Did You Know These Hollywood Movies Were Filmed in Bloomington?
Bloomington, Indiana isn’t just a college town—it’s a hidden Hollywood backdrop. Over the years, several famous films have rolled their cameras through these Hoosier streets, capturing the beauty of IU’s campus, the charm of the downtown square, and the winding roads of Monroe County.
So what are the most famous movies filmed in Bloomington? Here are five standouts that put this Central Indiana town on the cinematic map.
1. Breaking Away (1979) — The Ultimate Bloomington Classic
If there’s one movie that is Bloomington, it’s Breaking Away. This coming-of-age sports drama follows a group of local “Cutters” competing in the Indiana University Little 500 bicycle race.
Shot across Bloomington and IU’s campus, the film turned the Little 500 into a national phenomenon and captured the local class divide between townies and students. The limestone quarries, rolling hills, and classic IU landmarks all make an appearance.
🎥 Local Highlights:
The Cutters’ training rides on Bloomington’s backroads.
Little 500 scenes at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Downtown Bloomington storefronts from the late '70s.
2. Kinsey (2004) — Exploring a Famous IU Legacy
Academy Award-winner Liam Neeson plays Alfred Kinsey, the groundbreaking Indiana University professor who forever changed how we study human sexuality.
Parts of Kinsey were filmed on the IU campus, giving the film an authentic feel as it tells the story of the Kinsey Institute’s controversial research. The movie also stars Laura Linney and Peter Sarsgaard.
🎥 Local Highlights:
Exterior shots of campus buildings that inspired Kinsey's real-life studies.
Subtle nods to Bloomington’s academic culture.
3. Hoosiers (1986) — A Basketball Classic (With a Bloomington Cameo)
While most of Hoosiers was filmed in smaller Indiana towns, a few cast and crew members were spotted staying in Bloomington during production. The film, starring Gene Hackman, tells the story of a small-town basketball team’s improbable run to the state championship.
Bloomington gets an honorable mention because IU basketball legend Bobby Knight’s influence—and the town’s basketball fever—was part of the cultural backdrop that inspired the movie.
🎥 Local Vibes:
The IU basketball culture that echoes through Hoosiers' storyline.
Crew and cast sightings in local Bloomington hangouts during filming.
4. The Good Catholic (2017) — Modern Indie Filmed Entirely in Bloomington
This indie romantic comedy-drama starring Zachary Spicer and Wrenn Schmidt tells the story of a young priest grappling with his faith and unexpected love.
The Good Catholic was filmed entirely in Bloomington, featuring local churches, coffee shops, and streets. It also stars Danny Glover and John C. McGinley.
🎥 Local Highlights:
St. Paul’s Catholic Center on campus.
Downtown Bloomington and local cafes like The Pourhouse Café.
5. Bloomington (2010) — A Cult Favorite in LGBTQ+ Cinema
This indie drama follows a former child star attending college at a fictional university clearly modeled after IU. Though it never explicitly names Bloomington, the film was shot around town and remains a cult favorite in LGBTQ+ film circles.
🎥 Local Highlights:
Quiet campus corners and scenic outdoor spots.
The blend of college-town charm and personal discovery.
🎬 Hollywood Came Back with Miles Teller and The Long Drink
Bloomington’s cinematic history didn’t stop in the 2010s. Actor Miles Teller, star of Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick, brought his own Hollywood presence to IU when his beverage brand, The Finnish Long Drink, made waves on campus.
Teller, a co-owner of the ready-to-drink cocktail company, orchestrated a Long Drink bar takeover in Bloomington, bringing celebrity buzz and authentic brand energy back to the college town.
While Teller wasn’t here filming a movie, his visit reminded everyone that Bloomington still knows how to steal the spotlight.
Quick Q&A: Bloomington’s Film Legacy
What is the most famous movie filmed in Bloomington?
Breaking Away remains Bloomington’s most iconic film, capturing the heart of the town and its people.
Has anyone famous visited Bloomington recently?
Yes—Miles Teller, co-owner of The Finnish Long Drink, recently brought his brand to IU for a bar takeover, blending Hollywood charm with Hoosier hospitality.
Bloomington: A Quiet Star in the Movie World
From '70s bike races to modern indie romances, Bloomington has quietly built a legacy on the big screen. Whether you’re biking past the quarries or sipping a drink on Kirkwood, you’re walking through scenes that helped define Hoosier film history.
What’s your favorite Bloomington movie moment? Drop us a comment or explore more of Indiana’s hidden Hollywood history.
