Every state is known for something. As you work your way through the list, don't miss the best movies set in Colorado. While you're at it, check out the best books set in Colorado, too.
Colorado, a western U.S. state, has a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons, and the snow-covered Rocky Mountains, which are partly protected by Rocky Mountain National Park.
Elsewhere, Mesa Verde National Park features Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Perched a mile above sea level, Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city, features a vibrant downtown area.
Best Movies Set in Colorado
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker (Actors)
Cliffhanger
Year: 1993
Outdoor thriller in which a former mountain rescuer is pitted against a group of criminals who have lost their $100 million stash during a plane crash in the Rocky Mountains. After being persuaded to help rescue a group of stranded hikers, he discovers that they are in fact a gang of violent robbers who need help to locate their missing loot.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd (Actors)
The Shining
Year: 1980
All work and no play makes Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson, the caretaker of an isolated resort, go way off the deep end, terrorizing his young son and wife Shelley Duvall.
- Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger (Actors)
- Richard C. Sarafian (Director)
Vanishing Point
Year: 1971
Vietnam War hero Kowalski (Barry Newman) has become a pill-addicted driver for hire. Transporting a car from Colorado to California, he enlivens the journey by making a wager with his drug dealer: If the trip takes under 15 hours, Kowalski's latest amphetamine purchase is free.
But Kowalski's recklessness on the road results in a much-publicized police chase. Radio jock Super Soul (Cleavon Little) covers the pursuit and turns Kowalski, who refuses to pull over, into a martyr for freedom.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Mark Addy (Actors)
Jack Frost
Year: 1998
As a touring musician clinging to dreams of stardom, aging rocker Jack Frost never had much time for his wife, Gabby, and young son, Charlie. A year after Jack's tragic death in a car accident on Christmas Day, Charlie plays a mournful tune on his father's harmonica.
Much to his surprise, the elder Frost is magically brought to life as a snowman on the family lawn. Given a second chance, Charlie and Jack struggle to make up for a lost time.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid (Actors)
National Lampoon's Vacation
Year: 1983
Accompanied by their children (Dana Barron, Anthony Michael Hall), Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), and his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), are driving from Illinois to a California amusement park.
As Clark increasingly fixates on a beautiful woman driving a sports car, the Griswolds deal with car problems and the death of a family member. They reach Los Angeles, but, when Clark worries that the trip is being derailed again, he acts impulsively to get his family to the park.
Now that you've completed the list of best books set in this state, why not check out some others? Here are the Best Movies Set in All 50 States.
To continue learning, check out the Colorado State History Project.
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT MOVIES SET IN ALL 50 STATES
Click here to download the printable. It has a list of movies in all 50 states including the Best Movies Set in Colorado.
If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.
“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent
With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:
- List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
- List of Monthly Observances
- List Of Movies for Unit Study
- Unit Study Resource
- Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
- (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher
These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.
Related Posts:
- Best Books Set in Colorado
- Summer Movie Scavenger Hunt
- Listen to these 44 Books that Became Movies
- 11 Awesome Books That Became Movies
- 22 Banned Books You Can Watch as Movies
- 20 Books to Read Aloud and Watch the Movie
Further Reading About the State:
- Colorado: A Historical Atlas
- Colorado Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit!
- Colorado's National Parks & Monuments - 2nd Edition (13" x 10" Hardcover Coffe Table Book Featuring Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain N.P., Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon, and more)
- What's Great about Colorado? (Our Great States)
- Colorado Wild and Beautiful
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- Shudder: Everything you Need to Know - August 14, 2024
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