Alaska Highway – The 9 BEST Must-Watch Movies/Films Shot on ALCAN. The Alaska Highway is a iconic road that stretches from the contiguous United States to Alaska and has inspired countless tales of adventure and exploration. Many films have been set on or along this legendary highway, capturing the rugged beauty of the landscape, the challenges faced by those who travel it, and the spirit of the people who call this remote region home.
From Western comedies to survival dramas, these movies offer a glimpse into the history and character of the Alaska Highway and its surroundings. Here are a few of the best films that have captured the essence of this incredible place.
In this post, we will take a look at some of the most memorable movies that feature the Alaska Highway as a key part of the story. Whether you’re a fan of action, drama, or comedy, these films are sure to offer a captivating look at the challenges and beauty of this rugged frontier.
From gold-seeking miners in the days of the Klondike Gold Rush to modern-day adventurers braving the Alaskan wilderness, these movies offer a rich tapestry of stories and characters that embody the spirit of the Last Frontier. So join us as we explore the best films about the Alaska Highway and the incredible landscapes, people, and experiences that make this region so unique and special.
This is the list of best 9 Alaska Highway movie to watch:
1. “Alaska Highway (1943)
The Alaska Highway” is a 1943 American drama film that explores the challenges and triumphs of building the historic roadway connecting Alaska to Canada. Directed by Frank McDonald, the film stars Richard Arlen, Jean Parker, and Ralph Sanford. The story follows Pop Ormsby, who wins the contract from the Army Engineer Corps to build the Alaska Highway.
His eldest son, Woody, initially wants to fight with guns instead of construction tools, but he’s assigned to work on the project by the Army. The competition for the heart of Road Engineer Blair Caswell’s daughter, Ann, further heats up as Woody and his younger brother Steve both vie for her affection. This film showcases the perseverance and determination of those involved in constructing the Alaska Highway amidst the challenges of the rugged Alaskan wilderness.
2. “North to Alaska” (1960)
In “North to Alaska,” the Alaska Highway is a key setting and the route taken by the main characters from Seattle to Alaska. The movie may not be directly about the Alaska Highway built in 1942, but it will evoke the spirit and atmosphere of the Gold Rush era in Alaska.
3. “The Edge” (1997)
“The Edge” is a 1997 survival drama film directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, and Bart the Bear. The film takes place in the Alaskan wilderness, near the Alaska Highway, and follows two wealthy men who are stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash. The men must use their wit and cunning to survive against the harsh elements and a man-eating grizzly bear. The Alaska Highway serves as the backdrop for their journey, providing a rugged and dangerous landscape for the characters to navigate.
4. “Eight Below” (2006)
“Eight Below” is a 2006 adventure drama film directed by Frank Marshall and starring Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, and Bruce Greenwood. The film takes place in Antartica and follows a team of sled dogs and their guide, Jerry Shepard (Walker), who are forced to survive on their own after being left behind during a research mission. The Alaska Highway serves as a key setting in the film, as Shepard travels from his home in Thunder Bay, Ontario to Antartica via the highway. The film depicts the challenges and beauty of the Alaska Highway and the harsh conditions faced by those who travel it.
5. “Into the Wild” (2007)
“Into the Wild” is a 2007 biographical adventure drama film directed by Sean Penn and based on the book by Jon Krakauer. The film stars Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless, a young man who sets out on a journey to live life in the wilderness and find himself. The film follows McCandless’ travels across North America, including his time spent on the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Highway serves as a key setting in the film, as McCandless travels through the wilderness and encounters various obstacles and adventures along the way. The film is a powerful tribute to the beauty and danger of the Alaskan wilderness and the Alaska Highway.
6. “The Grey” (2011)
“The Grey” is a 2011 survival drama film directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, and Dermot Mulroney. The film takes place in Alaska and follows a group of oil rig workers who survive a plane crash and must fight for survival against the harsh elements and a pack of wolves. The Alaska Highway serves as a key setting in the film, as the survivors make their way through the wilderness in search of safety. The film is a tense and thrilling portrayal of the challenges and dangers of life in the Alaskan wilderness and the Alaska Highway.
7. “Big Miracle” (2012)
“Big Miracle” is a 2012 drama film directed by Ken Kwapis and starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, and Steve Oedekerk. The film is based on the real-life events that took place in the late 1980s, when a family of gray whales became trapped in the Arctic Ocean near Barrow, Alaska. The film follows a journalist, Adam Carlson (Krasinski), who covers the story and joins forces with a Greenpeace volunteer, Rachel Kramer (Barrymore), and other activists to help save the whales.
The Alaska Highway serves as a key setting in the film, as the rescue mission takes place near the highway and the characters travel along it as they work to save the whales. The film is a heartwarming and inspiring portrayal of the power of human compassion and the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and the Alaska Highway..
8. “Alaska Highway” (2013)
Alcan Highway” is a 2013 Finnish documentary about Hese Tolonen, a Helsinki resident who sets out on a road trip to Vancouver Island. He acquires an old truck and adds a trailer to it, hoping it will serve as his new home. The film follows Hese’s journey as he travels from Helsinki to Wasilla, Alaska to find the truck and continue his journey to the West Coast of Canada. It is a story of adventure, self-discovery and the pursuit of a better life. The film was shot in 2011.
Get ready for your Alaska Highway journey and discover the best stops in my blog post: Alaska Highway – The 15 BEST Stops Along the ALCAN – Must-see places!
9. “The Great Alone” (2015)
“The Great Alone” is a 2015 novel by Kristin Hannah. The book follows a family who moves to Alaska in the 1970s to start a new life and escape the hardships they faced in the lower 48 states. The novel is set in the wilderness near the Alaska Highway and follows the family as they struggle to survive and thrive in the harsh and beautiful Alaskan wilderness. The novel is a powerful exploration of the challenges and rewards of life in the Last Frontier and the role that the Alaska Highway plays in connecting people to this rugged and remote region.
Hope you enjoy my list of 9 best must-watch movies/films shot on ALCAN!
👍 Find out more:
Discover the best stops along the Alaska Highway in my travel guide, “Alaska Highway Travel Guide – 202 Best Stops”, which is available on Amazon. This is the ultimate travel guide and pocket reference for anyone wishing to experience the adventure and wonder of THE ALASKA HIGHWAY! MUST-HAVE for all Alaska Highway travelers. Visit 202 places on the ALCAN with “Scan QR and go” for easy navigation.
Author:
Mark Watson is a California-based member of a Los Angeles Motorcycle Club and a keen traveler. He’s traveled the entirety of U. S. Route 66 seven times on his Harley-Davidson. He strives to interest others in the historic drive to keep the legendary Route 66 alive. He also traveled through the Alaska Highway. He is an author of bestseller books on Amazon: “Route 66 Travel Guide – 202 Amazing Places” and “Alaska Highway – 202 Best Stops”.