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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

I’ve recently loved watching older movies filmed in Boston. Through film, you can see the additions of new buildings, landmarks, and how the city keeps evolving.

Next time you need a break from your studying, relax and watch one of these movies to see how Boston has been a backdrop for so many incredible stories. 

THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1968)

The Thomas Crown Affair makes Boston look absolutely stunning. This crime film features some of the city’s iconic cobblestone streets, highways, and buildings.

It also shows Boston’s skyline from the ‘60s, featuring the construction of the Prudential building that then stood at only half of its height today. 

THE DEPARTED (2006)

The Departed is a classic mob movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Jack Nicholson, and Matt Damon. This movie is not only filmed with heavy Boston accents but also with many recognizable locations, such as the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street, Long Wharf, and South Street Station. 

GLORY (1989)

Glory is a civil war movie set in Boston that actually filmed most of its scenes in Georgia. The scenes that were filmed here were in the Boston Common and featured the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial.

This memorial commemorates one of the characters in the film, played by Matthew Broderick, who commanded an all-black regiment in the Civil War. 

MYSTIC RIVER (2003)

Mystic River is a suspense-packed thriller film set in South Boston. Scenes from the movie feature the Tobin Bridge, South Boston, and the Columbus Day Parade.

This movie is darker than the others, but still a fantastic watch. Sean Penn, who plays the lead role, won Best Actor at the Oscars for his performance. 

THE VERDICT (1982)

The Verdict is a legal drama starring Paul Newman. The movie explores a local Boston lawyer in a medical negligence case against a hotshot lawyer.

The courthouse used for the film was inside the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Street. 

BE SURE TO GRAB SOME POPCORN AND WATCH THESE TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE BOSTON SPOTS ON THE BIG SCREEN!

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Laura Tickey is a writer and editor at the Her Campus at Boston University Chapter. She is a junior at Boston University majoring in journalism and minoring in history. She loves to write stories about music, films, and events in the Boston area. Many of her articles also feature life and style advice.