A new film about a strange Kentucky story

A new film is being released about a story so strange, some might mistake it for folklore

a movie poster featuring a bear

This is the movie poster for the new film “Cocaine Bear” which will premiere in February 2023. | Poster courtesy of Brownstone Productions

Table of Contents

Bears have been known to roam the Bluegrass from time to time. But there’s no bear more famous than Lexington’s very own “Cocaine Bear.”

And now, after already embedding himself into Kentucky pop culture, “Cocaine Bear” is finally being made into a feature-length film, set to be released in February 2023.

🐻 About the film

The film, titled (you guessed it) “Cocaine Bear, is directed by Elizabeth Banks — popular for her role as Effie Trinket in “The Hunger Games.” IMDB also shows that the film stars Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, and Alden Ehrenreich.

🐻 Plot

The story of “Cocaine Bear” goes like this:

A former Lexington narcotics officer became a drug smuggler. He threw a bag of cocaine out of a plane while flying over Northern Georgia.

A bear ate the bag and consequently died from an overdose.

The bear’s body was preserved with taxidermy and eventually purchased by a local Lexington retailerKentucky for Kentucky.

This story was also documented in a book titled, “The Bluegrass Conspiracy.”

lex-bear-kentucky-for-kentucky

The taxidermy display of the real-life “Cocaine Bear” is always on display at Kentucky for Kentucky. | Photo by LEXtoday

We will keep you updated on the official release date, screening parties, and showtimes.

In the meantime, you can see the bear on display inside its store here in Lexington, located at 720 Bryan Ave.

More from LEXtoday
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
We’re highlighting the 23 best parks that Lexington, KY has to offer — complete with splash pads, playgrounds, walking trails, and even a few dog-friendly spots.
A veteran turns to bourbon, mindfulness, and storytelling to navigate PTSD and find purpose.
Discover expert tips and all the supplies you need to dive into your next stitching project.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Check out the co-working community that Lexington writers and New York Times bestsellers call home.
A guide to skating, skiing, and snow-filled fun close to home.
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count attracts more than one million people nationwide to help record the bird population.
We’re just a bunch of weirdoughs diving head first into LEX’s must-try pizza shops including Goodfellas, Pearl’s Pizza Pie, and Rolling Oven.
Discover local homes that showcase the latest design and lifestyle trends for 2026. From colorful finishes to energy-smart features, these properties have it all.