Thanks to its mountains, lakes, deserts, big cities and charming historic towns, Wild Rose Country has become a Hollywood favourite! From A-list actors and TV executives to popular networks our dynamic landscape has caught the eye of some major players, but if you’ve missed it on the big screen or small, here are some of the most iconic shows and movies filmed in Alberta.
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Let Him Go (2020)
Based on the 2013 novel of the same name, Let Him Go, follows a retired sheriff and his wife who set out to rescue their only grandchild from a dangerous family who is living off the grid somewhere in the Dakotas. It was shot primarily in the towns of Drumheller, Fort Macleod, and Didsbury.
Unforgiven (1992)
Love westerns? Clint Eastwood shot his 1992 movie Unforgiven here in Alberta. For those unfamiliar, this film follows William Munny, a thief and murderer, as he attempts to straighten out his life for his two kids – that is until he’s brought an “offer he can’t refuse.”
Cool Runnings (1993)
After being disqualified from the Olympics, a Jamaican sprinter enlists the help of a has-been coach to start a bobsled team. Cool Runnings was shot shortly after YYC held the 1988 Olympics so it only made sense to film it in Calgary.
Fargo (2014-2024)
A production all too familiar to Albertans, Fargo has filmed several seasons in and around the Calgary area. This fall, watch as the new installment in the anthology series stars Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Juno Temple (Ted Lasso), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Atypical) and Joe Keery (Stranger Things).
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
It’s a classic! Not only did Brokeback Mountain win an Oscar, but it also changed lives and made us fall more in love with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal than we already were.
The Assassination of Jesse James (2005)
The Assassination of Jesse James stars Brad Pitt as Robert Ford, a Western gangster who joins Jesse James in a life of crime only to murder him. It’s truly gripping!
Inception (2010)
Was it all a dream? We’re pretty sure nearly everyone has seen Inception a dozen times and for good reason! The cast, which is stacked, includes Elliott Page (Juno), Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), and Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) – just to name a few; plus, the concept is wild! It doesn’t get better than this!
Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)
If you didn’t already know – Alberta is the home to many of the iconic Direwolves from Game of Thrones. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that various scenes were filmed in and around the area.
Interstellar (2014)
No, Interstellar wasn’t shot in outer space. It was, however, Filmed here in Alberta! Showcasing, some of Alberta’s many farming communities and a few of our small towns!
The Revenant (2015)
The movie that earned Leo his first Oscar! Filmed in and around Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, The Revenant is absolutely beautiful – and we should be proud!
Black Summer (2019-2021)
Set in the “Z Nation” universe, Netflix’s Black Summer stars Jamie King (Pearl Harbour, Sin City) as a mother who is separated from her daughter, Anna, in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Alongside other survivors, she embarks on a harrowing journey to find her. This show is almost exclusively filmed in Calgary and even features a ton of local performers – which is pretty cool
Prey (2022)
Starring Amber Midthunder (Legion and The Ice Road), Prey, a predator prequel was filmed in and around Calgary and was praised by both critics and fans. If you haven’t seen it already – watch it. It really is fantastic and features so many talented Albertans.
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
The Rock, Nick Jonas, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black? This cast was stacked, and the movie wasn’t so bad either. The city nearly erupted when they heard these guys were in Calgary to film, and rightfully so. They’re legends.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2020)
Starring Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things, McKenna Grace from Captain Marvel, and Paul Rudd (Clueless) the well-received sequel to the original Ghostbusters, was also filmed in and around Alberta. One spot you can’t miss? Fort Macleod.
The Last Of Us (2023)
Filmed entirely in Alberta, The Last Of Us is dramatic, moving and beautifully acted, winning over audiences all over the world. Though season 2 will be filmed in Vancouver, we will never stop talking about this one… ever. We love it too much!
Under The Banner Of Heaven (2022)
Starring The Amazing Spiderman’s Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), the Alberta-shot series, Under the Banner of Heaven, is a true-crime adaption based on Jon Krakauer’s novel which recounts the tragic 1984 murder of Brenda Lafferty and her infant daughter. If you haven’t watched it yet, it was very well received by critics!
So there you have it! Did any of these surprise you? Maybe it inspired you to rewatch a few of these Alberta-filmed movies and shows. We’d highly recommend it, especially considering how chilly it is outside. Enjoy!
