Lifestyle and Special Interests
Movie Fun Around Cleveland
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission helped pass legislation to provide tax credits for filming in Ohio resulting in hundreds of productions completed under its watch and a the development of a strong movie culture here. Due to the variety local resources and visual options producers find that Cleveland is the perfect location for almost all types of films to be shot. Be sure to follow the GCFC if you would like to be an extra in a film. Many locals have found roles in these productions!
Film Festivals Not to Miss
Cleveland International Film Festival - nationally recognized annual film festival based in Cleveland, celebrating its 45th year in 2021. Over 12-days it has over 200 featured films and 200+ short films from 70+ different countries
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival - a five-day celebration in and…
Independent Theatres
East Side
Cedar Lee Theatre- opened Christmas Day 1925 with a silent movie; in 1977 was the site of the inaugural Cleveland International Film Festival. Part of Cleveland Cinema located in Cleveland Heights.
Chagrin Cinemas- a 14-screen movie theater near Chagrin Falls. Part of Cleveland Cinema.
The Cleveland Cinema - Screens Oscar nominated movies, documentary and blockbusters.
Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque - founded in 1986, the alternative theater shows classic, foreign and independent films 50 weekends of the year in University Circle, Cleveland.
Cleveland Museum of Art Film Series - one of the oldest film programs in the United States. All films are on hold and due to re-start April 2022.
West Side
Capital Theatre -a 1921 theatre that began as a silent motion and vaudeville theater. Part of Cleveland Cinema in Gordon Square Art District.
Apollo Theatre – a 1913 art-deco movie house located in Oberlin, OH…
Some Classics, Old and New, Made in CLE
The Soloist - 2009
Spiderman 3 – 2007
Against the Ropes - 2004
American Splendor – 2003
Welcome to Collinwood – 2002
Antwone Fisher – 2002 (former EA staffer plays a social worker in this movie)
Air Force One – 1997 (watch a helicopter land on Severance Hall, the CLE Orchestra's home)
Happy Gilmore – 1996
Shawshank Redemption – 1994 (the now-closed prison in Mansfield does tours)
Major League – 1989 ("Wild Thing" has become the Indians playoff theme song)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles – 1987
Light of Day – 1987
A Christmas Story – 1983 (plays 24-hours a day every Christmas to a cult-like following)
The Deer Hunter – 1978
Judas and the Black Messiah – 2021
Captain America – 2014
Draft Day – 2014
The Avengers – 2012
The Fate of the Furious – 2017
A Sample of A-List stars with films made here:
Bruce Willis
Nicholas Cage
Willem Dafoe
Robert DeNiro
Meryl Streep
Michael J. Fox
Charlie Sheen
Adam Sandler
Denzel Washington
Robert Downey Jr.
Jamie Foxx
Scarlett Johansson
Victoria Justice
Chelsea Handler
Tyler Perry
Kevin Costner
Jennifer Garner
Matthew McConaughey
Katie Holmes
Machine Gun Kelly
While watching films, see if you can spot any Ohio people or locations in films made in Cleveland. And, when not scouting the area for movies and movie stars be sure to check out the film festivals and fabulous theaters.
Click here to see movies made in Cleveland.
