What Movies Were Filmed In Kauai?

Kauai is known for being home to stunning scenery, unspoiled beaches, tropical weather and beautiful holiday accommodation, so it’s no surprise that so many travellers flock to this lovely island for the perfect vacation. The beautiful scenery of ‘The Garden Isle’ is so impressive in fact that it has earned Kauai the status of being a filming location for all kinds of movies and TV shows, including several big-screen hits.

Whether you’re a fan of one of these productions in particular or just enjoy spotting locations that have been used in iconic scenes, learning more about Kauai’s history of filming is a great piece of research to do before you visit the island. From romcoms to action-packed adventure movies, here are some of the most popular films that have been filmed around Kauai.

South Pacific (1958)

The romantic war-time movie South Pacific was filmed at Haena Beach, Kauai. This thought-provoking musical focuses on an unexpected romance and addresses themes of race, class and prejudice. South Pacific features famous actors such as Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, John Kerr and Ray Walston.

Haena Beach appears in many of the scenes of South Pacific and is a true utopia. Crystal clear waters meet the white sandy shore as the dense jungle tumbles down the mountainside, so it makes sense why this utterly breathtaking location was used for the movie.

If you happen to be visiting Kauai and want to check out the picture-perfect locations in which South Pacific was filmed, Pure Kauai has stunning holiday homes set in Hanalei, close to where some of the movie took place.

Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

Filming took place for Honeymoon in Vegas in Kauai’s National Tropical Botanical Garden, as well as Princeville and Anini Beach. The movie stars Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica-Parker and follows Jack, who loses a fortune against a professional gambler in Vegas and is forced to use his fiance as a getaway. However, as their relationship starts to unfold, sparks begin to fly as Betsy (Jack’s fiance), begins to fall for her captor.

Aninni Beach, one of the movie filming locations, is famous for having the largest reef in the Hawaiian islands. Pair this with its turquoise waters and the surrounding greenery, and you have a total tropical paradise.

Princeville boasts incredible cliffside views and very impressive sunsets. These locations are some of the most romantic places on the island, making it the perfect place to set the scene for Honeymoon in Vegas.

If you plan to visit these renowned parts of Kauai on the North Shore, Pure Kauai offers a range of stunning rental properties in Princeville and Anini Beach.

The Jurassic Park Series

The Jurassic Park movies have impressed audiences worldwide for almost thirty years and is definitely one of the most famous film franchises that were mainly filmed on the north side of Kauai. With its lush greenery and sparkling waters, it’s easy to imagine that dinosaurs might have roamed through the forests and along the shorelines here.

Jurassic Park I (1993)

The first Jurassic Park film was mainly shot around Limahuli Green, Hanalei. With its dense forestry and mighty mountains, the perfect dramatic atmosphere is created to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this exciting movie.

Jurassic Park III (2001)

Jurassic Park III was also filmed on Kauai, choosing Kilauea as its location for shooting. It offers a diverse landscape with remarkable waterfalls and lush forests, making it the perfect home for an action-packed fantasy movie.

Jurassic World (2015)

Finally, the Jurassic Park team returned to Kauai once more to shoot Jurassic World in 2015, the film crew returned with many well-known actors such as Chris Pratt and Claire Dearing. The film was set on a 2800 acre ranch in Kilauea on the northeast side of the island where there is a huge expanse of grassland, perfect for dinosaurs to roam!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Pirates of the Caribbean is a film franchise that is well-known for its action-packed scenes and storyline. This thrilling movie needed a dramatic backdrop to create the perfect setting for all the action to unfold, and Kauai’s rugged coastline was deemed perfect for the job.

You too can create your own swashbuckling adventure by browsing Pure Kauai's range of rental homes in Haena, a perfect place to stay on Kauai!

Summary

Kauai's diverse landscapes are an adventurer's dream, which is why it’s deemed the perfect spot for so many movies to take place. The list of films that used the island as a location is always growing, so who knows, maybe you’ll end up rubbing shoulders with A-List stars on your visit!

If you want to visit some of the filming locations for these movies, Pure Kauai offers an exquisite range of rental properties close to many iconic spots. Why not get in touch with our team and find out more about how we can make your stay on the island unforgettable?

Published on Wednesday, November 16, 2022