September 13: Barbershop (2002)

Milestone Years

• 20th Anniversary: September 13, 2022
• 25th Anniversary: September 13, 2027

Inspiration Behind the Movie

The story was created by Mark Brown, with screenplay by Brown, Don D. Scott, and Marshall Todd. Producers aimed to show African‑Americans in multidimensional, realistic light, particularly focusing on community, legacy, and dialogue among everyday people. Filmed on Chicago’s South Side, it captures both humor and serious stakes.

You Might Not Know

• The film was released **September 13, 2002**.
• Budget was about **US$12 million**, and it grossed about **US$77 million** worldwide.
• Runtime is 102 minutes.
• Filming in Chicago during winter of 2001‑2002; the shop set was built using a former laundromat location, later duplicated on a soundstage.
• The soundtrack, released August 27, 2002, features hip hop and R&B, peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on R&B/Hip‑Hop charts.

Food Ideas

• Chicago‑style deep dish pizza
• Gumbo or Creole shrimp and grits (“Rich South Side flavors”)
• Soul food sides: collard greens, mac & cheese, cornbread
• Barbershop‑themed snacks: “razor cuts” (mini sandwiches), barber pole striped desserts
• Sweet treats like peach cobbler or banana pudding to balance the savory

Ways to Celebrate

• Host a Barbershop movie night with friends—set up like a real shop, let people chat before the screening
• Play classic barbershop dialogue games: pick favorite quotes and guess who said them
• Combine with a community service or donation drive—mirroring the movie’s themes of giving back
• Watch with the sequels *Barbershop 2* and *Barbershop: The Next Cut* for a marathon
• Create a playlist from the soundtrack and groove along before and after the film

Filming Locations

Primary filming took place in Chicago’s South Side. The set for Calvin’s barbershop was built in a storefront (79th Street & Exchange Avenue), and a duplicate was made in a studio for interior shots.