Nevertheless, well before our islands became a state in the United States, countless exceptional motion movies were shot or set in Hawaii. The Pacific Islands have always been one of the greatest locations for film scores, and it’s easy to see why with our beautiful islands, scenery, oceans, and Hawaiian culture to share. It’s no wonder that studio executives continue to choose the region famed for salud for their perfect film backdrop, with its magnificent all-year environment and amazing surroundings.
It’s no wonder that movies set in Hawaii make the place appear so appealing, with lovely vistas, gigantic waves, and a consistently pleasant atmosphere. Without a sure, few out of every odd Hawaii film flaunts an ideal backdrop or a joyous tone, but the finest Hawaii films are certainly more relaxed. In just about any event, a few amazing films have been set in the Aloha State (rather than shot in Hawaii), and you can see the finest of them here.
Were you looking for some Hawaiian cinematic inspiration? We recently returned from Hawaii and immediately felt compelled to watch every Hawaiian film we could get our hands on. This prompted me to compile a film rundown of some of the best films shot in Hawaii or about Hawaii.
20. From Here to Eternity
- Director:Â Fred Zinnemann
- Writer:Â Daniel Taradash, James Jones
- Cast:Â Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr
- IMDb Rating:Â 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 88%
Finally, we conclude our list with the exemplary film, of all excellent films, From Here to Eternity. This novel takes place only days before the attack on Pearl Harbor and focuses on boxing champion Robert E. Lee Prewitt, who needs to put that chapter of his life behind him. Regardless, he soon discovers obstacles in his new Hawaiian life in the military.
From Here to Eternity is extremely important because possibly the most well-known love scene ever filmed, which takes place oceanside in Hawaii. This particular ocean side in Oahu is still known as “From Here to Eternity Beach.”
19. South Pacific
- Director:Â Joshua Logan
- Writer:Â Paul Osborn, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II
- Cast:Â Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 82%
South Pacific debuted in 1958, one year before Hawaii officially became a state. This film takes place during WWII on a Pacific island (not actually Hawaii) and follows an American medical attendant who falls for a French estate proprietor. She reconsiders their relationship after learning that he has fathered two mixed-race children.
Regardless, this video will provide insight into the kind of prejudice and difficulties that exist between cherishing bonds at the time.
18. Blue HawaiiÂ
- Director:Â Norman Taurog
- Writer:Â Allan Weiss, Hal Kanter
- Cast:Â Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 67o%
We’re finishing up this list of evident Hawaiian pieces of art. Regardless of whether you enjoy vintage movies, you should have heard about Blue Hawaii.
Blue Hawaii is a classic Elvis Presley musical and rom-com about Chadwick Gate (Elvis Presley), who is just out of the Army and needs nothing more than to hang loose and ride day after day. Blue Hawaii transports you back in time to a less developed and flawless version of 1960s Hawaii.
17. Soul Surfer
- Director:Â Sean McNamara
- Writer:Â Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz
- Cast:Â AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt
- IMDb Rating:Â 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 75%
Soul Surfer is an inspirational true story of a truly excellent surfer, Bethany Hamilton. In 2003, word spread all over the world about Bethany, who survived a shark attack but lost her arm at the same time. This film depicts Bethany’s early years as a skilled young surfer, as well as how she overcame her fears to return to surfing after losing her arm.
16. Tropic Thunder
- Director:Â Ben Stiller
- Writer:Â Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Etan Cohen
- Cast:Â Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.
- IMDb Rating:Â 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 82%
We won’t lie to you; we simply don’t receive the publicity that Tropic Thunder does. In any event, we know a lot of people enjoy this picture. Thus it made it on the list.
The film takes place in Southeast Asia. However, it was really shot in Kauai. Jungle Thunder is a film directed by and starring Ben Stiller about a group of comedians who are dumped in the woods to shoot a Vietnam War journal. Through a series of unfortunate events, they find themselves in the midst of a true catastrophe zone.
“Jungle Thunder,” which was released in 2008, became the most expensive film production in Kauai’s history, contributing more than $60 million to the local economy.
While this Hawaii action spoof film was obviously ludicrous, it did bring home a few awards. Robert Downey Jr., an entertainer, was nominated for an Oscar for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” for his character Kirk Lazarus, “a dude playing a friend disguised as another man.”
15. Mighty Joe Young
- Director:Â Ron Underwood
- Writer:Â Merian C. Cooper, Ruth Rose, Mark Rosenthal
- Cast:Â Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 57%
Strong Joe Young was a youth icon who also made me want a pet 2-ton gorilla. Is it safe to suggest that we’re asking for too much, guardians? No, We don’t believe so.
