Lights, Camera, Cincinnati
Cincinnati has quietly become a favorite destination for filmmakers, thanks to its mix of historic architecture and urban landscapes. The city’s diverse neighborhoods and landmarks have set the stage for a range of films, from gripping dramas to Hollywood blockbusters. In this blog, we’ll explore several well-known movies filmed in Cincinnati, highlighting both their standout scenes and the locations that made them possible. Whether you're a local or a film enthusiast, these places offer a deeper connection to the cinematic history woven into the streets of the Queen City.
Rain Man (1988)
Starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, several scenes were filmed around Cincinnati, including at Pompilio's Restaurant in Newport.
0:23:48 - 0:25:32: Pompilio’s Restaurant (Newport, KY, just across the river from Cincinnati)
This famous scene shows Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) ordering pancakes with syrup not touching. The location is at Pompilio’s.
0:31:05 - 0:34:00: Historic Dixie Terminal Building
The scenes where Charlie (Tom Cruise) and Raymond walk through a grand lobby with stained-glass ceilings were filmed in the Dixie Terminal in downtown Cincinnati. It served as the backdrop for the bank scene in the movie.
0:38:10 - 0:39:20: Roebling Suspension Bridge
Charlie drives Raymond across the Roebling Bridge, which connects downtown Cincinnati to Covington. This scene provides great views of both sides of the river.
1:36:02 - 1:36:38: Eden Park Overlook
After leaving Las Vegas, Charlie and Raymond stop at Eden Park’s overlook, where they have a heartfelt conversation with a beautiful view of the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline in the background.
These timestamps highlight the major scenes shot in and around Cincinnati. Several additional moments in the movie use Cincinnati locations as backdrop settings.
The Ides of March (2011)
Directed by and starring George Clooney, it features numerous locations around Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.
0:07:30 - 0:09:00: Memorial Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
The opening campaign rally for Governor Morris (George Clooney) is filmed at Cincinnati's Memorial Hall.
0:10:50 - 0:12:30: Fountain Square
Stephen (Ryan Gosling) has a conversation with a reporter at Cincinnati's Fountain Square. This is one of the more recognizable Cincinnati locations used in the film.
0:12:45 - 0:14:30: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
The airport scenes where Stephen arrives to meet his team were filmed at CVG, which serves as the airport for the Cincinnati metro area.
0:21:00 - 0:22:30: Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
Governor Morris gives a speech at a college campus, which was filmed at Miami University’s Hall Auditorium in Oxford, Ohio.
0:53:20 - 0:55:00: The Esquire Theatre (Clifton)
Stephen meets a campaign staffer outside the Esquire Theatre in Clifton.
1:05:30 - 1:07:00: Mt. Lookout
A tense conversation takes place in a parking lot filmed in the Mt. Lookout neighborhood of Cincinnati.
1:11:40 - 1:12:50: The Terrace Plaza Hotel (Downtown)
The hotel scenes involving Ryan Gosling's character were filmed at the now-closed Terrace Plaza Hotel in downtown Cincinnati.
1:21:40 - 1:23:00: Paul Brown Stadium
A scene where Stephen walks and contemplates was filmed around Paycor (then Paul Brown) Stadium.
These timestamps highlight some of the notable Cincinnati locations featured in The Ides of March. The film showcases many recognizable parts of the city.
Carol (2015)
Set in 1950s New York, this Oscar-nominated film starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara was primarily shot in Cincinnati to recreate the period's aesthetic.
0:03:50 - 0:05:20: Shillito's Department Store (Downtown)
The opening scene where Therese (Rooney Mara) works as a shop assistant in a department store was filmed at the old John Shillito & Co. building, which was transformed into the fictional Frankenberg's department store.
0:18:30 - 0:19:30: Hyde Park
The scene where Therese and Carol (Cate Blanchett) drive through a picturesque neighborhood was shot in the upscale Hyde Park area of Cincinnati, featuring its historic homes.
0:28:10 - 0:29:00: Walnut Hills (Downtown)
The exterior of the large family home where Carol lives was filmed in Walnut Hills, an old Cincinnati neighborhood known for its grand houses.
