Many movies and TV shows have used Cleveland — and the generous tax breaks it offers productions — as a place to film, especially in recent years. But many of those productions dress up Cleveland to make it look like New York City or other places. We covered all of the films that were shot here in a previous slideshow.
These films and shows, however, actually use Cleveland as their setting. It’s a surprising number that goes far beyond Major League and Hot in Cleveland.
Our list details not only what to watch, but where to find it today. If a free streaming option isn’t listed, that means the titles are available to rent or buy on iTunes, Amazon Prime and elsewhere.
Filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. has gone from his hometown with the indie movie “The Land” to Peru with “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” in his career.
It’s a significant elevation in projects and his profile in Hollywood. Caple, a Cleveland Native, caught attention with “The Land,” a heist film set among skateboarders in his hometown, parlayed that into directing “Creed II,” which won praise, enjoyed box office success and, now, he finds himself helming one of the biggest franchises of the past 20 years – “Transformers.”
Transforming the film industry. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
SOURCE: Axios Cleveland | Troy Smith
June 7, 2023
A Cleveland native is at the helm of what promises to be one of this summer’s blockbusters.
Driving the news: “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” opens this week and is directed by John Marshall High School grad Steven Caple Jr., who left Tremont for USC film school.
Here’s a look at the projects that propelled Caple to blockbuster glory:
Caple’s first feature film was shot in Cleveland over three weeks in July 2015.
“The Land,” which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, centers on four teenage boys who hope to use skateboarding to make it out of Cleveland but get caught in the web of a local drug queenpin.
Caple directs the seventh entry in a “Transformers” film franchise that has grossed nearly $5 billion worldwide.
“Rise of the Beasts” is expected to earn around $70 million during its opening week in North America, which would be the largest haul yet for a Caple-helmed film.
Transforming the film industry. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
SOURCE: Axios Cleveland | Troy Smith
June 7, 2023
A Cleveland native is at the helm of what promises to be one of this summer’s blockbusters.
Driving the news: “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” opens this week and is directed by John Marshall High School grad Steven Caple Jr., who left Tremont for USC film school.
Here’s a look at the projects that propelled Caple to blockbuster glory:
Caple’s first feature film was shot in Cleveland over three weeks in July 2015.
“The Land,” which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, centers on four teenage boys who hope to use skateboarding to make it out of Cleveland but get caught in the web of a local drug queenpin.
Caple directs the seventh entry in a “Transformers” film franchise that has grossed nearly $5 billion worldwide.
“Rise of the Beasts” is expected to earn around $70 million during its opening week in North America, which would be the largest haul yet for a Caple-helmed film.
CLEVELAND — On Friday, Peacock released “Shooting Stars,” which chronicles LeBron James’ rise to becoming the nation’s top basketball prospect alongside his close friends and teammates at Akron‘s St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
But while James is played by actor Mookie Cook, those in Northeast Ohio who have watched the feature film likely recognized plenty of familiar faces, including former WKYC anchors Romona Robinson and Tim White.
The St. Clair Ballroom at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower in Cleveland was filled May 19 for The Growth Opps Carpe Diem Awards luncheon, where dozens of students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District gathered for the announcement of winners in an essay, rap, poetry and video competition based on “Caesar the Musical,” a play written and directed by Mike Petrone, a longtime Cleveland singer-songwriter and director.
The St. Clair Ballroom at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower in Cleveland was filled May 19 for The Growth Opps Carpe Diem Awards luncheon, where dozens of students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District gathered for the announcement of winners in an essay, rap, poetry and video competition based on “Caesar the Musical,” a play written and directed by Mike Petrone, a longtime Cleveland singer-songwriter and director.
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission gave an update to the Cleveland City Council Workforce, Education, Training, and Youth Development Committee on Tuesday, May 23rd.
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission gave an update to the Cleveland City Council Workforce, Education, Training, and Youth Development Committee on Tuesday, May 23rd.
The intrigue: Cleveland played the role of Washington, D.C., in the film for numerous scenes, including action sequences on West Shoreway and Superior Avenue.
The kiss between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) was filmed on an escalator in Tower City Center.
The bottom line: All the chaos and street closings were worth it as “The Winter Soldier” brought $80 million in economic impact to Cleveland, according to the Cleveland Film Commission.
