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Movies that were filmed in Indianapolis

Lights, camera, action. Here are a few famous movies that have filmed in the Circle City.

INDYtoday: INDY_Just Pop In Popcorn Tibbs Drive-In Theatre_SEPT23

Imagine watching a scene from “Walter” that takes place at Tibbs while you’re at Tibbs. How meta.

Photo by @justpopin

We all can name a handful of movies and TV shows set in Indiana — like “Parks and Rec,” “Stranger Things,” or “The Fault In Our Stars.” But surprisingly, due to low media production incentives, very few Hollywood productions have actually been filmed here.

Last March, Governor Holcomb signed Senate Bill 361 into law, which includes a 30% tax credit for media production — double the previous amount, so we may see more movies being made in Indy soon.

Until then, here’s a list of a few films that actually have stepped foot in the Circle City during production.

INDYtoday: INDY_Butler Hinkle Fieldhouse_SEPT23

The final game in “Hoosiers” was filmed in Hinkle Fieldhouse — in the 1950s, when the movie takes place, it was called Butler Fieldhouse instead.

“Hoosiers” (1986)

  • As a movie inspired by a true story set entirely in Indiana, it would almost be criminal for “Hoosiers” not to film here. While most of the production was done in New Richmond, the movie’s final game was filmed in Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse.

“Winning” (1969)

  • Starring one of the most famous actors of the last century, Paul Newman, “Winning” featured footage captured from the 1966 + 1968 Indy 500 races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fun fact: while Newman may be best known today for his eponymous salad dressings, his experience filming “Winning” led him to actually compete in racing for the remainder of his life.

“Going All The Way” (1997)

  • This film is notable for helping to launch the careers of some massive Hollywood stars, including Ben Affleck and Rachel Weisz. Based on Dan Wakefield’s 1970 autobiographical novel, the movie was filmed entirely on location in the Circle City, including in Fountain Square, at Red Key Tavern, and at Union Station.

“Walter” (2015)

  • With a solid cast of stars including William H. Macy in tow, this recent comedy filmed scenes at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Tibbs Drive-In Theatre.

Know of any other notable films that have been shot in Indy? Let us know so we can add them to our list.

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