The holidays can be a stressful time, which is why you might feel like spending your off-nights kicking back on the couch with a cheerful comedy. Or maybe you've got visitors in town who need equal relief—and might be starstruck by getting to see the locations on-screen in real life after watching.
So we've chosen five lighthearted films that are set and at least partially filmed in our own fair City by the Bay, to give you a few much-needed chuckles before you dive back into the fray, and encourage your San Francisco explorations if you've got holiday guests in town.
After the Thin Man (1936)
The plot: "It's New Year's Eve, Nick and Nora Charles have returned to the West Coast, and the philandering hubby of Nora's cousin has gone missing. Round up the unusual suspects. The stars (plus the four-footed one!), writers and director of The Thin Man reunite for a giddy second comedy whodunit."
The local setting: The parking lot of Coit Tower, which is meant to represent the driveway of Nick and Nora's hilltop home.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
The plot: "Starring Academy Award winner Julie Andrews, the enchanting Anne Hathaway, and Hector Elizondo, The Princess Diaries is a cool, comical Cinderella story that will touch your heart. For teenager Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), just surviving each school day is an adventure. Then the shocking news arrives that she's a real-life princess! So begins a comical transformation towards poise and princess-ness, including a media storm, jealous schoolmates, and a plot to take over her country."
The local setting: Hathaway's character lives in a former firehouse in Crocker-Amazon (724 Brazil Ave., to be exact), and takes her grandmother to the Musee Mecanique in Fisherman's Wharf for a bit of fun.
The Room (2003)
The plot: "The Room is an electrifying American black comedy about love, passion, betrayal and lies. Johnny, played by Tommy Wiseau, is a successful banker with great respect for and dedication to the people in his life, especially his future wife Lisa. Johnny can also be a little too trusting at times, which haunts him later on. The Room depicts the depths of friendships and relationships in one life and raises life's most asked question: 'Can you ever really trust anyone?'"
(Note: While not initially filmed as a comedy, The Room has become a cult classic for its unintentional humor, as depicted in the new film The Disaster Artist, which tells the story of its creation.)
The local setting: North Beach's Pizza Zone (555 Beach St.), which is in a building owned by Wiseau, was formerly a coffee shop, in which Wiseau and costar Greg Sestero have a scene discussing their sex lives. Golden Gate Park and the Lyon Street Steps also appear.
Mother (1996)
The plot: "A jaded novelist (Albert Brooks) moves back in with his mother (Debbie Reynolds) after deciding that all of his romantic problems are linked to their relationship."
The local setting: There's a scene at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill, and of course, plenty of establishing shots of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Bachelor (1999)
The plot: "The grandfather of Jimmie (Chris O'Donnell) dies and leaves him $100 million—on the condition that Jimmie marry before he turns 30. The problem is, that's 24 hours away."
The local setting: O'Donnell and co-star Renee Zellweger canoodle at the Palace of Fine Arts, and there's also a wedding scene set at Crissy Field and a party scene at the aquarium in the California Academy of Sciences.
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