Hollywood on the Prairie: How Oklahoma Became the Nation’s Latest Film Destination

In the summer of 2023, downtown Oklahoma City buzzed with film crews shooting the blockbuster sequel to Twister, while just a couple of hours north, Pawhuska, the tribal capital of the Osage Nation, served as the primary location for Killers of the Flower Moon. Spotting Sylvester Stallone filming Tulsa King became an unofficial pastime. The state has attracted A-list stars such as Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. Lee Isaac Chung enjoyed filming his Oscar-winning Minari in Oklahoma so much that he returned for Twisters, while the Emmy-nominated Reservation Dogs, primarily filmed in Okmulgee, serves as a tribute to the home state of Native filmmaker Sterlin Harjo.

Complementing the live-action filming were Oklahoma’s numerous film festivals and studios, like the expansive Prairie Surf Studios in downtown Oklahoma City, contributing credibility to this new boomtown. Travelers can easily join in on the excitement by purchasing festival passes for events like deadCenter, a four-day celebration of screenings and parties in June across Oklahoma City, and Twisted Arts, held at Tulsa’s historic Circle Cinema in November.

It’s important to note that Oklahoma City and Tulsa are very accessible—only about an hour and 20 minutes apart via a direct route on I-44. Alternatively, travelers can take the scenic Route 66, which is filled with charming attractions, from the Arcadia Round Barn to Pops Soda Ranch. For fans of Tulsa King who missed Stallone, local spots from the series include the acoustic wonder known as Center of the Universe, Triangle Coffee, and the retro ’70s-inspired Dust Bowl Lanes bowling alley, located in Oklahoma City.

The growing popularity of these locations indicates that Oklahoma is experiencing a significant moment in filmmaking, positioning the state as a fresh new frontier for Hollywood. Oklahoma was one of the first states to introduce film incentives back in 2001, starting with a $150,000 rebate, which has been progressively enhanced over the years. By 2005, four films had taken advantage of these benefits, and by 2021, that number surged to 34 films, including Killers of the Flower Moon, Minari, Stillwater, and Twisters, resulting in 669 production days, 11,000 jobs, and $100 million in crew wages, as reported by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. In that year, the bipartisan Filmed in Oklahoma Act became one of the most robust film incentives in the nation, allowing productions to claim a cash rebate of up to 37 percent on applicable labor, goods, and services.

The state is also investing in its workforce. The local film industry has generated thousands of jobs, while Oklahoma City Community College’s film studies program plays a crucial role in retaining local talent. This commitment extends to Indigenous and marginalized communities, with organizations like Cherokee Film striving for representation and Twisted Arts highlighting LGBTQ inclusivity in cinema.

“Investing in the film industry is essential for us in Oklahoma,” states Cherokee Film senior director Jennifer Loren. “It diversifies our economy, creates jobs independent of oil and gas, and enhances our cultural identity.” Established in 2019, the office employs a full-time cultural and historical consultant to ensure authentic representation, showcasing Oklahoma’s diverse voices and landscapes. “We have the most varied locations of any state, with numerous eco-regions that often go unnoticed,” Loren adds. “Within Cherokee Nation, for instance, you can find tallgrass prairies, waterfalls, the Ozark Mountains' foothills, and quaint Americana, all within two hours.” Travelers can experience this beauty by visiting the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, just 90 minutes north of Tulsa. Covering 40,000 acres, it’s the largest protected tallgrass prairie left on Earth, offering a serene environment that embodies Americana, with opportunities for hiking (mostly easy trails), exploring a historic cabin and cowboy bunkhouse, spotting wild bison, or enjoying a 15-mile scenic drive.

Matt Payne, founder and co-CEO of Prairie Surf Studios, returned to his home state after 15 years in Los Angeles, drawn by the state’s film incentives and OCCC’s training program. “Oklahoma offers a seamless business environment,” he remarks. “The low cost of living is a huge draw, and Oklahoma City is a beautiful, versatile city that can mimic many different locales.” Combined with the state's ecological diversity and charming small towns like Guthrie and El Reno, the opportunities here are as abundant as they are affordable.

