Lights, Camera, Action! Discover St. Charles, IL on the Silver Screen
- STC Business Alliance
- Mar 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 1
Grab some popcorn, a soda, and a box of your favorite candy because we are about to dive into some notable times that St. Charles, IL has shined on the silver screen. It's always exciting to see the city you know and love displayed for all to see, whether it be a major box office movie, a popular comedy special, or in a commercial. So, find your seat and silence your cell-phones because this show is about to begin!
The Killer (2023)
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
Released on Netflix, "The Killer" revolves around an assassin (played by Michael Fassbender) who begins to develop a moral compass, even when his clients still need him to fulfill his services. You may even remember the recent filming of it in downtown St. Charles in March of 2022. This stylish thriller, directed by David Fincher, features scenes at the historic Hotel Baker downtown along the Fox River, which has roughly 15 minutes of screen time.
Toyota GR86 Commercial (2022)
Photos Courtesy of Toyota
In 2022, Toyota took to St. Charles for their commercial in order to get enthusiasts excited about the GR86 sports car. The location chosen was none other than the Charlestowne Mall, just east of downtown. In the ad, a focus group brainstorms different ways to showcase the car's features, while the vehicle races, drifts, and even jumps through the mall's interior.
Coca-Cola Super Bowl 50 Commercial (2016)
Photo Courtesy of Coca Cola and Screen Rant Plus via Youtube
While this Super Bowl Coca-Cola commercial was not filmed in St. Charles, it does feature a really neat product placement that we were thrilled to see. Sure, this ad may have the Incredible Hulk and Ant Man, however, the real star of the show is found at the beginning of the commercial, as you can catch a glimpse of a bottle of Gindo's Hot Sauce - a local St. Charles business.
Munger Road (2012)
Photos Courtesy of Munger Road
Written and directed by St. Charles native, Nicholas Smith, "Munger Road" tells the story of two teenage couples that are looking to test the local urban legend of Munger Road on the night before the St. Charles Scarecrow Fest (now known as Scarecrow Weekend). However, unexpected circumstances arise, causing this activity to not go as planned. With a good amount of the movie being filmed in St. Charles, you'll notice familiar spots around town such as Smitty's on the Corner, and plenty of shots right on Main Street in front of the Municipal Building.
What's Your Favorite Weekend Activity?
Going to the Movie Theatre
Spending Time Outdoors
Catching Some Live Music
Trying New Restaurants
Joan Rivers: Don't Start with Me (2012)
St. Charles' very own Arcada Theatre was the film location for the 2012 Showtime Comedy Special "Joan Rivers: Don't Start with Me". She performed two, hour-long sets, both of which were sold out. The audiences left in stitches, laughing through all the hilarious (and sometimes controversial) jokes that she would tell.
Bad Boys (1983)
Photos Courtesy of IMDb
Released in 1983, "Bad Boys" is a movie that centers around a teenage delinquent (played by Sean Penn) who is sentenced to the Rainfield Juvenile Correctional Facility after committing a serious crime. This facility is actually the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, where much of the movie was filmed. With currently having a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is definitely worth watching.
Coach of the Year (1980)
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
"Coach of the Year" tells the story of a former Chicago Bears football player who returns home after being injured in the Vietnam War. After struggling to land himself a football coaching position, he eventually lands a position at a juvenile reform school. Struggling to be accepted by the boys, he does everything he can to earn their trust. Much of the film was shot at the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, which serves as the setting for the juvenile reform school.
