Best Movies About Hawaii

From Stacy Peralta, starring Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, Dave Kalama, Jeff Clark
Rated PG-13

Riding Giants is a documentary directed by Stacy Peralta that explores the history and culture of big-wave surfing. It follows the lives of some of the greatest big-wave surfers, including Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and others, and chronicles their stories of pioneering surfing at some of the world’s most dangerous waves. The film follows the development of the sport from its humble origins in Hawaii in the 1950s to its current form as an extreme sport practiced by some of the world’s best athletes. In addition to exploring the history and culture of big-wave surfing, the film also examines the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges that come with participating in such a dangerous activity. Riding Giants provides an intimate look at the lives and culture of big-wave surfers, and also serves as a tribute to the pioneers who first made the sport possible.

From Directors: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, Joshua Logan, starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon
Rated Passed

Mister Roberts is a classic 1955 American comedy-drama about a young US Navy officer, Lt. Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts (played by Henry Fonda), who is frustrated by the strict regulations and lack of action on an aging cargo ship, the U.S.S. Reluctant. Roberts dreams of being transferred to a combat assignment, but his commanding officer, Lt. Commander Morton (James Cagney), refuses to send him away. Despite his eagerness to leave the ship, Roberts is incredibly loyal to the crew and is determined to make the best of the situation. The film features many comedic moments as Roberts and his crewmates try to find ways to alleviate the tedium of life aboard the Reluctant. The arrival of a new crewmember, Ensign Frank Pulver (Jack Lemmon), provides Roberts with a confidant and a partner in misadventure. Eventually Roberts manages to anger Morton enough to gain his desired transfer and the U.S.S. Reluctant goes on its final mission. The film ends with Roberts, Pulver, and the rest of the crew honoring the courage and selflessness of their captain.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed
Rated Passed

From Here to Eternity is a 1953 war drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and based on the novel of the same name by James Jones. It follows a group of U.S. Army personnel stationed in Hawaii in the days before and during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It stars Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, and Ernest Borgnine. The story focuses on the tension between First Sergeant Milton Warden (Lancaster) and his commanding officer, Captain Dana Holmes (Philip Ober). Sergeant Warden has a relationship with the captain's wife, Karen (Kerr), and this creates conflict between the two men. Meanwhile, Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Clift) is targeted for punishment by his superiors for refusing to box for their amusement. The film follows these characters as they experience events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how that moment changes their lives forever. It explores themes of loyalty, honor, love, and courage during times of war. From Here to Eternity was an acclaimed success and won several awards, including eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Directors: Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda, Akira Kurosawa, starring Martin Balsam, Sô Yamamura, Jason Robards, Joseph Cotten
Rated G

Tora! Tora! Tora! is the 1970 epic war film that tells the story of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Directed by Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, Toshio Masuda and Akira Kurosawa, the film recounts the events leading up to the attack and its aftermath from both the Japanese and American points of view. Through a combination of archival footage and spectacular special effects, the film recreates the attack from both the American and Japanese perspectives, going into detail about the planning and execution of the attack and its aftermath. The film also focuses on the American and Japanese commanders, Admiral Yamamoto and Admiral Nimitz, and the impact the attack had on both countries. Tora! Tora! Tora! is a powerful and gripping account of one of the most significant moments in world history.

From Dana Brown, starring Laird Hamilton, Layne Beachley, Dan Malloy, Robert August
Rated PG

From Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, starring Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers
Rated PG

From Alexander Payne, starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause
Rated R

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Andrews
Rated R

From Nicholas Stoller, starring Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Mila Kunis
Rated R

From Sean McNamara, starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood
Rated PG

From Tim Burton, starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter
Rated PG-13

From Peter Segal, starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Sean Astin
Rated PG-13

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Elizabeth Allen, Jack Warden
Rated Approved

From David Twohy, starring Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant, Kiele Sanchez
Rated R

From William Phelps, starring Matt Adler, Nia Peeples, Gregory Harrison, John Philbin
Rated PG

From Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, Nicole Kidman
Rated PG-13

From Michael Bay, starring Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, William Lee Scott
Rated PG-13

From Marc Forby, starring Q'orianka Kilcher, Barry Pepper, Shaun Evans, Jimmy Yuill
Rated PG

From Norman Taurog, starring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Nancy Walters
Rated PG

From Arlene Sanford, starring Shelley Long, Gary Cole, Tim Matheson, Christopher Daniel Barnes
Rated PG-13

From Peter Berg, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Rihanna
Rated PG-13

From John Stockwell, starring Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Matthew Davis, Sanoe Lake
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, starring Kate Hudson, Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas
Rated PG-13

From David R. Ellis, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Rachel Blanchard
Rated R

From Robert Mickelson, starring Marguerite Moreau, Mackenzie Astin, Adam Scott, Mark Fite
Rated R