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Movie sets, props, and filming locations at Kualoa Ranch

HawaiiKualoa RanchKualoa Ranch Movies and TV Shows

You can spot Kualoa Ranch in more than 200 films and TV shows over 50 years, from action films and romantic comedies, to period pieces, sci-fi, and one of the most famous movie series of all time, Jurassic Park. Explore the sites and filming locations of these blockbusters that have given Kualoa Ranch the title of being Hawaii’s “Hollywood Backlot”.

🎬 Overview of your movie tours at Kualoa Ranch

Tour
Ideal for
Movie Sites and Ranch Tour
Most film locations in one tour
Jurassic Adventure Tour
Jurassic Park fans, deeper valley access
UTV Raptor Tour
Adventure lovers, deeper access to movie sites
Horseback Riding Tour
Scenic filming areas, slower pace

🎥Movies that used Kualoa Ranch as a backdrop and filming location

🦖 Jurassic universe

  • Jurassic Park (1993): Steven Spielberg’s iconic adventure that revolutionized CGI and dinosaur storytelling. It follows a theme park gone wrong when dinosaurs break free.
    Kualoa Ranch’s famous valley became the legendary “Gallimimus” stampede scene.
  • Jurassic World (2015): A modern sequel that revives the dinosaur park concept with even larger thrills and dangers. Chris Pratt stars as a dinosaur trainer battling chaos.
    Key jungle and valley shots were filmed at Kualoa’s Kaʻaʻawa (Jurassic) Valley.
  • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018): The story continues as dinosaurs are transported off-island, leading to moral and scientific dilemmas. The film takes a darker turn, exploring extinction and survival.
    Kualoa Ranch once again served as the lush prehistoric landscape of the island.

🌋 Sci-fi and fantasy

  • Godzilla (2000): A giant monster-disaster film showcasing Godzilla’s destructive return to modern society. It blends action, chaos, and mythology.
    Kualoa’s landscapes were used to portray remote areas devastated by Godzilla.
  • Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012): A family adventure featuring a lost island full of strange creatures and secrets. Dwayne Johnson stars in this visually rich fantasy.
    Kualoa’s exotic scenery helped bring the mysterious island to life.
  • Battleship (2012): A sci-fi naval action movie where Earth faces an alien sea invasion. It combines modern warfare with extraterrestrial combat.
    Kualoa Ranch’s coastline and mountains were used as strategic military locations in the film.
  • Kong: Skull Island (2017): A reboot of King Kong’s origin story featuring a scientific expedition gone wrong. It mixes monster action with stunning visual world-building.
    Kualoa Ranch provided the backdrop for Skull Island’s iconic jungle terrain.
  • Jumanji – Welcome to the Jungle (2018): A modern reboot of the classic adventure game. Four teens enter a video game and must survive wild obstacles.
    Kualoa’s landscape is heavily featured as the game’s jungle world.

🎖 Historical dramas

  • Mister Roberts (1955): A World War II comedy-drama starring Henry Fonda, exploring life aboard a cargo ship. It mixes humor with the frustrations of wartime monotony.
    Kualoa Ranch provided the perfect tropical naval setting for outdoor harbor scenes.
  • In Harm’s Way (1965): A dramatic WWII naval story with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas about duty, sacrifice, and the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. It’s known for its emotional and tactical wartime portrayals.
    The ranch’s coastline helped recreate realistic Pacific combat environments.
  • Pearl Harbor (2001): An action-packed romantic drama retelling the attack on Pearl Harbor, starring Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett. The film blends history, romance, and intense battle sequences.
    The valleys at Kualoa doubled as military training grounds and airfields.
  • Windtalkers (2002): A WWII drama focusing on Navajo code talkers and their vital wartime contributions. Nicolas Cage stars as a Marine tasked with protecting a code talker in combat.
    Kualoa’s rugged terrain stood in for war-torn Pacific battlefields.

