USA TODAY honors a classic movie rooted in Alabama

USA TODAY honors a classic movie rooted in Alabama

When USA TODAY ranked To Kill a Mockingbird No. 45 among the 50 greatest American movies ever made, it wasn’t just recognizing a Hollywood classic. It was honoring a story rooted in Alabama.

The list, compiled by USA TODAY to honor America's 250th birthday, aims to "celebrate who we are, who we've been and who we can be."

The list combines influential movies from the past and present, recognizing films that helped shape American culture and storytelling.

More than six decades later, To Kill a Mockingbird remains woven into Alabama's identity and the broader American story.

Visitors still travel to Monroeville to see the old courthouse that inspired the novel, and annual stage productions continue to draw audiences. The book remains both celebrated and debated for its portrayal of race and the conversations it continues to spark.

Where was ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ filmed?

Although To Kill a Mockingbird was filmed in California, its heart has always belonged to Alabama.

Harper Lee based the fictional town of Maycomb on her hometown of Monroeville, where she grew up during the Great Depression. Many of the novel’s settings, including the courthouse at the center of Tom Robinson’s trial, were inspired by places Lee knew firsthand.

Today, the original movie sets no longer exist, but the film's Alabama inspiration remains easy to find in Monroeville, from the historic courthouse to the town's literary attractions.

Visit the Monroeville courthouse that inspired Maycomb

The Old Monroe County Courthouse in downtown Monroeville is one of Alabama’s most recognizable literary landmarks.

Built in 1903, the courthouse served as Lee’s inspiration for the courtroom scenes in both the novel and the film. It now houses the Monroe County Museum, where visitors can explore exhibits about Lee, fellow Monroeville native Truman Capote and the creation of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Each spring, the courthouse square comes alive during performances of To Kill a Mockingbird, with many scenes staged both inside the courthouse and through downtown.

How Monroeville became a literary destination

More than 60 years after its release, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to shape how people around the world view Alabama.

Its themes of justice, morality and racial equality continue to generate discussion as readers, educators and scholars revisit the story through modern perspectives.

For many visitors, the novel and film are what first bring them to Monroeville, making the town one of the state’s most enduring literary destinations.

USA TODAY’s ranking underscores the film’s lasting place in American cinema, but for Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird has always been more than a movie. It's one of the state's most influential cultural exports, continuing to draw visitors to Monroeville and introduce new generations to Alabama's literary history.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.