Top 11 Movies Filmed in Maui, Hawaii by US Box Office

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Lights, Camera, Maui! Discover the Magic of Movies Filmed in Hawaii’s Tropical Paradise

So you find yourself with a serious case of movie fever? Well, my adventurous friend, you’ve come to the right place! Grab your popcorn and buckle up, because we’re about to take you on a thrilling cinematic journey through Maui, Hawaii.

Prepare to be blown away as we dive into the magic of the big screen, and who knows, you might just stumble upon your own Hollywood adventure along the way!

Key Takeaways:

  • Maui might be famous for its stunning landscapes, but did you know it has also played host to some blockbuster movies? Get ready to explore the real-life backdrops of your favorite films!
  • Visiting movie filming locations is not only a unique and exciting experience, but it’s also a fantastic way to discover hidden gems and iconic spots in Maui.
  • Immerse yourself in the world of cinema by exploring the actual locations where movie magic happened. It’s like stepping into the screen, but without the 3D glasses!

Now, imagine walking on the same sandy shores that Leonardo DiCaprio did in “The Beach” or feeling the cool ocean breeze at the very spot where Adam Sandler filmed “Just Go with It.” Maui isn’t just a tropical paradise; it’s a playground for the silver screen. And hey, who wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of their favorite actors and directors?

Let’s be real here, exploring movie filming locations in Maui is a whole new level of adventure. Not only do you get to immerse yourself in the captivating world of movies, but you’ll also come face to face with breathtaking landscapes, jaw-dropping beaches, and vibrant culture. It’s a win-win!

Picture this: you’re strolling along the shoreline, scanning the horizon for that famous filming location, and suddenly, you find yourself right where Robert Downey Jr. stood during the shooting of “Tropic Thunder.” You feel a sense of excitement and connection to your favorite movies that you’ve never experienced before. Hollywood may be miles away, but right in this moment, you are part of the magic.

Ready for some action-packed fun? How about ziplining through the lush rainforests that served as a backdrop for “Jurassic Park”? Or reliving the romance of “The Descendants” by visiting the enchanting beaches that George Clooney once graced? Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or a fan of heart-pounding adventures, Maui’s movie filming locations have something for every taste.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your travel essentials and embark on the adventure of a lifetime in Maui, Hawaii! From blockbuster hits to hidden gems, this tropical paradise is waiting to enchant you. Immerse yourself in the magic of movies and create your very own star-studded memories on this stunning island. Lights, camera, Maui, baby!

Lights, camera, Maui! Start exploring the movies filmed in this breathtaking tropical paradise. Check out our listicle below and get ready for an epic cinematic quest across the magic of Maui. Lights, camera, adventure!

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – US Box Office: USD$309millions

Director: Gore Verbinski

Main Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, and Jack Davenport

Release Date: 25 May 2007

Filming Locations: Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA; Niagara Falls, New York, USA; O’ahu, Hawaii, USA; Bahamas; Dominica

Main Plot: After rescuing Captain Jack Sparrow from the Land of the Dead, Elizabeth, Will, and Captain Barbossa must face their adversaries, Davy Jones and Lord Cutler Beckett. Beckett, now in command of Jones’ heart, forms a dark alliance with him to rule the seas and eliminate the last pirates. Jack, Barbossa, Will, Elizabeth, Tia Dalma, and the rest of the crew must summon the Pirate Lords from all over the world, including the infamous Sao Feng. The Pirate Lords want to free Davy Jones’s lover, Calypso, from the trap they sent her to out of fear, in which the Pirate Lords must combine the nine pieces that bound her by ritual.

Famous quotes:

Will Turner: [during the final battle] “Will you marry me?”

Elizabeth Swann: “I don’t think now’s the best time!”

Will Turner: “Now may be the only time! I love you. I’ve made my choice. What’s yours?”

Elizabeth Swann: “Barbossa! Marry us!”

Barbossa: [swordfighting] “I’m a little busy at the moment!”

