Lionsgate announced Wednesday that it will rerelease La La Land in theaters for its 10th anniversary. The special engagement begins Aug. 16, giving audiences a chance to revisit the modern musical classic on the big screen.
La La Land stars Emma Stone as Mia, a hopeful actor who moves to Hollywood with dreams of stardom. She meets Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a passionate jazz pianist struggling to keep his art alive in a city obsessed with trends. Their romance unfolds through a series of musical numbers set against iconic Los Angeles locations, from the Griffith Observatory to the freeways at sunset.
Damien Chazelle wrote and directed La La Land, his follow-up to the acclaimed Whiplash. He co-wrote original music with Justin Hurwitz, resulting in unforgettable songs like "City of Stars" and "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)."
Awards and Impact
La La Land won six Oscars, including Stone's first for Best Actress, Chazelle's for Best Director, and multiple wins for its music and score. The film earned a total of 14 nominations, tying with Titanic and All About Eve for the most ever. At the 89th Academy Awards, the film was famously incorrectly announced as Best Picture due to an envelope mix-up, with the actual winner being Moonlight. That moment remains one of the most shocking in Oscars history.
The rerelease coincides with the 10th anniversary of the film's original premiere. La La Land debuted at the Venice Film Festival in August 2016, where Stone won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It later won seven Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and five BAFTA Awards.
The Creative Team Behind the Magic
Chazelle drew inspiration from classic Hollywood musicals like Singin' in the Rain and Jacques Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The film's vibrant color palette and long takes became hallmarks of its style. The opening number, "Another Day of Sun," was filmed on a closed freeway ramp in Los Angeles, featuring hundreds of dancers in a single continuous shot.
Justin Hurwitz composed the score, which blends jazz, pop, and orchestral elements. The song "City of Stars" won the Oscar for Best Original Song and became a global hit. Chazelle and Hurwitz previously collaborated on Whiplash, and their partnership continued with First Man and Babylon.
Cast and Performances
Emma Stone's performance as Mia earned widespread acclaim for its vulnerability and charm. She trained in singing and dancing for months. Ryan Gosling also learned to play piano for the role, performing all his own keyboard scenes. The chemistry between Stone and Gosling, who had previously starred together in Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad, was praised by critics.
The supporting cast includes John Legend as Keith, Sebastian's former bandmate; Rosemarie DeWitt as Laura, Mia's skeptical sister; Finn Wittrock as Greg, Mia's boyfriend; J.K. Simmons as Bill, Sebastian's boss; and Tom Everett Scott as a Hollywood executive. Other cast members include Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, and Meagen Fay.
Legacy and Cultural Significance
La La Land revived interest in original movie musicals and inspired a new generation of filmmakers. It grossed over $446 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, becoming one of the highest-grossing original musicals. The film's themes of ambition, compromise, and the bittersweet nature of dreams continue to resonate.
Its 10th anniversary rerelease is part of a growing trend of classic films returning to theaters. Studios have seen success with re-releases of titles like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Avatar, drawing both nostalgic fans and new audiences.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of La La Land
Chazelle spent years developing the project, originally writing it as a Harvard undergraduate thesis. He struggled to secure funding due to concerns about the commercial viability of an original movie musical. After the success of Whiplash, Lionsgate greenlit La La Land with a modest budget. The production shot on location in Los Angeles over 40 days, using practical effects and extended rehearsals for the dance sequences.
The film's cinematography by Linus Sandgren, who won an Oscar, used CinemaScope-style anamorphic lenses and a vibrant color grade inspired by vintage Hollywood. Costume designer Mary Zophres created iconic looks, including Mia's yellow dress and Sebastian's sharp suits. The production design by David Wasco built seamless sets that evoked old Hollywood glamour.
Critical Reception and Box Office
Upon release, La La Land received near-universal praise. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 91% approval rating, with the consensus calling it "a throwback to classic musicals that doesn't skimp on rich performances or sumptuous visuals." Audiences embraced it, especially younger viewers unfamiliar with the genre.
It opened in limited release in December 2016 before expanding wide, earning $89 million domestically and $357 million abroad. It became the highest-grossing musical of the 2010s until Bohemian Rhapsody surpassed it. The film's success led to a resurgence in musicals on both film and television.
The 10th Anniversary Rerelease
Lionsgate has not yet announced whether the rerelease will include any special content, such as behind-the-scenes featurettes or interviews. However, many theaters are planning special screenings, including sing-along versions. The official release date is Aug. 16, 2025, and tickets are expected to go on sale in late July.
The rerelease is an opportunity for fans to experience the film's stunning visuals and music in a theater setting. With the rise of streaming, theatrical rereleases have become a way to preserve the communal moviegoing experience. For those who missed it during its original run, this is a chance to see a modern classic as it was meant to be seen.
La La Land remains a testament to the power of dreams, love, and the magic of cinema. Its 10th anniversary will no doubt draw crowds eager to revisit Mia and Sebastian's story, or to discover it for the first time.
Source:MSN News