And The Winner Is …

MONTANA!

For centuries, the Treasure State’s stunning landscapes, jaw-dropping mountain views and small towns have long been iconic backdrops for movies and TV, including the popular series, “Yellowstone.” Want to visit the famous sights? Read on!

On March 16, 2026, the Academy of Arts and Motion Picture Art and Sciences will bring the best of the movie industry together for its 97th annual event where many of its attendees have chosen Montana’s spectacular scenery and historic small towns to enhance their creative visions.

To applaud their passion for Big Ski Country, we’re sharing highlights of famous movies and TV shows filmed in Montana and where you can visit them in person!

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home or land in Montana with scenes so emotionally and pristinely captured in “The River Runs Through It,” contact the Hollinger Real Estate Team. We’re passionate about fishing … and real estate … offering river front ranches and lake front properties for sale in Montana where you can ‘catch and release’ from pristine waters right in your own backyard.

Sites of Where Famous Movies Were Filmed in Montana

A River Runs Through It

Directed by Robert Redford
Starring Brad Pitt
Filmed around Livingston and Bozeman and showcasing Montana’s fly-fishing culture and scenic rivers

Legends of the Fall

Starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins
Though partly filmed in Canada, many iconic ranch scenes were shot in Montana

The Horse Whisperer

Directed by and starring Robert Redford
Shot near Livingston, highlighting Montana ranch life and mountain scenery

The Hunt for Red October

Starring Sean Connery
The opening submarine scenes were filmed on the Missouri River near Fort Benton

Forrest Gump

Starring Tom Hanks
The famous running scenes were filmed near Glacier National Park

The Revenant

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio
Some scenes were filmed in Montana wilderness areas and is known for their harsh winter landscape cinematography

Last of the Dogmen

Starring Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey
Setting filmed in Northwestern Montana mountains and valleys

The Ballad of Lefty Brown

Starring Bill Pullman, Kathy Baker, Jim Caviezel, Tommy Flanagan and Peter Fonda
A classic Western revenge story with Montana’s rugged terrain as a backdrop
Scenes filmed at Bannack State Park,Dillon, Ennis, Virginia City, Whitehall

Cowboys (2020)

Starring Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell, Sasha Knight, Ann Dowd
Scenes filmed in Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Glacier National Park and known for the weeping mountain backdrops

Iron Ridge (2008)

Starring Casey Anderson and his bear Brutus
A Montana-made wilderness survival/Western-themed film shot entirely in the state with a cast and crew entirely from Montana as well

Sights of Where Famous TV Shows Were Filmed in Montana

Yellowstone

One of the most popular modern Western-style series ever filmed in the state.

Chief Joseph Ranch — Darby, Montana (filming location for the Dutton ranch) — The real ranch’s main lodge and grounds are the home of the series’ centerpiece setting.
Missoula County Courthouse (Missoula, MT) – Used for political/government scenes instead of filmed Capitol scenes in later seasons.

Tip: The ranch itself isn’t open for casual tours, but cabins on the property are available for booking your getaway to Montana.

1923

The Western prequel to Yellowstone was filmed in significant historical Montana locations.

Butte, Montana – town scenes and exterior shots in historic Uptown Butte
Anaconda Rifle and Pistol Club (Anaconda, MT) – used for school and set exteriors
Rock City near Valier, Montana – dramatic sandstone hillside landscapes seen onscreen
Whitehall, Park City, Dillon, Hamilton, Deer Lodge – small-town Montana backdrops featured throughout the show

Tip: Main historic streets and old buildings in Butte and Anaconda are walkable with plaques and markers explaining their history.

Ready For a Road Trip to See Montana’s Famous Filming Spots?

Come springtime, Montana is ‘road trip ready’ to welcome you to Big Sky Country! To help you hit the road, here are some suggestions where you can capture the creative sights of our state’s more famous filming spots:

Chief Joseph Ranch (Darby) – Yellowstone ranch backdrop
Butte, MT – historic downtown scenes for 1923
Anaconda Rifle & Pistol Club (Anaconda) – set pieces for 1923
Rock City (near Valier) – rugged landscape shots in 1923
Bannack State Park (Bannack) – ghost town filming for Lefty Brown
Dillon, Ennis, Virginia City, Whitehall – historic towns featured in Lefty Brown
Kalispell/Columbia Falls/Glacier NP – Cowboys film sites
Missoula Historic Courthouse – Yellowstone political scenes
Blackfoot, Yellowstone, Gallatin and Boulder Rivers – fishing scenes in A River Runs Through It