💞 Romantic comedies

  • Along Came Polly (2004):  A quirky romantic comedy about risk, love, and unpredictable life choices, starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.
    Kualoa Ranch was used for vacation scenes depicting tropical escapes.
  • Fifty First Dates (2004): A heartfelt romance where a man must make a woman fall in love with him daily due to her memory loss. It blends comedy with emotional charm.
    Kualoa Ranch’s beautiful vistas provided key date locations and outdoor scenery.
  • You, Me & Dupree (2006): A friendship and relationship comedy starring Owen Wilson as an intrusive houseguest. It mixes laughs with life lessons.
    Kualoa Ranch was used as a scenic escape location in the story.

💥 Action and adventure

  • George of the Jungle (1997): A comedic adventure about a vine-swinging man raised by animals. It’s bright, playful, and full of jungle mishaps.
    Kualoa Ranch’s valleys provided lush rainforest scenery crucial to the film’s setting.
  • Tears of the Sun (2003): A rescue-mission action drama starring Bruce Willis, set during a Nigerian civil conflict. It’s an intense portrayal of moral duty and survival.
    Kualoa's dense forests were used to simulate remote jungle rescue zones.
  • Soul Surfer (2011): A biographical drama about surfer Bethany Hamilton’s recovery after a shark attack. It delivers inspiration and perseverance.
    Kualoa Ranch was used for coastal surfing scene backdrops.
  • Snowden (2016): A biographical thriller about Edward Snowden and government surveillance leaks. It mixes drama and political tension.
    Kualoa Ranch provided remote filming areas for off-grid scenes.
  • Hawaii Five-0 (1968-1980): A crime procedural following an elite Hawaii police task force handling major cases across the islands. It helped establish Hawaii as a prime television setting.
    Kualoa Ranch was often used for remote investigation scenes and chases through rugged terrain.
  • Magnum P.I. (1980-1988): A charismatic private investigator living in Hawaii solves cases with charm and good instincts. The show became iconic for its tropical backdrop and Tom Selleck’s mustache.
    Kualoa provided tropical forests, dirt roads, and remote hideouts seen in several episodes.
  • LOST (2004-2010): A groundbreaking mystery-drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island. Known for its twists, mythology, and character depth.
    The ranch’s Jurassic Valley became one of the most recognizable filming locations in TV history.
  • E.R. (2002): A long-running hospital drama that featured Hawaii in special episodes.
    Kualoa was used for remote medical operations and outdoor rescue scenes.
  • Hawaii Five-0 (2010-present): A reboot of the classic crime series with a modern action tone. High-speed chases, complex cases, and island culture drive the show.
    Kualoa Ranch remains a core filming location, appearing frequently in episodes.

📌 Quick overview of the sights you can explore

Film / TV show
Prop/site
Location
Tour
Jurassic Park
Fallen tree/log
Jurassic Valley
Movie Sites / UTV / Jurassic Adventure
Jurassic World
Gyrosphere site & paddock
Jurassic Valley
Jurassic Adventure Tour
Kong: Skull Island
Bamboo forest
Jurassic Valley
UTV / Jurassic Adventure
Jumanji
Ridge & jungle site
Jurassic Valley
Movie Sites / UTV
Godzilla
Footprint
Jurassic Valley
Movie Sites / UTV
Pearl Harbor
WWII bunker
WWII bunker
Movie Sites Tour
LOST
Jungle trails
Jurassic Valley
Movie Sites / UTV
George of the Jungle
Swing spot
Jurassic Valley
Movie Sites / Horseback
Tears of the Sun
Valley & bunker
WWII bunker
Movie Sites Tour
Windtalkers
War camp setup
WWII bunker
Movie Sites Tour

