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La La Land

La La Land

Here's to the fools who dream.

2016128 minPG-13Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Director
Damien Chazelle
Starring
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt

Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.

Where to watch

Where can I watch La La Land?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists La La Land streaming on Lionsgate+ via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about La La Land?

La La Land earns 13 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

Show 5 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is La La Land worth watching?

La La Land's Midcredits score is the 97th percentile of all films, from 6.2M ratings across 6 sources. 84% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

97th percentile

Better received than 97% of films

98th percentile among Comedy97th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)97th
Approval (how many liked it)94th

81 /100

97th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Comedy97th percentile among 2010s

Critics 94 · Audience 81

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

84% liked it

94th percentile of all films

96th percentile among Comedy95th percentile among 2010s
84% rated it 7–1016% rated it 1–6

Critics 91% · Audience 82%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 48 wins / 50 noms overall

  • WonGolden Globes· Best Director - Motion Picture
  • WonGolden Globes· Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

99th percentile

6.2M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Comedy99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 2% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$30M
Opening weekend$881K
Domestic gross$151M
Worldwide gross$523M

Returned 17.4× its budget — 99th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually beautiful, nostalgic throwback to old Hollywood musicals with two charming leads.

Fans praised

  • genuine, palpable chemistry between Gosling and Stone that sells the romance
  • stunning, vibrant cinematography and color palette that evoke classic Hollywood
  • bittersweet, emotionally resonant ending that feels true to life

Detractors panned

  • leads are weak singers and dancers, amateurish for a musical
  • thin, predictable story that drags in the middle
  • forgettable songs that lack the power of classic musicals

What stands out

Cinematography92

gorgeous long takes, vivid color, and lighting

Atmosphere88

dreamy, nostalgic love letter to LA and old Hollywood

ActingDivisive80

leads' chemistry widely praised but some call Gosling one-note

Emotional impactDivisive70

ending deeply moves fans; detractors find it unearned

Sound and musicDivisive65

catchy score but divisive songs; lead vocals criticized

EndingDivisive60

bittersweet resolution divisive: satisfying for some, frustrating for others

CharactersDivisive55

thinly written supporting cast; leads' motivations feel schematic

Plot and storyDivisive50

simple boy-meets-girl story, predictable but functional

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 10 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is La La Land like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticBittersweetHopefulMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
Romantic · 8% of filmsWarmDreamlike · 2% of films: Logic gives way to atmosphere and association.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters and their dreams with genuine affection and earnestness, even as it acknowledges the painful cost of ambition.
The rideThe film maintains a light and romantic tone for most of its runtime, with the emotional weight settling in the final act as the dream sequence underscores what was lost.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically across seasons, following a conventional arc of meeting, romance, conflict, and a time-jump epilogue.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film lingers with the beauty of what was lost and the quiet acceptance of the path each character chose.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% (this title) · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Doomed love: Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).

9% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story follows two artists whose love for each other is ultimately sacrificed for their individual dreams, leading to a bittersweet outcome that shapes their futures.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsAmbition · 7% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how romantic love can both fuel and conflict with personal ambition, and whether pursuing dreams requires sacrificing the relationship.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of a perfect love that could not coexist with uncompromising ambition, treating both romantic love and personal dreams as worthy but finally incompatible.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral modernJazzPopForeground music · hybrid · Justin Hurwitz
Settingmodern-day Los Angeles, from bustling freeways and Hollywood studios to intimate jazz clubs and the Griffith Observatory
MusicThe score and songs are integral to the storytelling, with recurring themes like 'Mia and Sebastian's Theme' and the dreamlike 'Epilogue' anchoring the emotional arc.

Content guide

Is La La Land okay for kids?

PG-13

La La Land is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (2/100), sexual content at minimal (14/100), language at mild (34/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (9/100) and frightening material at minimal (13/100). Overall it is heavier than 1% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 30 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • BrazilL
  • BelgiumAL
  • DenmarkA
  • FinlandS
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary12
  • IndiaA
  • IsraelAll
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Norway9
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia16+
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • SwedenBtl
  • Switzerland0
  • Taiwan普通級
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 2% of all filmsHeavier than 1% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 2%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 18%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 29%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 9%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 14%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 29% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does La La Land have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in La La Land?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; 2 award-winning performances in the cast.

Ryan Gosling
as Sebastian
Globe win: Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or ComedyTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Emma Stone
as Mia
Oscar win: Academy Award — Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Legend
as Keith
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Rosemarie DeWitt
as Laura
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Finn Wittrock
as Greg
Callie Hernandez
as Tracy
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Sonoya Mizuno
as Caitlin
Jessica Rothe
as Alexis
Tom Everett Scott
as David
Josh Pence
as Josh

Crew

More like this

What are movies like La La Land?

Movies like La La Land include Saawariya (2007), Becoming Jane (2007) and My Oxford Year (2025). Of the 12 closest matches, half are films about ambition, and most are films that feel romantic.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 12 share its character type: enemies to lovers. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with La La Land?

1.4K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: enemies to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.