Heading to the beach is the perfect vacation, especially when it’s Hawaii’s beaches and crystal-clear waters. While the island state is a popular tourist destination, filmmakers also enjoy the mountains, beaches, and wildlife that have appeared in several film genres. Check out these ten incredible movies filmed in Hawaii, and see if you can point out the filming locations.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Starting our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Many of the films in this franchise were filmed in Hawaii, providing the perfect background for a pirate and his crew. In this later installment, Sparrow and Barbossa are trying to find the Fountain of Youth, but instead find Blackbeard and his daughter. It quickly becomes a race to see who gets to the fountain first.
Filming Locations: Kilauea Falls, Haleiwa, Honopu Beach, Halona Beach Cove
– IMDb score: 6.6
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9. Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Ninth on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Kong: Skull Island. Scenes like walking through the bamboo forests and the iconic field of skulls were filmed in various locations on and off the Big Island. In the film, the U.S. Government is exploring an island in the South Pacific for “geological research,” but instead finds creatures unlike anything they’ve ever seen.
Filming Locations: Oahu, Kualoa Ranch, Lulumahu Falls Trail, Waialua
– IMDb score: 6.7
8. 50 First Dates (2004)
Next on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is 50 First Dates, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Set in Hawaii, Henry Roth (Sandler) meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) and feels a strong connection. However, when they wake up the next morning, Lucy doesn’t recognize him. Henry learns that Lucy has short-term memory loss, so Henry goes out of his way to make Lucy fall in love with him every day.
Filming Locations: Kaneohe, Ka’a’awa, Wahiawa, Makapu’u, Waimānalo, Honolulu
– IMDb score: 6.8
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7. Jurassic World (2015)
Seventh on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Jurassic World. Combining both aerial shots and scenes depicting the dinosaurs, many parts of Hawaii were used to create the film, along with others in the franchise. In Jurassic World, 22 years have passed since the original park’s failure, and a new one has emerged, filled with dinosaurs and tourists. However, when scientists genetically engineer a new breed, things go terribly wrong.
Filming Locations: Kualoa Ranch, Jurassic Kahili Ranch, Manoa Falls, Blue Hole
– IMDb score: 6.9
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6. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
Head into a video game jungle for our sixth selection of movies filmed in Hawaii, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Set in a lush environment, it only makes sense to use Hawaii’s terrain. Four high school students stumble upon an old video game during detention. After turning it on, the four get sucked into the game, and now must complete dangerous tasks to survive and go back to the real world.
Filming Locations: Honolulu, Hilo, Kualoa Ranch
– IMDb score: 6.9
5. Tropic Thunder (2008)
Fifth on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Tropic Thunder, including locations like Hanalei and Grove Farmland. The film focuses on a group trying to create a war movie. Unfortunately, the action gets terrifyingly real when the actors stumble upon a real war zone and must fight their way out.
Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Grove Farmland, Hanalei, Kapaa, Lumahai Valley
– IMDb score: 7.1
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4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Next on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second film in the trilogy. Many of the scenes from the “Clock” arena were filmed in Hawaii, including the scene on the beach between Katniss and Peeta. A year after winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta are plunged back into the world of fighting for the Third Quarter Quell, where victors of past games are selected.
Filming Locations: Oahu, Halona Blow Hole Lookout, Waimea Valley, Kahana Bay Beach Park
– IMDb score: 7.5
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3. Avatar (2009)
Rounding out the top three movies filmed in Hawaii is Avatar, one of the biggest and most well-known franchises ever. The tropical island was used for scenes on Pandora, where the Na’vi live. Marine Jake Sully is sent to Pandora to take his brother’s place after a tragic accident. As he helps to improve relations between humans and Na’vi, Sully uncovers the true plans of the humans and decides to fight back.
Filming Locations: Hāmākua Coast, Oahu, Kaua’i
– IMDb score: 7.9
2. Jurassic Park (1993)
Second on our list of movies filmed in Hawaii is Jurassic Park, where all our dinosaur dreams started in 1993. While the dinosaurs may have been new CGI at the time, the beautiful scenes with Isla Nublar are from Hawaii. John Hammond creates a new type of theme park, inviting four scientists and his two grandkids to enjoy the exhibits. However, when the cages are opened and safeties fail, the group must fight to survive.
Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Limahuli Garden, Hanapepe Valley, Jurassic Kahili Ranch
– IMDb score: 8.2
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1. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Last but not least on our movies filmed in Hawaii list is Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Hawaii’s mountains and wilderness provide the perfect background shots for an uncharted island, which is exactly where Indiana Jones goes. This time, Jones is searching for a golden statue in South America. After he receives information about a biblical artifact, the Ark of the Covenant, and must race to retrieve the relic.
Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, Nā Pali Coast State Park
– IMDb score: 8.4
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