Here is a list of films that are set in Hawaii with a brief description for each:
“Blue Hawaii”, 1961
Director: Norman Taurog
This musical romantic comedy features Elvis Presley as a tour guide in Hawaii, navigating love and the expectations of his family.
Starring: Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Nancy Walters, Roland Winters, John Archer, Howard McNear, Steve Brodie, Christian Kay, Iris Adrian;
Production year: 1961;
Genre: musical, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Blue Hawaii” on the website imdb.com
“Hawaii”, 2013
Director: Marco Berger
Based on the novel by James A. Michener, this epic historical drama follows the lives of missionaries and the impact of Western colonization on the Hawaiian islands.
Starring: Manuel Vignau, Mateo Chiarino, Luz Palazon, Antonia De Michelis, Manuel Martínez Sobrado;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Hawaii” on the website imdb.com
“The Descendants”, 2011
Director: Alexander Payne
Starring George Clooney, this drama unfolds the tumultuous story of a land baron who tries to reconnect with his two daughters after his wife is critically injured in a boating accident.
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer, Robert Forster, Rob Huebel, Mary Birdsong;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Descendants” on the website imdb.com
“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, 2008
Director: Nicholas Stoller
In this romantic comedy, a heartbroken composer played by Jason Segel travels to Hawaii to get over his ex-girlfriend, only to find she's staying in the same resort with her new boyfriend.
Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Liz Cackowski, Maria Thayer, Jack McBrayer, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” on the website imdb.com
“Pearl Harbor”, 2001
Director: Michael Bay
A dramatic portrayal of the historic attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, focusing on the lives of two best friends and the love triangle between them and a nurse.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alec Baldwin, Jon Voight, Colm Feore, Tom Sizemore, Ewen Bremner, Michael Shannon;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: war, drama, action, melodrama, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 183 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Pearl Harbor” on the website imdb.com
“Lilo & Stitch”, 2002
Director: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
This animated Disney film tells the story of a young Hawaiian girl who adopts a strange pet that turns out to be an alien fugitive.
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, Zoe Caldwell, Jason Scott Lee, Kevin Michael Richardson, Susan Hegarty;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: animation, science fiction, fantasy, drama, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 85 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Lilo & Stitch” on the website imdb.com
“50 First Dates”, 2004
Director: Peter Segal
Adam Sandler plays a veterinarian at a Sea Life Park in Hawaii who falls in love with a woman (Drew Barrymore) suffering from short-term memory loss.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Sean Astin, Lusia Strus, Dan Aykroyd, Amy Hill, Allen Covert, Blake Clark, Maya Rudolph;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: comedy, melodrama, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “50 First Dates” on the website imdb.com
“Moana”, 2016
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams
Disney's animated feature film inspired by Polynesian mythology follows the spirited teenager Moana as she embarks on a daring mission to save her people.
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, Oscar Kightley, Troy Polamalu, Puanani Cravalho;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Moana” on the website imdb.com
“Ride the Wild Surf”, 1964
Director: Don Taylor, Phil Karlson
This film captures the surfing craze of the 1960s by chronicling the adventures of surfers coming to Hawaii to ride the legendary waves of Waimea Bay.
Starring: Fabian, Shelley Fabares, Peter Brown, Barbara Eden, Tab Hunter, Susan Hart, James Mitchum, John Anthony Hayes, Roger Davis, Catherine McLeod, Murray Rose, Robert Kenneally, David Cadiente, Mark LeBuse, Paul Tremaine, John Kennell, Yankee Chang, Roy Crump;
Production year: 1964;
Genre: drama, comedy, sport;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Ride the Wild Surf” on the website imdb.com
“Soul Surfer”, 2011
Director: Sean McNamara
This biographical drama tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a professional surfer from Hawaii who made a remarkable comeback after a shark attack.
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo, Ross Thomas, Chris Brochu, Lorraine Nicholson, Jeremy Sumpter, Sonya Balmores;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, sport, biography, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Soul Surfer” on the website imdb.com
“Aloha”, 2015
Director: Cameron Crowe
In this romantic comedy-drama directed by Cameron Crowe, a military contractor (Bradley Cooper) returns to the site of his greatest career achievements in Hawaii and rekindles a past love while unexpectedly falling for another woman.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, Bill Camp, Jaeden Martell, Danielle Rose Russell;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
More information about the film “Aloha” on the website imdb.com
These films, while set in the same beautiful location, each offer a different story and perspective on life in Hawaii.
In conclusion, the captivating allure of Hawaii has been a mesmerizing backdrop to a wide array of films, encompassing genres from heart-stirring romances to adrenaline-fueled adventures. These cinematic endeavors not only showcase the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of the islands but also often delve into the rich history and complex relationships between the land and its people. Whether it's the raw beauty of its coastlines or the deeply woven tales of its inhabitants, Hawaii offers a unique canvas that filmmakers have adeptly utilized to tell stories that resonate on a universal level. Through these films, viewers are not only treated to visual splendors but are also invited to explore narratives that reflect on human connections, environmental concerns, and the spirit of adventure that lies in the heart of Hawaii. As such, films about Hawaii continue to enchant and educate, bridging cultures and inspiring a deeper appreciation for this magnificent archipelago.
