It was just over 30 years ago when “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell premiered in theaters. Murray played a local weatherman who woke up every morning to find he was repeating the same day, Groundhog Day, over and over and over again.
In honor of the film, and that today is Groundhog Day, we put together a list of interesting facts about the film and its stars. Check out the entire list below and then browse prior fun facts lists about movies and tv shows.
1. The film didn’t premiere on Groundhog Day.
“Groundhog Day” had its premiere showing on February 4, 1993 and went into wide release on February 12th of the same year.
2. Who directed “Groundhog Day”?
The film was directed by Harold Ramis. He had previously directed Bill Murray in ‘Caddyshack’
3. Ramis had a role in the film as well.
In addition to directing the film, Harold had a small part as a doctor visited by Murray’s character.
4. It wasn’t filmed in Punxsutawney
The town of Woodstock, Illinois stood in for Punxsutawney in the movie. Woodstock is a little over an hour from Chicago.
5. Who else was considered for the lead role?
Before Bill Murray was cast as Phil Connors, both Tom Hanks and Michael Keaton were considered. Keaton went on to work with Ramis and MacDowell in the film ‘Multiplicity’
6. The movie was a family affair.
The town’s mayor, Buster Green, was played by Bill’s older brother Brian Doyle-Murray
7. Medical attention required.
Murray was bit multiple times during shooting the film and had to undergo a series of rabies shots as a result.
8. How long was Phil stuck in the loop?
While different times have been mentioned over the years, according to a Yahoo article, Ramis once said 10 years before revising it to more than 30 while another website has calculated that Phil was probably stuck almost 34 years.
9. The movie was added to the National Film Registry in 2006
Other films chosen that year included ‘Blazing Saddles,’ ‘Rocky’ and ‘Halloween’
10. Cast members honored
Multiple actors from the film went on to be honorary grand marshals at the festival in Punxsutawney including Murray, Ramis and Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Reyerson.
11. Cashing in on the nostalgia
Jeep brought back Murray and several other cast members for a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl in 2020.
12. It’s been adapted for stage
A musical version of the film premiered in London in 2016. It won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It was later nominated for multiple Tony Awards after opening on Broadway in 2017.
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