Exclusive premiere of Brad Pitt’s new movie, Heart of the Beast, to be hosted at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena on Sept. 18
Special event with all proceeds benefiting conservation will welcome Service members, Bass Pro Shops Outfitters and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s CLUB Members for a one-of-a-kind outdoor movie experience celebrating freedom and nature
RIDGEDALE, Mo. (Sept. 11, 2026) – Thunder Ridge Nature Arena announced today it will host an exclusive premiere of Heart of the Beast, the highly anticipated adventure thriller starring Springfield native Brad Pitt, this coming Friday, Sept. 18.
Plan now to attend and bring friends and family to this very special experience !
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, the one-night premiere event will bring together conservation, community and entertainment for a truly unique experience.
Service members and their families from Fort Leonard Wood will be welcomed as honored guests and receive free admission, along with Bass Pro Shops Outfitters, Veteran Outfitters, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s CLUB Members and their families. This premiere is open to the public and tickets are available for only $10 per person at thunderridgenaturearena.com on a first-come, first-served basis, with all proceeds supporting conservation. Free parking will be included with every ticket, and premium tickets will also be available.
“We’re proud to host this special event and share this movie with families across the Ozarks and beyond,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “So many people remember Brad’s role in A River Runs Through It, a film that helped inspire a deeper appreciation for fly-fishing and the importance of conserving the rivers and wild places that make those experiences possible. We’re especially grateful to share this premiere with military members while helping support the conservation mission that is at the heart of Thunder Ridge.”
Guests will be welcomed to Thunder Ridge beginning at 5 p.m. Live music and pre-show entertainment by the Petersens, “America’s #1 Bluegrass Band,” will begin at 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Heart of the Beast will light up Thunder Ridge’s giant main-stage screens, creating a one-of-a-kind outdoor movie experience.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Ayer and written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast follows Special Forces officer James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his combat dog, Odin, after a harrowing plane crash leaves them stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements. Heart of the Beast is an intense adventure thriller that explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend as they face their greatest battle yet. The film is rated PG-13 and will open in theaters nationwide on Friday, Sept. 25.
Click this link to view the trailer
Supporting conservation through unforgettable outdoor experiences
Founded by Johnny Morris, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena was created to inspire a deeper appreciation for nature while advancing efforts to conserve wildlife and habitat for future generations. More than a venue, Thunder Ridge is part of a not-for-profit conservation Foundation dedicated to conserving land, water and wildlife while inspiring future generations to become good stewards of the outdoors.
All net proceeds from Thunder Ridge events support this conservation mission, helping protect natural resources and enhance experiences that connect people with the outdoors. Through concerts, entertainment and special events, Thunder Ridge unites people in support of conservation.
The Foundation, a group of charitable organizations established by Ozarks native Johnny Morris, also operates the nearby 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Audubon Signature Nature Golf Courses, Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, the eight-time winner of USA Today’s America’s Best Aquarium competition.
