The Hawaiian Islands are a popular location for the production of many Hollywood movies — and who could blame them? With the vast Pacific Ocean and several towering, verdant mountain ranges as a backdrop (not to mention secret beaches and lush, tropical surroundings) Hawaii is the perfect location to film tropical scenes of any sort. From prehistoric classics and action films to romantic comedies, these famous filming locations in Hawaii show up in all sorts of movies.

1. On the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay has appeared in South Pacific, The Descendents, and Lilo & Stitch.
Andy Beal/Flickr
2. Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort has been the location for various film and television shoots, the most famous of which is Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Greg HausM.D./Flickr
3. Waimea Canyon, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” can be seen in Donovan’s Reef, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Lilo & Stitch.
Christian Arballo/Flickr
4. A scene from the 2002 film The Day After Tomorrow was filmed at the summit of Mauna Kea.
Steve Kennedy/Flickr
5. Kauai’s fabled Na Pali coast can be seen in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and Six Days Seven Nights.
Garden State Hiker/Flickr
6. The small island of Molokai is where a large portion of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was filmed.
Pirates/Wikia

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7. Manawaiopuna Falls was made famous after its appearance in Jurassic Park.
Julian Fong/Flickr
8. Kualoa Ranch has played host to a variety of film productions, including 50 First Dates, Jurassic Park, Soul Surfer, Along Came Polly, The Hunger Games, Godzilla, and George of the Jungle, as well as several television shows.
Michael Buck/Flickr
9. Kauai’s Ke’e Beach appeared in Lord of the Flies, The Thorn Birds, and Throw Mama From The Train.
Frank Hamm/Flickr
10. You can see Oahu’s famous Hanauma Bay in Elvis’ 1961 film, Blue Hawaii.
Prayitno/Flickr
11. Though accessible via air tour or kayak only, the Huleia River was made famous in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Dale Mussellman/Flickr
12. Pearl Harbor was used as a filming location for two popular military movies: Pearl Harbor, and Battleship.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr

What is your favorite movie that was filmed in Hawaii? What other famous filming locations in Hawaii have you recognized while enjoying a movie night? If you named the Jurassic Park franchise as your favorite, you’ll want to check out these 13 spots in Hawaii that will make you swear you’re in Jurassic World – because they were filming locations!

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Filming Locations In Hawaii

Megan Shute | March 07, 2021

What is the most well-known filming location in Hawaii? 

If there is one filming location in Hawaii that everyone knows about, it’s Kualoa Ranch. This lush, verdant slice of Hawaiian paradise has played host to a variety of film and television productions throughout the years — including Jurassic Park, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, The Hunger Games, George of the Jungle, Along Came Polly, and more. The best way to see the filming locations and sets that remain on the property is to book a movie sites tour with Kualoa Ranch.

What are the most popular movies filmed in Hawaii? 

While there have been countless film productions in Hawaii’s history, the most popular movie franchise filmed here in the Aloha State is Jurassic Park. Five films were made from 1993 to 2018, and filming locations include spots on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and even Maui. Coming in a close second and third place are two Disney films: Moana and Lilo & Stitch. Though not filmed in Hawaii these two animated classics show off Hawaii's culture and natural beauty in a way that makes everyone want to visit.

Are there any television shows filmed in Hawaii? 

We’ve talked about movies filmed in the Aloha State, but what about television shows? Gilligan’s Island was shot in Hawaii way back in the 1960s, while more modern television series filmed in Hawaii include Dog the Bounty Hunter and LOST. Of course, the two most famous series filmed in Hawaii are the original and new versions of Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum P.I.

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