⭐Your Kualoa Ranch movie and TV show sightseeing tours explained

Tour
Movies/TV shows covered
Vehicle
Ideal for
Duration
Highlights
Tickets
Movie Sites and Ranch Tour
Jurassic Park, LOST bunker, 50 First Dates, Kong: Skull Island, Hawaii Five-0
Vintage bus
Film fans & families
1.5 hrs
Main movie tour. Relaxed & guided with many photo stops
Jurassic Adventure Tour
Jurassic Park gate ruins, dinosaur chase valley, iconic log
Open-air, custom safari vehicle
Jurassic Park fans
2.5 hrs
Focused mainly on Jurassic films – more time off-road
UTV Raptor Tours
Valley filming zones + views
UTV
Adventurous visitors
2 hrs
Requires driving. Some movie stops but fast-paced
Jungle Expedition Tour
Hidden jungle filming areas
Off-road truck
Nature and movie lovers
1.5 hrs
Narrow trails, some Jurassic & Hawaii Five-0 spots

📝Your movie and TV show “site”-seeing experience checklist

  • Choose the right tour for you: The Hollywood Movie Sites Tour is the main tour for film lovers, but the UTV Raptor and Jurassic Adventure tours also include movie sites. Choose based on the type of experience you want and the sights you would like to see.
  • Bring photos or screenshots from movies: It’s fun to match real-life locations with specific scenes from Jurassic Park, LOST, Kong: Skull Island, etc. Guides love helping you find the best angles.
  • Ask your guide about behind-the-scenes stories: Guides often worked on production days, so they might share insider information about where certain scenes were filmed and how sets were built.
  • Keep your camera ready: There are quick stops at movie signboards, props, and overlooks. Have your phone/camera charged and ready.
  • Visit on a weekday if possible: Weekends are a lot busier. Weekday visits often mean smaller tour groups and more chances to ask the guide questions.
  • Book multiple tours: The valley covers many different film zones, so one tour won’t cover everything. A combo like Movie Sites Tour with the UTV Raptor tour gives you way more access.
























Book Kualoa Ranch tours

Kualoa Ranch: UTV Raptor Tour
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2 hr
Guided tour
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$154.95
Kualoa Ranch: All-Inclusive Package
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3 hr 30 min - 10 hr
Meals included
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$124.95
Kualoa Ranch: Movie Sites and Ranch Tour
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1 hr 30 min
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Kualoa Ranch: Horseback Walking Tour
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2 hr
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$154.95
Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Adventure Tour
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2 hr 30 min
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$149.95
Kualoa Ranch: Jungle Expedition Tour
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1 hr 30 min
Guided tour
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Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Valley Zipline Tour
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3 hr
Guided tour
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$184.95
Kualoa Ranch: Secret Island Beach Activities
Free cancellation
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3 hr 30 min - 6 hr 30 min
Meals included
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Frequently asked questions about Kualoa Ranch movies and TV shows

Which tour is best for movie and TV filming locations?

The Movie Sites Tour covers the most filming locations, but the UTV Raptor Tour and Jurassic Adventure Tour include deeper access into the valley.

Can I see real Jurassic Park filming spots?

Yes, you can! The Jurassic Adventure Tour takes you into the exact sites where the dinosaur scenes were filmed, including the famous log from the first movie.

Can I go inside any movie sets?

Some sets are preserved (like Kong: Skull Island ruins), but most are outdoor locations. You’ll see markers and replicas to help visualize scenes. The WWII Bunker is also home to props, posters, and other movie memorabilia you can explore on your tour.

Are filming locations spread out?

Yes. The valley is huge, so different tours cover different areas. One tour won’t show everything.

Can I take photos with the props?

Yes. There are dedicated photo stops with signboards and props from major productions.

Will I see anything if movies are currently filming?

If filming is active, some areas might be off-limits, but guides often share fresh information about ongoing productions.

Are the guides knowledgeable about movie history?

Very! Many guides are locals who helped during production days and share stories about actors and the filming process.

Can I drive to movie viewpoints on my own?

No, all Kualoa Ranch areas can only be accessed via guided tours.

Are kids allowed on movie tours?

Yes. They’re family-friendly, and kids enjoy spotting familiar scenes from movies and shows.