According to HuffPost, Toronto and Vancouver rank in the world’s top five most filmed cities. While Alberta isn’t quite there yet, we have been on the rise when it comes to our place in the film industry. It could be because major American film studios have looked north as a result of drawbacks caused by COVID-19. Or, particular tax credits have made Alberta a more attractive shooting location. Regardless of the cause, our province has grown in this field and presumably won’t slow down anytime soon. In fact, another season of CBC’s Heartland, the series Guilty Party, and a Fraggle Rock reboot are among projects located in the Calgary area in the near future. However, this article highlights some of the most notable films and TV shows that have been filmed in Alberta in the past.
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Where: Kananaskis, Banff, and Calgary, AB
The latest addition to the Jumanji franchise was partially filmed in the snowy mountains of Kananaskis. This film, the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, featured an absolutely stacked cast and was also filmed in other parts of Banff and Calgary. Many different settings and landscapes were featured in this movie, and the scenes with the cold, icy mountains were filmed not too far away.
Some Notable Cast Members: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Nick Jonas, Karen Gillan, Awkwafina, Danny DeVito
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2020)
Where: Fort MacLeod, AB
This film just hit theatres, and is also part of a famous movie franchise. The cast of Ghostbusters: Afterlife contains some pretty big names as well, and it’s pretty cool that they were all filming nearby quite recently.
Some Notable Cast Members: Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Where: Banff, AB
Featuring climates similar to those mentioned in regards to Jumanji, Game of Thrones was also filmed in parts of Banff. Running for almost a decade, this series is seen as one of the most famous TV shows of all time – and for a significant amount of scenes, Alberta was home.
Some Notable Cast Members: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams
Cool Runnings (1993)
Where: Calgary, AB
Cool Runnings is a story about a Jamaican sprinter and his Olympic experience. Just five years after Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, this film was shot right here in YYC.
Some Notable Cast Members: John Candy, Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba, Raymond J. Barry, Peter Outerbridge
Inception (2010)
Where: Kananaskis, AB
I’m not even going to try to explain this film. However, it starred Leonardo DiCaprio and was filmed in Alberta – and that’s all you need to know.
Some Notable Cast Members: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy
Superman (1978)
Where: Calgary, AB
Downtown Calgary was the perfect match for the Metropolis skyline. One of the most iconic superhero films of all time was filmed in Calgary, with our downtown views as a main element.
Some Notable Cast Members: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper
All in all, these movies and TV shows have helped put Alberta on the map. And it goes beyond the film industry – our city and province is making big impacts in music, sports, and more. The fact that these works were shot in Calgary is rather exciting – not only can we spot some familiar places on the big screen, but some people had the luck to run into some of these famous celebrities while they were shooting in Alberta. These events generate income for the province, and overall, are pretty cool to read about in the news.