Arkansas isn’t likely to be the first place that comes to mind when you are thinking about film locations or film settings. However, we have found an interesting list of some of the notable movies filmed in Arkansas and/or set in Arkansas.
The Natural State has played a starring role in numerous productions from gripping dramas to a cult classic.
Movies Filmed in Arkansas (or set in Arkansas)
The small towns and landscapes of Arkansas have served as the backdrop for several Hollywood movies over the years.
Let’s take a look at some of the most well-known movies filmed in Arkansas!
Sling Blade (1996)
Billy Bob Thornton’s Sling Blade is one of the most acclaimed movies filmed in Arkansas. The movie, which Thornton, an Arkansas native, wrote, directed, and starred in, was filmed in Benton, Arkansas.
This haunting drama about redemption and morality captivated audiences and earned Thornton an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Many of the filming locations, including the iconic diner scene, still attract visitors today. In fact, Benton, Arkansas is where I currently live. We particularly love the Sling Blade Drive-in for a great burger!
Mud (2012)
One of the most well-known movies filmed in Arkansas is Mud. This film was directed by Arkansas native Jeff Nichols and stars Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, and Reese Witherspoon.
Mud is a coming-of-age drama that was filmed primarily along the Mississippi River and in the town of Dumas.
The scenic beauty of the Arkansas Delta plays a crucial role in the film’s atmosphere, enhancing its themes of adventure and discovery.
The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)
This low-budget cult classic is based on the real-life legend of the Fouke Monster, a Bigfoot-like creature said to inhabit the swamps near Fouke, Arkansas.
Blending documentary-style storytelling with dramatized accounts, The Legend of Boggy Creek became a surprise hit and is still a favorite among horror and cryptid enthusiasts.
The film’s legacy lives on in Fouke, where visitors can explore the monster’s folklore.
Walk the Line (2005)
While most of Walk the Line, the Johnny Cash biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, was filmed in Tennessee and Mississippi, parts of the film were shot in Arkansas.
Arkansas happens to be the state where Cash was born and raised. Scenes capturing his early life in the small town of Dyess showcase the farmland and rural backdrop that shaped his music and upbringing.
You can still see the boyhood home of Johnny Cash, as well as some of the filming locations in the town of Dyess.
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Directed by Elia Kazan, A Face in the Crowd is a political satire that tells the story of a small-town drifter turned media sensation.
Starring Andy Griffith, the film was partially shot in Piggott, Arkansas, and remains a significant piece of cinematic history. The film’s themes of media influence and political manipulation remain relevant even today.
Minari (2020)
An award-winning drama, Minari tells the story of a Korean-American family striving to build a new life on a farm in rural Arkansas during the 1980s.
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung and starring Steven Yeun, the film was shot in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma, but was set in Arkansas. It captures the struggles and triumphs of immigrant life in the American South.
The film won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and received multiple Academy Award nominations.
White Lightning (1973)
Starring Burt Reynolds, White Lightning is a classic action film about moonshine running and government corruption.
Several scenes were filmed in and around Benton and Little Rock, Arkansas. The film’s high-speed chases and Southern grit made it a favorite among action movie fans.
Biloxi Blues (1988)
Based on the Neil Simon play, Biloxi Blues follows a young soldier’s experiences in a military training camp during World War II.
The movie is primarily set in Biloxi, Mississippi. However, it also features scenes filmed at Fort Chaffee which is a U.S. Army base located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Arkansas scenes were used to portray part of Eugene’s training and adjustment to military life.
Arkansas (2020)
The crime thriller Arkansas was set in Arkansas, but primarily filmed in Mobile, Alabama.
It stars Liam Hemsworth and Clark Duke, and was also directed by Clark Duke who is a native of Arkansas. It follows two low-level drug runners in the Dixie Mafia who find themselves in trouble after a deal goes wrong.
The film portrays the gritty world of the Dixie Mafia and showcases a mix of crime, dark humor, and Southern storytelling.
The Firm (1993)
The Firm is a legal thriller starring Tom Cruise. It is based on famous author and Arkansas native John Grisham’s best-selling novel.
While most of the film is set in Memphis, key scenes were filmed in West Memphis, Arkansas, giving the state a supporting role in this legal thriller.
True Grit (1969 and 2010)
There have been two adaptations of the novel by Charles Portis who happens to be a famous author from Arkansas. His excellent story is about a feisty, young girl who hires a boozy lawman to avenge the death of her father.
Portions of the books and the movies were set in Fort Smith, Arkansas. However, they were not filmed in the state which in my opinion is a shame.
Winter’s Bone (2010)
Winter’s Bone is a critically acclaimed drama, starring Jennifer Lawrence in her breakout role. The story follows a teenage girl in the Ozarks who must track down her missing father to save her family from eviction.
