Released June 11, 1993, Jurassic Park remains one of the most popular movies to date. Telling the story of paleontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and chaos theory mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), these select few are among a group chosen to tour an island theme park that’s populated by dinosaurs created from prehistoric DNA. While the park’s owner, John Hammond, assures everyone’s safety, the worst is bound to happen when ferocious predators are let loose, ready to hunt. This notable classic has rightfully turned the heads of movie watches near and far, bringing in a whopping total of $1.046 billion in box office sales. With gorgeous island settings, amazing CGI effects, and an interesting plot line, Jurassic Park remains one of the most popular films in history. And though there’s much to know about the notorious Jurassic Park film, where exactly was it filmed? Ahead is everything you need to know.
The film’s fictional setting took place on Isla Nublar
The movie’s fictional setting took place on Isla Nublar, a fictional tropical island that’s located west of Costa Rica and 87 miles east of the Muertes Archipelago. The fictional island has an inactive volcano and a surface of 77 square kilometers full of mountain ridges and varied ecological niches. The actual filming of Jurassic Park, however, was set in Hawaii.
Isla Nublar isn’t an actual island
Though there are a ton of convincing factors that will have you believe Isla Nublar’s an island, technically, it isn’t. Isla Nublar is said to be a seamount and a volcanic rock coming up from the ocean floor. The island is divided by moats, roads and electric fences with the overall feel of a zoo. As the beginning of the story goes, Jurassic Park is still under construction and was meant to serve as a zoo, nature preserve, amusement park, and luxury island resort.
The movie was filmed on the island of Kauai, Hawaii
While the setting of the movie took place on Isla Nublar, the actual filming locations for the film were on the island of Kauai, which is a part of the Hawaiian islands in the Pacific Ocean. Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai offers lush landscapes, breathtaking cliffs, and stunning waterfalls. These provided the perfect backdrop for Jurassic Park and the dangerous world of dinosaurs. Specific locations such as Na Pali, Hanapepe Valley, and the Allerton Garden made up the prime spots for filming the movie.
Special effects were used to create a more believable setting
Spearheaded by Steven Spielberg and the team of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), filmmakers and CGI animators used various techniques to help bring the island to life. Animatronics played a crucial role in this with the help of skilled puppeteers that operated life-sized dinosaur models with lifelike features. Some of the more advanced techniques incorporated into the film included using CGI as the backbone for integrating digital creatures into live-action footage. This left a lasting impact on movie watchers and set the tone for special effects efforts that were to come in later films.
The islands used to film made the director’s vision possible
All we see in Jurassic Park are Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs! But the backdrop of the island made it all the more believable. The alluring aspect of Na Pali Coast highlights rugged cliffs and turquoise water, ultimately setting the stage for thrilling scenes. Hanapepe Valley captured the sense of untamed wilderness whereas Allerton Garden showcased an enchanting realm for exotic plant life. These breathtaking locations, as subtle as they may seem in importance, ultimately made Spielberg’s vision for Jurrasic Park a reality.