London’s iconic skyline makes our city an ideal location for films and television. Thousands of feature films, television programmes and music videos are filmed on the streets on London every year – sometimes in the most unexpected locations…

Here’s a few of our favourite London on Film moments:

1) An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The London Underground has served as a backdrop for many horror flicks and even the occasional romantic drama (eugh, Sliding Doors) but few capture the potentially deadly nature of our daily commute better than John Landis’ 1981 horror classic.

In An American Werewolf in London – backpacking student  David goes on a murderous rampage (while in wolf form) and attacks a commuter on the Tube. The attack was set in — and filmed at — Tottenham Court Road tube station with other underground scenes shot at Charring Cross.

Another fun fact – the scenes where David wakes up naked in the zoo were shot at London Zoo in Regent’s Park – presumably in an unoccupied cage…

2) 28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle’s hellish post-apocalyptic story begins when Jim awakes from a coma 28 days after a man-made virus has caused a nationwide catastrophe. The film’s opening scenes are set in parts of London normally heaving with crowds; Westminster Bridge and Piccadilly Circus shown to be completely deserted and in a state of near ruin.  Film crews shot these scenes very early in the morning,  sometimes for only 20 minutes,  to get the right effect.

3) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic drama sees American couple Doris Day and James Stewart embroiled in an assassination plot when their son is taken hostage. The primary action takes place in Morocco but when the kidnappers flee to London, the parents follow.

Various exterior scenes were filmed around Brixton and Camden with most interiors filmed on set in Hollywood. The film’s famous climatic scene – where the parents hinder an assassination attempt at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington – is a stunning  piece of direction from old Alfie – running at 12 minutes without any dialogue!

4) Notting Hill (1999)

An obvious choice I admit – but no discussion of London film would be complete without a nod to the Godfather of British Rom-Com Richard Curtis. The ethnic cleansing he performed on one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods is almost as impressive as the amount of locations he rams into one 90 minute film.

There’s The Ritz, Hampstead Heath, The Savoy Hotel, Leicester Square, Kenwood House, Nobu  and of course many streets around Notting Hill itself.

It’s rumoured that recent owners of the building that Hugh Grant’s character occupied have repainted the famously blue front door (see above)  - probably a wise move.

5) Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Another zombie flick – and cinema’s first ever ‘Zom-Rom-Com’ – is a comic homage to George A Romero’s classic un-dead horror movies of the 1970s. Unlike other apocalyptic films that show destruction of iconic buildings, Shaun of the Dead uses relatively suburban locations. Zombies swarm around Shaun’s house in Weston Park and his girlfriend Liz’s flat in Highgate.

Most of the film’s action takes place at Shaun’s ‘local’ boozer The Winchester, which is actually located south of the river at 39 Monson Road in New Cross. The sad news for big Edgar Wright fans is that the original pub The Duke of Albany has since shut down and been converted into flats.

To check out more places in and around London check out Spoonfed for popular places to visit in London!

Have you got a favourite London on Film moment? Add it in the comments below!