Weird Science (1985)

Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) are two nerdy high school boys with no hope of getting girlfriends. Then they stumble upon a brilliant idea: they will create their own! This ludicrous but fun John Hughes flick takes place in the fictional town of Shermer, IL. In real life, a combination of suburban Chicago and Los Angeles locations were used. Thanks to Chas at Itsfilmedthere for tracking down many of these locations!

"Shermer High School" was actually Niles East High School at 7701 Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, IL. It has since been torn down and Oakton Community College stands in its place. It was also used in Risky Business.

Wyatt's house was filmed at 280 Cedar Avenue in Highland Park, IL. The bad news? It's been torn down and replaced with a different house. Not to worry, as there are other things to see nearby: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Risky Business and Sixteen Candles were also shot in Highland Park.

Shopping mall scenes were filmed at Northbrook Court Mall at 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook IL. Max (Robert Russler) and Ian (Robert Downey, Jr.) meet Lisa (Kelly LeBrock) outside the entrance on the SE side.

GPS Coordinates:

42.150081,-87.814772

Gary's house is at 1200 Linden Avenue in Highland Park, IL. Joel's house in Risky Business is just down the street.

Gary and Deb (Suzanne Snyder) speed past a cop as they travel down Saint Johns Avenue past Mulberry Place in Highland Park.

GPS Coordinates:

42.180615,-87.795286

As the cop pursues, they turn off Saint Johns Avenue onto Central Avenue in downtown Highland Park.

They continue down Central Avenue, past Country Kitchen at 446 Central Avenue.

Gary beats the cop across the railroad tracks on Lincoln Avenue West.

GPS Coordinates:

42.177785,-87.793711

Gary cuts off his parents' car at the corner of Linden Avenue and Forest Avenue.

GPS Coordinates:

42.176504,-87.789097

Gary returns Deb to her house at 1150 Linden Avenue.

Google Map

(see attachment below)