These movies about Alaska show its breathtaking landscapes, rugged wilderness, and unique way of life that has long captivated the imagination of filmmakers and audiences alike.
Whether showcasing the perilous adventures of explorers battling the elements or delving into the complex relationships forged amidst its vast expanses, these films evoke a sense of awe and wonder for this majestic state.
Movies About Alaska
From gripping survival tales set against the backdrop of its unforgiving terrain to heartwarming stories that explore the bonds formed in its remote communities, movies about Alaska offer a glimpse into the beauty, challenges, and resilience of America’s last frontier.
Personally, I have spent two months backpacking around many parts of Alaska and after visiting around 100 countries I can easily say it’s one of the best places I have ever been to.
You will note that being Alaska quite a few of these movies are “survival” movies in the remote wilderness there and a few “sled dog” related stories.
The Grey (2011)
“The Grey” is a 2011 survival thriller film that follows a group of oil drillers who are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash, and they must survive attacks by a pack of wolves while also dealing with the harsh environmental conditions.
The movie explores themes of survival, determination, and the struggle between man and nature. Liam Neeson’s character, Ottway, emerges as the leader of the group and leads them in their fight for survival against the elements and the wolves.
“The Grey” received generally positive reviews from critics, particularly for its intense atmosphere, Neeson’s performance, and its philosophical undertones.
However, some viewers criticized the film for its portrayal of wolves, which they felt was unrealistic. Despite this, “The Grey” remains a memorable and thought-provoking entry in the survival thriller genre.
Insomnia (2002)
“Insomnia” is a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and is a remake of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg. It stars Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank in the lead roles.
The story revolves around a veteran detective named Will Dormer, played by Al Pacino, who is sent from Los Angeles to a small Alaskan town to investigate the murder of a teenage girl. Dormer and his partner, Hap Eckhart (played by Martin Donovan), are initially out of their element in the perpetual daylight of the Alaskan summer.
As they close in on the suspect, the foggy conditions and the guilt of a past mistake start to take a toll on Dormer’s mental state.
As the investigation progresses, Dormer finds himself in a moral dilemma and becomes increasingly plagued by insomnia due to the constant daylight. He also finds himself engaged in a psychological game with the prime suspect, a local novelist named Walter Finch, played by Robin Williams.
The film delves into themes of guilt, morality, and the blurred lines between right and wrong and is one of the best movies about Alaska to watch.
The Edge (1997)
“The Edge” is a survival drama film that follows Charles Morse (played by Anthony Hopkins), a billionaire who finds himself stranded in the Alaskan wilderness with two companions after their plane crashes. One of his companions is Robert Green (played by Alec Baldwin), a fashion photographer having an affair with Charles’s wife, and the other is the pilot.
As they struggle to survive in the harsh environment, tensions rise among the group. Charles, who is intelligent and resourceful, gradually takes charge of their situation despite lacking survival skills. He uses his knowledge and instincts to keep them alive, while Robert becomes increasingly resentful of Charles’s leadership and starts to plot against him.
The film explores themes of survival, betrayal, and the clash of personalities under extreme circumstances. It delves into the dynamics of power and ego, as well as the primal instincts that emerge when faced with life-threatening situations.
This is one of the best movies about Alaska in a survival setting.
White Fang (1991)
“White Fang” is a 1991 adventure film that combines live-action with animation and is set in the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. The story follows Jack Conroy (played by Ethan Hawke), a young prospector who arrives in Alaska to search for gold following the death of his father.
Jack befriends a half-wolf, half-dog named White Fang, who has been raised in the wild and is initially distrustful of humans due to past mistreatment.
As Jack and White Fang form a bond, they encounter various challenges in the wilderness, including conflicts with other prospectors and dangerous animals. Through their adventures, Jack learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and survival, while White Fang learns to trust and depend on humans.
The film explores themes of human-animal relationships, the cruelty of nature, and the resilience of the human spirit. It features stunning scenery of the Alaskan wilderness and heartwarming moments between Jack and White Fang as they overcome obstacles together.
Togo (2019)
“Togo” is a 2019 American drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film stars Willem Dafoe as Leonhard Seppala, a Norwegian sled dog breeder and trainer, and Julianne Nicholson as his wife Constance. It also features a Siberian Husky named Diesel as the titular lead character, Togo.
The film tells the true story of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria outbreak. Despite being overshadowed in history by the more famous Balto, Togo was the lead sled dog for Leonhard Seppala and played a crucial role in the relay that delivered the life-saving serum to Nome.
The story focuses on the bond between Seppala and Togo, highlighting their shared determination and courage in facing the harsh Alaskan wilderness to save the lives of others. The film also explores themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and the strength of the human-animal bond.
“Togo” was lauded for shedding light on the lesser-known heroism of Togo and his contributions to the historic serum run.
Wildlike (2014)
“Wildlike” is a 2014 independent drama film that follows Mackenzie, a troubled teenage girl played by Ella Purnell, who is sent to stay with her uncle in Alaska after her father’s death.
However, her uncle’s behavior becomes increasingly unsettling, and feeling unsafe, Mackenzie decides to run away. She meets a backpacker named Rene Bartlett, played by Bruce Greenwood, who offers to help her navigate the Alaskan wilderness and find her way home.
