What Montana Landmarks Appear In Films?

Watching the Season 7 'Places' episodes felt like touring Scotland through a TV screen — I kept pausing to pick out real-world landmarks that the production used to sell the history and mood. The biggest familiar faces are Midhope Castle (the beloved Lallybroch), which still pops up whenever we get scenes on Jamie’s ancestral ground. Culross in Fife is another classic: its preserved 17th/18th-century streets are perfect for the village scenes and have been used repeatedly across seasons, including the more recent episodes that lean into period street life. You’ll also spot Blackness Castle, which frequently doubles as military fortifications thanks to its dramatic waterfront position. For grand house interiors and formal rooms, the crew often leans on places like Hopetoun House and nearby stately homes — those interiors provide the authentic Georgian feel when the story moves into manor life. Glasgow’s streets and some university/municipal buildings are used to double for 20th-century or American urban settings at times, and various Highland beaches and estate grounds give the colonial-America and coastal sequences their rugged look. If you’re planning a pilgrimage, bring a camera and comfortable shoes. Some locations, like Culross and Midhope, are very visitor-friendly (Midhope is on private land so check access notes), while castles like Blackness are managed historic sites where you can pay a visit and really get that cinematic chill. I love how the show blends actual Scottish landmarks into its storytelling — it makes rewatching each scene feel like a treasure hunt, and I always end up wanting to book a train ticket.

Montana's rugged landscapes have been the backdrop for some iconic films, and one that immediately springs to mind is 'A River Runs Through It.' Directed by Robert Redford, this 1992 drama captures the state's breathtaking rivers and forests while telling a deeply personal story about family and fly-fishing. The cinematography is stunning—every frame feels like a painting of Montana's natural beauty. Another standout is 'The Revenant,' which used Montana’s wilderness to double as the 1820s American frontier. The raw, untamed scenery perfectly complemented the film’s brutal survival narrative. Even though it’s not exclusively set in Montana, the state’s contribution to the film’s visual impact is undeniable. There’s something about Montana that just lends itself to epic storytelling.

I still get a little giddy thinking about the landscapes in 'Legends of the Fall'—they feel like pure Montana, all big skies and rugged ridgelines. Funny thing is, the movie was mostly filmed outside Montana. When I dug into production notes and tourist write-ups years ago, I found that the filmmakers used southern Alberta (Canada) and parts of Utah to stand in for Montana’s scenery. Places like Waterton Lakes National Park and nearby southern Alberta locations were heavily used to capture those sweeping valley and mountain shots that people associate with the film. That said, the movie is set in Montana, and the production wanted that exact feel, so they looked for places that matched Glacier Country’s look. Because of that, if you’re trying to walk in the movie’s footsteps, checking out Waterton Lakes (just across the border from Glacier National Park) will give you almost the same vistas—rolling ranchland, river valleys, and forested ridges. Some of the river and ranch exteriors that read as Montana on screen were filmed there or in other Alberta locales rather than on the Montana side. A few sequences and second unit shots were also captured in Utah for dramatic canyon and river scenes, but major, iconic Montana labels on the credits are rare. If your goal is visiting spots that feel like the film, plan a trip to the Waterton-Glacier area (the international park) and the nearby southern Alberta badlands and mountain approaches. Locals will often point out exact overlooks and ranch roads that match scenes in 'Legends of the Fall', and ranger stations or visitor centers around Waterton can be surprisingly helpful. I once spent an afternoon comparing screen grabs to real views there and got chills—the landscapes do the heavy lifting, whether they’re technically in Alberta or Montana.

Yellowstone's breathtaking landscapes make it feel like Montana, but here's the scoop—it's actually filmed primarily in Utah and Montana's neighbor, Wyoming. The show's iconic ranch scenes are shot at the Chief Joseph Ranch near Darby, Montana, which stands in for the Dutton family's sprawling property. However, most of the sweeping mountain vistas and outdoor sequences are captured in Utah's Park City and other locations around Wyoming. I love how the production blends these areas seamlessly to create that authentic Montana vibe. It's funny because I once drove through Montana expecting to recognize every cliff and river from the show, only to realize they'd tricked me with cinematic magic! The mix of locations gives 'Yellowstone' that epic, untamed feel without being bound to one state.

