For a short time Michigan gave tax credits to film makers to entice productions to locate here. Those days are long gone. However the films that were produced gives us the opportunity to see recognizable locations in our own backyard. We noted that in 2011 Sean Penn chose the Thumb to be a location for the film This Must be the Place. Here are three more notables among 140 films that located sets in Michigan for all or part of production.
Continental Divide – This 1981 film starring John Belushi and Blair Brown is cast in Chicago. A hard-nosed Chicago journalist has an unlikely love affair with an eagle researcher. One memorable scene takes place at a train station in Niles Michigan. The historic Michigan Central Railroad station was built in 1892 of brownstone. The depot is still in operation by Amtrak. The depot appeared in other movies such as Midnight Run, and Only the Lonely.
Into the Storm – Filmed in 2014, this disaster film was shot in several Michigan locations including Pontiac and on the campus of nearby Oakland University. There are alot of recognizable Michigan landmarks and buildings in this film. The school shots were filmed at the Oakview Middle School in Oakland Township. The film starred Richard Armitage and Sarah Wayne Callies.
![Into the Storm - Official Main Trailer [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xBH25XxM-7g/0.jpg)
Red Dawn – This 2012 remake was shot in Detroit, Harper Woods and Mt. Clemens. The closed Notre Dame High School was a primary filming location and its cafeteria was the catering hall for the cast. The film starred Chris Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. While not credited, the shot below from the trailer was taken in Pontiac.
Media from YouTube
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Don’t forget the classic courtroom drama ANATOMY OF A MURDER, filmed in our upper peninsula. Not to mention BEVERLY HILS COP, THE ISLAND, POLISH WEDDING, and Gran Torino, all with scenes filmed in Detroit and/or its suburbs.
That courthouse in Marquette is awesome.
How could I forget the recent horror movie IT FOLLOWS? A fine, spooky movie filmed all around Detroit and its suburbs.
Don’t know about that one. Will have to check it out.