PHILADELPHIA - Philly is no stranger to cinema.  While the city may be most well known as the formidable Rocky franchise site—the first movie won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1976, Philly is no stranger to cinema.


Philadelphia Movies Guide

Philly Sports Movies for a Sports Town

Rocky (1976)

The triumphant story of a blue-collar fighter, Sylvester Stallone played, helped put Philadelphia on film. The six-film series (with a seventh in the works), showcases many locations throughout the city. However, the most iconic is the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This is where Rocky Balboa ended his famous workout by running the 72 steps leading to the museum's doors. The bronze statue at the foot of the steps honors this famous scene.

Invincible (2006)

This movie, based on true events, tells the tale of Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a 30-year-old bartender who auditioned for and made it onto the Philadelphia Eagles team in 1976. The Eagles played at Franklin Field (235 S. 33rd Street) until 1970. The University of Pennsylvania Quakers play on the field today.

The Wrestler (2008)

Mickey Rourke was awarded a Golden Globe for his role as Randy 'The Ram,' an aged wrestler struggling to survive. Some of the wrestling matches in the film were filmed at The Arena in Philadelphia (2300 S. Swanson Street). The Arena was renovated in the past and is now known as the 2300 Arena. However, it still hosts sporting events and wrestling matches.

Philly Action & Adventure Movies

The Italian Job (2003)

The high-octane, star-studded flick is set in many places, including Philadelphia. Charlize Theron's character Stella drives through Philadelphia in her Mini Cooper, passing City Hall at Broad & Market Streets and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge near 6 th & Race Streets.

National Treasure (2004)

In this blockbuster, Nicolas Cage plays a treasure hunter on a mission to steal the Declaration of Independence. Cage, his team, and many misfits are on a quest to steal the Declaration of Independence.

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen 2009

The second part of the Transformers film series sees Shia LaBeouf (Sam) in college. Although his school isn’t named, Philly fans may recognize the University of Pennsylvania.

Philly is the setting for many comedies.

Trading Places (1983)

The opening credits of this hilarious comedy, starring Eddie Murphy & Dan Aykroyd, feature shots of Philadelphia landmarks such as Boathouse Row (along Schuylkill River), The Italian Market (9th Street between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets), The Thinker in front of the Rodin Museum on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (22nd Street), and The Thinker at the Rodin Museum. The Wells Fargo Building, located at 123 S. Broad Street, is used as the fictional headquarters of Duke & Duke Bank. The Curtis Institute of Music (1726 Locust Street) stands in for the Heritage Club.

Marley & Me 2008

Owen Wilson plays a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter alongside Jennifer Aniston in this heartwarming film about a couple with their unruly but lovable dog. The adorable puppy is the star of the show but the idyllic cottage the family owns in Chadds Ford (1175 Meetinghouse Road), also left a lasting impression. In 2011, the 1830s house sold for over $1 million.

Baby Mama (2008)

Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey, born in suburban Philadelphia, starred together in this buddy comedy about an ambitious businesswoman and a rude surrogate. The film includes scenes shot in some of Philadelphia's most beautiful locations, such as Love Park (16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard) and Rittenhouse Square (18th & Walnut Streets).

Philly Romance Movies

Mannequin (1997)

Andrew McCarthy plays a window dresser at Prince & Co., a department store. The story revolves around a mannequin named Kim Cattrall who becomes alive. Prince & Co. may be a fictional department store, but scenes in the store were filmed at the John Wanamaker Building (1300 Market Street), which is now home to Macy's.

Up Close & Personal (1996)

This love story is about the romance between veteran news director Warren Justice, played by Robert Redford, and Tally Atwater (Michelle Pfeiffer), an ambitious reporter. Atwater is in trouble, however, when she's held hostage by a riot that breaks out at Holmesburg Prison (8211 Torresdale Avenue), where much of the film was filmed.

Silver Linings Playbook 2012

David O. Russell’s Oscar-winning film received critical and widespread acclaim and celebrated Philly fan culture. Pat Sr., played by Robert De Niro, is an Eagles diehard. His son Pat (Jenkintown-native Bradley Cooper) proudly wears his Eagles jersey. Lincoln Financial Field (1 Lincoln Financial Field Way), where a scene is filmed before a match. Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), Pat, and the rest of the cast compete in a ballroom dance contest at the Benjamin Franklin House (834 Chestnut St.) before making their way to the grand finale in Jewelers' Row.

Nail-Biters Filmed In Philadelphia

Witness (1985).

The pivotal scene of this Academy Award-winning drama takes place at Amtrak's 30th Street Station (Amtrak's (30 th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard), where a young Amish child accidentally witnesses a killing. A police detective (Harrison Ford), who is assigned to protect the boy from harm, moves in with him and his family in Lancaster County, otherwise known as Amish Country, to keep them safe.

Twelve Monkeys (1996)

Terry Gilliam’s time-twisting story is full of surprises. Bruce Willis plays James Cole, an ex-convict sent back in time to stop terrorists from releasing a deadly disease into the public. He is, unfortunately, in the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary (located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue). Fun fact: the airport scenes were filmed at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street), a newly constructed building.

The Sixth Sense (1998)

M. Night Shyamalan, a Philly native who has filmed several blockbusters around the city, is best known for this story of Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), an outcast nine-year-old boy who believes he can see dead people.' This was his first film, and it earned him his reputation. Philadelphia features prominently in this film. Cole and his mother, played by Toni Collette, live in a small row house in southwest Center City (2303 St. Albans Place). Two characters dine in the swanky Striped Bass restaurant (now Butcher & Singer at 1500 Walnut Street), and Cole hides behind the enormous red doors of St. Augustine Catholic Church located in Old City (243 N. Lawrence Street), not far from the city's historic attractions.

Philly Drama Movies

Philadelphia (93)

The film that won Tom Hanks the first Oscar was almost entirely shot on location in and around the city. Hanks' and Denzel Washington's memorable scene in which they read legal texts took place at the Fisher Fine Arts Library (located at 220 S. 34th Street) of the University of Pennsylvania. The Racquet Club of Philadelphia is a popular place for several characters. Other locations in the film are the BNY Mellon Center (1735 Market Street) and the Famous 4 th Street Deli (700 S. Bruce Springsteen won an Oscar for the Streets of Philadelphia featured in this film.

Jersey Girl (2004)

Kevin Smith and Ben Affleck, longtime collaborators, returned to the screen for this emotional film about Ollie Trinke. A widower struggling to balance career and family. Trinke, a Philly native and hometown hero of Will Smith, publicly slams him in a memorable scene shot at the Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia (1113-31 Market Street) but set in New York. Smith makes a brief cameo in the movie.

In Her Shoes (2005)

This film, based on the novel of Philadelphia-based author Jennifer Weiner, stars Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz as two very different sisters. The final scene is set at the Jamaican Jerk Hut (1436 South Street), an unassuming restaurant that was so beloved by the crew and cast that it was written into the film.

The Intouchables (2008)

The Upside stars Kevin Hart from Philadelphia and Bryan Cranston. It's not a comedy and Hart's debut dramatic role. The film is scheduled to debut in theaters on 9 March 2018.

Philly Montage Movies

Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour

This bus tour is great for learning about Philadelphia's film history. The tour lasts approximately two and a quarter hours and takes visitors to over 50 locations featured in 30 films and TV shows. Built-in screens show film clips of each location as the bus moves. The tours run from June to October and leave from the Independence Visitors Center (6th & Market Streets). (215) 625-7980.