Sequel: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Fun Fact about Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End:

  • Not adjusted for inflation, this was the most expensive film ever made. The budget totaled $300 million. That is more than the combined budget of the three Lord of the Rings films.

Die Another Day – US Box Office: USD$160millions

Director: Lee Tamahori

Main Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Rosamund Pike, Toby Stephens, and Rick Yune

Release Date: 22 November 2002

Filming Locations: Höfn, Iceland; Avenida Duque de Nájera, Puerta de La Caleta, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain; Hawley Woods, Farnborough, Hampshire, England, UK; Castillo de Santa Catalina, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain; La Playa de la Caleta, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain

Main Plot: Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as James Bond 007 for one final mission. Bond is betrayed and captured in North Korea to begin with. Fourteen months later, Bond is set free in exchange for Zao (Rick Yune), who MI6 has kidnaped. Bond returns to his world and goes in search of Zao. Bond becomes involved in yet another scheme that leads him to millionaire Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), another MI6 agent, is also posing as Graves’ friend. Graves invites Bond to a presentation about a satellite discovered in space that can project a massive laser beam. Bond must work with a fellow American agent named Jinx Johnson (Halle Berry) to stop this madman. Will Bond finally reveal who betrayed him while attempting to stop Graves and Zao?

Famous quotes:

James Bond: [a device closes; cocks gun] “So you lived to die another day… Colonel.”

Gustav Graves: “At last… I was beginning to think you would never guess.”

James Bond: “Was it painful? The gene therapy.”

Gustav Graves: “You couldn’t possibly imagine.”

James Bond: “Oh, good. I’m glad to hear that.”

Gustav Graves: “But there have been compensations, like you floating around in peril. Granting you life day by day just to see you get wise. It’s been fun.”

James Bond: “Well, the fun is about to come to a dead end.”

Fun Fact about Die Another Day:

  • One of the challenges the crew faced while filming the North Korean segments in England was that there were only two fully qualified Asian stuntmen in the country. To get around this, they enlisted the help of local martial arts clubs.

Dinosaur – US Box Office: USD$137millions

Director: Eric Leighton and Ralph Zondag

Main Cast: D.B. Sweeney, Julianna Margulies, Samuel E. Wright, Alfre Woodard, and Ossie Davis

Release Date: 19 May 2000

Filming Locations: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA; Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA; Trona Pinnacles – 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, California, USA; Santa Clarita, California, USA; Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden – 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Main Plot: An egg is separated during an attack on a pack of Iguanodons. It ends up in possession of a group of lemurs. The lemurs look after this egg and the young creature that hatches from it, which they call Aladar (D.B. Sweeney). Aladar and his family are forced to flee their home when meteorites strike Earth. They meet up with a massive group of dinosaurs led by Kron (Samuel E. Wright) and Bruton. It’s far from home and as close to danger as they had ever been (Peter Siragusa). They are all attempting to reach the nesting grounds, but it will not be easy.

Famous quotes:

Bruton: “Why is he doing this? Pushing them on with false hope?”

Plio: “It’s hope that’s gotten us this far.”

Bruton: “But why doesn’t he let them accept their fate? I’ve accepted mine.”

Plio: “And what is your fate?”

Bruton: “To die here. It’s the way things are.”

Plio: “Only if you give up, Bruton. It’s your choice, not your fate.”

Fun Fact about Dinosaur:

  • The backgrounds in the film are superimposed photos of exotic tropical locations such as Venezuela’s Canaima National Park and Tahiti and Hawaii.

