Here is a half-century's worth of notable films shot in the state.
"Wilson" is far from the first time Hollywood has come calling. Here are some notable films in which the state had a featured role.
These films flaunted their local settings.
"The Mighty Ducks" (1992) could have been made only in the State of Hockey.
"Purple Rain" (1984) was everything Prince.
"Grumpy Old Men" (1993) was written by a Minnesotan (Mark Steven Johnson) about the people he knew here.
"Fargo" (1996) immortalized our accents — you betcha! — and our wood chippers.
"Jingle All the Way" (1996) single-handedly put the Holidazzle parade out of business. (Just kidding, Arnold.)
"North Country" (2005) proved to the world that you don't mess with people from the Range.
"A Prairie Home Companion" (2006) was as Minnesotan as mosquitoes, mukluks and Super Bowl losses.
These movies pretended to be set elsewhere.
"Airport" (1970) claimed to be taking place at Lincoln Airport, but filmmakers couldn't hide the unique architecture of MSP.
"Slaughterhouse-Five" (1972) eventually ended up on the planet Tralfamadore, but the trip there included a car crash on Victory Memorial Pkwy.
"Ice Castles" (1978) supposedly was set in Iowa, but we recognize the old Met Center when we see it.
"A Serious Man" (2009). Although it contains semi-autobiographical references, this Coen brothers film takes place in a generic Midwestern suburb.
"Dear White People" (2014) featured the University of Minnesota standing in for a fictional Ivy League college, Winchester University.
These films included superstars in the making.
"Mallrats" (1995) featured a boyish Ben Affleck.
"Overnight Delivery" (1998) went straight to video despite the presence of youngsters Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Silverman and Paul Rudd.
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1999) introduced the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' Amy Adams to Hollywood. And they lived happily ever after.
Special report: Go behind Minnesota's pro-athlete curtain to see how the best athletes in our state get ready for their biggest moment: gameday.
