In the Movies

Probably most well-known as the setting for the Rocky movies, Philadelphia has starred in numerous blockbuster movies, showcasing the city's historic neighborhoods and iconic sights, some of them made famous from the following movies. For film buffs, it's the perfect guide for exploring which Philadelphia movie locations to visit.

• "Rocky," "Rocky II," "Rocky III," "Rocky V," and "Rocky Balboa": you may recall the famous scenes where Rocky runs through the Italian Market in South Philadelphia and up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a plaque now marks the site. A statue of Rocky can be found at the bottom of the museum steps. ("Rocky IV" was not filmed in Philadelphia.)
• "Philadelphia," starring Academy Award-winners Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, was directed by Academy Award-winner Jonathan Demme. It was shot in many locations throughout Philadelphia, notably City Hall.
• "Twelve Monkeys," starring Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis, features the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Eastern State Penitentiary and the High School for Creative and Performing Arts.
• "Up Close and Personal," with Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer, features Philadelphia and its local television scene. A setting for this movie was the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
• "Witness," starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Danny Glover, is the story of a Philadelphia cop who tries to solve a murder witnessed by a young Amish boy. The most memorable scene is set in Philadelphia's 30th Street Train Station.
• "Trading Places," starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Akroyd and the late Don Ameche, has memorable scenes in and around Rittenhouse Square and on the steps of the Curtis Institute of Music.
• "Taps," with Timothy Hutton, George C. Scott, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn, was shot at the Valley Forge Military Academy.
• "Blow Out," starring John Travolta, featured a Mummers Parade, the Fourth of July at Penn's Landing, and a chase scene inside 30th Street Train Station.
• "Mannequin," starring Andrew McCarthy, and "Mannequin II," were filmed inside the Macy's Center City Department Store (formally John Wannamaker's) at 13th and Market streets.
• "Stealing Home," with Jodie Foster and Mark Harmon, was shot in Chestnut Hill, a neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia.
• "Clean and Sober" with Michael Keaton, was filmed at the Rohm and Haas Building at Sixth and Market streets (adjacent to the Liberty Bell) and throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.
• "Beloved," starring Oprah Winfrey, features scenes shot in the Old City section of Philadelphia.
• "Sixth Sense," starring Bruce Willis, was filmed throughout Philadelphia including Boathouse Row and the streets of Center City.