0:38:00 - 0:39:10: Carew Tower (Downtown)
Carol and Therese have a meeting at a fancy restaurant, which was filmed in the 1930s-style Hilton Netherland Plaza inside Carew Tower, a historic art-deco building.
1:04:40 - 1:05:50: Downtown Cincinnati
The snowy streets where Carol and Therese walk are filmed in downtown Cincinnati, which doubled for 1950s New York City. Many scenes feature the historic architecture of the city.
1:12:30 - 1:14:10: Veraestau Historic Site (Aurora, Indiana)
Carol takes Therese to her country house, which was filmed at the Veraestau Historic Site just across the Ohio border in Aurora, Indiana, a short drive from Cincinnati.
1:28:40 - 1:30:00: French Park (Amberley Village)
The scene where Carol and Therese visit a park and take pictures of each other was filmed in French Park, a scenic spot in the Cincinnati suburb of Amberley Village.
1:35:00 - 1:37:10: Terrace Plaza Hotel (Downtown)
The hotel where Carol and Therese spend time together was filmed at the Terrace Plaza Hotel, which has also been used in other films shot in Cincinnati.
1:51:50 - 1:52:50: Over-the-Rhine (Downtown)
Carol and Therese reunite in a café near the end of the film. This scene was filmed in Over-the-Rhine, a historic neighborhood known for its 19th-century architecture.
Carol made extensive use of Cincinnati’s historic buildings and neighborhoods to recreate the look of 1950s New York, with many other scenes filmed around the city and surrounding areas.
Traffic (2000)
Parts of this Oscar-winning drama, directed by Steven Soderbergh, were filmed in Cincinnati.
0:13:00 - 0:14:00: Hyde Park
Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas), who plays a high-ranking official, is seen at his luxurious home, which was filmed in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. This serves as the residence for Wakefield’s family in the film.
0:16:30 - 0:18:00: Cincinnati Country Day School (Indian Hill)
The scene where Robert and his wife (Amy Irving) attend a school event for their daughter was filmed at Cincinnati Country Day School, located in the upscale Indian Hill area.
0:32:50 - 0:33:50: Fountain Square (Downtown)
Robert Wakefield meets with fellow officials at a political event in a plaza, which was shot in Fountain Square, one of the most recognizable locations in Cincinnati.
0:45:30 - 0:47:00: Downtown Cincinnati
Various street scenes throughout the movie are filmed in the downtown Cincinnati area, including scenes where Robert walks through the city.
1:07:00 - 1:09:00: Eden Park Overlook
There’s a dramatic scene where Robert overlooks the city while contemplating his next steps, filmed at the Eden Park Overlook, offering a great view of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River.
1:35:10 - 1:36:50: The Maisonette (Downtown)
Robert meets with a political figure at a high-end restaurant, which was filmed at The Maisonette, a former upscale restaurant in downtown Cincinnati.
1:49:00 - 1:50:30: Indian Hill
The film returns to Robert’s home for a tense family confrontation, again filmed in the residential area of Indian Hill.
Traffic makes use of Cincinnati’s mix of urban and suburban settings to tell its story about the drug war, giving the city a prominent role in key scenes throughout the movie.
Airborne (1993)
0:03:00 - 0:05:00: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
The opening scene where Mitchell (Shane McDermott) arrives in Cincinnati to stay with his cousin and aunt and uncle was filmed at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
0:10:30 - 0:12:00: Mt. Adams (Neighborhood)
Mitchell’s new home is located in the hilly Mt. Adams neighborhood, and you can see shots of him walking through the streets with scenic views of the city below.
0:27:40 - 0:30:00: Eden Park (Krohn Conservatory)
Mitchell takes a walk through Eden Park and the Krohn Conservatory, one of Cincinnati’s most iconic parks, while talking with his new friends. The beautiful green scenery and the conservatory’s glass structure are prominently featured.
0:40:10 - 0:41:30: Fountain Square (Downtown)
There’s a memorable scene where Mitchell meets his classmates in Fountain Square for a lunch outing, showing the bustling downtown center of Cincinnati.
1:00:00 - 1:03:00: Western Hills High School
Mitchell attends school, and the high school exterior shots were filmed at Western Hills High School, located in Cincinnati.
