Modern technology has both revitalized and created avenues for making movies in Hollywood. Thanks in large part to a move towards digital filmmaking, movies can now tell stories and depict visuals in a way that never have before. The green screen, for instance, as outlined by Filmmaker IQ, has allowed filmmakers like James Cameron to tell stories set in faraway planets. In fact, per Slash Film, Cameron had the idea for Avatar at the same time as Titanic, but chose to pursue the latter because the special effects industry in the 90s wasn't capable of illustrating he was imagining for Pandora.
More than anything, shoot a movie digitally is significantly cheaper than shooting on film. Of course, several filmmaking greats, like Quentin Tarantino, swear by shooting their movies on film. Additionally, we have seen directors like Christopher Nolan fight to keep film alive in Hollywood, believing in the significance of the medium that digital techniques cannot emulate. For proof, here's a look at the best modern movies shot on film.
7 Inception
Inception was released in 2010, directed by Nolan, and become a cultural phenomenon when it was released. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio in a leading role as a professional thief who steals information by invading his target’s subconscious. Nolan is a huge advocate for the continuation of using film in cinema, and the majority of the film is shot on either 35mm or 65mm. This is a hybrid filmmaking style that Nolan would become known for.
6 Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
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Quentin Tarantino is another director who has historically stressed the importance of film in cinema, shooting all of his movies with film as opposed to digital methods. This can be seen in his latest success, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood. The film centers around Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), a faded star who struggles alongside his friend Cliff (Brad Pitt) to reobtain fame. The film is shot on Kodak 35mm film and the stylistic choice pays off, adding to the overall homage to Hollywood past.
5 Little Women
The latest adaptation of Little Women was directed by Greta Gerwig and features an ensemble cast including Laura Dern, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, and Emma Watson. The film is set in the years following the civil war, following a group of sisters as they all move in different directions, whether emotionally, economically, geographically, or professionally, all the while trying to remain united. The movie received excellent reviews and the sentimental feeling is amplified by the stylistic choice of using 35mm film for key filming moments.
4 Junebug
Junebug was directed by Phil Morrison and released in 2006. The film tells the story of an independent artist, Madeline (Embeth Davidtz), who is convinced by her husband, George (Alessandro Nivola), that they should stop to meet his family in North Carolina. Their lives are very different, and they clash at times, but the experience allows her to gain a deeper insight into George. The film was shot on 16mm, and it feels like the appropriate choice for the tone overall.
3 A Quiet Place Part II
A Quiet Place Part II was the highly anticipated follow-up to the successful original and was released in 2020 under the direction of John Krasinski. Set directly after the events of A Quiet Place, the Abbott family continues to fight to stay hidden in the apocalyptic world they have found themselves in. The movie was shot on film, which is quite an unusual choice for a modern horror film, but the decision certainly pays off.
2 Black Swan
Black Sawn was released in 2011 to huge acclaim, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. Portman plays Nina, a ballerina who is extremely passionate about ballet dancing, and this quickly invades every aspect of her life. Kunis plays Nina, who embodies everything Nina is not as a dancer, and the two engage in a twisted friendship that sees reality become distorted. The movie was shot on film, and the editing was done carefully to achieve the best visual effects that we see in the finished film.
1 La La Land
La La Land was a huge success upon its release, and sees Ryan Gosling star as Sebastian and Emma Stone as Mia, two people who are drawn to each other through a connection that is based on doing what they love. Their love is tested as they face the realities of the world, and their relationship becomes strained. The film is visually incredible and one of these stylistic choices by director Damien Chazelle was to shoot on 35mm, harkening back to old Hollywood musicals, meaning everything had to be done in as few takes as possible.