Hawaii - A Picture-Perfect Movie Location
The Hawaiian Islands have long been a favorite setting for film and television. Majestic mountains, lush valleys, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, beaches and sky-blue ocean views give productions a wide range of natural backdrops in a compact island setting.
Hawaii has been used for independent films, major motion pictures, surf films, travel shows, lifestyle programs and many other productions. From volcanoes to snow-covered mountain caps to reef-level ocean shots, the islands offer a range of scenery that can stand in for many places around the world.
On screen, Hawaii has played everything from a South Pacific beach to a remote jungle, a prehistoric island, a military setting and a tropical getaway. From rainforests and scenic overlooks to city streets and quiet countryside, the Islands have a natural variety that helps filmmakers tell many different kinds of stories.
From teen surfing movies to blockbuster thrillers, Hawaii continues to draw audiences. Filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Tim Burton and George Armitage have used the Islands' scenery in memorable productions. Hawaii also has a strong local creative community, with actors, crew members, location scouts and production professionals who support projects of many sizes.
Stunt work, special effects, set design, cinematography, lighting, sound design, editing and location support are all part of Hawaii's production landscape. Local location scouts help productions find beaches, valleys, ranches, towns, historic places and remote settings that fit the story.
Film Production in the Islands
Major film production in the Islands gives the local economy a boost and allows local production teams to build impressive credits. Whether shot on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai or the Big Island, the scenery is one-of-a-kind. Dating back to the 1920s, Hawaii productions have entertained audiences across the globe. Below is a list of some of the many films shot and/or set in the Hawaiian Islands:
- The White Flower - 1923
- Bird of Paradise - 1932
- From Here to Eternity - 1953
- The Enemy Below - 1957
- The Old Man and the Sea - 1958
- South Pacific - 1958
- Wackiest Ship in the Army - 1960
- Blue Hawaii - 1961
- Gidget Goes Hawaiian - 1961
- Girls, Girls, Girls! - 1962
- Ride the Wild Surf - 1964
- In Harm's Way - 1965
- Hawaii - 1966
- Paradise Hawaiian Style - 1966
- Tora! Tora! Tora! - 1970
- The Hawaiians - 1970
- The Man with the Golden Gun - 1974
- Islands in the Stream - 1977
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - 1981
- Uncommon Valor - 1983
- Black Widow - 1985
- The Karate Kid Part II - 1986
- North Shore - 1987
- Throw Momma from the Train - 1987
- Lord of the Flies - 1990
- Honeymoon in Vegas - 1992
- Jurassic Park - 1993
- Waterworld - 1995
- Outbreak - 1995
- Picture Bride - 1995
- Race the Sun - 1996
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 1997
- George of the Jungle - 1997
- Six Days, Seven Nights - 1998
- Beyond Paradise - 1998
- Lani Loa - 1998
- Molokai: The Story of Father Damien - 1999
- Johnny Tsunami - 1999
- Paniolo O Hawaii: Cowboys of the Far West - 2000
- Pearl Harbor - 2001
- Planet of the Apes - 2001
- Blue Crush - 2002
- Lilo & Stitch - 2002
- The Ride - 2003
- Punch-Drunk Love - 2003
- The Rundown - 2003
- The Big Bounce - 2004
- Along Came Polly - 2004
- 50 First Dates - 2004
- Pipeline - 2006
- 10.5: Apocalypse - 2006
- Superbad - 2007
- Tropic Thunder - 2008
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 2008
- Avatar - 2009
- Princess Kaiulani - 2009
- A Perfect Getaway - 2009
- Soul Surfer - 2011
- Just Go with It - 2011
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 2011
- The Descendants - 2011
- Battleship - 2012
- The Haumana - 2013
- Big Eyes - 2014
- Godzilla - 2014
- Aloha - 2015
- Jurassic World - 2015
- A View from a Blue Moon - 2015
- Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates - 2016
- Snatched - 2017
- Kong: Skull Island - 2017
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - 2017
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - 2018
- The Wrong Missy - 2020
- Finding 'Ohana - 2021
- The Wind & the Reckoning - 2022
- Next Goal Wins - 2023
- Lilo & Stitch - 2025
Hawaii is not only a haven for movie scenes. Island life has also provided memorable scenery for television series. Many viewers remember the adventures of private investigator Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I., or the case-cracking work of Steve McGarrett and "Danno" Williams in Hawaii Five-O.
Other series filmed in Hawaii include Byrds of Paradise (1994), One West Waikiki (1995-1996), the Fantasy Island revival series (1998), Soulmates (2001), Marker (1995), NBC's Hawaii (2004) and Fox's North Shore (2004-2005). Reality TV also made its mark on the Islands, with Boarding House: North Shore (2003), The Bachelor, The Amazing Race 3, Celebrity Mole Hawaii, High School Reunion 2 and MTV's Real World: Hawaii. Other popular series connected with Hawaii include Gilligan's Island (1964), The Thorn Birds (1983), Fantasy Island (1988), Baywatch Hawaii (1999-2001), Lost (2004-2010) and the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020).
Fans of the castaway drama Lost can appreciate the memorable beach shots and island scenery. Many other series have filmed Hawaii episodes, including The Brady Bunch, My Wife & Kids and ER. Hawaii has also served as a backdrop for concerts, documentaries and educational releases.
Several film festivals are held annually in Hawaii, including the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Maui Film Festival and the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. Films shot in the Hawaiian Islands have earned major box office attention and continue to keep Hawaii visible on screens around the world. As the most remote island chain on Earth, Hawaii offers a movie setting unlike anywhere else.