1:10:00 - 1:12:30: Newport Aquarium (Newport, KY)
Mitchell and his friends visit the Newport Aquarium across the river from Cincinnati, with several scenes filmed inside and outside this popular attraction.
1:20:50 - 1:23:00: Rollerblading Race (Downtown Cincinnati)
The big climax of the movie, a rollerblading race, takes place in various parts of Cincinnati, including shots of the race starting in Mt. Adams and speeding through downtown Cincinnati. The action-packed race features shots of the city’s iconic streets and hills.
1:23:00 - 1:25:00: Roebling Suspension Bridge
The race continues over the Roebling Suspension Bridge, which connects downtown Cincinnati to Covington, Kentucky. This bridge is a key visual landmark in the film.
Airborne prominently features Cincinnati throughout the film, showcasing its neighborhoods, parks, and skyline, particularly in the iconic rollerblading race scene that highlights the city's urban landscape.
Marauders (2016)
Starring Bruce Willis, this crime thriller used several Cincinnati locations for filming.
0:02:30 - 0:05:00: PNC Tower (Downtown Cincinnati)
The opening bank robbery scene takes place in a fictional bank, but it was filmed at the PNC Tower, one of the tallest and most recognizable buildings in Cincinnati. The street-level shots around the building show parts of downtown.
0:10:50 - 0:12:00: Carew Tower (Downtown Cincinnati)
Several scenes involving the FBI task force are filmed inside the Carew Tower, another famous downtown building. Interior shots feature the art-deco hallways, which are iconic in Cincinnati.
0:21:30 - 0:23:00: Eden Park (Overlook)
FBI Agent Montgomery (Christopher Meloni) has a tense conversation at the overlook in Eden Park, with beautiful views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline in the background.
0:32:50 - 0:34:00: Roebling Suspension Bridge
The iconic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge appears in multiple establishing shots, particularly during scenes when characters are driving between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
0:47:20 - 0:49:00: Great American Tower (Downtown Cincinnati)
The Great American Tower at Queen City Square, the tallest building in Cincinnati, is shown during several exterior shots, symbolizing the headquarters of the bank under investigation.
1:05:00 - 1:07:00: Lytle Park (Downtown Cincinnati)
A key dialogue scene between FBI agents takes place in Lytle Park, a small green space in downtown Cincinnati surrounded by historic buildings.
1:15:00 - 1:16:30: Over-the-Rhine (Downtown Cincinnati)
Several scenes are filmed in the Over-the-Rhine district, showing the gritty side of the investigation. This neighborhood's historic architecture is featured in various chase and investigation sequences.
1:28:30 - 1:30:30: Hamilton County Courthouse (Downtown)
The grand exterior of the Hamilton County Courthouse is used as a key location in the film, representing law enforcement and justice during pivotal scenes.
Marauders used Cincinnati’s unique mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings to create a compelling backdrop for its action and drama, with many recognizable city locations throughout the movie.
Miles Ahead (2015)
A biographical film about Miles Davis, starring and directed by Don Cheadle, with scenes filmed in Cincinnati.
0:05:00 - 0:06:30: Hyde Park (Neighborhood)
The early scenes showing Miles Davis (Don Cheadle) in his home were filmed in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. This upscale residential area provides the setting for Davis’s reclusive life in the film.
0:14:00 - 0:15:50: Cincinnati Club (Downtown)
The film’s flashback scenes to Davis's past performances were filmed in the historic Cincinnati Club building, with its grand ballroom standing in for various concert venues.
0:28:30 - 0:29:50: Terrace Plaza Hotel (Downtown Cincinnati)
Several scenes involving meetings and confrontations take place in the now-closed Terrace Plaza Hotel, a significant location in downtown Cincinnati.
0:40:20 - 0:42:00: Memorial Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
A concert scene where Miles performs was filmed at Memorial Hall, one of Cincinnati’s historic performance spaces, known for its classical architecture and acoustics.
0:48:00 - 0:49:30: Over-the-Rhine (Downtown Cincinnati)
The action shifts to the streets of Over-the-Rhine, as Miles and a journalist (Ewan McGregor) speed through the neighborhood in a dramatic car chase, featuring many recognizable locations in this historic district.
