Co-written by and co-starring Boston locals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, "Good Will Hunting" is the story of an underachieving MIT janitor with a gift for mathematics. It won Affleck and Damon a 1997 Academy Award for Best Screenplay and was shot for $10 million.
MIT's domed McLaurin Building, Harvard Square, and the Boston Public Garden all make cameos in the movie, which also stars Robin Williams. Much of the film's interior scenes were shot in Toronto, but some "Southie" moments were shot on location, including at Woody’s L Street Tavern, where the famous "How do you like them apples" scene takes place.
"Good Will Hunting" took in $138.4 million at the US box office, making it our top-grossing Boston-based film.
