Oklahoma’s film industry has quietly transformed into one of the most exciting regions for filmmakers in the United States. Known for its rugged landscapes, small-town charm, and expanding production resources, the state has become a go-to backdrop for both independent films and major studio productions. With generous tax incentives, growing infrastructure, and support from the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, the Sooner State is quickly becoming a hotspot for compelling, character-driven stories.
In this blog, we take a closer look at some of the most anticipated films either filmed in Oklahoma, set in similar small-town Americana, or thematically tied to stories that resonate deeply with the state’s cultural fabric. These films focus on family, identity, mental health, ambition, and resilience—all grounded in the emotional heartland that Oklahoma represents so well.
Weekend Warriors – A Father-Son Journey Across America (Filming Tied to Oklahoma Themes)
Weekend Warriors tells the deeply moving story of Mark, a long-haul truck driver played by Mark Wahlberg, who struggles to stay present for his family amid demanding work and rising tensions at home. His wife, Nora, holds their household together while caring for four children, including their son Jason—a scientifically gifted child with autism who struggles to adapt in traditional social environments.
After realizing how distant he has become, Mark is urged by Nora to reconnect with Jason. Jason, with his unique view of the world, devises a bold plan: attend a home game at every NBA arena to choose his favorite basketball team. Mark, sensing a rare opportunity to bond with his son and help him face his fears, agrees to the journey.
What unfolds is a heartfelt, cross-country road trip filled with challenges, breakthroughs, and emotional revelations. Along the way, father and son meet new people, visit iconic sports venues, and discover what it truly means to show up for the ones you love. With themes of family, neurodiversity, perseverance, and healing, the film captures the emotional core of what makes stories like this resonate with so many American families.
Director/Writer: Stephen Chbosky
Lead Cast: Mark Wahlberg as Mark (father)
Status: Pre-Production
Production: Apple Original Films, Plan B Entertainment, SpringHill Company
Filming: Various NBA cities across the U.S., thematically connected to Oklahoma’s heartland values
Pretty Babies – A Coming-of-Age Escape from Small-Town Life
Pretty Babies is a raw and emotionally charged drama centered on two 17-year-old girls who escape the oppressive confines of their small-town upbringing to chase stardom in Hollywood. One is a caretaker, the other a volatile dreamer, and both are searching for meaning, belonging, and identity in a world that often preys on youthful ambition.
Their journey leads them into the chaotic world of the entertainment industry, where they face exploitation, betrayal, and the harsh realities of what it means to grow up too fast. As their bond is tested by the pressures around them, they’re forced to confront their own traumas, ideals, and the cost of chasing impossible dreams.
Though not confirmed to be filmed in Oklahoma, the film’s setting evokes the emotional intensity of small-town roots, making it a spiritual sibling to stories based in the American Midwest.
Director/Writer: Tyler-Marie Evans
Lead Cast: Ashley Benson, Madelaine Petsch, Emily Alyn Lind, Sadie Stanley
Status: Announced – Pre-Production
Production: Killer Films, Wagner Entertainment
Expected Release: 2026 (Festival circuit anticipated)
The Rooster Prince – A True Story of Mental Illness and Brotherhood
The Rooster Prince is a deeply personal and autobiographical film about two brothers on a transformative road trip across America. Inspired by writer-director Josh Soskin’s real-life relationship with his older brother—a Harvard-trained psychiatrist who developed manic-bipolar disorder in his 40s—the film delves into the emotional complexities of mental illness, grief, and reconciliation.
As the older brother’s condition worsens, the younger brother joins him on an unplanned journey that becomes their last great adventure. The paradox lies in how the very disease that eventually takes his brother’s life also brings them closer than they’ve ever been. The film presents a deeply human narrative of emotional healing, familial duty, and the raw bonds forged in shared pain.
While the setting spans across America, the heartfelt themes and landscape-driven storytelling echo the spirit of films shot in Oklahoma.
Director/Writer: Josh Soskin
Cast (Unconfirmed): Lewis Pullman, Dan Stevens
Status: In Development
Production: Ladybug Films
Royally Screwed – A Modern Fairytale Romance with Royal Intrigue
Based on the bestselling novel Royally Screwed by Emma Chase, this adaptation (speculatively titled Seniors) follows Nicholas Pembrook, Crown Prince of Wessco, who is used to adoration, luxury, and unwavering royal protocol. That changes when he meets Olivia Hammond, a waitress who doesn’t bow or swoon—instead, she throws a pie in his face.
Intrigued and humbled, Nicholas pursues her, and what begins as a playful flirtation turns into a forbidden romance that challenges centuries of tradition. Olivia is thrust into the public eye and royal scrutiny, navigating the complexities of dating a prince while trying to stay true to herself. Nicholas, meanwhile, must decide whether he wants to be a king or a man free to love.
While there is no confirmation of Oklahoma as a filming location, the story’s contrast between humble American life and regal obligation adds a distinctly Americana feel.
Director/Writer: TBD
Cast: TBD
Status: Rights optioned, not yet in production
Production: Passionflix
Super Troopers – A Cult Comedy Classic
Though not filmed in or related to Oklahoma, Super Troopers deserves an honorable mention as a legendary cult comedy that paved the way for indie ensemble storytelling. The film follows a group of prankster Vermont state troopers whose station is threatened with closure. Their absurd antics, hilarious pranks, and eventual entanglement in a real drug-smuggling case make for a laugh-out-loud comedy with lasting pop culture relevance.
Director: Jay Chandrasekhar
Cast: Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Brian Cox
Status: Released (2001)
Final Thoughts
From deeply personal dramas to quirky road trip comedies, Oklahoma’s cultural and emotional spirit continues to influence the kinds of stories that resonate across America. Whether directly filmed in the state or inspired by its heartland identity, these films show how powerful storytelling rooted in authenticity can inspire, connect, and move audiences.
As Oklahoma’s film industry grows, so does its potential to be the setting of the next great American story.
Want to be part of a film shot in Oklahoma?
Stay updated on casting calls and production announcements by visiting Project Casting regularly. Your next big opportunity might be filming right in your backyard.
