Here Are 11 Oscar Nominated Movies Set in Arkansas

Did you know there are 11 movies set in Arkansas that have been nominated for an Academy Award? In some of these movies, Arkansas plays a big role in the film and in others a small role. Have you seen all these movies?

Here they are. They are listed from the oldest films to the most current.

Hallelujah

This movie came out in 1929. It was filmed in Arkansas and in Tennessee. It is one of the first movies to feature an all-African American cast produced by a major studio. King Vidor was nominated for Best Director for the film.

Gone With The Wind

Okay, yes this film is set in Atlanta Georgia but did you know there is a clip of the Old Mill in North Little Rock shown in the opening credits? This movie was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won 8. Check out the video below. You'll see the Old Mill at the 1:29 mark.

True Grit 1969

Ah, The Duke. This classic John Wayne movie is set in Fort Smith. The film was actually filmed in Colorado but the story is set in Arkansas and premiered in Little Rock. True Grit had 2 nominations Best Actor - John Wayne and Best Song Original for the Picture sung by Arkansan Glen Campell who is also in the film. John Wayne won the Oscar that year.

Smokey and The Bandit

Who doesn't love this 1977 movie with Burt Reynolds about bootleggers smuggling Coors beer from Texarkana to Atlanta, Georgia? This movie is played every year in Texarkana and an annual Bandit Run takes place retracing the route in the film. This movie was up for Best Film Editing but lost to Star Wars.

Thelma and Louise

This 1991 film follows the ladies' route from Little Rock to the Grand Canyon. It was up for 6 Oscars and won one, for Best Original Screenplay.

Sling Blade

This 1996 drama isn't only set in Arkansas it was written and directed by an Arkansan, Billy Bob Thorton. He also starred in the film. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Thorton was up for Best Actor. It won Best Adapted Screenplay.

Walk the Line

This 2005 Johnny Cash biopic was nominated for 5 Oscars. Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter.

True Grit

This remake was nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture, but didn't win anything.

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

This 2011 documentary is about the West Memphis (Arkansas) 3. Three teenage boys were accused of the brutal 1993 murder of three prepubescent boys for an occult ritual. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

Minari

This 2020 film about a Korean family that moves from California to Arkansas to farm is based on a true story. It was nominated for 6 Academy Awards with actress Youn Yuh-jung winning Best Actress. This award made her the first Korean to win an Academy Award for acting.

The Barber of Little Rock

This 2023 documentary is about a barber in Little Rock named Arlo Washington. He saw the generational poverty in his area and decided to try and do something about it. He founded a nonprofit community bank to help the people in his community. It was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film this past year.

And there you have it, at least for the time being.