14 Iconic Movies That Take Place In Chicago
Chicago has stolen the spotlight in countless films, bringing its skyline, streets, and unmistakable attitude to the screen.
Directors use the city’s energy to shape everything from gritty tension to warm, feel-good moments.
From gangster classics to modern favorites, these iconic movies capture the spirit of Chicago in unforgettable ways.
Disclaimer: Film settings, plot details, and production notes reflect widely documented references available at time of writing, yet some movies mix on-location work with stand-ins or dramatized elements.
Availability on streaming services and venue access can change without notice, and descriptions may reference crime-related themes for context rather than endorsement.
1. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Skipping school never looked so good.
When Ferris decides to fake sick and take a day off, he drags his best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane along for an unforgettable adventure through Chicago’s most famous spots.
From singing in a parade to visiting the Art Institute, every moment feels like pure freedom.
This film perfectly captures that feeling when you just need a break from routine and want to make memories with your friends.
2. The Blues Brothers (1980)
Music and mayhem collide in spectacular fashion.
Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God to save their childhood orphanage, and they’ll tear through Chicago to do it.
Car chases, epic musical performances, and comedy gold fill every scene as they reunite their band.
If you love music that makes you want to dance and action that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this one delivers both in spades.
3. The Untouchables (1987)
Prohibition-era Chicago comes alive with danger and drama.
Eliot Ness and his team of law enforcers take on the notorious gangster Al Capone in a battle that defines an entire era.
The film showcases Chicago’s historic architecture while delivering intense action and memorable performances.
Watching this feels like stepping back in time to when organized crime ruled the streets and heroes had to be brave enough to stand against impossible odds.
4. Home Alone (1990)
After his family accidentally leaves him behind during Christmas vacation, Kevin McCallister must defend his suburban Chicago home from two bumbling burglars.
Clever traps and heartwarming moments have made this film a beloved holiday tradition.
While everyone knows the panic of forgetting something important, Kevin’s situation elevates that fear into a legendary adventure.
It remains the ultimate story of childhood independence and festive chaos.
5. Public Enemies (2009)
Set in Depression-era Chicago, this film captures the intense cat-and-mouse game between bank robber John Dillinger and the FBI.
Period-accurate details and historic neighborhoods transport viewers back to the 1930s, when outlaws were often viewed as folk heroes.
It’s a fascinating look at how crime shaped the city’s reputation during a time of economic desperation, blending high-stakes action with authentic Chicago history.
6. His Girl Friday (1940)
Fast-talking reporters and newspaper drama dominate this screwball comedy.
Set in a Chicago newsroom, the film follows a newspaper editor trying to stop his ex-wife and star reporter from remarrying and leaving journalism.
The rapid-fire dialogue and witty banter showcase the golden age of Hollywood storytelling.
Though filmed long ago, the energy and humor still feel fresh, reminding us that great writing never goes out of style no matter the decade.
7. The Front Page (1931)
Chicago journalism takes center stage in this early talkie classic.
A crime reporter attempts to leave the newspaper business for marriage, but a massive final scoop pulls him back in.
The film captures a gritty era where reporters stopped at nothing for a story.
Despite being an early sound film, the pacing remains gripping, offering an authentic look at the rough-and-tumble world of 1930s Chicago media.
8. Call Northside 777 (1948)
A reporter investigates a wrongful conviction in post-war Chicago.
Based on a true story, this film follows a journalist who digs into an old murder case after a mother places an ad seeking information about her imprisoned son.
The realistic portrayal of Chicago neighborhoods and the justice system adds depth to this compelling mystery.
Sometimes the best stories come from real life, and this one proves that truth can be just as dramatic as any fiction Hollywood creates.
9. In Old Chicago (1938)
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 becomes the backdrop for family drama.
This epic film tells the story of two brothers on opposite sides of the law as Chicago grows from a frontier town into a major city.
The spectacular fire sequence remains impressive even by modern standards, showing the city’s most devastating historical event.
History comes alive when filmmakers recreate moments that changed everything, and this disaster reshaped Chicago into the city we know today.
10. Scarface (1932)
Prohibition-era Chicago explodes in brutal fashion as Tony Camonte ruthlessly rises through the criminal underworld.
This pre-Code landmark pushed boundaries with its graphic depiction of organized crime during the Roaring Twenties.
Before strict censorship took hold, filmmakers captured the dark, gritty reality of American cities without holding back.
It remains a definitive look at the era when gangster violence first gripped the public imagination.
11. Little Caesar (1931)
Small-time criminal Caesar Enrico Bandello dreams of becoming Chicago’s crime boss.
This film helped define the gangster genre, showing how ambition and violence fueled organized crime in urban America.
Chicago’s criminal underworld becomes a character itself as Rico climbs the ladder through intimidation and murder.
Early talkies like this one shaped how movies would portray crime for decades, establishing tropes that filmmakers still reference and reinvent in modern cinema.
12. The Public Enemy (1931)
Tom Powers grows from a Chicago street kid into a dangerous gangster.
This film traces the criminal career of a young man corrupted by Prohibition-era opportunities, showing how poverty and crime intersected in urban neighborhoods.
The movie’s unflinching look at violence shocked audiences but also fascinated them with its realistic portrayal.
Understanding where people come from helps explain their choices, and this story shows how environment shapes destiny in powerful ways.
13. The Racket (1928)
Silent cinema tackled Chicago’s corruption head-on in this 1928 masterpiece.
An honest police captain battles a powerful gangster who controls the city through political connections and intimidation.
Despite lacking sound, the visual storytelling powerfully conveys the urban struggle between law and lawlessness.
Using striking imagery and expressions, filmmakers proved they could explore complex systemic rot without a single word of dialogue.
14. Chicago (1927)
A silent film explores murder and celebrity in Jazz Age Chicago.
Based on a stage play inspired by real crimes, this movie examines how the press turns criminals into celebrities.
The story follows a woman who commits murder and becomes famous through sensational newspaper coverage in 1920s Chicago.
Long before reality TV and viral fame, people were already fascinated by how media attention could transform anyone into a star, regardless of their actions.
