Chicago may not be the first city that comes to your mind when you think about movies; the windy city has, in fact, helped set the stage for some of the better films coming out of the United States. The genres that the city has covered is immense, from science fiction to romantic comedies, the city has witnessed it all.
The Hollywood Tribune has compiled a list of some of the best movies filmed in Chicago.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Runtime – 1hr. 43min
The character Ferris Bueller played by Matthew Broderick believes that life is too short to not skip a day in high school. Matthew Broderick’s character, therefore, creates an elaborate plan to avoid his principal and his parents. Ferris then convinces both his girlfriend and best friend to join him to take a day off.
The trio then spend their time exploring the city, which includes the Sears Towers now known as the Willis Towers and the Art Institute of Chicago. Director John Hughes shoots the movie as a love letter to the city in which he was raised. The Simple yet iconic cinematography easily makes it one of the best movies filmed in Chicago.
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Runtime – 2hr. 50min
The only documentary on our list, as the film, captures the city better than a lot of fictional movies. The movie follows two aspiring basketball players from low-income families and their struggle to get scholarships at colleges of their choice.
Most of the locations that the documentary featured have been demolished and redeveloped except the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The realness of everything makes it one of the most authentic movies filmed in Chicago
High Fidelity (2000)
Runtime – 1hr. 53min
Writer Nick Hornby’s novel was relocated from London to Chicago; this results in Chicago being deftly captured, where John Cusack an audiophile goes on a quest to understand women. John Cusack being a Chicagoan himself adds authenticity to scenes that are shot in Wicker Park.
The film is a rich, textured movie that like the old LP gets only better with time and it defines Chicago as a city of dreamers, doers and a real place for real lives. You can really feel the love for Chicago in this movie.
The Untouchables (1987)
Runtime – 2hr
While there were several gangster movies, most people have forgotten how much Brian De Palma’s Oscar winner The Untouchables utilized the city of Chicago. The film stars Robert De Niro, Sean Connery who won an Oscar for his role of Jim Malone and Kevin Costner.
The movie featured Michigan Avenue Bridge, Chicago Cultural Center, the Chicago Theatre, Trust Company Building, the Blackstone Hotel, the City National Bank, Sean Connery’s speech about the Chicago Way, and the list can go on and on.
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Runtime – 2hr. 13min
Dan Aykroyd who stars in Blues Brothers says that “Chicago is one of the stars of the movie”. The movie starts with John Belushi’s character getting out of prison, and him trying to get his old band back together to save the Catholic boarding school where he grew up.
The movie depicts the bustling, late 1970s Maxwell Street flea market to the climactic chase sequence through Lower Wacker Drive to Daley Plaza. The film has cameo appearances and tracks by James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and the recording of “Sweet Home Chicago” only makes it the ultimate Chicago movie.
Stay tuned to The Hollywood Tribune as we compile more such lists like this and news from Hollywood and beyond.
