We’ve narrowed down a list of classic movies for you to watch by selecting a range that we believe are vastly improved by neon lights. You may have noticed that neon signs are quite present in movies as they allow for impactful cinematography and strong visual statements.
So, without further ado, here are some of our favorite movies featuring neon signs – grab your popcorn and get inspired! You could turn your favourite movie quote into a neon sign. Or maybe give your your favorite character the glow up they’ve always deserved. Harry Potter’s scar. Wonder Woman’s whip. Heck, even Terminator’s eyes if you’re that way inclined....
Skyfall (Sam Mendes)
Sam Mendes' Skyfall broke box office ratings around the world when it was released in 2012. A particularly iconic scenes takes place in Shanghai, where James Bond fights Patrice amongst an epic enclosure of glass, neon and LED screens. Cinematographer Roger Deakins used the neon jellyfish (pictured above) perfectly to create an eery, futuristic feel to the scene. Watch it here!
Lost in translation (Sofia Coppola)
Tokyo has always had an affinity for neon lights and Sophia Coppola's Lost in Translation, being set in the mega-city, is filled with neon sign scenes. The movie tells the story of two strangers, Bob and Charlotte, who find and seemingly fall for one another in a foreign land. They are drawn together amidst the chaos of Tokyo but discover a sense of belonging in each other's company.
Enter the void (Gaspar Noé)
Enter the void is an immersive movie that allows the audience to enter the sensory world and experiences of its characters, straight into the void between life and death. Set in Tokyo, the movie features plenty of neon lit scenes that accentuate the psychedelic atmosphere of the story.
A star is born (Bradley Cooper)
One of the first scenes in Bradley Cooper's A Star is Born is Ally Campano (Lady Gaga) singing La Vie en Rose in a club. This is the first time Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) sees her and from here, they go on to spend the evening together. Years later when they live together, a shot of their home shows a "La Vie en Rose" neon sign hanging in their kitchen. I'm not crying, you're crying!
Moulin Rouge (Baz Luhrmann)
When you think of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge a few things probably come to mind. Somewhere near the top (after the dancing, singing and a young Ewan McGregor) is the abundance of red neon. The film is entirely themed around Parisian cabaret and almost every scene offers a neon feast for the eyes. A must watch love story featuring Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and a medley of classic songs for you to lose your voice to!
Blade Runner (Ridley Scott)
Blade Runner 1982 is a neo-noir set in dystopian Los Angeles, far in the future in 2019 (yikes!). Upon its release, the mysterious movie confused critics and audiences alike, though now it is widely recognised as a cult-classic. The story follows a former police officer that has been tasked with hunting down a dangerous group of android fugitives who have both the intelligence and appearance of humans.
The Mask (Chuck Russell)
This hilarious 90s classic sees pushover and all round nice guy Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey) stumble across a mask that depicts the Norse god of mischief, Loki. Colouring his head a ghoulish green, the mask transforms Stanley into a cartoonish romantic and takes him on a wild goose chase with a small-time criminal gang. The Coco Bongo club is among our favorite neons in film – we simply love the vintage aesthetic!
Drive (Nicolas Winding Refn)
If you like action-dramas, Ryan Gosling and of course, car chases, then this might just be the film for you. In Drive we follow the journey of a mysterious man known as Driver (Ryan Gosling), a Hollywood stuntman and mechanic by day and a getaway driver for criminals by night. Drive has inspired fans to create their own posters like the one above which is inspired by the movie's neon themed aesthetic.
Hopefully these have given you some inspiration. If you're in the mood to create a neon sign inspired by your favorite movie why not check out our custom sign builder and get creative!