Charlize Theron plays Jill, a young woman raised in Africa who has made it her mission to protect wild gorillas from poachers. She also concentrates on a trapped gorilla named Joe, who happens to be 15 feet tall. Powerful Joe Young happened in Africa, but it was really filmed someplace in the Kauai backcountry.
14. Six Days, Seven Nights
- Director:Â Ivan Reitman
- Writer:Â Michael Browning
- Cast:Â Harrison Ford, Anne Heche, David Schwimmer
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 37%
We believe that many people don’t remember Six Days, Seven Nights, but I loved it in 1998 and still do now. The stars Harrison Ford as a freight jet pilot and Anne Heche as a professional magazine editorial manager who remained together after making a disaster landing in a nearby secluded spot.
The two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to make ends meet. The film is supposed to take place in a distant spot in the South Pacific, but it was really shot on the beautiful island of Hawaii.
13. George of the Jungle
- Director:Â Sam Weisman
- Writer:Â Jay Ward, Dana Olsen, Audrey Wells
- Cast:Â Brendan Fraser. Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 55%
George of the Jungle has all of the greatest wilderness flows for you. Despite the assumption that it should take place someplace in Africa, this film was really shot on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Maui.
George of the Jungle (starring Brendan Fraser) is a Tarzan spoof. George is a dumb, big-hearted “gorilla guy” who saves his forest buddies from various dangers while flaunting the most incredible well-defined abs. Brendan Fraser, we recognize you.
12. Hook
- Director:Â Steven Spielberg
- Writer:Â J.M. Barrie, James V. Hart, Nick Castle
- Cast:Â Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 76%
Hook: another Stephen Spielberg masterpiece! We understand that Hawaii is almost probably one of his top recording locations.
Although the film is titled Hook, it focuses on Peter Pan’s adult life, showing what happened to him after he left Neverland.
Robin Williams plays Peter Pan, whereas Dustin Hoffman portrays his archnemesis, Captain Hook, who captures Pan’s children with the intention of luring Pan back to Neverland so they may battle one more time.
11. Just Go With It
- Director:Â Dennis Dugan
- Writer:Â Allan Loeb, Timothy Dowling, I.A.L. Diamond
- Cast:Â Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 59%
Just Go With It is another romantic comedy set in Hawaii, this time starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.
Adam Sandler plays Danny, a successful plastic surgeon who appears to be married to enjoy dates with no shocks. His plan succeeds until he meets Palmer, the young girl of his desires, who prefers not to become engaged until he is unmarried.
Rather than admitting his mistake, Danny hires his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) to play his ex-strikingly beautiful wife, who is now leaving him. This picture is jam-packed with laughs; we guarantee you’ll like it.
10. Along Came Polly
- Director:Â John Hamburg
- Writer:Â John Hamburg
- Cast:Â Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 47%
Along Came Polly is one of my favorite romantic comedies. Polly (Jennifer Aniston’s character) is so endearing in this film that we went out of our way to find her! While only the beginning and conclusion of the film are shot in Hawaii, We would suggest it as a rollicking Hawaiian film starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.
9. Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Director:Â Steven Spielberg
- Writer:Â Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, Philip Kaufman
- Cast:Â Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
- IMDb Rating:Â 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 96%
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is another Spielberg masterpiece. Spielberg chose Kauai’s opulent Anahola Mountains to portray the unusual Amazonian rainforest where Indiana Jones triumphs over the ancient booby-trapped Peruvian refuge. My very favorite part! This is a film I could watch over and over again. Please send me a 1981 Harrison Ford as soon as possible. Who are we kidding, send me a 2018 Harrison Ford as soon as possible?
8. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Director:Â Nicholas Stoller
- Writer:Â Jason Segel
- Cast:Â Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd
- IMDb Rating:Â 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 83%
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is an uncontrollable laugh parody featuring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Russell Brand, and Mila Kunis. In the wake of the battling artist, Peter (Jason Segel), getting unloaded by his TV star sweetheart, Sarah (Kristen Bell), he attempts to move past her by going to Hawaii, just to observe Sarah and her new beau are in a similar inn.
The film offers an interesting view into resort life in Hawaii, and it has taught a substantial number of people how to say Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, Hawaii’s State Fish. This film, shot in California and Hawaii in 2008, is as feel-good as it gets, with zany too-real conversations and an amazing cast.
7. You, Me, and Dupree
- Director:Â Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Writer:Â Michael LeSieur
- Cast:Â Kate Hudson, Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 50%
Who doesn’t love You, Me, and Dupree, especially when Owen Wilson is in the lead? This film is about Carl and Molly, who take in their unemployed friend Randy (Owen Wilson) until he can get back on his feet. It’s lovely having him around at first, but Randy quickly takes efforts to become a long-term member of the family.
