There are few things better than popping in a movie and realizing it takes place in Chicago. Seriously, with the beautiful lakefront backdrop, an amazing skyline and the iconic — albeit romanticized — “L,” it’s a wonder (and a damn shame) more movies aren’t set in Chicago.

Here’s my shortlist (and a few runners up) of films sure to fire up your Chicago pride. Weigh in and let MCH know your favorites!

The Blues Brothers (1980)


“It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.” – Elwood Blues

An all-time classic that comes to mind every time I take the Lower Wacker exit off of 290, born n’ raised Chicagoans and transplants alike can relate to the city culture references in The Blues Brothers. Fresh out of the Joliet slammer, Jake Blues (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) visit St. Helen’s orphanage where they grew up only to learn that the orphanage will be closed unless they can pay the $5,000 tax bill.

Now they’re on a mission from God.

The Blues Brothers spend the rest of the movie trying to get their old band back together and lining up gigs to raise money for the orphanage. Along the way they’re attacked repeatedly by a “mystery woman” (Carrie Fisher), they break up a Nazi march and end up being tailed by every cop in the tri-state area in a high-speed car chase. Other cameo appearances by Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and James Brown round out the star-studded cast and add unforgettable music numbers.

Oh, and if you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to live directly next to the “L” tracks, a hilarious scene in Elwood’s apartment will give you a pretty good idea.

Favorite Chicago Shots: Lower Wacker Drive, Daley Center

The Untouchables (1987)

Mountie Captain: I do not approve of your methods!

Ness: Yeah, well… You’re not from Chicago

Take a little trip back to Chicago’s gangster roots with The Untouchables, which chronicles Federal Agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) and his crusade to take out legendary crime boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro). With the police and politicians in his pocket, Capone rules prohibition-era Chicago and it’s up to Ness and his rag-tag team, Jim Malone (Sean Connery) and George Stone (Andy García), to restore law and order to the Windy City.

I’m not going to ruin it for you but I’ll say just this: I’ll never, ever forget Sean Connery as Jim Malone or the scene with Eliot Ness in Union Station. That stuff just stays with you.

For the history enthusiasts, a couple of tour companies offer a gangster tour where you can visit former gangster hot spots and see Capone’s and Dillinger’s old stomping grounds.

Best Chicago Shots: Union Station, LaSalle Street

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

“The question isn’t ‘what are we going to do?’; the question is ‘what aren’t we going to do?’” – Ferris Bueller

Like many of us, all Ferris Bueller wants to do is take a day off and enjoy the beautiful sights and scenery of Chicago.  I mean, how many times have you peeked over your cubicle wall and thought, “Do you think anyone would even notice if I snuck out early today”? Maybe take a little walk down to the lake, maybe catch a mid-afternoon Cubs game, no harm meant…

Afflicted with a serious case of senioritis, Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) decides to ditch school with his friends (Alan Ruck, Mia Sara) and take a joyride to downtown Chicago. They borrow his best friend’s dad’s Ferrari and hit the road stopping at great Chicago landmarks like the Sears Tower and the Art Institute.

Ferris makes it back with little time to spare before his parents return home only to find his school’s dean (Jeffrey Jones) waiting for him – now he’s been caught red-handed. To everyone’s surprise, his usually spiteful sister (Jennifer Grey) gets him out of the bind and all ends well.

Best Chicago Shots: Inside the Art Institute, Chicago skyline, Lakeshore Drive, Wrigley Field

Runners Up

  • Batman Begins/Dark Knight (Chicago as Gotham City)
  • Rookie of the Year (filmed at Wrigley Field)
  • Wayne’s World (Aurora, IL)
  • Surviving Christmas (According to the Chicago Reader, “The filmmakers set the movie in Chicago to take advantage of our winter weather, but when they arrived for location shooting in January 2003 they encountered subzero temperatures and had to use fake snow.”
  • The Break-Up
  • Risky Business (thanks, qstrian!)
  • The Fugitive (thanks, Steve!)

* A special thanks to my good friend and amazing movie buff, David Pfeiffer, for checkin’ my facts and keepin’ me honest.
Meg Handley, MCH Guest Contributor

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