“When I initially moved to L.A. to work in film, I dreaded coming back home,” Payne reflects. “But then downtown [Oklahoma City] started to flourish, and suddenly it became an exciting place to be. I transitioned from never wanting to return to asking myself, ‘How can I pursue my passion in Oklahoma?’”

The high-profile blockbusters aren't the only ones making waves in the cinematic landscape. Independent filmmaking is a vital component of the film economy, and much like the A-list projects taking off, it's securing its place at the table. “Independent filmmakers are finding things more accessible now,” says Dylan Cole Black, a director, writer, and actor at the horror-focused Oklahoma City production studio Dead End Film House. He points to the ease of obtaining equipment, resources like the Oklahoma Film Actor’s Studio, and the growing audience for independent content as evidence of a changing film landscape. “Growing up, there wasn’t much available,” he recalls. “But now, every year brings something new that makes Oklahoma a film hub more than I ever imagined.”

How to fully experience Oklahoma’s film culture

The local film industry has blossomed into a burgeoning tourism sector. Visitors can explore small towns like Pawhuska, featured in Flower Moon, or check out the Twister the Movie Museum in Wakita. Both Payne and Black highlight the importance of the OKC-based deadCenter Film Festival, the state's largest, while Tulsa’s nearly century-old Circle Cinema, boasting a Walk of Fame that honors Oklahomans such as Ron Howard and Brad Pitt, hosts its own film festival in July, followed by Twisted Arts in the fall. “Attending a festival and watching an hour of locally produced short films makes you realize just how much raw talent exists in Oklahoma,” says Black.

Other notable art houses and film museums to explore include the Oklahoma City Museum of Art theater; the Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa, which Francis Ford Coppola used for his 1982 adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic; and Rodeo Cinema, a former vaudeville venue that has transformed into a nonprofit art house theater in Stockyards City. Loren suggests getting directly involved in the filming process. “There’s always something being filmed in Oklahoma, and they’re frequently seeking background actors. If you can land a spot as an extra, it’s a worthwhile experience, even if you’re just visiting.” Freihofer Casting in Norman is the leading casting agency in the state, offering continuous open calls and opportunities. The Oklahoma Film & Music Office also posts crew and casting calls, including for extras.

Where to find accommodations in Oklahoma

The flourishing film industry has propelled Oklahoma to an unprecedented $11.8 billion in its latest tourism economy report. As more visitors uncover the hidden gems of this state, new hotels are springing up to cater to their needs. In Oklahoma City, the Fordson Hotel is a boutique establishment ideally situated on Film Row, a historic area of the Arts District that was once home to major film studios like Paramount and MGM. In Tulsa, cinephiles can stay at the Mayo Hotel, an art deco masterpiece and supporter of the Circle Cinema Film Festival. Meanwhile, Pawhuska’s Frontier Hotel offers a nostalgic 20-room experience in a charming 1912 building, impeccably clean and tastefully updated.

The ongoing surge in the film industry continues to create enticing opportunities for film-loving tourists eager to explore Hollywood on the Prairie. The outlook is promising: Following the immense success of Killers of the Flower Moon, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell aims to increase the filmmaking rebate from $30 million to $80 million, further incentivizing film production in Oklahoma and attracting larger projects.

“In the past, many viewed the film industry as a distant Hollywood fantasy, irrelevant to Oklahoma,” shares Loren. “However, with the recent high-profile projects filmed here, people are beginning to realize that the film industry is shifting away from Hollywood, and there’s a significant opportunity to develop it here. Oklahoma continually amazes visitors, and now we’re also making an impression on movie and television screens.”

This article is part of our Meet Me in the Middle series, highlighting the unique towns, cities, and outdoor spaces waiting to be discovered by travelers between America’s popular coasts. Explore more from Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and the Midwest.