Most People Don’t Know These 9 Movies Were Filmed In South Dakota

South Dakota's claims to fame are sometimes few and far between. But the beauty of our state draws tourists and movie producers alike to take in the glorious landscape. There are a surprising number of movies filmed in South Dakota. Listed below are nine movies you might not know about.

1. Armageddon

Most people have seen this 1998 classic film. However, most people don't know that it features scenes shot in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

2. Starship Troopers

Also filmed in South Dakota, Starship Troopers is full of shots that feature the Badlands.

3. Dances with Wolves

Dances with Wolves is one of the more well known movies to be filmed in South Dakota. It was filmed in 1990 and you can still tour the set today.

4. National Treasure: Book of Secrets

The striking beauty of the Badlands lends itself as a stunning movie backdrop. National Treasure: Book of Secrets is yet another movie filmed in this location.

5. How the West Was Won

Custer State Park is beautifully featured in this film. In fact, locals actually dug up and replanted trees as the movie directors desired. This film also features herds of South Dakota buffalo.

6. Head of State

Released in 2003, shots for Head of State were filmed on Mount Rushmore National Highway in Keystone, South Dakota.

7. The Neverending Story III

Yet another movie filmed in South Dakota is The Neverending Story III. Check out the film to see the scenic area of Mount Rushmore in the background.

8. The Call of the Wild

This documentary counterpart to the movie "Into the Wild," this film is also based on a true story, part of which took place in Carthage, South Dakota. The star of the show gets a job working at a grain elevator in the state and those scenes were shot in good ol' South Dakota.

9. Nebraska

The final film to make the list is Nebraska. The film features a few shots from around the state, most notably, Mount Rushmore.

It's such a treat to see our beautiful state featured in these incredible films. What a pleasant surprise it is to see how many movie creators saw the potential South Dakota holds as a scenic backdrop. Which of these movies have you seen? Which one surprised you the most? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.