1:05:00 - 1:06:20: Queen City Club (Downtown Cincinnati)
A tense confrontation scene involving Davis and music executives takes place at the Queen City Club, another historic downtown Cincinnati building.
1:15:30 - 1:17:00: Cincinnati Music Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
A key flashback scene showing Miles Davis in his prime was filmed at Cincinnati Music Hall, a grand concert venue that captures the elegance of his earlier career.
1:25:00 - 1:27:00: Lytle Park (Downtown Cincinnati)
Miles reflects on his life while walking through Lytle Park, a small, tree-lined green space in downtown Cincinnati, providing a serene moment in the film.
Miles Ahead used Cincinnati's historic venues, elegant neighborhoods, and urban streets to evoke different periods in Miles Davis’s life, bringing both his music and personal struggles to life on screen.
The Public (2018)
Directed by Emilio Estevez, this film about homelessness was set and filmed at the Cincinnati Public Library.
0:00:50 - 0:02:00: Cincinnati Public Library (Main Branch, Downtown)
The opening credits show exterior shots of the Cincinnati Public Library's main branch, the primary location for the movie. This building plays a central role in the film, as the plot revolves around a group of homeless people staging an occupation inside the library during a cold snap.
0:04:30 - 0:06:00: Inside the Cincinnati Public Library (Main Branch)
Early scenes establish the day-to-day operations of the library, with Emilio Estevez’s character, Stuart Goodson, going about his work. These scenes were filmed inside the library, showcasing the large atrium, reading areas, and computer stations.
0:14:20 - 0:16:30: Eden Park (Overlook)
A brief scene shows Stuart walking through Eden Park, a well-known green space in Cincinnati, with the overlook providing a panoramic view of the city and the Ohio River.
0:28:10 - 0:30:00: Fountain Square (Downtown)
News coverage of the homeless crisis is shown on screens at Fountain Square, one of the city’s most iconic public spaces. The scene also features background shots of people gathering at the square.
0:35:50 - 0:37:00: Cincinnati City Hall
A political subplot develops around the mayor’s office, filmed at Cincinnati City Hall. Exterior shots of the historic building help set the tone for the governmental response to the standoff at the library.
1:05:00 - 1:07:00: Cincinnati Police Headquarters
Tensions rise as the police get involved, and there are multiple scenes shot at Cincinnati’s real police headquarters. The exterior of the building is used to portray the increasing law enforcement presence in the story.
1:15:30 - 1:17:10: Piatt Park (Downtown)
Several of the homeless characters are seen interacting in Piatt Park, a downtown park located near the library. This small, tree-lined park adds to the film’s portrayal of urban life and homelessness.
1:30:50 - 1:33:00: Cincinnati Public Library (Main Branch, Inside)
The climax of the movie takes place inside the Cincinnati Public Library, with scenes of the standoff and tense negotiations occurring in the reading areas and public spaces of the library.
The Public makes extensive use of the Cincinnati Public Library as its main setting, while also incorporating other notable downtown locations like Fountain Square and City Hall to add depth to the film's narrative about homelessness and public services.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Starring Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, this psychological thriller shot in locations around Cincinnati.
0:01:00 - 0:02:30: Christ Hospital (Mt. Auburn)
The opening sequence, featuring a graphic heart surgery, was filmed at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. The hospital's interiors are used throughout the film to depict Dr. Steven Murphy’s (Colin Farrell) workplace as a heart surgeon.
0:12:00 - 0:13:30: Hyde Park (Neighborhood)
Steven's family home is located in the upscale Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. Several exterior and interior shots of the house, including family interactions and tense moments, are filmed here.
0:22:00 - 0:24:00: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (Avondale)
A scene where Steven and his family visit a local zoo was filmed at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The zoo is recognizable in some wide shots, though much of the scene focuses on family conversations.
0:35:10 - 0:36:20: Western Hills Viaduct (Downtown Cincinnati)
There’s a shot of Steven driving with Martin (Barry Keoghan) over the Western Hills Viaduct, a bridge that offers views of Cincinnati’s industrial area. This scene adds to the film's tense and foreboding atmosphere.
0:42:10 - 0:43:20: Five Mile Chapel (Anderson Township)
Steven and his wife, Anna (Nicole Kidman), have a conversation outside a church filmed at the Five Mile Chapel. The quiet, isolated setting underscores the film’s eerie mood.
