14 Movies That Feature Charming Bookstores

As book lovers, there is nothing better than a good bookstore. Cozy book nooks, a myriad of winding and towering stacks, and booksellers who clearly love their job. The smell of the pages old and new, and just the vibe that comes with being surrounded by stories — it’s magical.

But when we can’t make it to our nearest bookstore, what’s the next best thing?

Bookstore scenes, of course. A film centered around or with scenes set in a bookstore is the perfect way to get that hit of bookish joy without even needing to leave the couch.

Beauty and The Beast (1991)

A true Disney classic, this animated movie features (obviously) one of the most stunning libraries ever, but it also features a bookstore in the first half of the movie. Belle goes to visit an older man with slightly insane gray hair at his bookstore when she’s singing Bonjour. There is some debate that this is also a library, but it seems much too small and unusual for such a small town to have a library in this era (although it’s also unusual for one to have a humanoid beast, but we won’t go there…)

Manhattan (1979)

A slightly messy romantic comedy, Manhattan is a big favorite for lots of people. With a stacked cast (we’re talking Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, and Woody Allen) and some really unique cinematography, the film is beloved by many. It’s still got a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes! Bookstores feature a few times in the film, including The Strand Bookstore in the opening recitation, and the Rizzoli Bookstore later on. Even a Barnes & Noble store is featured!

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

We’ve all suffered a painful breakup, but have you ever just wanted to completely remove someone from your mind? That’s what Clementine and Joel decide to do in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It’s a brilliant film and is well-loved by many.

One of arguably the best scenes in the film takes place in a bookstore (albeit with all the titles of the books scrubbed clean) wherein Clementine and Joel talk about one of the memories of their relationship.

Desperado (1995)

Alright, it might not be the coziest film or the warmest, nicest bookstore scene, but it’s still a bookstore! In Desperado, an action revenge film starring Antonia Banderas, Steve Buscemi, and Danny Trejo, there’s a shootout in a bookstore. It’s definitely a unique bookstore moment!

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally claims to ask the question of whether men and women can really just be friends. We’re not so sure it reaches a fair conclusion on that, but it is still a gorgeous film. It’ll have you smiling, gasping, and coming back for seconds, and it has a bookstore scene!

Harry and Sally bump into one another at Shakespeare & Co. Booksellers on Broadway, where the pair reveal to one another that they’re both newly single.

The Never Ending Story (1984)

Possibly the strangest film on this list, The Never Ending Story is an 80s classic. Produced in Germany, and one of the most expensive films the German film industry had ever made up until that point, the fantasy film follows Bastian, a boy with a love for his imagination.

The whole story really starts when Bastian, hiding in a local bookstore from some bullies, finds the book The Never Ending Story.

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (2002)

The second film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets sees Harry Potter starting his second year at the wondrous wizarding school Hogwarts. In preparation, he visits Diagon Alley, where he meets Gilderoy Lockhart, a legend among wizards.

Hugo (2011)

A brilliant fantasy directed by Martin Scorsese, Hugo follows the titular character, an orphan in 1930s Paris. Hugo lives in the walls of a train station and works to oil and maintain the station’s clocks. Until suddenly, he gets wrapped up in a mystery that involves a strange automaton.

Within the film, Hugo’s only friend is Isabelle, who he meets in a bookstore!

The Ninth Gate (1999)

Probably the most bookish film on the list, the Ninth Gate follows a dealer of rare books who very suddenly finds himself at the heart of a string of supernatural events after finding two books capable of summoning the devil!

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Another big book-based film, You’ve Got Mail is a gorgeous romcom that follows Joe and Kathleen, two bookstore owners who fall in love with one another online, anonymously. It’s heartwarming and very nostalgic.

Notting Hill (1999)

One of the highest-grossing British films ever made, Notting Hill needs no description. If you’ve not seen it, cancel your plans and go and watch it immediately. If you have seen it… oh, who cares, cancel your plans and go and watch it again! The film follows Anna Scott, an actress, who falls in love with William Thacker, a bookstore owner, and it’s just… beautiful.

Short Circuit (1986)

A gorgeous sci-fi exploration of what it means to be human, Short Circuit follows a military robot that is struck by lightning and brought to ‘life’. The robot, Johnny 5, takes a trip to the World’s Biggest Bookstore in the search for more input. We’ve all been there!

Twilight (2008)

Cult favorite vampire film, Twilight, took the world by storm in 2008. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, the two main stars, were jettisoned into fame as the story and films gained more traction by the second.

The film follows Bella falling in love with Edward, who she quickly realizes is a little… odd. To figure out exactly what’s going on with him, she heads to a bookstore just out of town.

Pride (2014)

A smaller film, this British production follows a group of LGBTQ+ young adults in Britain. Based on a true story, the story sees the group dealing with the struggles of the LGBTQ youth in the 80s under Margaret Thatcher, and how they came together with the miners of Wales to help one another.

The story is centered, for a large part, in Gay’s The Word, a London bookstore that’s still open today!