List RulesRegardless of where the movie was filmed, it must be set in South Dakota. Vote up the best movies with South Dakota as the backdrop.
Which of these movies about South Dakota are the best? It's time to vote up the best movies set in the Mount Rushmore State. Some of these movies were actually filmed and made in South Dakota but all of them are about or partially set in South Dakota. With a few movies set in or around the Badlands National Park, the state of South Dakota is the inspiration or setting for classic movies and cult favorites. From Terrence Malick’s Badlands to Dances With Wolves, it's time to finally determine the greatest South Dakota movies.
Vote up the best movies based in South Dakota. Be sure to check back to see what other voters think about these films that take place in South Dakota. Don't see your favorite famous South Dakota movie? Add it to the list and find out how other film aficionados rank your additions.
You might also like this list of the best North Dakota movies.
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60The Revenant
Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom HardyReleased: 2015
Directed by: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
The Revenant is a 2015 American semi-biographical epic western film directed by Alejandro G.... more on Wikipedia2
82Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Anna Paquin, J.K. SimmonsReleased: 2007
Directed by: Yves Simoneau
This film is a 2007 television film adapted from the book of the same name by Dee Brown. The... more on Wikipedia3
84Badlands
Charlie Sheen, Martin SheenReleased: 1973
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Badlands is a 1973 American film written and directed by Terrence Malick, starring Martin... more on Wikipedia4
64Thunderheart
Val Kilmer, David CrosbyReleased: 1992
Directed by: Michael Apted
Thunderheart is a 1992 contemporary western mystery film directed by Michael Apted from an... more on Wikipedia5
98Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnellReleased: 1990
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Dances with Wolves is a 1990 American epic western film directed, produced by, and starring... more on Wikipedia6
54Calamity Jane
Doris Day, Howard KeelReleased: 1953
Directed by: David Butler
Calamity Jane is a "Wild West"-themed film musical released in 1953. It is loosely based on... more on Wikipedia7
22Custer of the West
Robert Shaw, Robert RyanReleased: 1967
Directed by: Robert Siodmak
Custer of the West is a 1967 American Western film directed by Robert Siodmak. It tells a... more on Wikipedia8
02Incident at Oglala
Norman Zigrossi, Robert SikmaReleased: 1992
Directed by: Michael Apted
On June 26, 1975, during a period of high tensions on the Pine Ridge reservation in South... more on Wikipedia9
20Son in Law
Tiffani Thiessen, Brendan FraserReleased: 1993
Directed by: Steve Rash
Son in Law is a 1993 American comedy film starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith,... more on Wikipedia10
01Imprint
Tonantzin Carmelo, Michael SpearsReleased: 2007
Directed by: Michael Linn
Imprint is a 2007 independent drama/thriller film co-written and directed by Michael Linn and... more on Wikipedia11
02The Betrayal
Leroy Collins, Verlie CowanReleased: 1948
Directed by: Oscar Micheaux
The Betrayal is a race film written, produced, and directed by Oscar Micheaux.12
01Journey Through Rosebud
Robert Forster, Roy JensonReleased: 1972
Directed by: Tom Gries
Journey Through Rosebud is a 1972 drama film directed by Tom Gries. It stars Robert Forster... more on Wikipedia13
Dinosaur 13 is a drama, adventure and thriller documentary directed by Todd Douglas Miller.41Dinosaur 13
14
02Songs My Brothers Taught Me
Irene Bedard, Dakota BrownReleased: 2015
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Songs My Brothers Taught Me is a 2015 American drama film directed by Chloé Zhao.15
01The Rider
Brady Jandreau, Tim JandreauReleased: 2018
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
The Rider is a 2017 American drama film directed by Chloé Zhao. After suffering a near fatal... more on Wikipedia16
20Deadwood
Ian McShane, Timothy OlyphantReleased: 2019
Directed by: Daniel Minahan
Deadwood: The Movie is a 2019 American western film directed by Daniel Minahan, based on the... more on Wikipedia