From fires and giant insects to infectious disease and alien attacks, these Chicago disaster movies show just how often Hollywood has put the Windy City in peril. The Platt family drives, literally, to the end of Oak Street. Screenshot: IMDb. The End of Oak Street (2026) is a survival-disaster movie complete with dinosaurs, chaos, and glowing wormholes to other time periods. To be honest, it's not my typical fare. Unless Steven Spielberg is involved, I usually gravitate away from plots involving a Tyrannosaurus rex, time travel, and family pets. (Spoiler: the dog lives.) But I’d heard Oak Street described as “a real good time at the movies” and “pulpy fun,” so I decided to give it a try. The End of Oak Street. Screenshot IMDb. Set in 1982, The End of Oak Street follows the Platt family in the suburban town of Flowervale, Michigan: Denise (Anne Hathaway) and her husband, Greg (Ewan McGregor); their teenage children, Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery); and the family dog, Starbuck. They all live, naturally enough, on Oak Street. After a series of strange occurrences around the neighborhood—bright lights, ear-piercing noises, and odd plants suddenly flowering—things, well, take a turn, as this screenshot from Warner Bros. will attest. Running, a major theme in The End of Oak Street. Screenshot: Warner Bros. In case you’re planning to see the movie, that’s all I’ll say about the plot. But I will mention this: in one bit of dialogue—a throwaway line, really—The End of Oak Street mentions Chicago. Amid the family’s weird new surroundings and obvious confusion, Hathaway’s character says something to the effect of, “Maybe we should go to Chicago—this might not be happening there.” Which, of course, made me laugh. Because if you’re looking for a city that has been spared cinematic catastrophe, Chicago may not be your safest bet. Over the years, the city has been ravaged by fire giant insects mysterious explosions infectious disease alien robots superheroes genetically altered animals and more So, if Denise Platt is still considering an evacuation plan, here are a few Chicago disaster movies she might want to watch first—and proof that Chicago may not be the safest place to ride out a Hollywood catastrophe. In Old Chicago (1938). Screenshot. Chicago Disaster Movies to Add to Your Watchlist If Hathaway's Denise Platt thinks Chicago is a safe escape, Hollywood history suggests otherwise. Here are some Chicago disaster movies that have put the city—and its residents—in serious cinematic peril: In Old Chicago (1938) This historical drama follows the O’Leary family in the years leading up to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The film ends with a recreation of the fire that consumes much of the city. Beginning of the End (1957) After experimental radiation causes insects to grow to enormous proportions, giant grasshoppers descend upon Chicago—crawling across landmarks in (hilarious) low-budget special effects. [Witness the invasion in my 60-second video.] Chain Reaction (1996) Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz go on the run after a potentially revolutionary energy experiment ends in murder and a massive explosion, destroying a Chicago research facility and surrounding city blocks. The Dark Knight (2008) Christopher Nolan’s Gotham may be fictional, but Chicago is everywhere in The Dark Knight. As Batman battles the Joker, the city endures explosions, collapsing infrastructure, and plenty of civic chaos. [Discover the Chicago behind The Dark Knight.] Contagion (2011) Perhaps the most unsettling disaster film on this list, Contagion follows the global spread of a deadly virus. Chicago appears throughout the film, including at O’Hare and Midway airports—images that took on a different resonance after 2020. [Go behind the scenes of Contagion in Chicago.] Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) Chicago becomes the center of an all-out war between the Autobots and Decepticons. Buildings collapse, streets are destroyed, and the skyline becomes a battlefield. Man of Steel (2013) Chicago’s skyline doubles for Metropolis, where Superman’s battle with General Zod leaves the city looking as though it has survived an alien invasion, a war, and an especially bad day at the office. [Chicago's Union Station is practically demolished in this one.] Divergent (2014) In this dystopian future, Chicago is a walled-off city divided into factions. Whatever catastrophe devastated the outside world has left it isolated and on the brink of political collapse. Rampage (2018) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teams up with an enormous gorilla to stop genetically altered creatures from destroying Chicago. The result is the kind of destruction usually reserved for superhero movies. From fictional disasters to real-life tragedies, Chicago has provided Hollywood with no shortage of stories to tell—and no shortage of places to film them. Chicago’s Real-Life Disaster Chicago's cinematic disasters are only part of the story. In Still Waters, Sudden Death: Chicago’s Deadliest Disaster Onscreen, explore the real-life tragedy of the SS Eastland and how Chicago’s deadliest disaster has been represented onscreen. Interested in bringing this program to your library or organization? Learn more about the program and inquire about booking. SS Eastland Disaster, Chicago River, 1915. Public Domain.

