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, Hawaii is the perfect location to film tropical scenes of any sort. From prehistoric classics and action films to romantic comedies, these 16 movies filmed in Hawaii absolutely must be on your cinema bucket list.

1. Godzilla
Michael Buck/Flickr
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. Check out this awesome Godzilla footprint left after the film…
2. Tropic Thunder
Kanaka Menehune/Flickr
Filmed in Kauai for thirteen weeks, the movie was credited in 2007 as being the largest film production in the Aloha State's history. They still have the jeep from the movie on display.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Joel/Flickr
The Pirates film filmed in Hawaii for two months in 2010 when strong tides moved filming back to California. At World’s End was also filmed on Molokai, Hawaii.
4. Battleship
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
While much of this movie was filmed on Oahu and Maui, the battleship USS Missouri is the real star of this "military science fiction action-war film."
5. Snakes on a Plane
Jai Mansson/Flickr
I think it’s rather amusing that this internet phenomenon was filmed partially in Hawaii, since, you know, snakes don’t really exist in this environment, and aren’t allowed into the state.
6. The Descendants
Jai Mansson/Flickr
This award-winning film based on a novel of the same name was filmed, and set in, Hawaii.
7. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Reannon Muth/Flickr
Filming began in Atlanta, Georgia, before being moved to Hawaii to shoot the arena scenes.

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8. Lilo & Stitch
Joe Penniston/Flickr
This movie wasn’t necessarily shot in Hawaii, but it is all about Hawaii and its culture. And really, is there any other film that embodies the Aloha State quite like this?
9. 50 First Dates
Sam Carlquist/Flickr
This Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore classic was shot primarily on Oahu’s North Shore and windward side of the island.
10. Pearl Harbor
Lee Ekstrom/Flickr
Okay, this one is obvious. But it’s such a fantastic movie that I didn’t want to leave it off this list.
11. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Greg HausM.D./Flickr
This quirky rom-com starring Jason Segal and Mila Kunis was filmed primarily at Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort, a popular filming location in Hawaii.
12. Aloha
Yelp Inc./Flickr
A 2015 rom-com starring Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, and Emma Stone is rather obviously set in the Aloha state, but Hawaiians were definitely not happy with the film.
13. Big Eyes
ComingSoon.Net
This 2014 Tim Burton film about artist Margaret Keane is partially set in Honolulu.
14, 15 + 16. Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World
Sam Carlquist/Flickr
I know that this isn’t a surprise to anyone, but it would be wrong to write a list of movies filmed in Hawaii without including the Jurassic Park franchise. Come on, there’s even a movie tour on Oahu that shows you where they actually filmed the first movie.

What is your favorite movie filmed in the Aloha State? Are there any other movies you can think of that were filmed in Hawaii? Let us know in the comments, then click here to learn all about Manawaiopuna Falls, the absolutely stunning cascade made famous for its appearance in Jurassic Park.

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More to Explore

Movies Filmed In Hawaii

Megan Shute | October 01, 2020

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. Click here to discover 12 Places In Hawaii That Will Make You Feel Like You’ve Entered Jurassic Park.

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.

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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