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Looking for fun things to do in Chicago? Contact Chicago Movie Tours and let Kelli help you discover the Windy City through film! Contact Ready to discover Chicago through film? Or have another question? Reach out below. First* Last Email* Reason for contact* Share the details* Opt in to receive news about future tours and talks. Submit

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Fugitive Much of The Fugitive (Andrew Davis, 1993) is filmed in and around Chicago. But this scene, the dam jump, was shot in North Carolina at the Cheoah Dam. In this short video, Harrison Ford and the stunt coordinator (I assume?) recount how the scene was conceived and shot. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. South Side This episode (2.4) of the television comedy series South Side cleverly tips its hat to Ferris Bueller's Day Off , the 1986 movie that shares its Chicago backdrop. Here, the show offers a more representative South Side experience than Ferris Bueller’s North Side one. For instance, it substitutes a Cubs game for a White Sox, and it trades the Art Institute of Chicago for the DuSable Museum of African American History . And, as represented by the above screenshot, South Side replaces the “Save Ferris” water tower (as seen here ) with “Save Brenda” in graffiti on the South Side sculpture Fountain of Time . South Side ’s Chandra Russell explained to Entertainment Weekly in 2021, ”We certainly set out to create a love letter to an iconic Chicago movie, but we wanted to do it in a unique way.” Mission: accomplished. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Directed, written, and produced by John Hughes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a road movie with one goal: to get its two characters home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Steve Martin and John Candy play the incompatible pair. Martin’s Neal Page is an uptight Chicago ad executive, and Candy’s Del Griffith is a garrulous shower curtain ring salesman. The long shot above of a guy smirking behind a NYC taxi cab takes place near the beginning of Planes, Trains and Automobiles . While frantically searching for a cab, Neal encounters “Taxi Racer,” played by Kevin Bacon. The two men sprint through a crowded Manhattan street, seeing who can reach an available cab first. Neal nearly wins, but he trips over Del’s trunk and lands face-first onto the street. “Taxi Racer” claims the cab; before getting in, he offers a sarcastic salute to the fallen Neal. Here, Hughes films from a low angle because it is a point-of-view shot from Neal’s (lowly) perspective. What’s more, this shot—along with the whole scene —foreshadows the frustrating and often submissive position in which Neal will consistently find himself as he crosses paths with Del on their journey home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. If you’re wondering why Kevin Bacon plays such a small role in Planes, Trains and Automobiles (indeed, he’s only onscreen for 1 minute), he explains here . Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Home Alone From Home Alone (1990), this is a medium shot of a cashier, Sally, holding a bag of army men labeled Attack Force. Notice the slightly low camera angle and Sally’s downcast eyes, suggesting she is interacting with someone shorter than she. Also, Christmas lights, garland, and wreaths hang behind her in the store. Hopefully, those directorial decisions hinted to you that we’re likely looking at a Chicago-based Christmas movie that may involve a child. And indeed we are. Mistakenly left alone at Christmastime, eight-year-old Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) must defend his home against a pair of burglars. During the process, Kevin ventures out to the grocery store, where he adds this bag of army men to his list. Amusingly, he tells Sally, “It’s for the kids.” Did you know actor-comedian Robin Williams played with little toy soldiers too while he lived here in Chicago? As a child in Chicago’s north suburbs, Williams staged battles with thousands of toy soldiers, his mother recalls. In fact, the young Williams even wrote the soldiers' dialogue, foreshadowing his performance style of carrying on conversations with himself through multiple voices. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Undertow Undertow is a 1949 film noir. It follows Tony Reagan (Scott Brady), a former Chicago mobster/ex-con who is framed for murder and must clear his name before police catch him. In the process, Tony hopes to marry his bride-to-be, Sally Lee (Dorothy Hart). After 7 years apart, the couple meets up in Chicago, in front of Buckingham Fountain . (Things will not end well for Reagan and Sally; it is a film noir after all.) Other well-known Chicago locations you’ll see in Undertow include: Midway Airport Palmer House Hotel Shedd Aquarium Adler Planetarium Merchandise Mart Notably, Undertow marks the first film credit for Rock Hudson , who hails from Chicago's suburb of Winnetka. Look closely in the opening credits and you’ll find his name—although spelled “Roc.” Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Sixteen Candles This slightly low-angle medium shot of Joan Cusack comes from Sixteen Candles . In John Hughes’s 1984 teen comedy—set and filmed in suburban Chicago—Cusack plays Geek Girl #1. She has no lines other than “yeah” and “okay,” and she wears a neck brace that hinders her drinking from water fountains and cans of soda. Memorably, Geek Girl #1 uses material from her shirt appliqué to wipe her mouth after she finally captures a sip of water. (Joan’s brother, John Cusack, also plays a small part in Sixteen Candles .) Fans of the Cusacks likely know the siblings—comprised of Ann, Joan, Bill, John, and Susie—grew up in Chicago’s north suburb of Evanston, where they began acting in local theater productions. Additionally, their father, Dick Cusack, owned a movie production company that created corporate films, and he and his wife encouraged the kids to perform. Despite their careers in Hollywood, John and Joan Cusack still have residences here. In fact, since 2011, Joan has owned a gift shop in Old Town, Chicago . When asked about her hometown—where bit parts like this one in Sixteen Candles would ultimately lead to Oscar-nominated roles in Working Girl and In and Out— Joan Cusack says this: “Chicago is so normal. It’s very real. In Hollywood, I feel like mostly an actress. In Chicago, I feel like a person and an actress.” (Tallahassee Democrat , Dec 1993) Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film All Talks About The Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park are not just beloved city landmarks—they’ve also played unforgettable roles on the big screen. In this hour-long talk led by a film scholar with a PhD , explore how both public spaces have been represented in film, sometimes as places of whimsy, sometimes as sites of unrest. Specifically, you will: Stroll (virtually) along Michigan Avenue to visit the Art Institute of Chicago and its famous lions Explore how a beloved ‘80s teen comedy transformed a museum visit into a cinematic moment Step into Grant Park, a sprawling downtown green space rich in political and pop culture significance Learn how a recent historical drama restaged one of Chicago’s most turbulent protests View original HD footage you won’t find anywhere else—captured and curated just for this talk See familiar city landmarks in a new light—through the lens of film—as we engage in conversation about place and media. Request Talk