The movie studio didn't want it, but Harrison Ford had other plans for his beard in the Chicago movie The Fugitive. Harrison Ford as a bearded Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive. Screenshot. Harrison Ford's facial hair plays a surprisingly important role in The Fugitive. The Fugitive is a 1993 action thriller filmed primarily in Chicago, with a few scenes shot in North Carolina. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor and prison escapee wrongly accused of murdering his wife. While trying to find her real killer and prove his innocence, Kimble is relentlessly pursued by Tommy Lee Jones's U.S. Marshal. But there's something else Kimble is trying to escape: his own appearance. For part of his screen time in The Fugitive, Ford insisted his character don a beard. No big deal, right? Wrong. Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, was reportedly not happy about the beard. According to Ford, the studio essentially felt that it had “paid for the face they wanted to see,” and executives were concerned that his facial hair would obscure it. Ford, however, had two good reasons for keeping Kimble's whiskers. Harrison Ford as Richard Kimble shaves off his beard in The Fugitive. Watch the scene on YouTube. The Beard Had a Purpose First, Kimble has very little time between his escape and the end of the movie to maintain his disguise. Ford reasoned that shaving his beard would be a quick and easy way to change his appearance if necessary. But the beard also helped establish something about Kimble's character. Along with his flowered vest and the distinctive artwork on his walls, the facial hair makes Kimble seem "slightly idiosyncratic"—a doctor who exists somewhat outside the medical establishment. As Ford explained, that characterization “comes to play later on in the story.” In other words, the beard wasn't simply Harrison Ford refusing to shave. It was part of the character. And the decision seems to have worked. The Fugitive became a major box-office success, grossing roughly $370 million worldwide on a $44 million budget. It received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and Tommy Lee Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Moreover, it's still one of the highest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes and the like. Harrison Ford as Richard Kimble shaves off his beard in The Fugitive. Screengrab. Wait… That's a Fake Beard There's an amusing wrinkle to all of this. Although Ford wore his real beard for much of the movie, there is a scene in which he has to wear a fake one created by the film's makeup department. And, as you might expect, the fake beard doesn't look quite as convincing as the real thing. It's a small detail, but it's a great example of the practical decisions that go into creating a movie character—and how something as seemingly insignificant as facial hair can serve a larger storytelling purpose. So the next time you watch The Fugitive, keep an eye on Richard Kimble's beard: it's more than just whiskers. Kimble's fake beard, created by The Fugitive's makeup department. Screenshot. Sources "Off Screen, Ford Unlike His Action Characters." Leader-Telegram, Aug 29, 1993, p. 51. See The Fugitive Behind the Scenes Want to go deeper into the movie’s Chicago story? Bring The Fugitive to your library, organization, or group with On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive. This talk goes behind the scenes of the film to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history. Filming The Fugitive during Chicago's 1993 St. Patrick's Day Parade And for a quick taste of the real-life chaos behind one of the movie's most memorable Chicago scenes, watch my 60-second video below about filming The Fugitive during Chicago's 1993 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Two movie productions were filming along the parade route that day—and their camera crews actually ran into each other.

In a 60-second video, discover murals in Chicago devoted to movies. Greetings from Chicago postcard mural Murals and other forms of street art line the streets of Chicago. As of this writing, FindMASA lists more than 8,000 murals and pieces of street art in Chicago! Perhaps the most photographed is the Greetings from Chicago postcard mural, shown above. If you look closer at the mural's "G," you will spot Chicago-based entertainment in the form of Muddy Waters and the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Plenty of other movie-related murals greet you in Chicago too. You can find ones devoted to Hollywood’s silent era (demolished since this writing), the Blues Brothers, Dolly Parton, Quincy Jones, and Robin Williams, among others. Watch our video below for a sneak peek of Chicago's movie murals, and then locate your favorite in Chicago's Mural Registry.