1:00:00 - 1:02:30: Northside (Neighborhood)
A disturbing conversation between Steven and Martin occurs in the Northside neighborhood, known for its historic architecture. The scene’s background adds to the sense of normalcy clashing with the film’s unsettling themes.
1:15:00 - 1:17:30: Cincinnati Art Museum (Mt. Adams)
The Cincinnati Art Museum is featured in a scene where Steven and Martin have a tense exchange. The museum’s modern interiors and galleries are used to create an unsettling, almost clinical backdrop for the conversation.
1:25:50 - 1:27:00: Christ Hospital (Mt. Auburn)
The film returns to The Christ Hospital for more scenes showing Dr. Murphy at work, including moments of increasing tension related to his family’s predicament.
1:40:00 - 1:41:30: Historic Krohn Conservatory (Eden Park)
The climactic scene where Steven must make a devastating choice features the Krohn Conservatory in the background, providing a stark contrast between the beauty of nature and the dark psychological themes of the film.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer uses Cincinnati’s diverse locations, including hospitals, residential neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks, to create a foreboding and tense atmosphere that mirrors the psychological thriller’s themes.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
0:03:00 - 0:04:30: Hyde Park (Neighborhood)
Early in the movie, Liz (Lily Collins) and Ted Bundy (Zac Efron) meet at a bar and begin their relationship. This scene, showing a picturesque neighborhood and cozy bar atmosphere, was filmed in Hyde Park, one of Cincinnati's upscale neighborhoods.
0:08:40 - 0:10:30: Mount Lookout (Neighborhood)
Scenes showing Liz's home, where she lives with her daughter, were filmed in the Mount Lookout neighborhood of Cincinnati. The exterior of the house and nearby streets are visible during multiple scenes throughout the film.
0:15:50 - 0:17:30: Cincinnati Police District 1 Headquarters (Downtown)
The scene where Ted is arrested in Utah was filmed outside the Cincinnati Police District 1 Headquarters, which stands in for a police station in Utah.
0:20:00 - 0:21:30: Butler County Courthouse (Hamilton, Ohio)
The courtroom scenes from Ted Bundy’s trial in Colorado were filmed at the Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. This historic courthouse serves as the backdrop for the legal proceedings.
0:28:50 - 0:30:40: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (Avondale)
A scene where Liz and Ted visit the zoo with her daughter was filmed at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. This scene shows a lighter moment in their relationship before Ted's criminal activities are fully exposed.
0:42:00 - 0:43:30: Clermont County Jail (Batavia, Ohio)
Several of Ted's jail scenes were filmed at the Clermont County Jail in Batavia, Ohio, which stands in for the various jails Ted was incarcerated in throughout his trials.
1:02:00 - 1:04:00: Memorial Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
A pivotal courtroom scene from Bundy’s Florida trial is filmed at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. This historic building was used to recreate the setting of Bundy’s infamous televised trial.
1:30:50 - 1:33:30: Lunken Airport (East End)
Ted’s extradition scene, where he is flown from Colorado to Florida, was filmed at Cincinnati’s Lunken Airport. The runway and terminal appear briefly as Ted is escorted onto a plane.
1:40:00 - 1:42:30: Ohio State Reformatory (Mansfield, Ohio)
Although not in Cincinnati, some key prison scenes, including Bundy’s time on death row, were filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. The reformatory’s gothic architecture adds to the dark tone of the film’s final moments.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile showcases a variety of Cincinnati locations, including residential neighborhoods, courthouses, and cultural landmarks, using the city's historical architecture and scenic spots to represent different parts of Ted Bundy’s story.
Cincinnati’s appeal as a filming location lies in its unique blend of architecture and diverse cityscapes, offering filmmakers a range of backdrops that can stand in for various settings. The films highlighted here showcase how the city’s streets and landmarks have contributed to memorable moments on screen. For locals and visitors alike, exploring these locations provides a chance to see the city in a new light and gain a deeper appreciation for the role Cincinnati plays in the world of filmmaking. Whether you’re visiting familiar spots or discovering new ones, each location offers a connection to the stories that have unfolded on screen.