With stunning beaches, majestic mountains, panoramic views, and lush, tropical surroundings, it is no wonder why so many Hollywood directors choose Hawaii for film productions — from historical films to romantic comedies to action thrillers. Countless movies have been filmed throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and these 12 belong on your must-watch list.
- Godzilla
Michael Buck/Flickr Approximately 200 Hawaii residents were hired as extras in the 2014 Godzilla film for a disaster scene at Waikiki Beach. Many of the tropical scenes in the 1998 Godzilla film were also shot in Hawaii, and you can see the remnants of the film at Kualoa Ranch.
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
jai Mansson/Flickr This quirky romantic comedy starring Jason Segal and Mila Kunis was filmed primarily at Turtle Bay Resort, a popular filming location on the north shore of Oahu.
- Pirates of the Caribbean
Joel/Flickr Despite taking place thousands of miles from Hawaii, On Stranger Tides was filmed in Hawaii for two months in 2010 before strong tides moved filming back to California, and At World’s End was filmed on Molokai, Hawaii.
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Reannon Muth/Flickr Filming began in Atlanta, Georgia, before being moved to Hawaii to shoot the arena scenes in Waiehee & Heeia State Parks, Kawela Bay, and Paradise Park.
- Tropic Thunder
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Filmed primarily in the dense backwoods of the Wailua Falls area of Kauai for thirteen weeks, the movie was credited in 2007 as being the largest film production in the island’s history. The jeep from the movie is still on display.
- Pearl Harbor
Anthony_goto/Flickr It seems only right that this 2001 American romantic war drama was filmed in part on Oahu. In the film, kids are seen watching Japanese planes fly through Kualoa Valley en route to Pearl Harbor, though ironically, in real life, the planes were flying in the opposite direction of Pearl Harbor.
- The Descendants
jai Mansson/Flickr This award-winning film based on a novel of the same name was filmed and set in Hawaii. Much of the movie was filmed in Nu’uanu, but several locations across Oahu and Kauai were also used, including the Lihue Airport and Tahiti Nui.
- Blue Hawaii
Wikipedia Elvis Presley’s eighth film was filmed on both Oahu and Kauai, though the most famous filming location was the Coco Palms Resort, a once stunning resort that was abandoned after Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
- 50 First Dates
Sam Carlquist/Flickr This Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore classic was shot primarily on Oahu’s North Shore and windward coast. Superfans of the film will want to visit Kualoa Ranch as well as Hukilau Cafe and Sea Life Park.
- Battleship
Wally Gobetz/Flickr While much of this movie was filmed on Oahu and Maui, the USS Missouri — one of the U.S. Navy’s most famous battleships — is the real star of this action film.
- South Pacific
throgers/Flickr This 1958 adaptation of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein classic was primarily filmed near Kauai’s Hanalei Bay. Watch this gem for a musical throwback unlike any other.
- Jurassic Park & Jurassic World
Sam Carlquist/Flickr It would be wrong to write a list of movies filmed in Hawaii without including the Jurassic Park — and Jurassic World — franchise. In addition to scenes filmed at the famous Kualoa Ranch, LImahuli Gardens, Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, Manawaiopuna Falls, and other stunning locations across the state where featured in our favorite series of dinosaur movies.
How many of these movies have you seen? Today’s the perfect day for a movie marathon, so why not get started now? For another unique filming location, you’ll want to visit the stunning lagoon all Magnum P.I. fans will immediately recognize.
Michael Buck/Flickr
Approximately 200 Hawaii residents were hired as extras in the 2014 Godzilla film for a disaster scene at Waikiki Beach. Many of the tropical scenes in the 1998 Godzilla film were also shot in Hawaii, and you can see the remnants of the film at Kualoa Ranch.
jai Mansson/Flickr
This quirky romantic comedy starring Jason Segal and Mila Kunis was filmed primarily at Turtle Bay Resort, a popular filming location on the north shore of Oahu.
Joel/Flickr
Despite taking place thousands of miles from Hawaii, On Stranger Tides was filmed in Hawaii for two months in 2010 before strong tides moved filming back to California, and At World’s End was filmed on Molokai, Hawaii.
Reannon Muth/Flickr
Filming began in Atlanta, Georgia, before being moved to Hawaii to shoot the arena scenes in Waiehee & Heeia State Parks, Kawela Bay, and Paradise Park.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
Filmed primarily in the dense backwoods of the Wailua Falls area of Kauai for thirteen weeks, the movie was credited in 2007 as being the largest film production in the island’s history. The jeep from the movie is still on display.
Anthony_goto/Flickr
It seems only right that this 2001 American romantic war drama was filmed in part on Oahu. In the film, kids are seen watching Japanese planes fly through Kualoa Valley en route to Pearl Harbor, though ironically, in real life, the planes were flying in the opposite direction of Pearl Harbor.
This award-winning film based on a novel of the same name was filmed and set in Hawaii. Much of the movie was filmed in Nu’uanu, but several locations across Oahu and Kauai were also used, including the Lihue Airport and Tahiti Nui.
Wikipedia
Elvis Presley’s eighth film was filmed on both Oahu and Kauai, though the most famous filming location was the Coco Palms Resort, a once stunning resort that was abandoned after Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
Sam Carlquist/Flickr
This Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore classic was shot primarily on Oahu’s North Shore and windward coast. Superfans of the film will want to visit Kualoa Ranch as well as Hukilau Cafe and Sea Life Park.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
While much of this movie was filmed on Oahu and Maui, the USS Missouri — one of the U.S. Navy’s most famous battleships — is the real star of this action film.
throgers/Flickr
This 1958 adaptation of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein classic was primarily filmed near Kauai’s Hanalei Bay. Watch this gem for a musical throwback unlike any other.
It would be wrong to write a list of movies filmed in Hawaii without including the Jurassic Park — and Jurassic World — franchise. In addition to scenes filmed at the famous Kualoa Ranch, LImahuli Gardens, Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, Manawaiopuna Falls, and other stunning locations across the state where featured in our favorite series of dinosaur movies.
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