Discover Chicago’s cinematic history through expert-led walking tours and 50+ film history talks. Led by Kelli Marshall, Ph.D. Explore Chicago movie locations today. Ph.D.-Led Walking Tours and Presentations Book a Tour Step into the frame and explore Chicago’s iconic filming locations with expert-led, on-site storytelling. Book a Talk Bring the cinema to your group with 50+ in-depth presentations on film history and Chicago culture. OCT 2026 Featured Talk Batman in Chicago: Filming Locations and the Art of Anarchy STEP INTO THE SHADOWS. Explore Chicago as Gotham, uncover location filming secrets, and learn how camera angles in The Dark Knight reveal chaos and power. Book for Your Group Upcoming Events 2 days to the event Batman in Chicago: Filming Locations and the Art of Anarchy Mon, Oct 05 More info Register 3 days to the event Batman in Chicago: Filming Locations and the Art of Anarchy Tue, Oct 06 More info Register 7 days to the event The Art of Ferris Bueller Sat, Oct 10 More info Register Load More Chicago Film. Expert Insight. Hi, I'm KELLI , a Ph.D. film scholar and the founder of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks. I offer expert-led Chicago movie tours and 50+ film history talks that explore how the city’s filming locations connect to its culture, history, and identity. From walking tours to in-depth presentations for libraries, senior centers, and community groups, each experience brings Chicago’s cinematic story to life. Chicago Movie Tours & Talks: By the Numbers 135 Years of Chicago film history covered 50 Unique movie history talks available 300+ Programs and tours presented 15+ Years of teaching and research experience Reviews of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks Guests consistently rate both tours and programs 5 stars for depth, insight, and storytelling. Sherman Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli was awesome! Clear instructions on where and when to meet, then prompt start of the tour. She clearly knows art so that was the one aspect I did not expect. It was wonderful to hear about the background of the artists to give some context to the painting/sculpture. Definitely more and better than I expected. Thank you. Mitchell Szczepanczyk Hollywood on the Rails average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli at Chicago Movie Tours gave a fantastic tour of Union Station for her tour "Hollywood on the Rails." She didn't just teach us about movies and TV shows, which were plentiful (I didn't realize that "The Sting" was filmed in part at Chicago Union Station); the tour also touched on points from a variety of fields, including architecture, art and design, history, technology, and of course, Chicago. It was a wonderful way to spend two hours, very informative and engaging, and very much worth your time, whether your interests lie in film, pop culture, history, architecture, or the Windy City! Tommy, Chicago History Podcast From Fairground to Film Set average rating is 5 out of 5 As knowledgeable as I thought I was about movies (especially those with Chicago connections), I learned so much more from my recent Chicago Movie Tours event with host Kelli. Even with things I kind of knew before, I was able to look at them in a new light. Engaging, detailed presentations and an eagerness to answer questions made this a top-notch experience. Highly recommended. In the News Walking Tours Featured Watch Dr. Kelli Marshall break down Chicago film history on WGN Morning News. Film History Talks Featured Hear about the Windy City's links to The Wizard of Oz with Kelli on NBC 5 Chicago.

Book expert Chicago movie history talks by a Ph.D. and film historian. Virtual or in-person, these 60-minute presentations feature HD location video, rare clips, and interactive maps. Chicago Movie History Talks See what’s included, view past events, check pricing, and explore clients we’ve worked with. Chicago Movie Tours' talks—whether virtual or in person—blend unique visuals , historical media , and expert insight to engage audiences, spark curiosity, and invite discussion. Download 2026 Featured Talks Browse All Talks What's Included Learn what you get when you book a talk with Chicago Movie Tours. Ph.D. Expertise Commentary by Kelli , Ph.D., film historian, and guide Curated Clips Key scenes that highlight Chicago onscreen Newspapers Vintage clippings that add local context Original HD Video Crisp, unique location footage tailored to your talk Screenshots Still images that connect film to location Movie Fan Mags Old-school fan mags with Hollywood flair Archival Photos Historic images that enrich the narrative Interactive Maps Custom visuals that trace film sites and history Animated Slides Dynamic visuals that guide the experience Director’s chair icon for booking a Chicago movie history presentation Book Your Next Movie Talk 2026 Pricing Talks are available virtually or in person, and they run about 60 minutes, with unlimited time allotted afterward for Q&A. Virtual Talks $300 per talk Bring Chicago’s film history to your audience—anywhere! Host a Virtual Talk In-Person Talks $400 per talk Locations over 25 mi. from La Grange, IL, are quoted separately. View map . Schedule In Person HOP ON BOARD! Join the thousands of Chicagoans who have rediscovered their city with Chicago Movie Tours. See Who’s Hosted Me Reviews of Talks Austin, Adult Programming, Bridgeview Public Library Bridgeview Public Library average rating is 5 out of 5 Are you looking for an excellent presenter who is easy to work with and who knows everything there is to know about film? Book Chicago