Five Famous Movies Filmed in Illinois
The Land of Lincoln has been the shooting location of choice for some of Hollywood's top filmmakers. Here is a list of five famous films shot in Illinois.
Home Alone
The famous house from 'Home Alone' is in Winnetka, Illinois. The family leaves from O'Hare International Airport. Church scenes were shot in Oak Park and Wilmette. 'Home Alone' was written and produced by John Hughes, who also filmed many of his famous movies like 'The Breakfast Club,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'Sixteen Candles' in Illinois.
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy features a number of scenes filmed in Chicago. The bank robbery that opens 'The Dark Knight,' and introduces us to Heath Ledger's Joker, was filmed at an old post office; the Wayne Enterprises building in 'Batman Begins' is actually the Chicago Board of Trade building. The Chicago Theater was also used in 'The Dark Knight.'
Wayne's World
'Wayne's World' is set in Aurora, Illinois, and some of the movie was filmed there. Berwin and Chicago also make appearances in 'Wayne's World,' the highest-grossing film ever based on a Saturday Night Live skit. 'Waynes' World 2' was also partially shot in Chicago.
Man of Steel
Did you know that Kansas is actually in Illinois? At least, it is in 'Man of Steel.' The fifth-highest-grossing film of 2013 used Illinois as a substitute for most of the Kansas scenes, which were really shot near Plano, Illinois and Serena, Illinois. Most of Metropolis is actually Chicago, and Chicago's Union Station was also the location of the climactic battle between Superman and Zod.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
This remake of the Wes Craven classic - considered a major disappointment to many fans of the original - has a list of filming locations that includes seven Illinois cities: Barrington, Chicago, Cicero, Elk Grove, Arlington Heights, Lake Forest and Orland Park. According to Wikipedia, producers chose to shoot in Illinois "because of pleasurable filming experiences in the state when the company produced 'The Amityville Horror' and 'The Unborn.'