Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs!
The Cubs gnawed the faces off of the Cleveland Indians in a World Series destined to break at least one curse. The Windy City is a gorgeous place that’s starred as the setting of many great films. In honor of the Cubs winning in seven games, here are seven great films made in Chicago!
The Blues Brothers – 1980
Born on Saturday Night Live, the Blues Brothers are characters created by legendary comedians Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. From comedy sketch to several music albums later, the duo featured in this raucous buddy comedy directed by John Landis. The Blues Brothers is one of the wildest rides in and around Chicago committed to film.
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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – 1986
Did you know that the greatest movie about ditching school is also a science fiction film? Ferris Bueller is a time-controlling imp who gives viewers of a tour of Chicago in record time. The adventures are legendary in pop culture. Director John Hughes and star Matthew Broderick created a timeless comedy classic about seizing the day, friendship, and more.
The Untouchables – 1987
The Untouchables is about mafia kingpin Al Capone and all his murderous antics in 1930s Chicago. It’s directed by Brian De Palma and stars Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro and Billy Drago. If you consider yourself a pop culture addict and don’t know who Billy Drago is then, you know nothing! The Untouchables is a fantastic film that will likely be rebooted sooner or later.
Home Alone – 1990
The comedy hit of its time and one of the highest grossing ever, Home Alone made a star of Macauly Caulkin. If you don’t know the story by now, little Kevin McAllister is left home alone by his super-neglectful parents. Two criminals played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, who have been targeting the house, attempt to get inside only to meet the many traps set by Kevin.
The Fugitive – 1993
“It was a one-armed man!” Harrison Ford stars in the Oscar-nominated action movie directed by Andrew Davis. The Fugitive is the rare combination of a high-stakes action thriller and smart character drama. It’s also the film on this list that is most unabashedly Chicago, even including the green river during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Road to Perdition – 2002
Arguably the most visually stunning movie on this list. Road to Perdition brings to life the richly drawn graphic novel by Max Allan Collins to create a film that’s absorbing. Tom Hanks and a star-studded cast including Jude Law, Daniel Craig, and legend Paul Newman feature in a movie about fathers, sons, and the ties that bind. Director Sam Mendes dresses the character drama as a mob movie with all the tension and violence that goes with it.
The Dark Knight – 2008
The second chapter in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is widely considered as one of the greatest comic book movies ever. I’m not here to debate that. Though the movie takes place in fictional Gotham, the actual filming took place in Chicago, and Nolan uses the traditional and modern angles of the city’s buildings to take us to another world where heroes face phyrric victories.
Extra Inning (aka Honorable Mention): Barbershop – 2002
Who knew a comedy about a barbershop in South Chicago could be so much fun? Director Tim Story leads Ice Cube (for the first of their now three films together) and a cast that includes Queen Latifah, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson. The film is a lot more heartwarming that it needed with a funny story about friends and family. It even spawned a four-movie cinematic universe!