Movie Tours for your next program! Kelli is the best of the BEST and she has many more programs to choose from! Book This Talk Library Patrons on Zoom Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 I worked a block from the real "Soup Nazi" and got lunch there soon after he opened—yes, he was quite strict! [...] Great program, now I have to watch all the episodes again! [...] Well researched and presented. Book This Talk Seinfeld Webinar Fans Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 Fascinating presentation! I never realized how much food played a role in Seinfeld! [...] We love Kelli and have seen quite a lot of her programs. Book This Talk Webinar Guests Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 The only good thing that came out of the Covid pandemic: ZOOM presentations! This was another good one. [...] Very informative, excellent presentation—two thumbs up. Book This Talk Zoom Attendees Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli's an excellent presenter! [...] This presentation about child actors' education was so interesting and appreciated. Thanks much to the library for Zoom programs! Book This Talk Lectures on Tap Attendee Lectures on Tap (Theory Chicago, River North) average rating is 5 out of 5 Dr. Marshall was wonderful! She did an excellent job of covering a lot of material in a short amount of time. I think she has been my favorite speaker I have attended though Lectures on Tap! Book This Talk Show More Reviews

See what guests and librarians are saying about Chicago Movie Tours. Explore 5-star reviews for our walking tours and cinema history talks presented by Kelli Marshall, Ph.D. Chicago Movie Tours & Talks Reviews and Testimonials 5-Star Movie Experiences Led by a Film Historian Experience Chicago’s 135-year cinematic legacy through the eyes of a film historian. From the historic grounds of the Midway Plaisance to iconic filming locations throughout the Loop , our Ph.D.-led walking tours and presentations combine scholarly insight with engaging storytelling rarely found in traditional sightseeing tours. Below, explore verified reviews from libraries, cultural institutions, Chicago locals, tourists, and movie lovers who have joined Chicago Movie Tours & Talks for immersive experiences exploring the city’s deep connections to film history, architecture, public art, and popular culture. Browse Reviews by Category Chicago Walking Tours Film History Talks Private Walking Tours Reviews of Walking Tours average rating is 5 out of 5 Such fun and great memories! Amazing tour! Such fun and gives some great insight into the meaning behind some of the movies scenes. Kelli was so friendly and accommodating. She is very knowledgeable, well prepared, and ultimately passionate about movies. Lots of photo ops and fun during the tour, would highly recommend for any Ferris Bueller movie fan. Danny The Art of Ferris Bueller Verified • chicagomovietours.com September 26, 2026 photo ops with Ferris Bueller paintings, public Ferris Bueller tour, public art in Chicago, museum movie tours in Chicago average rating is 5 out of 5 A fun time A wonderful mix of art and film. We hit the major scenes in the movie and recreated a few. A fun and informative time. Nick The Art of Ferris Bueller Verified • chicagomovietours.com September 13, 2026 public Ferris Bueller tour, small group tour, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, film comedy, walking tour average rating is 5 out of 5 Heartily recommend! Wonderful morning viewing the paintings that helped make Ferris Bueller such a special movie. My two granddaughters and I learned why the paintings were chosen and even got to re-create some of the scenes from the movie. The tour was a great way to introduce two thirteen year old girls to some of the highlights of the Art Institute without it seeming stodgy. Heartily recommend! Patty The Art of Ferris Bueller Verified • chicagomovietours.com July 2, 2026 private tour, Ferris Bueller kids walking tour, Art Institute of Chicago, photo ops with Ferris Bueller paintings Load More Walking Tour Reviews Reviews of Film History Talks average rating is 5 out of 5 Book Chicago Movie Tours for your next program Are you looking for an excellent presenter who is easy to work with and who knows everything there is to know about film? Book Chicago Movie Tours for your next program! Kelli is the best of the BEST and she has many more programs to choose from! Austin, Adult Programming, Bridgeview Public Library Behind the Baby Carriage: Chicago and The Untouchables Reviewed on Facebook September 25, 2026 The Untouchables in Chicago's Union Station, HD location footage, in-person talk, Chicago film history average rating is 5 out of 5 Enjoy all Kelli's programs! I worked a block from the real "Soup Nazi" and got lunch there soon after he opened—yes, he was quite strict! [...] Great program, now I have to watch all the episodes again! [...] Well researched and presented. Library Patrons on Zoom No Soup for You! The Role of Food in "Seinfeld" Verified • Winnetka-Northfield Library September 21, 2026 programs on Seinfeld, Seinfeld, virtual and in-person lectures, 1990s television analysis average rating is 5 out of 5 She's so knowledgeable and listenable Fascinating presentation! I never realized how much food played a role in Seinfeld! [...] We love Kelli and have seen quite a lot of her programs. Seinfeld Webinar Fans No Soup for You! The Role of Food in "Seinfeld" Verified • Winnetka-Northfield Library September 21, 2026 Seinfeld and food, TV analysis, Seinfeld, TV series, library talk Load More Film Talk Reviews