John Hughes’ 80s classic, “The Breakfast Club,” was filmed at the former Maine North High School, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The filmmakers converted the high school gymnasium into the famous library set. Today, the building is no longer a high school at all. It’s used as an Illinois State Police Station.
LOCATION: 9511 Harrison St, Des Plaines, IL 60016
One of the most highly disputed film locations you’re ever likely to encounter is the football field, where Judd Nelson does his famous fist pump at the end. Some insisted it was filmed at the same high school as the rest of the production; Maine North. Others insisted it was filmed at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, where John Hughes himself was an alumni. The majority of the arguments centered between these two locations, with former students from each school disputing which field was used. Others still have claimed it was filmed at Maine South High School in Park Ridge or Maine West in Des Plaines. The argument persisted until 2015, when the cinematographer of the film, Thomas Del Ruth, confirmed to the Chicago Tribune it was indeed the now-defunct Main North High School football field; the same location where principle production took place. The field has since been demolished, but the confusion remains so strong, many people to this day still recreate the fist pump photograph at Glenbrook North.
Related articles: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), Uncle Buck (1989)
Film Oblivion 