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Jul 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Private: Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film / Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, USA Learn more Jul 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, USA Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality Jul 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / White Oak Library District: Lockport Bra, 121 E 8th St, Lockport, IL 60441, USA Register Jul 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT White Oak Library District: Lockport Bra, 121 E 8th St, Lockport, IL 60441, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Aug 06, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined / Naperville Public Library - 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Register Aug 06, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Naperville Public Library - 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago Aug 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined / White Oak Library District: Crest Hill B, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USA Register Aug 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM White Oak Library District: Crest Hill B, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USA Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Delve into the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore Learn More View All Talks

Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting How Are Movie Worlds Created? Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting All Talks About To tell you a story, a movie relies on settings, props, actors, blocking, costumes, makeup, and lighting—all of which exist independently of cinematography, editing, and sound design. If you've ever wanted to learn how these items, collectively called mise-en-scene (pronounced meez-on-sen), contribute to a film's world and your perception of characters or particular moods, then join us! This hour-long program will also briefly trace mise-en-scene in film from 1900 to the present. Request Talk

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Dark Knight (2008) Standing on a street corner in Chicago, an unidentified man carries a duffle bag over his right shoulder and a clown mask in his left hand. Within seconds, he’s whisked away in an unmarked car, and the game’s afoot. This is the opening of The Dark Knight (2008). In the summer of 2007, The Dark Knight filmed in and around multiple locations in downtown Chicago (or Gotham, if you will), for example: Old Chicago Post Office Navy Pier Chicago Theater Millennium Station Lower Wacker Dr Chicago Board of Trade Building The first 66 days of the shoot took place in Chicago, beginning with the bank-heist sequence, as represented in today’s screenshot. Then, production traveled to the UK for 53 days. Then, it moved back to Chicago. This is an odd schedule for a big-budget movie. So here’s The Dark Knight 's director, Christopher Nolan, explaining the (intentional) traveling: “When we made The Dark Knight we quite specifically moved around. We started in Chicago, went to London, went back to Chicago which is a massive production no-no; you’re never supposed to go back to the same place. But it meant we constantly challenged people to work in a new environment on a daily basis.” Watch the full opening below, which takes place at S. Franklin St. and W. Van Buren St . Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Jul 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Private: Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film / Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, USA Learn more Jul 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, USA Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality Jul 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / White Oak Library District: Lockport Bra, 121 E 8th St, Lockport, IL 60441, USA Register Jul 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT White Oak Library District: Lockport Bra, 121 E 8th St, Lockport, IL 60441, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Aug 06, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined / Naperville Public Library - 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Register Aug 06, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Naperville Public Library - 95th Street, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago Aug 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined / White Oak Library District: Crest Hill B, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USA Register Aug 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM White Oak Library District: Crest Hill B, 20670 City Center Blvd, Crest Hill, IL 60403, USA Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! How Are Movie Worlds Created? Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting Learn More View All Talks