Movies Filmed and Set in Detroit

Rosary Murders (1987)

A crime mystery set in a Catholic parish where multiple brutal murders take place.
Look for: Most Holy Redeemer Church in Southwest Detroit

True Romance (1993)

A dark comedy created by Quentin Tarantino based on the romance between a comic book nerd and a prostitute.
Look for: Ford River Rouge Plant, Cass Corridor, and the old Wayne County Building

Out of Sight (1998)

Based on a book by novelist Elmore Leonard, a crime comedy about a bank robber who escapes from jail and shares a mutual attraction with the US Marshall he kidnaps.
Look for: Multiple locations including the legendary Kronk Gym, Fillmore Theatre, and Renaissance Center

8 Mile (2002)

Containing autobiographical pieces from Eminem’s life, the film follows a young rapper trying to make it big in Detroit.
Look for: Downtown Louie’s Lounge, Chin Tiki, Penobscot Building, former Ira Wilson & Sons Dairy building, and former Michigan Theater turned parking lot

The Island (2005)

A sci-fi action thriller movie about a man who questions his existence in his sterile, structured world after his friend is chosen to go to that last uncontaminated place on Earth, the Island.
Look for: Multiple Detroit locations including the Michigan Central Station

Transformers (2007)

Fifth in the series, a live-action movie about a teenager getting caught up in the battle between the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons.
Look for: Packard Automotive Plant, Cadillac Place, Fisher Theater, Pontiac Silverdome, old Wayne County Building, and Michigan Central Station

Gran Torino (2008)

A drama about a disgruntled Korean War veteran who is looking to redeem himself and a Hmong teenager who stole his Gran Torino.
Look for: Sites from the cities of Center Line, Royal Oak, Highland Park, and St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe. 238 Rhode Island St, Highland Park is where the main character lived.

Ides of March (2011)

A political drama about an idealistic young man working as a campaign consultant and the conflicts he encounters.
Look for: Multiple locations including Cliff’s Bell

It Follows (2014)

A horror film about a young woman chased by a supernatural entity.
Look for: Redford Theatre, the Packard Plant, Motown Museum, and Pegasus Tavern

Batman vs. Superman (2016)

A superhero film where Lex Luthor manipulates Batman to fear Superman.
Look for: Multiple Detroit locations including Michigan Central Station, Masonic Temple, and Russell Industrial Center

Detroit (2017)

Based on the 1967 riots, this drama follows a group of rouge cops out for retribution rather than justice.
Look for: Fox Theater

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

An action comedy where the main character is a cop from Detroit seeking the killer of his best friend. Mainly filmed in Pasadena, California but the movie’s opening chase scene takes place near the Viking Motel on Grand River Avenue in Detroit.

Robocop (1987)

A science fiction action film set in near-apocalyptic Detroit where a terminally injured cop returns to the force as a cyborg haunted by his past. Though there are a few Detroit flyovers from the city, but most of the movie was filmed in Dallas, Texas.

The Crow (1994)

A pulp revenge fantasy about a brutally murdered man who comes back to life to avenge his death.

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

An intense crime drama taking place inside a Detroit police station where officers are besieged by an angry mob. Though set in Detroit, the movie was filmed in Toronto.