BOX OFFICE
La La Land was a major box office success, grossing $151.1 million in the U.S. and Canada and $320.9 million internationally, for a total of $472 million worldwide. With a production budget of just $30 million, the film earned a net profit of $68.25 million, making it one of the top 20 most profitable films of 2016. It was Ryan Gosling's highest-grossing film until Barbie* surpassed it in 2023.
The film's release strategy was a gradual build. It debuted with a limited release in five theaters in Los Angeles and New York City on December 9, 2016, earning $881,107 in its opening weekend—an impressive per-theater average of $176,221. The film expanded to 200 theaters in its second week, grossing $4.1 million and finishing seventh at the box office. By the time it expanded to 734 theaters, it had grossed $5.8 million over the weekend.
After receiving 14 Academy Award nominations, the film's release expanded further. On January 6, 2017, the weekend of the Golden Globe Awards, it played in 1,515 theaters, earning $10 million. It continued to do strong business, grossing $14.5 million during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. By the end of January, following its Oscar nominations, the film expanded to over 3,100 theaters and grossed $12.1 million.
Despite its success, *La La Land* saw a slight drop-off following the Academy Awards ceremony. It grossed $4.6 million during the weekend of the Oscars (February 24–26) and $3 million the following week, after winning six Oscars, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle.
RESPONSE
La La Land received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for Damien Chazelle's direction, the film’s cinematography, music, and the performances of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, especially their chemistry. The film holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The site's consensus describes it as a "thrillingly assured" film that "breathes new life into a bygone genre" with its heart and performances. On Metacritic, it scored 94 out of 100, reflecting "universal acclaim." Audiences also responded positively, giving it an "A−" grade on CinemaScore and an 81% positive rating on PostTrak.
Critics were particularly enthusiastic about the opening musical sequence. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave it four stars, calling it a "hot miracle" and his favorite film of the year. Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune praised Stone's performance, calling her "reason enough to see La La Land," while A.O. Scott of The New York Times noted the film's ability to balance both fantasy and authenticity. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called it a "sun-drenched musical masterpiece," and Ty Burr of The Boston Globe highlighted its nostalgic qualities, especially in its treatment of jazz and Hollywood musicals.
However, the film's critical success was not without controversy. The competition for awards with Moonlight, especially after the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, led to discussions about race and white privilege in the film. Some critics took issue with the portrayal of Gosling's character, a "white savior" figure, as he attempts to "save" jazz, a genre deeply rooted in African American culture. Critics like Kelly Lawler of USA Today and Ruby Lott-Lavigna of Wired pointed out the problematic portrayal of Gosling’s character in this context.
The film was also lampooned by Saturday Night Live, which mocked the enthusiastic critical reception with a sketch about a man who found it "decent but also boring." Some critics, such as Rex Reed of the New York Observer, dismissed the film as old-fashioned and lacking energy, while others, like the South China Morning Post, critiqued its lack of nuance in character development and the leads' singing and dancing performances. Despite these criticisms, La La Land continued to be celebrated for its artistic achievements and its nostalgic revival of the musical genre.
LEGACY
Since its release, La La Land has continued to receive widespread acclaim, with many critics and organizations considering it a modern classic and one of the best films of all time. It is especially praised for its captivating performances, attention to detail, and its homage to classic movie musicals like Singin' in the Rain. In 2019, CBC Radio named it one of the "greatest romantic movies of all time," while The Beacon in 2021 declared it the best film of the 2010s, describing it as "one of the most creative and well-executed films that every person should attempt to watch at least once."
In 2022, Time Out ranked *La La Land* number 79 on its list of the "100 Best Films of the 21st Century," praising the film for its unique signature and iconic opening sequence. MovieWeb placed it at number 2 on its list of the "Best Movie Musicals of the 21st Century So Far," and in 2023, the film ranked number 3 on its list of the "15 Greatest Movies About Jazz." It also topped Teen Vogue's list of the "45 Best Dance Movies of All Time" and was ranked number 15 on Collider's list of the "30 Best Musicals of All Time." Critics have highlighted how the film works as a modern update to classic Hollywood musicals, with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling delivering some of their best performances.
La La Land also ranked high on several other lists: it was number 8 on Parade's "67 Best Movie Musicals of All Time" and number 10 on Screen Rant's "35 Best Musicals of All Time." IndieWire ranked it number 12 on its list of the "60 Best Movie Musicals of All Time," noting the balance of romance and melancholy in the story and the memorable quality of its songs, particularly "City of Stars." In 2024, Looper placed it at number 11 on its list of the "51 Best PG-13 Movies of All Time," praising the film for its deeply affecting performances and how it combines heart and artistry. Overall, La La Land continues to resonate as a beloved, influential film, regularly appearing in discussions of the greatest movie musicals and films of the 21st century.