Six Contemporary Films Shot in San Francisco

Six Contemporary Films Shot in San Francisco, Red Carpet Bay Area
Image credit: Pixabay

It’s no secret, the San Francisco Bay Area’s picturesque views, sheer vibrancy, and unique culture make it a popular setting for filmmakers. The number of films shot in San Francisco over the years has actually led to several guides and tours around the city to explore the famous film sites.

While film buffs know San Francisco as the shooting location of favorites such as Vertigo, Dirty Harry, Sister Act, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Rock, the city has also served as the setting for more contemporary releases. Here is a list of some of the more recent films that were shot in California’s fourth most populous city.

Steve Jobs


Of course, the 2015 biopic of Apple founder Steve Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender, was shot in the Bay Area. The screenplay based on the biography written by Walter Isaacson bore the same title as the film. The film also starred Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels.

Inside Out


According to culture site Thrillist, the animated film Inside Out features Riley, a young girl, who moves with her young family from Minnesota to Russian Hill. Despite being animated, residents will be able to easily identify places within San Francisco in the movie.

Blue Jasmine

The Woody Allen-produced film featured Cate Blanchett, who played Jasmine, a New York socialite who moves to San Francisco with her sister after she encounters marriage problems with her husband, Hal (Alec Baldwin).

Taste of Cinema relates how Blanchett’s performance in the film allowed her to win an Oscar. Allen was also praised for his production, which is quite different from his usual comedic movies.

About Cherry

About Cherry is an indie film that was shot entirely in San Francisco. reveals all of the film’s views of San Francisco. It stars Ashley Hinshaw as an 18-year-old girl who runs away from home only to find herself recruited into the city’s porn industry.

Lili Taylor, Oscar winner Dev Patel, and James Franco star in the film alongside veteran actress Heather Graham. Recently, according to the official Foxy Bingo Wikipedia page, Graham is the focal point of a new marketing campaign to promote the UK-based gaming giant on a global stage. Graham remains popular across a myriad of different markets, most notably for her youthful appearance.

In the film, Graham plays Margaret, the woman responsible for hiring Hisnhaw.

The Forger

The Forger, also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, is an indie movie featuring a talented artist who was abandoned by his mother. He finds himself lured into the world of art forgery because of the prospect of earning a lot of money. The movie is the last film that Lauren Bacall starred in, and also features Josh Hutcherson, Hayden Panettiere, Alfred Molina, and Dina Eastwood.

The Man Who Wasn’t There

The Man Who Wasn’t There is a 2001 neo-noir crime film written, directed, and produced by Ethan and Joel Coen. It features a barber in a small town who attempts to make money by blackmailing an embezzler, only to find himself and his wife going on a downward spiral after triggering a worrying chain of events. The film stars Billy Bob Thronton, Scarlett Johannson, Tony Shalhoub, the late James Gandolfini, Jon Polito, Richard Jenkins, Michael Badalucco, and Frances McDormand.