fiji movies© 20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Pictures
fiji movies

10 Movies Filmed in Fiji 🎬

© 20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Pictures

Which Films Were Shot in Fiji?

Need a tropical island to star in your Hollywood or Bollywood blockbuster? Then Fiji is your place! The Fiji Islands have been the backdrop of many movie hits throughout the years thanks to its typical paradise islands setting. Unsurprisingly, many movies starring Fiji have been about being stranded on an island, but there are sure to be a few movies that will surprise you. So, if you are a movie buff or just want to wise up on some more fun Fiji facts, then scroll down for the list of movies filmed in Fiji!

As well as films, Fiji has featured in numerous TV shows which you can learn more about at the bottom of this list. Otherwise, head straight to the 10 TV Shows Filmed in Fiji!

1. Adrift (2018)

The romantic drama, Adrift, released in 2018 used the islands of Fiji to convey the Pacific Ocean journey the two heroes embark on. The American movie, starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, is based on a true story about a couple of sailors who get stranded in the Pacific Ocean after getting caught in a hurricane. Suva and Rakiraki are the two locations featured in this movie.

© STX Films

2. Party (2017)

Starring the highest-grossing Indian movie stars in history, Baahubali – Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan, Party is a comedy Bollywood movie that was filmed entirely in Fiji. Party features many different locations in Fiji making it a great movie to watch for those familiar with the country.

© Amma Creations

3. Cast Away (2000)

The American movie starring Tom Hanks is about an island castaway who must survive on a deserted island. That deserted island was Monuriki Island in the Mamanuca Islands! While there are no inhabitants on the island, Monuriki is easy to get to through day trip excursions with resorts on the surrounding islands, such as Mana Island, Tokoriki Island and Matamanoa Island, as well as cruises from Port Denarau.

© 20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Pictures

4. The Blue Lagoon (1980) & Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)

More island survival storylines, The Blue Lagoon tells the story of two young children marooned on a tropical island. The 1980’s blockbuster was directed by Randal Kleiser who directed Grease and the movie received many award nominations. The Blue Lagoon was filmed in the Yasawa Islands, while the second instalment of the movie, Return to the Blue Lagoon, was filmed in Taveuni.

© Columbia Pictures

5. Fantasy Island (2020)

A secluded island where guests are invited to live out their fantasies… As a horror flick, what could go wrong? In Fantasy Island, although it didn’t gain warm reviews, the suspense horror starring Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Michael Rooker and Lucy Hale, certainly takes the audience’s imaginations to Fiji with most of the filming taking place on Taveuni. Particularly, filming took place in Viani Bay which was the destination of Mr Roarke’s CGI-enhanced mansion, and Natewa Bay on Vanua Levu.

10 Movies Filmed in Fiji 🎬© Sony Pictures Releasing

6. Boot Camp (2008)

Boot Camp, released as Punishment in the UK, is a psychological thriller about teenagers that are in a rehabilitation camp on a secluded island in Fiji. The movie stars Mila Kunis, Gregory Smith and Peter Stormare.

© MGM Home Entertainment

7. Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)

The sequel to 1997’s Anaconda, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid was released in 2004. The plot follows a team of researchers who are searching for a sacred flower in Borneo, Indonesia, when the adventure quickly turns to horror when the team must face deadly anacondas that inhabit the island. Although the movie was meant to depict Borneo, some of the scenes were, in fact, filmed in Fiji.

© Screen Gems

8. The Land Has Eyes (2004)

It’s no surprise that this feature film with a Fijian direct and cast was filmed in Fiji. The Land Has Eyes was the first feature film (and only at the time of writing) to be made in Fiji. The movie showcases the Fijian way of life through a storyline about a young woman whose father is wrongly accused of stealing. She finds inspiration in the “Warrior Woman” and other Fijian legends.

© PBS International

9. Contact (1997)

It’s true, a sci-fi drama movie was filmed in Fiji! The 1997 film Contact conveys the story of a scientist’s journey as she attempts to make contact with aliens. The American movie stars Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey. While there were several filming locations across the world, such as Canada, New Mexico and Arizona, Contact was also filmed on the Fiji Islands.

© Warner Bros.

10. Bula Quo! / Guitars, Guns and Paradise (2013)

Later named Guitars, Guns and Paradise!, Bula Quo! is a movie about the rock band Status Quo who witnesses a gang murder in Fiji and gets caught up in all kinds of shenanigans. The comedy stars Jon Lovitz, Craig Fairbrass, Laura Aikman and the Status Quo band members. Step in their footsteps by visiting Tivua Island in the Mamanucas!

© Universal Pictures

TV Shows in Fiji…

Fiji has not only been the backdrop to blockbusters from all over the world! The islands also star in multiple TV shows. Most famously, many seasons of Survivor have been shot here. The American version of Survivor saw season 14 filmed in Macuata and Vanua Levu, while seasons 33 and onwards have all been filmed in the Mamanuca Islands! Survivor host Jeff Probst has famously said that if he could only film in Fiji until the end of his Survivor career, he would! For the French version, Koh-Lanta, seasons 5 and 18 were filmed in the Yasawa Islands, while seasons 19 and 20 were shot in Kadavu. Finally, on the Survivor front, Survivor Australia was filmed in Savusavu for season 5. For more on the subject, head to the 10 Survivor Locations in Fiji You Can’t Miss!

As for the TV shows filmed in Fiji, Wrecked, Season 2, was filmed in Sigatoka and Nadi; The Bachelorette, Season 7 finale, was filmed in Savusavu; The Bachelorette Australia was filmed in the Namale Resort and Spa on Vanua Levu; and Pirate Islands: The Lost Treasure of Fiji starring John Noble was filmed in Fiji. Find out more about all these TV shows in the 10 TV Shows Shot in Fiji.

More About Movies Filmed in Fiji

That’s it for our list of movies filmed in Fiji but that’s not all we have to offer about these glorious islands. Check out the following guides to learn more about filming locations and Fiji:

Finally, start planning your dream vacation on Fiji’s #1 travel guide using The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji and 30 Tips for Travelling in Fiji.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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