Hulk – US Box Office: USD$132millions

Director: Ang Lee

Main Cast: Eric Bana, Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Josh Lucas, and Nick Nolte

Release Date: 20 June 2003

Filming Locations: Victorville, California, USA; Arches National Park, Utah, USA; Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, USA; Page, Arizona, USA; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – 1 Cyclotron Rd., Berkeley, California, USA

Main Plot: Bruce Banner is unlike everyone else. He is a brilliant scientist with a murky family history. He is involved in a laboratory accident that exposes him to gamma radiation and Nanomeds. Rather than killing him, the radiation transforms him into Hulk, a mindless green behemoth. After the accident, Banner is confused and inquisitive about his survival. He discovers that whenever he becomes angry, he transforms into a massive green monster, destroying everything in sight in a fit of rage. Bruce’s mysterious past and the reason why the radiation had this effect are revealed to him when his birth father, David Banner, intervenes, intending to continue experimenting on him.

Famous quotes:

Bruce Banner: “You wanna go to the review board on Monday and tell them we’ve developed a brand-new method for exploding frogs?”

Betty Ross: “Yeah, I think maybe there’s a market for it. I mean, what if there’s a plague?”

Bruce Banner: “What have you had, Betty, like, one beer?”

Betty Ross: “I’m just… I’m just saying, you know, frogs start falling from the sky, who do they come to? We’d be world-renowned.”

Bruce Banner: “Make any parent proud.”

Sequel: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Fun Fact about Hulk:

  • The film was in development for 12 years, which allowed CGI to advance to the point where it could render the necessary visual effects.

George of the Jungle – US Box Office: USD$105millions

Director: Sam Weisman

Main Cast: Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Roundtree, and Abraham Benrubi

Release Date: 16 July 1997

Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Hawaii, USA; Maui, Hawaii, USA; San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, California, USA; Filoli Estate – 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California, USA; 755 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Main Plot: This is the story of George, a baby who survived a plane crash in the jungle and was adopted by a wise ape. He is raised and becomes an extremely clumsy gorilla boy. George’s life in the wilderness is pretty sweet until a beautiful, blonde American heiress named Ursula Stanhope arrives from San Francisco in search of adventure. Ursula’s intention is Lyle Van de Groot. She wants to pursue her in the hopes of capturing the legendary White Ape, which is said to exist in the mountains. However, Ursula and George eventually fall in love. Ursula transports George to the United States in San Francisco after discovering them.

Famous quotes:

Ursula Stanhope: “And you can watch TV, eat, and relax, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Just stay here.”

Narrator: “Stay here? George is king of the jungle. No four walls built by modern man can contain him”

George: “Not true. George have every intention of doing exactly what Ursula say.”

Narrator: “Really? Is that so?”

George: “For a while.”

[grins]

Sequel: George of the Jungle 2

Fun Fact about George of the Jungle:

  • Some scenes filmed in this movie are not included in the final product. Like when the dog of Beatrice named Coco explored the mall and George tried to save Ursula from a quicksand pit.

Just Go with It – US Box Office USD$103millions

Director: Dennis Dugan

Main Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, Nicole Kidman, and Nick Swardson

Release Date: 11 February 2011

Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Hawaii, USA; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Beverly Hills, California, USA; Hotel Casa Del Mar – 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, California, USA; 1000 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA

Main Plot: Danny decides to avoid commitment after being burned in a previous relationship by telling every girl he hooks up with that he’s married. But when he meets Palmer, a stunning young woman. He believes she could be the one until she discovers he’s “married.” So, to keep their relationship going, he informs her that he and his “wife” are divorcing. He asks Katherine to pose as his wife when she insists on meeting her. When Katherine answers a phone call from one of her children, Palmer assumes they are Danny’s and wants to meet them. And it is during this meeting that Katherine’s son fools Danny into taking them all to Hawaii.

Famous quotes:

Danny Maccabee: “I need you to swim to Uncle Eddie. If you get to him without touching the bottom, we’ll give you a dolphin cookie.”

Maggie: “Is that what your grandpa gave you?”

Danny Maccabee: “No, grandpa gave us something he’d call a Heineken.”

Michael: “I want one of those.”

Danny Maccabee: “No. Stick with the dolphin cookie.”

Eddie: “Yeah, they hurt less when they get thrown at your head. God, he was a sick man.”

