Quite a few movies have been filmed in Cincinnati, Ohio — perhaps more than you might expect! In fact, the Film Commission of Cincinnati notes that over 50 films have been filmed in the Cincinnati area since about 1980. This list of awesome movies filmed in Cincinnati is just a selection of these many films. However, it’s a great start if you’re looking for a movie to watch tonight, so keep reading.
And keep in mind that if you’re looking to film a movie yourself or simply to do a photoshoot, whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere, there are numerous spaces for just that that are available to rent on Peerspace. It’s the largest online marketplace for production and event venues, available to rent by the hour!
1. Rain Man
This might be the most famous movie filmed in Cincinnati, which is why it’s the first on our list. It stars major Hollywood legends Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. It also won a ton of awards: the 1988 Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay! The movie features significant Cincinnati landmarks like the Roebling Bridge, Columbia Parkway, and the Dixie Terminal Building.
2. Carol
This is one of several movies filmed in Cincinnati based on a novel! In it, Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett play two women having an affair. Interestingly, it’s meant to be set in 1950s New York City, but the director decided that Cincinnati would be the perfect place to evoke that era and location, rather than using NYC itself! Specifically, they filmed scenes of a busy NYC street at the corner of 12th and Walnut. Additional scenes were filmed at Arnold’s Bar (an old bar that goes all the way back to the 1830s!) as well as at the Hilton Netherland Hotel.
3. Dark Waters
Based on a true story, this is a 2019 legal thriller about Rob Bilott, an attorney attempting to hold DuPont — one of the largest corporations on Earth — accountable for poisoning a small town. It stars Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway and is absolutely worth a watch if you care about environmental issues or have an interest in the law. Notably, Rob Bilott continues his legal battle against DuPont today.
