Movies About Chicago Gangs

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced, and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is the second installment of Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne / Batman, alongside Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman. The film follows the Joker, a criminal mastermind, as he wreaks havoc on Gotham City. After defeating Ra's al Ghul, Batman believes that he can protect Gotham better without the League of Shadows. In response, the Joker embarks on a reign of terror that forces the Dark Knight to work outside the law to save the city. In the end, Batman is forced to make a difficult choice between his own personal morality and the safety of the people of Gotham. The Dark Knight is widely considered one of the best comic book films of all time.

From Steve James, starring William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates
Rated PG-13

Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James that follows the stories of two inner-city Chicago high school basketball players, William Gates and Arthur Agee, as they pursue their dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows the two boys over the course of five years and documents the struggles they face—including poverty, family hardships, and academic struggles—in order to make it to college and, potentially, the NBA. Throughout the film, the audience is shown the boys’ relationships with their families and coaches, as well as the influence of race and class in their lives. Ultimately, the film is a powerful commentary on the realities of the American Dream and the obstacles that often stand in the way of achieving it.

From Andrew Davis, starring Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore
Rated PG-13

The Fugitive is an American thriller film directed by Andrew Davis and based on the 1960s television series of the same name. The film stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble, a Chicago surgeon falsely accused of killing his wife. Kimble escapes from custody and sets out to find the real killer, a one-armed man. On his quest, he is pursued by US Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), who is determined to bring him to justice. As Kimble gets closer to uncovering the truth, he must evade Gerard and his team of investigators who are in hot pursuit. Along the way, Kimble discovers a shocking conspiracy and finds unlikely allies in his quest for justice.

From Sacha Jenkins, starring Louis Armstrong, Steve Allen, Ernie Anderson, Lucille Armstrong
Rated R

From Shaka King, starring LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback
Rated R

From Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna
Rated PG

From Theodore Witcher, starring Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nicole Carson
Rated R

From Gary Fleder, starring Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, Clancy Brown, Darrin Dewitt Henson
Rated PG

From Chinonye Chukwu, starring Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett
Rated PG-13

From Michael Schultz, starring Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris, Cynthia Davis
Rated PG

From George Tillman Jr., starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach
Rated R

From Robert Schwentke, starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

From Chris Columbus, starring Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp
Rated PG-13

From George C. Wolfe, starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo
Rated R

From Arthur Hiller, starring Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan
Rated PG

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, Ray Allen, Rosario Dawson
Rated R

From Tyler Perry, starring Joshua Boone, Amirah Vann, Solea Pfeiffer, Austin Scott
Rated R

From Malcolm D. Lee, starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau
Rated R

From Tom Holland, starring Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent, Brad Dourif
Rated R

From Peter Hyams, starring Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Steven Bauer, Darlanne Fluegel
Rated R

From Richard Tanne, starring Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Phillip Edward Van Lear
Rated PG-13

From Chris Columbus, starring John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, Kevin Dunn
Rated PG-13

From Tim Story, starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Eve, Anthony Anderson
Rated PG-13

From Malcolm D. Lee, starring Shad Moss, Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T. Jackson
Rated PG-13

From William Friedkin, starring Nick Nolte, Mary McDonnell, J.T. Walsh, Ed O'Neill
Rated PG-13