Top Movies That Capture Michigan Life

Many movies have been made in or about Michigan, but which movie(s) best depict the Mitten State?

Movies and Michigan

Many movies have been filmed in Michigan or made about the Great Lakes State. The one movie that comes to mind is Beverly Hills Cop, starring Eddie Murphy as Detroit cop Axel Foley. While it may not perfectly reflect real-life Detroit police work, parts of it were filmed in Detroit and Dearborn.

Being a Michigan deer hunter, Jeff Daniels' Escanaba in da Moolight depicts hunting camps in the northern portion of the state. I don't think every hunting camp is like the movie, but several scenes depict a pure Michigan deer camp.

Movies That Nail the Michigan Vibe Perfectly

A discussion popped up on the Michigan Reddit page about what movie(s) Michiganders think best depict Michigan. Below are movies or TV shows that locals say hit home for Michiganders.

I don’t love starting with a movie-themed story to talk about a TV show, but the poster made a great point about Detroiters capturing life in Detroit.

I forgot about Gran Torino and Grosse Point Blank.

I did like the movie Detroit Rock City. Being a Kiss fan and a kid from the Motor City, it reminded me of many trips to see Kiss in Detroit.

All I have to say about this one is, "Warm Apple Pie."

This poster nailed it with the auto industry's importance to Michigan.

Blow the dust off that VHS tape.

I know it's not a movie, but my all-time favorite TV show. I loved how Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor wore a shirt or sweatshirt in every episode that was either a Michigan sports team or college. I still watch the reruns.

A funny movie starring Will Ferrell about a basketball team based in Flint, Michigan, called the Flint Tropics. It did capture a moment in time in Flint.