Fun Fact about Just Go with It:

  • Despite the film’s negative critical reception, Nicole Kidman said she enjoyed being a part of it. Mostly because, despite being Australian, she could work in her birthplace of Hawaii, which she left when she was four.

Oblivion – US Box Office: USD$89millions

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Main Cast: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough, Olga Kurylenko, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Release Date: April 19, 2013 

Filming Locations: Dettifoss, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland; Jarlhettur, Iceland; Mammoth Lakes, California, USA; June Lake, California, USA; Hrossaborg, Iceland

Main Plot: Sixty dark years after the glorious victory but utterly devastating war against an unforeseen alien invasion nearly wiped out humanity. Most of the remaining earthlings have long since relocated to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, in 2077. The drone technician, Jack Harper, and his communications teammate, Victoria Olsen, are left behind in the uninhabitable to monitor the planet before humanity’s final migration to Titan. However, when Jack, who suffers from unexplained visions, rescues the cryptic woman in his dreams. Flashbacks of a fragmented memory reveal a startling secret about his mission. At last, what is the real threat, and most importantly, who conceals and what is the truth?

Famous quotes:

Jack Harper: “What Horatius said was, “How can a man die better / Than facing fearful odds”

Sykes: “Drones! Get inside! Get inside!”

Jack Harper: “For the ashes of his fathers / And the temples of his Gods”

Sally: “I created you, Jack. I am your God.”

Jack Harper: “Fuck you, Sally.”

Fun Fact about Oblivion:

  • The film could not be shown in cinemas within Boston’s city limits on its opening day. This was due to the ongoing manhunt for one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.

Papillon – US Box Office: USD$53millions

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner

Main Cast: Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon, and Anthony Zerbe

Release Date: 19 December 1973

Filming Locations: St Laurent du Maroni, Guyane, Départements d’Outre-Mer, France; Jamaica; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Falmouth, Jamaica; Hondarribia, Guipúzcoa, País Vasco, Spain

Main Plot: The film begins with an official explaining life to a group of prisoners. The setting shifts to a French city, where a large group of men is paraded through a street crowded with onlookers, police, and media. A wealthy woman gloomily waves to a man wearing glasses. They board a cargo ship and are placed in cells in the ship’s hold. The prisoners begin their journey and are shown going about their daily lives. Papillon, a blue-eyed man with a large butterfly tattoo, decides to befriend Dega and promises to protect him. As the ship travels south, some men appear ill and weak due to the heat. Papillon has a tanned, fit, and confident appearance. During the night, two men attempt to assault Dega. Papillon manages to fight them off but is imprisoned.

Famous quotes:

Doctor: [Briefly examining Dega in a prefunctory manner] “You’re fine. NEXT!”

Dega: [Walking away] “Must be better than I feel.”

Doctor: [Briefly examining Papillon] “You’re in wonderful shape.”

Papillon: “How do you fail an examination like this?”

Doctor: “NEXT!”

Sequel: Pampillon (2017)

Fun Fact about Papillon:

  • The film was shot in sequence, which was unusual for a production of this size but allowed Steve McQueen to develop his character in stages.

Hereafter – US Box Office: USD$32millions

Director: Clint Eastwood

Main Cast: Matt Damon, Cécile de France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Thierry Neuvic, and Cyndi Mayo

Release Date: 22 October 2010

Filming Locations: Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA; Charles Dickens Museum, 48-49 Doughty Street, Bloomsbury, London, Greater London, England, UK; Crockett, California, USA; Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, USA; Nob Hill, San Francisco, California, USA

Main Plot: This film follows three people who are all dealing with the same issues related to death. George Lonegan (Matt Damon) is an American. He believes that being able to communicate with the dead and pass on what they want their loved ones to know (what they were unable to say while alive) is bad. Marie Lelay (Cécile de France), a French journalist who survived a tsunami, believes she is dead, altering her personality and jeopardizing her career. Marcus (identical twins Frankie McLaren and George McLaren) is an English boy struggling to cope with the death of his twin brother.

