We listed some of our favorite films that will be especially interesting to architects and architecture lovers.
Some films are included for their incredible world-building.
Maybe you are working on all the complicated building program included in a tower design.
Left to right (top): Blade Runner 2049, Black Panther, Ex Machina, The Grand Budapest Hotel; left to right (bottom): Her, Inception, Parasite, High-Rise
Keep scrolling to find your next favorite film!
Officer K is suddenly thrown into a quest to find Richard Deckard (Harrison Ford).
Why you should watch:Blade Runnermay be an obvious choice for this list.
Cityscape in Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Why you should watch:This is a decidedly stunning film with a fully realized world within it.
The nation of Wakanda has well earned a place on this list.
It is often cited as an inspiration for futuristic African cities currently in planning, likeAkon City.
Wakanda in Black Panther (2018)
As we approach a new age of material innovation, Wakanda may provide inspiration for building with new resources.
It is neither East or West, but could be Belgrade or Scunthorpe on a drizzly day in February.
Or Cicero, Illinois, seen through the bottom of a beer bottle.
Jack Lint Portrayed by Michael Palin in Brazil (1985)
Caleb must spend his time discerning just how human Ava is.
Why you should watch:Ex Machinais a great film for architects interested in new technologies and architecture.
The futuristic scenes and the luxurious background of Nathans home create a great backdrop for this suspenseful sci-fi film.
Kyoko portrayed by Sonoya Mizuno and Ava portrayed by Alicia Vikander in Ex Machina (2014)
He is also a firm believer in modernism and struggles to convince those around him to abandon outdated ideas.
Why you should watch:Howard Roark ofThe Fountainheadmay be the most influential depiction of an architect in film.
The unique city imagery is inspired by Hong Kong in the 90s.
Architect Howard Roark portrayed by Gary Cooper with Ellsworth Toohey portrayed by Robert Douglas in The Fountainhead (1949)
The movie poster alone makesThe Grand Budapest Hotelworthy of a spot on this list.
But the even more vibrant and carefully composed scenes will definitely inspire you to design some colorful interiors.
The film follows Twombly and Samanthas complicated relationship.
Cityscape in Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Men were seen wearing high-waisted pants only slightly different than todays office wear.
Public spaces are wide clean spaces with modern furniture, transit spaces seem cleaner and more efficient.
Plus, architecture is always influenced by future technology.
Movie poster for The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
It is a far cry from his usual work of simply observing and taking information from his targets.
If Cobb is able to achieve this, he gets a new shot at life.
As he and other extractors navigate through a dream, they shape the world around them in incredible ways.
Theodore Twombly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in Her (2013)
Bjarke Ingels from BIG has even said that he thinks architecture should be like the documentary version ofInception.
Why is this scene so popular among designers?
Architects are constantly thinking of new ways to shape the city and the world around them.
City Bending Scene in Inception (2010)
Why you should watch:The Matrixmakes the list for its unique world-building and incredible futuristic structures.
This incredible futuristic city is sure to inspire architecture lovers.
The physical space they inhabit includes symbolic design moves that hint at this relationship.
Lobby Scene in The Matrix (1999)
Why you should watch:Parasiteis one example of a film where architecture acts as a character.
The physical space they inhabit includes symbolic design moves that hint at this relationship.
Many designers recognize the role of vertical levels that create hierarchy in a project.
Cityscape in Metropolis (1927)
It has never been clearer than in this 2020 film.
This film is one you will just have to watch to really understand.
Ballard,High-Risetakes place in a massive residential tower designed by a genius architect.
Movie poster for Midnight in Paris (2011) featuring Gil Pender portrayed by Owen Wilson
Why you should watch:High-Riseis one of the rare popular films that features a depiction of an architect.
While chaos and class warfare erupt below, he removes himself from the consequences of his design.
Now, most of the world is inundated and much of the human population is gone.
Villa Arpel from Mon Oncle (1958)
Why you should watch:Waterworldarguably features no real architecture.
It is certainly difficult to find a building in the almost completely underwater world where the movie takes place.
Related Articles:
Kim Ki-taek portrayed by Song Kang-ho in Parasite (2019)
Architect Anthony Royal portrayed by Jeremy Irons in High-Rise (2015)
Mariner portrayed by Kevin Costner in Waterworld (1995)
