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!

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 to see Movies Made in Cleveland

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 around the village of Chagrin Falls

Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival - nine-day festival dedicated to celebration, preservation, promotion and advancement of African American arts, culture and cinema

Jewish FilmFest - a partner of the Cleveland International Film Festival

Italian Film Festival- Award winning films from Italy with English subtitles at different locations

Ohio Independent Film Festival - a one-day event featuring feature films and short films

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 near the campus of the college. Part of Cleveland Cinema.

Stocker Arts Center Film Series -screens independent, classic and foreign films on the campus of Lorain County Community College.

Akron and North Canton

The Nightlight Cinema - A wonderful independent theatre to enjoy cinematic art form.

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

Photo Credits

Filming of Avengers in Public Square (CC BY-ND 2.0) by Alan Witzke