Famous quotes:

George Lonegan: “I’m sorry, I’m losing him now. He’s… he’s leaving. He wants to leave.”

Marcus: “No, Jase. Don’t go. You can’t.”

[starts crying]

Marcus: “Don’t leave me. I don’t wanna be here without you. Please, Jase, don’t go. I miss you.”

George Lonegan: “Okay, he came back. He’s here. He says if you’re worried about being on your own, don’t be. You’re not. Because he is you and you are him. One cell. One person. Always.”

Fun Fact about Hereafter:

  • This film was pulled from Japanese theaters following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Lord of the Flies – US Box Office: USD$13millions

Director: Harry Hook

Main Cast: Balthazar Getty, Chris Furrh, Danuel Pipoly, James Badge Dale, and Andrew Taft

Release Date: 16 March 1990

Filming Locations: Kaua’i, Hawaii, USA; Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden – 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA; Port Antonio, Jamaica; Hamakua Coast, Hawaii, USA; Hawaii, USA

Main Plot: This story is about a group of military students who arrive on an island after a plane crash in the ocean. Ralph organizes the boys, entrusting one another with tasks to each. When the rebel Jack Merridew fails to attend the fire camp and they miss out on being seen by a helicopter, the group splits under Jack’s leadership. While Ralph rationalizes the procedures, Jack has converted to primitivism by using fear of the unknown (a religious metaphor). It is to maintain or regulate the other boys, hunting and chasing pigs, including stealing Ralph’s group’s possessions and murdering people.

Famous quotes:

Piggy: “We did everything just the way grownups would have. Why didn’t it work? Things would be much better here if it weren’t for him. I wish he were dead.”

Ralph: “No, you don’t.”

Piggy: “I do! We could just give up and join his tribe. Then we’d at least be with the others.”

Ralph: “No, Piggy.”

Piggy: “Ralph… I can’t see.”

Ralph: “I know.”

Fun Fact about Lord of the Flies:

  • Balthazar Getty fell from a tree and broke his wrists a few weeks before filming began. The director incorporated his injuries into the script, putting his character Ralph’s arm in a sling for most of the film.

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie – US Box Office: USD$8millions

Director: David Winning and Shuki Levy

Main Cast: Jason David Frank, Catherine Sutherland, Hilary Shepard, Jon Simanton, and Greg Collins

Release Date: 28 March 1997

Filming Locations: Hawaii, USA; California, USA; Iao Valley, Maui, Hawaii, USA; Network Associates Coliseum – 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, California, USA; The Pilgrim, South Bay, Los Angeles, California, USA

Main Plot: On a distant planet, Divatox, a pirate and evil queen seeks Lerigot’s golden key to cross a dimensional barrier. She also seeks to join forces in evil matrimony with an evil demon named Maligore. Evading Divatox’s Piranhatrons, Lerigot travels to Earth to find his friend Alpha 5 and asks Zordon for assistance. Eventually, he lands in Africa and is weakened by the planet’s ultraviolet light. He ultimately finds a pack of chimps to take him with them after seeking help from regular animals. Meanwhile, Rocky DeSantos becomes impatient while practicing for a martial arts tournament. It is to benefit the Angel Grove Youth Shelter with Adam Park and Tommy Oliver, making him fall out of the ring and causing harm to his back.

Famous quotes:

Red Turbo Ranger: “Hey, did we miss the party?”

Divatox: “Who invited you?”

Kimberly Hart: “We did. Rangers, this is Divatox.”

[turns to Divatox]

Kimberly Hart: “Divatox, this is your worst nightmare.”

Divatox: “Ha! Lower them into the volcano.”

Fun Fact about Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie:

  • Because the film was originally intended for a child audience, Divatox’s revealing outfit was one of the reasons it received a PG rating rather than a G rating.

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