As it has been for many decades, the Hawaiian Islands are a popular location for Hollywood movies, utilizing the stunning beauty of the islands and the natural landscapes. Many hit films have been filmed here over the years, with favorites including Jurassic Park, Godzilla, The Descendants, and 50 First Dates all using various locations around the islands. With diverse landscapes and the ability for crews to film in various environments without having to travel too far, the attraction of Hawaii as a film site makes producing big budget films much easier.
Gaining much attention over the last few weeks is the sequel to the 1995 hit film, Jumanji, has been filming at multiple locations on Oahu for the last 2 months. The follow-up to the board game inspired flick stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, comedian Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, and Nick Jonas, and creates a new version of the movie that starred the late Robin Williams. The sequel will continue to tell the story of a board game come to life, with modern twists and storytelling.
From the lush Kualoa Ranch to the scenic North Shore, film locations on Oahu are seen in many films and television shows, though the island is not always portrayed as Hawaii. For instance, in the premier episode of the current Hawaii 5-0 utilized the Ko’olau Mountin Range and Kualoa Ranch as South Korea, while Jurassic Park depicted Kualoa Ranch as a secluded island where dinosaurs roamed, and LOST used the island as a fictitious island where the survivors of a plane crash washed up.
With miles of lush valley and picture perfect beaches, it’s no wonder that producers flock to the islands.
As Jumanji continues to film, it is expected that many sites around the island will continue to be used as the jungle backdrop for the new movie. Currently, filming has been spotted around Kualoa Ranch, as well as at Waimea Valley on the North Shore, and at He’eia Kea in Kaneohe. Once filming wraps in Hawaii, production will move to Atlanta, GA. The film is currently slated for release on July 28, 2017.
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Oahu tours sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance, especially our top seller Sea Life Park Luau in Hawaii. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
back to trip planner