The film depicts the events of August 12, 1967, when two separate fatal grizzly bear attacks occurred on the same night, miles apart, changing the national perception of wildlife conservation. Grizzly Night will be released in the United States on January 30, 2026, by Saban Films.[1]
Premise
On August 12, 1967, a summer evening in Montana's Glacier National Park descends into chaos. Julie Helgeson (Brec Bassinger) is a rookie park ranger trying to establish her authority and leadership in a male-dominated environment. Her resilience is tested when the park is besieged by two separate, simultaneous grizzly bear attacks occurring nine miles apart—an unprecedented event in the park's history.
As communication lines fail and panic spreads through the campsites, Julie finds herself responsible for a group of terrified campers and strangers. She must navigate them through the pitch-black wilderness, facing not only the lethal apex predators stalking them but also the harsh, unforgiving terrain. The night's events force the survivors to confront their own fragility and the reality of nature's untamed power.
The film is based on the true events known as the "Night of the Grizzlies," which resulted in the deaths of Julie Helgeson and Michele Koons and led to a massive overhaul of bear management policies in American national parks. The project was produced by independent production company FourJFilms. It marks the feature film directorial debut of Burke Doeren.[2]
Filming
Filming took place near Park City, Utah from August 20, 2023 to September 14, 2023.[3] Filming utilized practical locations to recreate the dense forestry and mountainous terrain of 1960s Montana. Cinematographers Brian Mitchell and Ian Start focused on low-light techniques to emulate the claustrophobic atmosphere of the night-time attacks.
Release
Grizzly Night will be released on digital and video on demand platforms in the United States on January 30, 2026, by Saban Films. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the film was acquired by Lightbulb Film Distribution and set for release on February 2, 2026.[4]
Reception
Pre-release reviews praised the film for its tension and historical basis. Future of the Force highlighted the "breathtaking cinematography" and "brutal Grizzly action," noting it as a significant entry in the "creature feature" genre.[4]
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