6. Aloha
- Director:Â Cameron Crowe
- Writer:Â Cameron Crowe
- Cast:Â Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 28%
We are not going to mislead anybody, Aloha was really a film industry bomb, and I, for one, can’t say I delighted in it that much by the same token. Anyway, you might ponder, “Why in the world would you say you are suggesting it?” Indeed, it’s coordinated by Cameron Crowe (who I respect), and it has an elegant cast, including Bradley Cooper, Bill Murray, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, and John Krasinski.
In addition, it really does a very great job of addressing Hawaiian life, and the film has a delightful Hawaiian view. Thus, feel free to look at it and allow me to be aware, assuming you like it! I really ought to allow it another opportunity myself.
5. Blue Crush
- Director:Â John Stockwell
- Writer:Â Susan Orlean, Lizzy Weiss, John Stockwell
- Cast:Â Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Matthew Davis
- IMDb Rating:Â 5.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 62%
You should treasure Blue Crush. This video will make you want to start riding whether you live in Idaho or not, and it contains some of the finest riding moments in the film.
A young Kate Bosworth portrays the main character who is still up in the air about showing the world what’s beneath the surface for her by competing in the upcoming Pipe Masters surf competition on Hawaii’s North Shore.
Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) struggles with the problems of everyday life, such as coping with her little sister, working as an inn servant, and, of course, having a deep love for an NFL quarterback while spending every other waking second prepping for the surf challenge.
4. Lilo & Stitch
- Director:Â Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
- Writer:Â Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
- Cast:Â Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere
- IMDb Rating:Â 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 86%
Ohana connotes family. Who among us could ever forget that line? Allow Disney to develop Lilo and Stitch, a film about an alien outsider (Stitch) who crash crashes in Hawaii and kidnaps Lilo, a young despondent Hawaiian woman who adopts Stitch as her “pet canine.” Stitch transforms from a heinous cosmic bandit to a kind member of his newly discovered family in this endearing short tale.
3. Pearl Harbor
- Director:Â Michael Bay
- Writer:Â Randall Wallace
- Cast:Â Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 66%
Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, Alec Baldwin, Cuba Gooding Jr., and John Voight feature in Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor was a major blockbuster smash when it was released in 2001. This video attempted extremely hard to recreate the attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and it was widely appreciated and commended by survivors and witnesses.
2. 50 First Dates
- Director:Â Peter Segal
- Writer:Â George Wing
- Cast:Â Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 65%
Another number-one fan. Allow me to spend the full day with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. They have such fantastic on-camera science, and 50 First Dates makes the most of it and is also one of the movies filmed in Hawaii.
The plot: After years of being a single guy, Henry (Adam Sandler) finally meets Lucy, the young girl of his desires (Drew Barrymore). However, Lucy suffers from temporary cognitive deterioration and cannot recollect what happened the day before. Despite his desire to be with her, Henry makes it his primary objective to enchant her every day, creating this picture as one of my top lighter comedies.
1. Jurassic Park & Jurassic World
- Director:Â Colin Trevorrow
- Writer:Â Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Colin Trevorrow
- Cast:Â Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins
- IMDb Rating:Â 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating:Â 78%
We’re kicking things off with a boom! Jurassic Park is one of my FAVORITE movies filmed of all time. It won three Academy Awards and is arguably the most renowned and noticeable motion picture shot in Hawaii.
We can’t help but remember this infamous film about a group of scientists who revived dinosaurs. This is no small feat. This film should be added to your Hawaii movie collection because of phrases like “Clutch your butts” and “Should hurry up.”
Who can’t appreciate a movie that resurrects dinosaurs and has memorable phrases like “hold your butts,” “astute young woman,” and “should hurry up?” Filmed in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, California, and Hawaii, the most renowned filming locations in this Hawaii film were undoubtedly Kauai’s Manawaiopuna Falls (now often referred to as “Jurassic Park Falls”) and Oahu’s Kualoa Ranch.
The “Jurassic Park” franchise also includes “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997), “Jurassic Park III” (2001), and “Jurassic World” (2001). (2015).
“Jurassic World” was a box office smash in the previous year, grossing $204,600,000 in its first week alone. In “Jurassic World,” 22 years after the first Jurassic Park closed, a better-than-ever park opens in the original location.
Following much investigation, scientists discovered how to create another type of dinosaur hereditarily. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong, and the adventure begins! Every one of the Jurassic Park films has been shot in different areas of the Hawaiian Islands, and there was clear talk of a fifth installment being released in 2018.
Best Movies set in Hawaii also include other movies like Aahu’s turtle bay resort, kaiser Hawaiian village hotel.
