The Film Buff's Guide to Living in Chicago
Seeing your hometown depicted in the movies is one of the bonuses of living in a big city like Chicago. Whether it is a sweeping shot of the skyline or fictional characters walking neighborhood streets, this city pops up in film on a regular basis.
In these six neighborhoods, you can find some of those filming locations, watch blockbusters and indie films, and test your movie knowledge at trivia night.
Hyde Park
The South Side neighborhood of Hyde Park has plenty to offer movie lovers: a historic theater, movies in the park, and the starting point of Harry and Sally’s love story.
Harper Theater resides in a Prairie-style building that dates back to the early 1900s. It has undergone a number of name changes, even spending time unoccupied, before ultimately being purchased by the University of Chicago. Today, the theater hosts movie showings on multiple screens.
Speaking of the University of Chicago, the titular characters of “When Harry Met Sally” meet on the university’s Harper Quad before embarking on one of the all-time classics of the romantic comedy genre.
If you are looking for an awe-inspiring screen experience, the Museum of Science and Industry’s Giant Dome Theater stretches five stories and wraps around its space. The museum is also one of the many hosts of the summertime Movies in the Park series.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is home to both a big movie theater that shows the latest flicks and a small independent theater that screens movies you might not see anywhere else in the city. Regal Webster Place is a go-to spot for the latest blockbusters. Facets, on the other hand, has a cinémathèque schedule dedicated to independent films
Film buffs with a penchant for history will love seeing the Biograph Theater, now the Victory Gardens Theater. Notorious gangster John Dillinger was shot outside the theater, and filmmakers returned to reenact the gory finish of his life for “Public Enemies.” Skip ahead to the 2000s and John Cusack spots the theater in “High Fidelity.” If 2000s rom-coms are your style, you’ll recognize Lincoln Park Zoo from its prominent role in “Return to Me.”
Logan Square
The Logan Theatre, named for its neighborhood, is immediately recognizable thanks to its brightly light marquee, towering on Milwaukee Avenue. Another historic theater with roots in the early 1900s, this cinema shows both the latest big-name releases and more under-the-radar indies. Plus, you can catch classic older films during its monthly themed Late Night at the Logan series.
If you are into showing off your arcane knowledge of film, come to the theater’s lounge on Tuesdays for trivia night. You can also grab a beer and check out Revolution Brewing, heavily featured in the indie movie “Drinking Buddies.”
The Loop
As the center of Chicago’s downtown area, the Loop may be the most frequently featured neighborhood. Christian Bale’s Batman stands on top of Willis Tower (forever Sears Tower in our hearts) and chases the destructive Joker all over the financial district (that famous truck flip from “The Dark Knight” took place on LaSalle Street).
Ferris Bueller and company took on the Art Institute [https://www.artic.edu/] in their impossibly full day off. In “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” robots wreak havoc on top of the Jeweler’s Building on Wacker.
In the Loop, you will also find the Gene Siskel Film Center. Affiliated with the Art Institute, the film center hosts film festivals and live appearances by filmmakers.
Ravenswood
Ravenswood is pretty far removed from the dense atmosphere of downtown—things certainly feel more like a quiet neighborhood than an urban center. But, film lovers will find themselves enamored with the neighborhood’s Davis Theater and Carbon Arc Bar.
Right on Lincoln Avenue, the paired bar and theater gives moviegoers the ideal spot for dinner and a show. The food menu covers classes like wings, pizza, and burgers, while the drinks menu features a long list of cocktails. Perhaps best of all, you can order homemade popcorn to go with your movie at Davis Theater. Expect to see showtimes for the latest releases, as well as some special themed screenings at this Ravenswood theater.
Wrigleyville
Wrigleyville’s biggest claim to fame is, of course, its ball field and reputation as Cubs territory. The ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field are such an iconic Chicago landmark they have been prominently featured in a number of classic films.
Ferris Bueller makes an appearance at a day-game, while tryouts during “A League of Their Own” (“There is no crying in baseball!) were filmed at the famous field. The Blues Brothers also famously gave out the address of Wrigley Field to evade their pursuers.
Aside from the baseball field, Wrigleyville offers movie buffs the delights of the Music Box Theatre. This theater screens independent and foreign films, as well as cult classics. The theater also hosts events, including bingo and its 70MM Film Festival. If you are in the mood for something a little noisy, the Music Box regularly does audience participation showings—both drink-a-longs and sing-a-longs.