If you're spotting Montana Jordan around the credits, the headline is pretty simple: he’s best known for his steady, scene-stealing role as Georgie Cooper Jr. on 'Young Sheldon'. I love how he brings a down-to-earth, slightly mischievous energy to the character — it’s the kind of performance that makes a prequel feel lived-in. Beyond that main gig, Montana doesn't have a long list of other TV series under his belt. That’s partly because 'Young Sheldon' is a heavy commitment and partly because he’s still really young and carving out his path. Outside of television, he’s dipped into film work. One of his more notable screen appearances is in the movie 'The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter', where he shared space with bigger names and got to flex a different side of his acting chops. Besides that, most of his visibility comes from promotional spots, interviews, red carpet appearances, and the occasional festival or panel — all the things that come with being on a popular network show. He hasn’t been credited as a regular on other TV series in the way adult actors might hop between shows. I find that kind of career arc kind of endearing: a young actor gets a major role and grows into it while testing waters in film and media appearances. Given how many child actors either blow up with a million small roles or quietly step away, Montana seems to be pacing himself, which suits him. If you’re curious for more, keep an eye on cast lists for upcoming family or teen-focused films and streaming features — that’s usually where young performers expand their résumés. Personally, I’m excited to see where he goes after 'Young Sheldon' — I think he’s got the kind of natural screen presence that can slide into either comedy or more dramatic parts, and I’d love to watch that evolution.

Montana's vast landscapes and rugged beauty have been captured in some truly stunning documentaries. One that stands out is 'The Last Cowboys,' which follows ranchers in the state dealing with modern challenges while upholding traditions. The cinematography is breathtaking, showcasing everything from the snowy peaks of Glacier National Park to the rolling plains. It’s a heartfelt look at the people who call this place home. Another gem is 'Wild Montana,' a nature-focused series that highlights the state’s diverse wildlife. From grizzly bears in Yellowstone to elusive wolves in the wilderness, it’s a visual feast. The narration is immersive, making you feel like you’re right there in the thick of it. If you love untouched nature, this one’s a must-watch.

The exact moment 'Young Sheldon' first aired on CBS — September 25, 2017 — is when Montana Jordan made his TV debut playing Georgie Cooper. I still get a warm rush thinking about those pilot episodes: a young actor from Texas stepping into a national show that was a prequel to 'The Big Bang Theory'. Montana’s Georgie arrived as Sheldon’s older brother, and that family dynamic was the heartbeat of the early episodes. I watched that premiere like it was a community event; the way Montana handled Georgie’s blend of bro-ish swagger and teen awkwardness felt really natural, which made the whole household vibe believable. Seeing him on that first broadcast reminds me why casting small-town kids can bring such authenticity to TV. It’s a neat corner of nostalgia for me.

Montana's vast, untamed landscapes have a way of creeping into your soul and refusing to leave. I once spent a summer road-tripping through Glacier National Park, and the sheer scale of those mountains—raw and indifferent—stuck with me for years. It’s no wonder authors like Ivan Doig or Annie Proulx set stories here; the land itself feels like a character. The isolation breeds resilience or madness, depending on who’s telling the tale. Ranch dramas, survival epics, even neo-westerns like 'The Last Kid Left' by Rosecrans Baldwin—they all tap into that tension between human frailty and nature’s brutal majesty. Then there’s the cultural mosaic: Native histories clashing with frontier myths, modern gentrification smacking against stubborn old-timers. A novel like 'English Creek' captures the quiet ache of change in small towns, while 'The Ploughmen' by Kim Zupan wraps murder in that eerie Big Sky silence. Montana doesn’t just inspire settings; it demands stories about people who’ve been weathered by something bigger than themselves.