10 Facts About The Movie Groundhog Day

“Groundhog Day” is a beloved comedy film that has captured audiences since its release in 1993. Here are 10 facts about the movie:

It Was Inspired By A Book

1. The concept of “Groundhog Day” was inspired by the book The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, which provided the basis for the idea of a repeating day.

Harold Ramis Directed The Film

2. Harold Ramis also had a role in the film, appearing on screen in addition to his directorial duties.  It became one of his most widely known films.

It Was Not Filmed In Punxsutawney

3. Contrary to what one might expect, the film was not shot in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the actual Groundhog Day event takes place, but in Woodstock, Illinois.

There Was A Rabies Scare

4. Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, is bitten by the groundhog multiple times during filming, leading to a real concern about rabies .

The Budget Was Modest

5. The movie had a budget of $14.6 million, a modest sum by today’s standards but enough to create a film that has endured for decades.

Pay Attention To The Catchphrase

6. The famous catchphrase “It’s Groundhog Day!” is said multiple times throughout the movie, becoming synonymous with the film’s theme of repetition.

It Wasn’t Released on Groundhog Day

7. Despite the film’s now-iconic status, the movie did premiered 10 days after Groundhog Day itself.

What Causes The Loop?

8. The time loop that traps Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, is never explained in the movie, which adds to the film’s universal appeal; viewers can interpret the cause in their own way.  What’s your theory?

It’s Has National Recognition

9. “Groundhog Day” was added to the United States National Film Registry in 2006, being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

It Was A Commercial Success

10. “Groundhog Day” was a commercial success, grossing over $70 million in the United States.