25+ Midwest Memes for Nice Folks Who Say Ope (July 19, 2024)

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Jul 19, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

You may not think of the Midwest as a setting rich for cinema, but you'd be wrong. Some of the most beloved movies and TV shows take place right here in the great plains. Twister classically takes advantage of our most extreme weather. Fargo makes wonderful use of some of our kookiest accents. Almost all of John Hughes' movies about the plight of the American teenager take place in the perfect all-American backdrop of the suburbs of Chicago.

The Midwest is both a blank slate for high drama and a place full of wonderful particularities ripe for parodying. Plus, we produce a whole swath of creative people who love to honor their homelands through their chosen medium. So don't let anyone tell you that California or New York are the peak place of creativity. Fueled by slabs of sharp cheddar and tater tot casserole, Midwesterners can do anything. Even make memes.