that type of cyclical thought process that has made the entertainment industry one that few will last in. But it’s also another great film showing the type of work you’ll be expected to do at the bottom…if you can deal with it. Best film of the subgenre and one of the best hidden gem films.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WIYyT6