As Mackenzie and Rene embark on their journey through the rugged landscape, they form an unlikely bond and confront their own personal struggles. Along the way, they encounter challenges such as harsh weather conditions, dangerous wildlife, and Mackenzie’s troubled past.
The film explores themes of survival, healing, and the resilience of the human spirit. It delves into Mackenzie’s journey of self-discovery as she learns to trust herself and others, while also shedding light on the issue of child abuse and its long-lasting effects.
Hold The Dark (2018)
“Hold the Dark” is a 2018 psychological thriller film that is based on the novel of the same name by William Giraldi.
Set in the remote wilderness of Alaska, the story follows a retired naturalist and wolf expert, Russell Core (played by Jeffrey Wright), who is summoned to a remote village by a distressed mother, Medora Slone (played by Riley Keough). Medora claims that wolves have taken her young son, and she wants Core to track and kill the wolves responsible.
As Core begins his investigation, he uncovers dark and disturbing secrets within the isolated community, including violence, betrayal, and a mysterious cult-like group led by Medora’s husband, Vernon (played by Alexander Skarsgård). The lines between reality and nightmare blur as Core delves deeper into the unsettling truths hidden beneath the surface.
“Hold the Dark” is praised for its tension, haunting visuals, and intense performances and it’s one of the most atmospheric movies about Alaska to watch. The film explores themes of primal instincts, human nature, and the darkness that resides within us all.
30 Days of Night (2007)
“30 Days of Night” is a 2007 horror film based on the comic book miniseries of the same name by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith.
Set in the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska, the story follows a group of residents who must survive an entire month without sunlight when the town is plunged into darkness for its annual period of polar night. As the darkness descends, a group of bloodthirsty vampires led by Marlow (played by Danny Huston) descends upon the town, seeking to feast on its inhabitants without fear of sunlight.
The film follows Sheriff Eben Oleson (played by Josh Hartnett) and his estranged wife Stella (played by Melissa George) as they lead a group of survivors in a desperate fight for survival against the relentless vampire horde.
As the days pass and resources dwindle, the group must find a way to outsmart their supernatural attackers and make it through the 30 days of darkness alive.
Into the Wild (2007)
“Into the Wild” is a 2007 biographical adventure drama film directed by Sean Penn, based on the 1996 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer.
The story follows Christopher McCandless, a recent college graduate disillusioned with society and materialism. He decides to embark on a journey of self-discovery, leaving his family and comfortable life behind to travel across the country, hitchhiking and taking odd jobs along the way.
McCandless renames himself “Alexander Supertramp” and forms relationships with various people he meets on his journey, including a hippie couple, an elderly widower, and a teenage girl.
Eventually, McCandless makes his way to Alaska, where he plans to live off the land in the wilderness. However, he underestimates the harsh conditions and his lack of survival skills, leading to his tragic demise.
Balto (1995)
“Balto” is a 1995 animated adventure film that is loosely based on a true story about a sled dog named Balto who helped save the children of Nome, Alaska during a diphtheria outbreak in 1925.
The story is set in the fictional town of Nome, Alaska, where a deadly outbreak of diphtheria threatens the lives of the children. With the town’s only doctor running out of antitoxin serum, a dog sled relay is organized to bring more serum from a distant city.
Balto, a half-wolf half-dog outcast, becomes an unlikely hero when he leads the final leg of the dangerous journey, navigating through treacherous conditions to deliver the life-saving serum to Nome.
“Balto” received generally positive reviews from critics for its animation, voice acting, and heartwarming story. The film is praised for its portrayal of courage, friendship, and determination in the face of adversity.
While some elements of the story are fictionalized for dramatic effect, the film captures the spirit of the real-life events and celebrates the bravery of the sled dogs and their mushers.
“Balto” has remained a beloved animated classic over the years, captivating audiences of all ages with its inspiring tale of heroism and teamwork in the Alaskan wilderness. It has also spawned sequels and a dedicated fanbase who continue to appreciate its timeless message of courage and perseverance.
One extra…
Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
While not a movie, this television series is worth mentioning as it is set in the fictional small town of Cicely, Alaska, and explores the quirks of its residents and the challenges of life in the far north.
The series follows Dr. Joel Fleischman (played by Rob Morrow), a young New York City physician who is contractually obligated to work as a general practitioner in Cicely to pay off his medical school tuition.
Upon arriving in Cicely, Joel encounters a colorful cast of characters, including the eccentric radio DJ Chris Stevens (played by John Corbett), the wise Native American elder Maurice Minnifield (played by Barry Corbin), and the fiercely independent bush pilot Maggie O’Connell (played by Janine Turner).
“Northern Exposure” explores the clash of cultures between Joel’s fast-paced New York upbringing and the laid-back, unconventional lifestyle of the residents of Cicely. The show often delves into themes of community, individualism, and the search for meaning and connection in modern life.
Alaska
With its stunning natural scenery and rich cultural tapestry, Alaska provides a compelling canvas for storytelling, offering a cinematic experience unlike any other.
These movies about Alaska offer a glimpse into the beauty, challenges, and adventures of life in the state.
For more on the region have a look at the 10 best documentaries about Alaska.
Share these best movies about Alaska:
