Hawaiʻi has been a longtime favorite for filmmakers, particularly for its dramatic landscapes and diverse terrain. Over the decades, the islands have been the backdrop to prehistoric jungles, war zones, fantasy worlds, and even idyllic love stories.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Filming locations: Kauaʻi (Nā Pali Coast, Manawaiopuna Falls), Oʻahu (Kualoa Ranch).
The iconic helicopter landing scene was filmed at Manawaiopuna Falls on Kauaʻi, while Kualoa Ranch became synonymous with dinosaur-filled valleys.
Jurassic World (2015)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Kualoa Ranch), Kauaʻi
The franchise returned to Hawaiʻi decades later, once again transforming familiar landscapes into Isla Nublar. Many scenes were shot in the same valleys as the original film.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, Hickam Field)
This WWII feature used real historical sites, blending large-scale action with authentic locations that remain central to Hawaiʻi’s history today.
The Descendants (2011)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Kualoa Ranch, Kahala, North Shore)
The film portrayed modern island life, using real neighborhoods, schools, and natural settings to ground its story in contemporary Hawaiʻi.
50 First Dates (2004)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Kualoa Ranch, Sea Life Park, Makapuʻu)
This iconic romantic comedy leaned heavily into Oʻahu’s scenery, using coastal areas and ranch land to create its lighthearted island setting.
Blue Crush (2002)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (North Shore, Banzai Pipeline)
A defining surf film of the early 2000s, Blue Crush showcased real surf breaks, particularly Pipeline, embedding the movie firmly in North Shore culture.
Soul Surfer (2011)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (North Shore), Kauaʻi
Based on the life of Bethany Hamilton, the film used authentic surf locations to tell a story rooted deeply in Hawaiʻi’s surf community.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Filming locations: Kauaʻi (Nā Pali Coast), Oʻahu
Kauaʻi’s rugged cliffs and remote beaches stood in for pirate-era Caribbean landscapes as did Kaneoheʻs Heeia Pier, proving Hawaiʻi’s versatility on screen.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Filming location: Oʻahu (Kualoa Ranch)
Kualoa Ranch once again transformed, this time into a mysterious island inhabited by giant creatures, cementing its status as one of the most filmed locations in the state.
Battleship (2012)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Pearl Harbor, Waikīkī, Kualoa Ranch)
Loosely inspired by the board game, Battleship featured real naval ships and harbor locations, blending military hardware with blockbuster action.
Finding ‘Ohana (2021)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Kāneʻohe, Kualoa Ranch, Honolulu)
This Netflix adventure film highlighted Hawaiʻi’s landscapes and local legends, introducing a new generation to island-based storytelling.
Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action, 2025)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Honolulu, Kāneʻohe, North Shore)
Disney’s live-action remake was filmed entirely on Oʻahu, highlighting residential neighborhoods, beaches, and everyday community spaces. Unlike many productions, the film presents Hawaiʻi as itself, grounding the story in a real sense of place.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Filming locations: Oʻahu (Waimea Valley, Manoa Falls, Kawela Beach)
Several scenes set in the Quarter Quell arena were filmed in Oʻahu’s dense rainforests, with Waimea Valley and Manoa Falls providing the lush, enclosed jungle environment seen on screen.
