Year: 1998
Runtime: 114 min
Language: English
Director: Brad Silberling
An angel, Seth (Nicolas Cage), observes humanity from a hidden realm, interacting with humans invisibly. He finds himself drawn to Maggie (Meg Ryan), a dedicated heart surgeon, and develops a profound connection with her. Yearning for a life beyond his immortal existence, Seth makes the momentous decision to become mortal, embarking on a moving exploration of love, loss, and what it truly means to be human within the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen City of Angels yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Explore the full timeline and setting of City of Angels (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.
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Meet the key characters of City of Angels (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.
Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:41
Explore the central themes of City of Angels (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.
Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:41
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Immortal beings who choose mortal lives for the weight of human love.If you were moved by Seth's choice in 'City of Angels,' this collection features similar movies where supernatural beings grapple with their nature and choose a mortal existence. Discover other films about angels, vampires, and other entities who trade eternity for the powerful, bittersweet experience of human love.
The narrative typically follows a supernatural being who is an observer of humanity. Through a powerful connection with a specific human—often a romance—they experience emotions like love or grief for the first time. This leads to a pivotal, irreversible decision to become mortal, exploring the joys and profound sorrows of their new, temporary life.
These films are grouped by their central theme of supernatural sacrifice for love. They share a tone that is both romantic and melancholic, a heavy emotional weight from the inherent tragedy of the choice, and a bittersweet ending feel that questions whether the brief human experience was worth the loss of eternity.
Fantastical love stories where joy is inextricably woven with profound sadness.For viewers who appreciated the tragic yet beautiful romance in 'City of Angels,' this section highlights similar emotionally heavy fantasy love stories. Find movies like this where love between humans and otherworldly beings is profound but comes with a great cost, leading to poignant and bittersweet endings.
The stories often center on a seemingly impossible romance, such as between a human and a supernatural entity. The central conflict revolves around the inherent barriers to their love—mortality, different realms, or a tragic fate. The emotional journey is intense, focusing on the beauty of their connection while building towards a conclusion that involves significant loss or sacrifice, creating a feeling of poignant beauty tinged with sadness.
Movies in this thread share a core combination of romance and fantasy genres, filtered through a dark or melancholic tone. They are united by a high emotional weight, a focus on the theme of loss, and most importantly, a bittersweet ending that acknowledges the pain of sacrifice while honoring the beauty of the love that was found.
Don't stop at just watching — explore City of Angels in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what City of Angels is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of City of Angels, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of City of Angels with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of City of Angels that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about City of Angels: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like City of Angels that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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