Ever dream of jet-setting to the locations of your favorite movies and TV shows? The Canadian Rockies, with their jaw dropping beauty, have provided the perfect backdrop for numerous iconic scenes. From snowy peaks to rugged landscapes, these places have brought unforgettable moments to the screen, and you can see them in person. Whether you're a fan of post apocalyptic drama or survival tales, the Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore area has a little something for every movie and TV lover.
If Canmore looked a little familiar in The Last of Us, you’re not imagining things. In the hit HBO series based on the acclaimed video game, Canmore stood in for Jackson, Wyoming. Filmed in early 2022, the Canmore Engine Bridge, Main Street, and the iconic Three Sisters mountain range all had their moment in the post apocalyptic series. If you’ve walked through downtown Canmore recently, chances are you’ve stood in the exact spots where Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey filmed their scenes. The show’s second season has just been released, continuing the game inspired storyline, though this time, filming has shifted out of Canmore as the story moves into new territory. Nearby Exshaw and Fortress Mountain were both hot spots for the first few episodes.
Canmore's Main Street in Episode 6 of 'The Last of Us'
Christopher Nolan’s twisty thriller Inception brought winter vibes to the big screen, and the Canadian Rockies played a starring role. One of the film’s snowy sequences was also filmed at Fortress Mountain, just outside Banff National Park. With steep slopes and jagged peaks all around, the scenery helped create that unclear line between dream and reality. Alberta’s wintry terrain added the perfect backdrop for the film’s more surreal moments.
'Inception' filming location in Kananaskis
Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Revenant was filmed in several locations across Alberta, including the Kananaskis and Bow Valley areas near Canmore. The film showcases the landscapes surrounding the region, with scenes featuring dense forests, rivers, and snowy terrain. If you’ve spent time exploring around Canmore, some of the backdrops might look familiar.
Spray Valley Lake near Banff National Park in 'The Revenant'
Shot entirely in Alberta in 2018, Togo used Kananaskis Country, Cochrane, and Abraham Lake as key filming locations. Local sled dogs from Snowy Owl Sled Dogs in Canmore also made an appearance, with two of them acting as stunt doubles for the star husky, Diesel, who’s a direct descendant of Togo.
Most of 'Togo' was filmed in Fortress Mountain and other areas throughout the Kananaskis Country
In spring 2019, Jumanji: The Next Level brought stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Kevin Hart to Alberta. Scenes were filmed over four days at Fortress Mountain, a snowy change of pace from the tropical jungle setting that also features in the film. During filming, both Johnson and Hart gave shoutouts to the province, with Johnson reminiscing about his early football days in Calgary.
Filming location for 'Jumanji' in Kananaskis
It’s true, Game of Thrones filmed parts of its final season right here in Alberta. While exact filming locations haven’t been confirmed, some scenes were shot in Banff National Park.
Banff, Lake Louise, and the Canadian Rockies offer a front row seat to some of your favorite on screen moments. Grab your gear, pack your sense of adventure, and come see these iconic film locations for yourself. Or better yet, check out the Banff Film Festival every fall to catch adventure films and documentaries, many of which feature local heroes and the landscape.
