Why Edmonton Film 101: Edmonton on screen

Over the last 40-plus years, the city has been the backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, Bollywood musicals, television movies and series.

Grab some popcorn…and let’s take a look at a few of those productions.

The Last of Us (2023)

Rice Howard Way, 104 Street and the Alberta Legislature get the post-apocalyptic treatment in this HBO series, based on the popular video game. Filmed in various locations throughout Alberta, the show stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey and Anna Torv and debuted in January 2023.

Skinamarink (2023)

Director Kyle Edward Ball shot this $15,000 horror film at his parents’ home in Edmonton. (The location remains a secret.) Skinamarink, a terrifying take on childhood fears, is now a worldwide phenomenon—earning $798,00 (U.S.) in its first four days and reviews in most major film and news outlets.

An actress in a pink dress and an actor in a white shirt and jeans perform in a scene on a wooden boat.

Singing on board the Santa Maria ship in West Edmonton Mall. Screenshot courtesy of T-Series.

Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)

Bollywood meets Alberta in this movie musical, shot in the Rockies, Calgary and West Edmonton Mall. Other films set at the mall include Christmas In Wonderland (2007) with Patrick Swayze and Paper Marriage (1988), a Hong Kong action comedy.

Christmas With a Crown (2020)

A prince incognito falls in love with a Christmas festival organizer in this Lifetime TV movie, directed by Edmonton’s Dylan Pearce. You won’t have trouble recognizing some of the film’s Old Strathcona locations, including Walterdale Theatre, Strathcona Library and Whyte Avenue’s Block 1912. This is Pearce’s second locally shot Christmas rom-com—he also directed Christmas Cupcakes (2018).

A movie set with guests enjoying a Christmas market with string lights in the snow.

A winter wonderland in Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park in Old Strathcona. Courtesy of Northern Gateway Films.

Hello Mary Lou, Prom Night II (1987)

Three of the city’s red-bricked schools make appearances in this teen horror flick—Highlands, King Edward and Westmount. The film also stars Lisa Shrage, Michael Ironside (in one of his many roles in local productions) and West Edmonton Mall.

Probable Cause (1994)

In this gritty TV movie, Michael Ironside plays an Edmonton police officer investigating the murders of some of his colleagues. As he tries to track down the killer, the case takes him to the river valley and The Purple Onion, a former nightclub in Old Strathcona. Canada Place is the police HQ.

Blackstone (2009-2015)

An award-winning TV drama about a fictional First Nations community. Starring Carmen Moore, Tantoo Cardinal, Ashley Callingbull this raw and edgy series was shot in and around Sturgeon County and Edmonton.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

This Oscar-nominated western features one of cinematographer Roger Deakins’ most iconic shots—of Jesse James waiting to rob a train at night. This scene along with several others was filmed in Fort Edmonton Park. Nestled in the river valley, the heritage park also appears in Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004), a 19th-century horror film, and Draw! (1984), a TV movie starring Kirk Douglas and James Coburn.

The shadow on a man in a trench coat and hat carrying a lantern walking down railway tracks at night.

On the train tracks at Fort Edmonton Park. Screenshot of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford courtesy of Warner Bros.

A 70s screenshot of The Princess Theatre on Whyte Avenue with cars on the road.

Whyte Avenue in all its 1970s glory. Screenshot of Fast Company courtesy of Danton Films.

Fast Company (1979)

In between horror and sci-fi films, director David Cronenberg took on this relatively pedestrian movie about a bunch of drag racers. Many of the scenes were shot at the (now defunct) Edmonton International Speedway, but Centennial Mall—now redeveloped as Mayfield Common—and Whyte Avenue also make appearances.

Powder Heads (1980)

An odd ski comedy featuring Jasper’s Marmot Basin and several shots of Edmonton’s downtown skyline and river valley. One of the best blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scenes: A kid gets his tongue stuck on a metal pole near the Muttart Conservatory (and Edmonton Ski Club) in Cloverdale.

Screenshot from a movie where parents are trying to helpe a kid with his tongue stuck to a pole in winter.

Look, there’s the corner of one of the Muttart Conservatory’s pyramids! Screenshot of Powder Heads courtesy of Great Bear and American Ski Association.

Misunderstood (2013)

This Emmy-winning Apple ad was largely filmed in the Highlands neighbourhood of Edmonton. Secrecy surrounded the shoot and the tech company has never officially confirmed the location of the ad.

Editor’s Note: Main image features Actor Cindy Busby on the set of Christmas Cupcakes (2018), filmed at the ice rink in Chappelle Gardens, a neighbourhood in southwest Edmonton. Photo courtesy of Northern Gateway Films.