Posted in Montana State Pride March 09, 2021 by

Most People Don’t Know These 10 Movies Were Filmed In Montana

It’s not only Montana natives who appreciate its beauty. The wide-open spaces and snowcapped mountains make it a perfect backdrop for films. There’s even a company, Montana Film Office, that promotes the state as a filming location to people in the entertainment industry. Many a movie has been filmed, at least in part, in the Treasure State. And some of these movies filmed in Montana just might surprise you.

1. Forrest Gump
jdxyw/Flickr
Forrest Gump runs through Montana in the film, and two scenes shot in Montana appear in the movie. One scene was filmed in Cut Bank (the one where wheat fields appear briefly), and the other was filmed at the St. Mary Entrance to Glacier National Park. Run, Forest, Run!
2. Nebraska
Steve Rhodes/Flickr
This 2013 movie may have been about the Cornhusker State, but parts of it were filmed in Billings and Laurel. The movie’s main character, played by Bruce Dern, was from Billings. Watch the first 15 minutes and you’ll see some familiar territory.
3. Beethoven 2
Wikipedia
The mythical home of the Newton family was set in Pasadena, but this movie’s park scenes were actually filmed at Glacier National Park.
4. Little Big Man
Wikipedia
This 1970 Western starring Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway was filmed in Virginia City, Nevada City, Billings and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, as well as Alberta and Calgary, Canada.
5. What Dreams May Come
Wikipedia
With a movie that has so many scenes in Heaven, it’s no wonder that a few of those scenes were filmed at Glacier National Park! Robin Williams was apparently so impressed with Glacier that he said, "If it isn’t God’s backyard, He certainly lives nearby."
6. Always
Wikipedia
This 1989 movie was Audrey Hepburn’s last, also starring Richard Dreyfuss, John Goodman, and Holly Hunter. It was filmed exclusively in the Libby area and Ephrata, Washington. About 500 people from Libby were even recruited to be extras.
7. Heartland
Wikipedia
The scene for this 1979 drama was rural Wyoming, but the scenes were actually filmed in Central Montana (Wheatland County).
8. A River Runs Through It
Wikipedia
Considering the book’s plot was set in Missoula and on the Blackfoot River, it’s not surprising that it was filmed in Montana. But what many don’t know is that the scenes were actually shot in Livingston, Bozeman and parts of Yellowstone. The church scenes were filmed in the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Livingston.
9. The Untouchables
kelly_B/Flickr
Remember the scene in this 1987 gangster film where Ness intercepts the shipment of Canadian whiskey? That was Hardy Creek Bridge in Cascade, Montana. Hardin had a cameo as well.
10. Certain Women
Tracy Hunter/Flickr
Certain Women was released on January 24, 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival. One of its stars, Michelle Williams, is a Montana native. The story is set in Livingston, and that’s also where it was filmed.

Did any of these surprise you? These are great facts to add to your Montana trivia repertoire, and here are more fun facts about the state.

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Movies Filmed In Montana

March 14, 2021
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What are some other fun facts about Montana?

There are many interesting things about Montana that make it such a cool place. Did you know that Montana has more species of mammal than any other state? Animals include bighorn sheep, caribou, bobcats, and much more. During a winter in 1887, the largest known snowflake to be observed was measured at 15 inches wide (try catching that on your tongue)! Montana is known for its national parks, such as Glacier National Park, but another fun fact about the state is that it has over 50 state parks. Speaking of public land, there are over 25 million acres of it in the state, taking up close to a third of the acreage in all of Montana.

What are the best parts of living in Montana?

Montana is an ideal filming location for some of its many beautiful views, which is just one of a whole plethora of reasons that living in this state is so great. The skies are wide open and there is plenty of space. Some people might enjoy a dense urban environment, in which case Montana might not be for them, while it's ideal for those who want some personal space. The state and national parks are amazing, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy outdoor recreation. The people are generally quite nice, too, so don't be surprised if you're driving down a country road and someone you've never seen before in your life waves to you when they pass. While some don't like the idea of cold, snowy winters, many people in Montana appreciate having four distinct seasons.

Where should I go when traveling to Montana?

It's no wonder why a lot of these films used Glacier National Park as a location - it's gorgeous, and a must-see destination to visit when in Montana. It's not the only place to stop by, though. Be sure to take a drive down Beartooth Highway to see the famous sights along the drive. For a special town to visit, check out Lewistown, Montana, which was named one of the happiest places in the country. Of course, you can't visit Montana's towns and cities without also mentioning Bozeman.