Blue Hawaii

Ecstatic romance... Exotic dances... Exciting music IN THE WORLD'S LUSHEST PARADISE OF SONG!

1961 • 102 min • Music · Comedy · Romance

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Synopsis

Just discharged GI Chad Gates returns to Hawaii, where he becomes a tour guide, defying his mother's wishes for him to join the family business.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

158 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
61 Audience · 156 · 49%

Just home from the Army, Chad Gates wants to enjoy Hawaii with his girlfriend and work as a tour guide. His mother, however, expects him to join the family pineapple business. This lighthearted musical showcases Elvis Presley, Hawaiian culture, and many classic songs.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 2/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 0/10

Heads up

Some comedic slapstick
Characters drinking socially

What it models well

Following your own path
Respecting cultural heritage
Finding joy in simple things

Talk about it after

Generational expectations
The beauty of Hawaiian culture
Classic American musicals

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Blue Hawaii. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Paramount+ Amazon Channel
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Free

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Top billed cast

Director: Norman Taurog • Crew: Hal Kanter, Allan Weiss

Trailers & clips

Blue Hawaii - Trailer

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
I'd been watching this for ages before I realised that it was actually the real life Angela Lansbury (aged 35) playing Elvis's mother - he being 25 years old at the time! A bit of much needed cinematic licence in this otherwise really rather staged romantic comedy that doesn't really do anyone any favours. Having returned from Germany, "Chad" is at a loss as to what to do.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
_**Elvis goes to Hawaii**_ After a two-year enlistment in the service, Chad Gates (Presley) returns home to Hawaii, but prefers the genuineness of the Polynesians and blazing his own trail to being the heir to his parents’ pineapple plantation. With his half-Caucasian/half-Polynesian girlfriend (Joan Blackman) he tries his hand as a tour guide. Angela Lansbury is on hand as the amusingly snooty mother.…
Wuchak, TMDB Community