Hollywood Comes to Philly

Although it’s nothing compared to New York City or LA, Hollywood has still showcased a variety of landmarks across the greater Philadelphia region. From recognizable places in center city, to suburban neighborhoods (some not far from my own hometown!), Philly has had its share of the silver screen. This week, I am going to explore some famous movies that were set and filmed in the city.

1. National Treasure (2004)

If you’ve ever had the desire to steal the Declaration of Independence, perhaps you can learn a thing or two (it’s probably best that you don’t though) from this movie starring Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger. Funnily enough, there is a huge chase scene through the one and only Reading Terminal. You also see glimpses of City Hall and Washington Square, which is one of five original green spaces that was laid out in 1682 by William Penn’s surveyor, Thomas Holme.

2. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Director M. Night Shyamalan has a whole host of movies that were filmed in the Philadelphia area. Although originally born in India, he was raised in Penn Valley, Montgomery County, PA, which is not far outside the city. The Sixth Sense was Shyamalan’s breakout movie and it catapulted him to fame for its thrilling psychological twists. St. Augustine’s Church in Old City, Rittenhouse Square, and Delancey Place are all locations to look out for in the film. Some of his other films were shot in the neighboring Bucks County and Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County.

3. Philadelphia (1993)

Philadelphia was one of the first major Hollywood movie to tackle the AIDS/HIV crisis directly. Tom Hanks plays the character of Andrew Beckett, a gay man who has been diagnosed with AIDS and gets fired from his job because of it. He then goes on to sue the company for discrimination, with the help of a homophobic lawyer (played by Denzel Washington)—the only one willing to take his case. The main court scene actually takes place inside City Hall, with other historical places such as the Famous 4^th Street Deli (over 100 years old) sprinkled throughout.

4. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper (born in Montgomery County) star in this romantic drama that follows the tale of a former teacher who has just spent some time in a psychiatric hospital and is attempting to reconcile with his ex-wife. The movie is set in Upper Darby, PA—woohoo Delco representation!—with a famous scene occurring in the Llanerch Diner. The diner is located off of US Route 1 and is only a few miles from where I live, although I’ve never eaten there myself. Other scenes were filmed in the parking lot of Philly’s sport complex and the historic Lansdowne Theater (also in Delaware County).

5. Rocky (1976)

Last but not least, I couldn’t forget the most iconic one of them all: Rocky. Played by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa is the underdog boxer character that everyone can’t help but cheer for. He famously runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of his training regimen, and he also passes through the Italian Market and runs along the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. Today, you can now find a bronze statue of the iconic fictional character at the base of the Museum steps that have come to be known as the “Rocky Steps”.

Resources:

• https://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/philadelphia-movies-tv-shows/#twelve-monkeys
• https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/washington-square/
• https://www.discoverphl.com/blog/philadelphia-film-guide/
• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796117/
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/looking-back-philadelphia-25-years-later-180971011/
• https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-rocky-statue-and-the-rocky-steps/#the-essentials