Films shot in Chicago since 1896 inspire travelers; see iconic titles

If someone asks which place comes to mind when it comes to movie theater, certainly some will be immediately remembered, whether for hosting major studios and stars, as is the case in Hollywood, in the Los Angeles district, or for being the stage for major festivals, such as Cannes, France.

What many people don’t associate right away is that some cities are constant settings for productions that are successful on screens around the world. These are not necessarily recognized as “capitals” of the film industry, but they are the backdrop for good stories and important tourist attractions.

It is the case of Chicago, in the United States. The city located in the state of Illinois breathes culture, art and nature and also carries an old baggage when it comes to cinema, being used in productions of feature films, series, television programs and documentaries.

According to the DCASE, Chicago’s official cultural and special events department, there have been recordings on site since 1896, with “The Tramp and Dog” – a short film of just 90 seconds, as was traditional at the time -, until it reached major box office successes. as Spider-Man 2, Home Alone and Batman .

The complete list of recorded movies there, separated by year, can be found in this link. And we already said: the number is impressive.

Film festivals and attractions

Over the years, the city has also hosted several innovative film festivals – almost 40, showing everything. The main thing is Chicago International Film Festival which this year will be October 11th to 22nd. It has been running for over 55 years and is the oldest competitive film festival in North America. In it, more than 150 films from more than 50 countries are presented, with the right to a red carpet, and of course, an award ceremony.

Year-round, famous community parks throughout the city show new and old movies (for free). called from Chicago Park District’s Movies in the Park, the event publishes the schedule always by this site.

who goes to Chicago you can also find special tours that involve famous locations and make movie lovers get to know the city from another perspective. One of them is the Chicago Movie Tours.

The city deserves to be visited live, but while the dreamed vacation in the Windy City, as it is affectionately called, does not arrive, we have prepared a list with the productions.

Check out 10 successful films shot in Chicago and its main tourist attractions in the spotlight:

“My best friend’s wedding”

The romantic comedy “My Best Friend’s Wedding” is one of the greatest classics of the genre. The plot starts when Michel O’Neal tells his best friend Julianne Potter, played by Julia Roberts, that he’s getting married in four days. She immediately travels to Chicago the city where the friend lives, and tries to do everything to prevent this from happening.

The emblematic locations that appear in the film are the Fourth Presbyterian Church which is the wedding church, and the main character’s hotel, the The Drake, which has a privileged view of iconic points of the citysuch as Lake Michigan.

“Batman the dark knight”

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Batman: The Dark Knight was a huge box office success in 2008. In the film, the fictional company Wayne Enterprises was actually the former IBM building at 330 N. Wabash Ave in Chicago .

During the film, Batman observes the also fictional Gotham City from the top of the willis tower famous skyscraper in the city and still today one of the tallest in North America . The chase scenes between the protagonist and the Joker were also filmed there, specifically in the Lower Wacker Drive.

“Enjoying the crazy life”

One of the films in which Chicago stands out the most is “Living the Crazy Life”, from 1986. Ferris Bueller is a teenager who decides to skip a day of school with his girlfriend and his best friend, taking a complete tour of the city.

The principal of the college and his sister go in search of him during the plot, which goes through landmarks such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower – which at the time of the film was called the Sears Tower -, and by Stadium Wrigley Field from the Chicago Cubs.

One of the film’s most famous scenes takes place at the end, in the Dearborn Street, when the protagonist leads a version of the song “Twist and Shout”, by the Beatles, and leaves the crowded and agitated street around him.

“The Blueface Brothers”

From 1980, the film “The Brothers Cara-de-Pau” brings the story of the reunion of the brothers Jake (James Belushi) – who had just left prison – and Elwood (Dan Ayckroy). The two decide to visit the orphanage where they were raised and discover a debt the place has with the City Hall of Chicago . Wanting to help the nun who ran the space, they decide to go out looking for the members of their old band to raise money with concerts.

As they search, they are pursued by a series of characters, including the entire police force in the city. Musical comedy goes through points that have already been closed – such as the Soul Food Cafe which was full until 1995 because of the film, and the Ray’s Music Exchange.

A striking passage of the plot is the brothers’ escape through a bridge while Nazis pursued him. It became famous and is located in jackson park which is now part of the Chicago Park District. Other important scenes were filmed in places like the hotel delay plaza and on City Hall.

“Spider-Man 2”

In the sequel to the Spider-Man movie, Peter Parker is locked in an intense battle with Doctor Otto Octavius ​​who blames him for a nuclear explosion that killed his wife. Parker tries to balance his roles as hero, friend, son and boyfriend throughout the plot.

One of the most talked about scenes in this edition of the film is the runaway train, which he stops, saving everyone. It was filmed in Chicago L as the city’s subway system is popularly known.

“They forgot me”

A classic from the 1990s, always remembered at Christmas time, the movie “They forgot me” has iconic scenes shot in Chicago. The mansion in which the character Kevin McCallister is forgotten by his parents exists, and is in the luxurious suburban neighborhood Winnetka .

In addition, images of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette It’s from Chicago O’Hare International Airport also feature prominently in this blockbuster.

“The Fugitive”

Wrongly convicted of murder, Dr. Richard Kimble runs from cops through downtown Chicago – and crosses a few tourist spots on the run.

The character goes through Picasso statue at Daley Plaza flees from the feds in the Chicago Hilton Hotel and makes a phone call to the US Marshalls hidden in the Wells Street Bridge. In the film, his residence is also shown and can be seen by tourists passing through the neighborhood of lincoln park . It is located at number 336 W. Wisconsin St.

“The Untouchables”

The 1986 film “The Untouchables” is a crime drama set in the city at the height of the Prohibition period in the United States, when the manufacture, transport and sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption were banned nationwide. A federal agent from the US Treasury Department arrives in town with a mission to stop illegal activities.

The unfolding takes place in scenes filmed in the Chicago Board of Trade at Michigan Avenue Bridge at Union Station in the Rookery Building and in the lobby Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University , where the protagonists clash. O historic blackstone hotel also appears at one of the points of the narrative.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”

In the third part of Transformers, downtown Chicago is destroyed in a battle between Autobots and Decepticons. The city recovers and throughout history, emblematic buildings are well presented, such as the 35 East Walker – also known as the Jeweler’s Building – and the Trump International Hotel & Tower – which remain throughout the river that takes the name of the city.

“High Fidelity”

After being dumped by his girlfriend, Rob Gordon goes into a crisis and decides to relive each of his relationships that didn’t work out to try to find out why it all happened.

On the trip back in time, he remembers that he was rejected by one of them in Lane Tech College Prep High School in Roscoe Village and denied by another outside the Box Theater in Lakeview. In another passage through the film, also visit Green Mill one of the most famous bars in the United States and known for its jazz and poetry performances, in Uptown.