Chicago Movies: Top 10

Located along the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, with a city population of around 2.8 million people. This major city has also served as the setting for some of the greatest films ever made. This Top 10 list of Chicago Movies highlights the rich history of movie making in the “Windy City”.

In order to be ranked among the best Chicago movies, the film had to not only be filmed in the city, but the movie had to be centered either on the city, or the city had to serve as a major setting or factor in the film. Along with this basic set of qualifications, the best Chicago films are also ones that are entertaining, memorable, iconic or classic, and have long-lasting appeal.

Top 10 Chicago Movies of All Time (in random order)

10. Chicago (2002) - Among the best musical movies, Chicago is a film adapted from a popular Broadway show that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film stars an amazing cast including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore, and Mýa Harrison

9. Adventures in Babysitting (1987) – This very fun Elizabeth Shue movie is about a babysitter and three teen (or tween) kids stuck in downtown Chicago on a night of adventure, mayhem, and danger. Interestingly, while the movie is set in Chicago and nearby Oak Park, much of the filming took place in Toronto.

8. Barbershop (2002) – One of Queen Latifah’s best movies, Barbershop is very much a Chicago movie. It tells a story of a local downtown shop in a neighborhood where the “mom and pop shops” are being forced out by a greedy and aggressive big business.

7. Opportunity Knocks (1990) - While it wasn’t necessarily heavily discussed that this is a movie set in Chicago, the city and its culture plays a prominent role in the story. The main character (Dana Carvey) is a Chicago conman who finds himself in a predicament when he takes on a bigger fish than he can fry. One scene takes place at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

6. Wayne’s World (1992) – Also among the best TV movies, this comedy film is adapted from the popular Saturday Night Live skit featuring Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). Technically, much of the premise of the film is set in Aurora, Illinois. But given that it is a prominent Chicago suburb and the film is part of the city’s cultural film heritage, it can slide.

5. The Fugitive (1993) – Obviously this film, one of the best Harrison Ford movies and best TV movies, takes place in many settings since the main character is on the run. However, its most memorable parts in the concluding scenes are set in downtown Chicago.

4. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Fans of one of the best funny movies realize that this film is one of the more classic funny movies ever to be made in Chicago. The film’s main character (Matthew Broderick) skips a day of school and lures his best friend and his girlfriend into a day of adventure and mischief in downtown Chicago.

3. Candyman (1992) – Also one of the best horror movies, this very gruesome horror flick was tremendously well received by critics and fans. The original story took place in London, but the concept was adapted for this 1992 version which was mostly set in Chicago.

2. The Break Up – Also among the best Jennifer Aniston movies and best Vince Vaughn movies, this is one of the more recent Chicago movies. It is a romantic comedy, but Vaughn’s character teams up with his two brothers to run a tourism company that guides visitor around the city.

1. The Blues Brothers (1980) – Arguably the most iconic of the best Chicago movies, this comedy film about characters Jake and Elwood Blues is based on the popular Saturday Night Live comedy team of John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. It is also among the best TV movies.

Other top Chicago films not included: Uncle Buck (1989), Rookie of the Year (1993) Wayne’s World 2 (1993), Three to Tango (1999), What Women Want (2000), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Wicker Park (2004), Weather Man (2005)

There are certainly other great Chicago movies not included in this list and likely more good ones to come. However, this top 10 list of best Chicago films and additional ones for your consideration gives a good scope of the impact the great city has had on the film industry..

Want to tell us your favorite film not on our list of top movies set in Chicago and why? Just add a comment and share your thoughts!

This feature article about the Best Chicago movies was written by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

See also:

• Best New York movies
• Best Los Angeles movies

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