Although it was filmed just across the Arkansas border in Missouri, the film captures the harsh realities of rural poverty and the resilience of its people, making it a powerful representation of life in the Ozark region.
I think it showcases the landscape of the Ozarks perfectly.
Shotgun Stories (2007)
This is another film directed by Arkansas native Jeff Nichols. Shotgun Stories is an indie drama that explores a bitter family feud in rural Arkansas. The film delves into themes of vengeance, pride, and the inescapable cycles of violence that define their lives.
It was filmed primarily in southeast Arkansas, including locations in England and Scott. The stark cinematography highlights the vast landscapes of the region.
Shotgun Stories is a raw and powerful portrayal of Southern life.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976 and 2014)
The Town That Dreaded Sundown was based on the true story of the “Phantom Killer,” a masked murderer who terrorized the Texas/Arkansas border town of Texarkana in 1946.
The film follows law enforcement’s desperate attempt to stop the killer as he stalks young couples in the town. Directed by Arkansas native Charles B. Pierce (The Legend of Boggy Creek), the film blended documentary-style narration with slasher horror, making it a cult classic in the genre.
Much of it was filmed in Texarkana itself, adding eerie authenticity.
A Painted House (2003)
A Painted House is a coming of age story based on a semi-autobiographical novel by John Grisham, set in rural Arkansas during the 1950s. The film follows seven-year-old Luke Chandler, who grows up on a cotton farm in rural Arkansas.
The movie was filmed on location in Lepanto and Black Oak, Arkansas, providing an authentic backdrop of small-town life in the Delta region.
The film’s cinematography captures the vast cotton fields, old farmhouses, and the simplicity of life in the rural South.
Come Morning (2012)
Come Morning is an independent drama written and directed by Arkansas filmmaker Derrick Sims.
Set in 1973, the film tells the story of Frank and his 10-year-old grandson who set out on a morning hunting trip in the backwoods of rural Arkansas.
However, what starts as a routine outing takes a dark turn when they mistakenly shoot and kill a trespasser on their land. Faced with a life-altering decision, they must decide how to handle the situation, leading to a tense, slow-burning moral dilemma.
Come Morning was filmed entirely in Arkansas and perfectly captures the stillness of the state’s dense forests and rural landscapes.
Chrystal (2004)
Chrystal is a Southern gothic drama written and directed by Arkansas native Ray McKinnon. It stars Billy Bob Thornton and Lisa Blount who are also both Arkansas natives.
The film is a deeply emotional story about trauma, redemption, and the inescapable grip of the past.
The film was shot on location in Eureka Springs and the Ozark Mountains, using Arkansas’s rugged, misty landscapes to enhance its raw and haunting tone. The setting plays a crucial role in the film’s atmosphere, reflecting both the beauty and harshness of the characters’ realities.
Elizabethtown (2005)
Elizabethtown, was directed by Cameron Crowe. It is a romantic “dramedy” starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst.
The film is primarily set in Kentucky, but portions were filmed in Arkansas particularly in and around Eureka Springs. It even features the Golden Gate Bridge of Arkansas in one scene.
The state’s scenic highways and small-town charm serve as a backdrop for Drew’s introspective road trip, adding to the film’s themes of self-discovery and Americana nostalgia.
Great Balls of Fire (1989)
Great Balls of Fire! is a biographical drama about the life and career of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, played by Dennis Quaid.
While much of the film takes place in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi, several scenes were filmed on location in the Arkansas towns of Marion and West Memphis.
A Family Thing (1996)
A Family Thing is a heartfelt drama starring Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones that explores themes of identity, race, and family reconciliation.
The story follows Earl Pilcher Jr. (Duvall), a white man from Arkansas who discovers that his biological mother was Black, a revelation that shakes his entire sense of self.
Following his late mother’s wishes, he travels to Chicago to meet his half-brother, Ray (Jones). They eventually return to their hometown in Arkansas.
Brubaker (1980)
Brubaker is a powerful prison drama starring Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker, a reform-minded prison warden who goes undercover as an inmate to investigate corruption and abuse within the Arkansas prison system.
The film was shot on location at the Tucker Unit in Arkansas, one of the state’s maximum-security prisons.
The choice of this facility added a sense of authenticity to the gritty, hard-hitting portrayal of prison life, and the film’s stark cinematography captures the oppressive atmosphere of the institution.
Final Take
We hope that you have enjoyed this list of movies filmed in Arkansas!
From indie hits to Hollywood blockbusters, Arkansas has provided a diverse and compelling landscape for filmmakers.
Whether it’s the Mississippi River’s rustic charm, the Ozark Mountains’ mysterious beauty, or the eerie legends of the swamps, The Natural State continues to leave a lasting impression on the silver screen.
Next time you watch one of these films, keep an eye out for the familiar sights of Arkansas—it just might inspire your next road trip!
Thanks for stopping by!
