Over seventyfive feature films which have been made in Philadelphia since Sylvester Stallone brought the streets of South Philadelphia, the Italian Market and the Delaware River waterfront to the big screen in his 1976 film Rocky. Some of the best were made between 1975 and 1989. We have selected our favorites which showcase the city and surrounding area.
1. Rocky - 1976
Academy Award winning film about a small time boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight championship in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
2. Witness - 1985
Samuel Lap is a young Amish boy who witnesses a murder in Philadelphia while traveling with his mother Rachel. A good cop named John Book must go with them into hiding when the killers come after them. All three retreat to Amish country and Book has to adjust to the new life style, and his feelings for the boy's mother. Of course the killers are still on their trail.3. Trading Places 1983
A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous Philadelphia millionaires.4. Blow Out - 1981
A movie soundman accidentally records the evidence that proves a car "accident" was actually murder, and consequently finds himself in great danger.5. Dressed to Kill -1980
A psychiatrist to a murdered woman is reluctant to help the police. The detective assigned to the murder is disinterested, leaving the investigation to a prostitute who witnessed the murder and the son of the deceased.6. Taps - 1981
Military school cadets take extreme measures to insure the future of their academy when its existence is threatened by local condo developers.7. Mannequin - 1987
A young artist falls in love with a mannequin he has made. Later the mannequin comes to life as the reborn Emmy, an ancient Egyptian from 2514 B.C.8. Rocky II - 1979
Rocky struggles with his family life after his bout with Apollo Creed. Meanwhile the embarrassed champ goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.9. Rocky III - 1982
When Rocky is defeated by a brutal challenger, Apollo Creed offers to retrain him in order to regain his fighting spirit and his championship belt.