framethrowerTry it free

Time of Day

Golden Hour in Film

Golden hour — the minutes after sunrise and before sunset — gives low, warm, directional sun with soft shadows and glowing skin. It is the most romanticized light in cinematography and the least cooperative: the window is short and the sun keeps moving. Malick built entire shooting methodologies around staying inside it.

Golden Hour: examples from real films

One frame per film — thousands more are searchable with a free account.

golden hour example from Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds: A vast, empty sandy plain stretches toward a distant, massive army standing on the horiz
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
golden hour example from The Beekeeper: A dark silhouette of wild flowers and buds stands against a glowing amber sky. The plants are centrally framed
The Beekeeper (2024)
golden hour example from Spider-Man: No Way Home: A field with dry grass and trees under large metal electrical pylons. A person stands alone in the c
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
golden hour example from Oslo: A stone paved street in an old town setting features a phone booth. A man in a tan suit uses a public wall-mounted tele
Oslo (2021)
golden hour example from Final Destination Bloodlines: An observation deck with large windows overlooks a distant horizon during sunset. A group of ad
Final Destination Bloodlines (2025)
golden hour example from The Bluff: An arid desert landscape is illuminated by the intense warm glow of sunset. A man lies on the ground with his face
The Bluff (2026)
golden hour example from Chemical Hearts: A school parking lot features a large yellow bus parked behind groups of students. A teenage boy walks along
Chemical Hearts (2020)
golden hour example from Todo es amor: A European-style mock-medieval building features steep roofs and blue timber framing. A man carries a small chi
Todo es amor (2024)
golden hour example from Space Jam: A New Legacy: A view of the Warner Bros studio lot with the iconic water tower prominent. Low sun shines behind a
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
golden hour example from Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days: An abandoned concrete structure with spray-painted graffiti marks the background durin
Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days (2018)
golden hour example from Beatriz at Dinner: A person in a red boat navigates a quiet, sun-drenched mangrove river waterway. Sunlight glints off the wa
Beatriz at Dinner (2017)
golden hour example from Up: A rugged stone plateau stretches out under a dusky lavender horizon in the distance. An elderly man, a young boy, a golde
Up (2009)
golden hour example from Twilight of the Ice Nymphs: A dirt path cuts through a lush landscape filled with thick greenery and flowers. A lone figure s
Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1997)
golden hour example from Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain: A dimly lit bedroom features a central bed and a window with iridescent lig
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain (2013)
golden hour example from Dawn of the Dead: A wide outdoor scene features a low sun setting over a dark, silhouetted horizon. Triangular skylights or r
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
golden hour example from An Angel At My Table: A person stands in a grassy field during golden hour at sunset. They are holding and reading a newspape
An Angel At My Table (1990)
golden hour example from Sardar Udham: Two individuals converse in a wooded park area with bare trees in the background. A man in a dark jacket listen
Sardar Udham (2021)
golden hour example from Camila: A rural farmstead at golden hour with a thatched structure and wooden fence. A man in period clothing walks along a s
Camila (1984)
golden hour example from Maggie: A close view of a person inside a vehicle during golden hour. The person wears sunglasses while looking outward with
Maggie (2015)
golden hour example from Nowhere Boy: A green field at sunset serves as the backdrop for a young man. He holds a burning document in his hand while st
Nowhere Boy
golden hour example from May December: A woman stands on a dock near water during a sunny late afternoon. She wears a sun hat and sunglasses while wri
May December (2023)
golden hour example from American Honey: An open convertible car sits in a field with yellow flowers during golden hour. A woman with dreadlocks and a
American Honey (2016)
golden hour example from Kubo and the Two Strings: A massive, sharp-edged rock formation arches over the surface of a calm ocean. The sky is filled wi
Kubo and the Two Strings
golden hour example from Devil In A Blue Dress: Three men stand on a suburban street during late afternoon with trees behind them. The men engage in a
Devil In A Blue Dress (1995)

Search every golden hour in 5,000+ films

FrameThrower tags 400,000+ frames by lighting, lens, shot size, color and mood — filter by this technique, combine it with others, or just describe the shot in plain language.

Create a free account

Films known for golden hour

More time of day techniques