The South Pacific naturally creates a gorgeous movie backdrop thanks to its turquoise waters, volcanic mountains, lush jungles, and remote beaches. While some films on this list simply use the islands as stunning scenery, others make the South Pacific itself a main part of the story. While most were filmed on location in South Pacific islands, others recreated the region using the tropics of Kauai. These movies tell stories of survival, romance, and adventure while featuring some of the most beautiful locations on Earth. Each of these films offer a gorgeous glimpse of paradise.
1. Blue Lagoon (1980)
The romantic drama is about two children who are shipwrecked on a remote tropical island. The boy and girl grow up completely separate from civilization. They learn to survive and as adolescence approaches, they fall in love. They go on to navigate adulthood together. Much of the film was shot on the islands of Fiji. The crystal waters and white-sand beaches became an essential part of the story. With the help of the breathtaking island views, the movie was a cultural phenomenon despite its controversial subject matter.
2. Cast Away (2000)
Tom Hanks is a FedEx executive who takes what seems to be an ordinary plane ride. When a storm leads to a deadly crash landing, he finds himself stranded alone on a deserted island. Forced to survive for years, he gradually adapts to life in the isolated wild through intense determination resourcefulness. The survival sequences were filmed primarily on Monuriki, a small island in Fiji. The untouched beaches and rugged coastline gave the film an authentic sense of remoteness.
3. The Other Side of Heaven (2001)
Based on the true story of missionary John H. Groberg, The Other Side of Heaven follows a young Latter-day Saint who goes to serve on the islands of Tonga during the 1950s. Far from home, he comes face to face with a foreign culture yet manages to form meaningful friendships with the locals. The film was shot in the Kingdom of Tonga, with shots of pristine beaches, forests, and traditional villages. The movie might be the most authentic look at everyday life in the South Pacific.
4. The Thin Red Line (1998)
Terrence Malick’s World War II feature tells the story of American soldiers fighting during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The film avoids being simply just combat scenes; it explores humanity, nature, and the psychological toll of war. Much of the filming took place in the Solomon Islands and northern Australia. The filmmakers wanted to shoot landscapes similar to the real battlefield. The gorgeous setting contrasts strikingly with the depression and violence of war.
5. Six Days, Seven Nights (1998)
Harrison Ford and Anne Heche star as two strangers who become stranded after their small plane crashes on an uninhabited tropical island. Because they are forced to work together to survive, they form a connection, despite their constant arguing. The movie was filmed mostly on Hawaii’s island of Kauai, with some shots from French Polynesia. Its secluded beaches, cliffs, and tropical rainforests create a perfect atmosphere for an adventure.
6. Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
This historical film tells the true story of the famous 1789 mutiny aboard HMS Bounty. Marlon Brando plays Fletcher Christian, the officer who leads the rebellion, which begins after the ship reaches Tahiti. The production filmed extensively in French Polynesia, featuring Tahiti’s staggering beauty from start to finish. Audiences watch the storyline unfold against the idyllic beaches and lagoons. It’s easy to see why many sailors reportedly never wanted to leave the island.
7. South Pacific (1958)
Based on the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, the film tells several love stories, all of which take place during World War II. American military men stationed on tropical islands face prejudice and the realities of war, while also engaging in plenty of romance. The movie was filmed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which mimicked the South Pacific with its lush tropical setting.
8. Adrift (2018)
Based on a true story, Adrift follows a young couple whose sailing adventure takes a turn when they encounter a catastrophic storm. Their dream trip turns into a fight for survival. Shailene Woodley stars as Tami Oldham, the strong female protagonist who must navigate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. She does so while taking care of her injured fiancé. The film was shot largely in Fiji and surrounding areas, featuring vast open ocean. The unforgiving and massive Pacific gave the movie a sense of loneliness and realism.