A movie showcasing Ohio’s wildlife and nature will soon hit theaters across the state

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – From bald eagles to fireflies and forests, tales of Ohio’s great outdoors will soon head to the big screen. 

Ohio: Wild at Heart will debut in select theaters this fall and winter. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources partnered with MacGillivray Freeman Films, a California-based independent producer, to create the IMAX movie showcasing the state’s wildlife and nature. 

“I think some people will sit there and say, ‘Wow, I didn't even know that was in our state,’” said Mary Mertz, director of the ODNR. “We're excited about the opportunity to share with people how beautiful Ohio is.”

The film is narrated by Ohio native Archie Griffin, who is well-known for his former football career with the Buckeyes and Cincinnati Bengals. While the department frequently produces videos for events and educational programming, Ohio: Wild at Heart will mark its first movie made for theatrical release.

Mertz said the idea for the film was born during the first year of Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration, in 2019, when he emphasized education as one of his priorities for the department. In July 2024, filming for the movie began.

“We found lots of new and different ways to educate the public and this was one of those ideas,” Mertz said. 

The film will feature conservation success stories in Ohio like those of bald eagles and trumpeter swans, along with preservation efforts for forests and other behind-the-scenes work by ODNR naturalists. Lake Erie and the “astounding cliffs and waterfalls” of Hocking Hills will shine on the screen as well, a news release stated.

There will also be a portion of the movie focusing on how Ohio residents and visitors can enjoy the state’s outdoors, through activities such as ice fishing, mountain biking and kayaking, according to Mertz.

“The theme of the whole movie is we do all this work to preserve and restore nature because nature is a great way to restore ourselves,” Mertz said. “We can get a lot of mental health benefits, physical health benefits, a lot of peace -- nature is good for all of us.”

Mertz said she sees the film as "an economic driver" for Ohio's tourism industry, as some out-of-state visitors may see the film and be inspired to return to the Buckeye State.

“What I'm hoping is, people will see what's right here, and they're going to be amazed and astounded and say, ‘Wow, I live in a beautiful place,’ or ‘I have access to a beautiful place,’” Mertz said. 

Central Ohio residents will have the opportunity to see the movie at COSI on Saturday, Nov. 8. The movie’s website also lists four screenings in the Columbus-area as “coming soon,” for the AMCs in Dublin, Hilliard Green, Grove City and Easton Town Center. 

Other showtimes that have been determined include:

• Imagination Station in Toledo on Friday, Oct. 10. 
• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton on Sunday, Oct. 19.
• Cincinnati Museum Center on Friday, Oct. 24. 
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Ohio: Wild at Heart’s official trailer and more information can be found here.