Movies About Philadelphia

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Sixth Sense is a 1999 supernatural horror film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film tells the story of Cole Sear, a troubled, isolated boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is able to see and talk to the dead, and an equally troubled child psychologist (Bruce Willis) who tries to help him. Through the course of the film, Cole begins to understand his ability and come to terms with the ghosts he encounters. He must also help the ghosts resolve their unfinished business with the living world before they can pass on to the afterlife. As the plot unravels, it is revealed that the psychologist is also a ghost, connected to Cole and the other ghosts in unexpected ways.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film tells the rags-to-riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted working class Italian-American boxer working as a debt collector for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia. Rocky gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship when the reigning champ, Apollo Creed, decides to give an unknown fighter a chance to prove himself by granting him an opportunity to fight for the title. Despite his seemingly overwhelming odds of winning, Rocky trains hard with the help of his trainer, Mickey Goldmill, and wins the crowd—and ultimately the match—through sheer determination. The film was a critical and commercial success, spawning several sequels and becoming the highest grossing film of 1976. It also received ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won three—Best Directing, Best Film Editing and Best Picture.

From Terry Zwigoff, starring Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, Maxon Crumb
Rated R

Crumb is a 1994 documentary film about the life and work of cartoonist Robert Crumb and his family. The film was directed by Terry Zwigoff and stars Robert Crumb, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Charles Crumb, and Maxon Crumb. The film focuses on the life of artist Robert Crumb, an influential figure in the underground comix movement. It follows his career and personal life, as well as his relationships with his brothers, Charles and Maxon. It examines his success as a popular cartoonist and his struggles with depression, anxiety, and his relationships with women. It paints a vivid portrait of a man who is obsessed with his artwork and struggles to find acceptance in society. The film also includes interviews with his friends, family, and colleagues, as well as a look at his work and archives. Through this, viewers gain insight into the creative process of a unique artist.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys, directed by Terry Gilliam, tells the story of James Cole, a convict from the future who is sent back in time to find the source of a virus that has wiped out nearly the entire population of the world. With the help of Jeffrey Goines, the unstable son of a brilliant scientist, and Dr. Kathryn Railly, a psychiatrist, Cole is able to track down the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, a radical animal rights group that is responsible for the virus. In his quest to save humanity, Cole is forced to confront his own past, present, and future in a fight against time and fate. Along the way, he discovers that the future is not as certain as it once seemed.

From George Cukor, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey
Rated Not Rated

The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor. It is based on a 1939 Broadway play by Philip Barry and stars Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. The film tells the story of Tracy Lord (Hepburn), a socialite on the eve of her wedding. Tracy finds herself in a love triangle when her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), and a popular magazine reporter, Mike Connor (Stewart), both show up to her wedding. With the help of her family and friends, Tracy must navigate the chaos, comedy, and romance that ensue. In the end, Tracy finds true love and discovers the importance of family.

From Jason Osder, starring Birdie Africa, Ramona Africa, Wilson Goode, William Brown III
Rated Not Rated

Let the Fire Burn is a 2013 documentary film by director Jason Osder about the 1985 police bombing of the headquarters of the black liberation group MOVE in Philadelphia. Featuring archival footage from the time of the event and interviews with MOVE members, city officials, firefighters, and journalists, the film chronicles the events leading up to and the aftermath of the police bombing. It serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked authority and the importance of civil rights, as well as a reminder of the police brutality and systemic racism that remains a reality for many in America.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Roberta Maxwell, Buzz Kilman
Rated PG-13

Philadelphia is a 1993 drama film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. It tells the story of Andrew Beckett (Hanks), a gay lawyer who is fired from his conservative law firm because of his homosexuality, and his fight for justice. After being diagnosed with AIDS, he hires a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller (Washington), to sue the firm for discrimination. Over the course of the film, Andrew and Joe's relationship evolves from one of animosity to one of mutual respect and understanding. The film tackles themes of homophobia, AIDS stigma, and the power of human connection.

From David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Rated R

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell and written by Russell, based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quick. After a stint in a mental institution, Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents, who are struggling with their own marital issues. Pat soon finds solace through Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own. Together, they form an unlikely bond as they train for a dance competition that could bring them closer to finding happiness and a new beginning. As they try to make sense of their lives, they find laughter, tears, and a lot of heart along the way.

From Hal Ashby, starring Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, Otis Young, Clifton James
Rated R

The Last Detail is a 1973 American comedy-drama directed by Hal Ashby, based on the novel of the same name by Darryl Ponicsan. The film stars Jack Nicholson as a Sailor Buddusky, and Otis Young as a Seaman "Mule" Mulhall. The two are assigned to escort a young sailor, played by Randy Quaid, to the Portsmouth Naval Prison in Virginia. The two men decide to show the young sailor a good time before they get to the prison, and they embark on a wild and memorable road trip to enjoy their last few days of freedom. Along the way, they visit a brothel, get into a bar fight, and ultimately bond with the young sailor. The film is an exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the meaning of freedom, and is a classic depiction of Navy life in the 1970s.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The plot follows two wealthy brothers, Randolph and Mortimer Duke (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche), who make a bet to see if they can turn a street-smart hustler (Murphy) into a successful businessman, while conversely ruining a successful businessman (Aykroyd) with homelessness. With the help of their staff and a beautiful woman (Jamie Lee Curtis), the two brothers manipulate the stock market to their advantage. In the end, the hustler becomes a successful investor and the businessman helps pay off the Duke's debt and the two adversaries become friends.

From Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Josef Sommer
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz
Rated R

From Elaine May, starring Rose Arrick, Carol Grace, William Hickey, Sanford Meisner
Rated R

From Louis Malle, starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Sarandon, Kate Reid, Michel Piccoli
Rated R

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright, Spencer Treat Clark
Rated PG-13

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

From Alan Parker, starring Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins, Sandy Baron
Rated R

From Nicole Kassell, starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Yasiin Bey, David Alan Grier
Rated R

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Martin Gabel, Louise Latham
Rated PG

From Cheryl Dunye, starring Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker, Lisa Marie Bronson
Rated Unrated

From Ericson Core, starring Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway
Rated PG

From Sylvester Stallone, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

From Harold Becker, starring George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Ronny Cox, Sean Penn
Rated PG

From Bobby Moresco, starring James Marsden, Giovanni Ribisi, Brad Renfro, Piper Perabo
Rated R

From Sunu Gonera, starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, Tom Arnold
Rated PG