Minnesota’s Most Famous Movie Is Now Over 30 Years Old
It premiered in theatres across the country during the holiday season over 30 years ago and it all took place right here in Minnesota.
We may be known for its ten thousand lakes, but Minnesota also has a knack for stealing the spotlight on the silver screen. From snowy escapades to quirky small-town dramas, the North Star State has played a starring role in some unforgettable Hollywood hits—proving we're not just a place for hotdishes and hockey.
But perhaps our most famous film is one that is now over 30 years old-- or will be this holiday season. Which one is it? I'm talking, of course, about the classic film, Grumpy Old Men. The blockbuster motion picture based here in the Bold North made its debut in theatres around the country on Christmas Day over 30 years ago, back in December of 1993.
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In case you need a little refresher, according to IMDB.com, the storyline of Grumpy Old Men centers on the characters played by Walter Matthau (Max Goldman) and Jack Lemmon (John Gustafson), who are childhood friends, rivals, and next-door neighbors in Wabasha. (Picture the big-voiced movie trailer guy saying this tagline the movie used: 'The best of enemies... until something came between them.')
But while Grumpy Old Men's story was based in Wabasha, much of the film wasn't actually filmed there. Most of the exterior scenes of various houses were shot in St. Paul, with various other parts of the state involved, as well.
The ice fishing scenes were shot on Lake Rebecca, in Rockford, northwest of the Twin Cities (just under two hours northwest of Rochester.) Various shots of Barn Bluff in Red Wing were used, as were parts of Faribault. Center City and Stillwater also had a few cameo appearances.
The film went on to gross over $70 million dollars and also spawned the sequel, Grumpier Old Men, which hit movie screens two years later, in 1995. So, on its soon-to-be 31st anniversary, enjoy some pretty funny bloopers and outtakes collected from Minnesota's most famous movies.
And keep scrolling to check out the complete list of OTHER movies that have been filmed here in the Bold North too!
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