Movies Filmed in the Lowcountry: Hilton Head Island, Beaufort and Beyond
How local barrier islands, back roads and historic streets found their way onto the big screen
The Lowcountry has long been Hollywood’s quiet backlot. From Beaufort’s historic streets and Sea Island marshes to Hilton Head’s beaches and inland back roads, the region has served as the setting for dozens of films across genres and decades. These movies filmed in the Lowcountry reveal how local landscapes, landmarks and communities have shaped stories on the big screen.Story by Lance Hanlin
Major Movies Filmed in the Lowcountry
Beaufort and Sea Islands:
- The Big Chill
- Forrest Gump
- The Prince of Tides
- Daughters of the Dust
- White Squall
- G.I. Jane
- Rules of Engagement
- The Great Santini
Hilton Head and Bluffton:
- The Legend of Bagger Vance
- Come Away Home
- Nightwalk
- Stars Fell on Alabama
Inland Lowcountry:
- Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
- Full Metal Jacket
- Chasers
Movies Filmed in Beaufort and the Sea Islands
G.I. Jane (1997) – Harbor Island, Hunting Island
Survival-training scenes were filmed on Harbor Island while jungle and water sequences were shot on nearby Hunting Island. While much of the movie was filmed in Florida, the Beaufort County locations helped ground the intensity of elite military training. Demi Moore later described the role as her proudest professional achievement. Decades after its release, the film unexpectedly reentered pop culture during the 2022 Academy Awards, when a joke referencing Moore’s shaved-head role prompted Will Smith to slap comedian Chris Rock on live television.
The Jungle Book (1994) – Fripp Island
Though set in India, Disney’s live-action adaptation relied heavily on Fripp Island, whose undeveloped interior doubled for dense jungle. Filmmakers were granted rare permission to burn and detonate areas slated for future development, land that later became the Ocean Creek golf course designed by Davis Love III. Elephants, tigers and other exotic animals were brought in, while wardrobe, makeup and catering operated near the Fripp Island Marina, briefly turning the island into a full production village.
The Final Run (2025) – Beaufort County
Inspired by the real-life Operation Jackpot smuggling ring of the 1980s, this crime drama was filmed on location throughout Beaufort County, including Port Royal and the waters of St. Helena Sound. Written and produced by Hilton Head Island businessman Walter Czura, the film weaves Lowcountry history and landscape into a gritty story of one last run through familiar marshes and waterways.
Daughters of the Dust (1991) – St. Helena Island
Julie Dash filmed her entire groundbreaking feature on St. Helena Island, capturing Gullah-Geechee culture with lyrical care. The film became the first feature by a Black woman director to receive wide theatrical release in the United States and remains one of the most culturally significant movies ever filmed in the Lowcountry. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2004.
Full Metal Jacket (1987) – Parris Island
Although most of Stanley Kubrick’s film was shot in England, authentic graduation footage from Parris Island was incorporated. Former Parris Island drill instructor R. Lee Ermey was hired as a technical adviser, but his realism proved so compelling that Kubrick cast him as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, delivering largely unscripted performances that became iconic and helped launch his long film and television career.
The Great Santini (1979) – Tidalholm, Beaufort
The stately Greek Revival mansion at Tidalholm portrayed the Meechum family home in this adaptation of Pat Conroy’s novel. Military scenes were filmed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, while emotional moments unfolded around several Beaufort locations. Robert Duvall was frequently spotted driving around town, and the Beaufort world premiere in 1979 remains a proud local memory.
Stars Fell on Alabama (2021) – Beaufort, Bluffton, Port Royal
This modern romantic comedy transformed downtown Beaufort into the fictional small town of Willow Valley, Alabama, bringing a major production back to the Lowcountry for the first time in roughly two decades. Filming took place throughout historic Bay Street, on the campus of Beaufort Academy and at local favorites such as the Beaufort Inn and the Old Town Dispensary (now Agave SideBar) in Bluffton. Crew also used The Shed in Port Royal as a setting for a high-school reunion scene that plays a key role in the story.
Rules of Engagement (2000) – Hunting Island
Hunting Island’s dense subtropical landscape doubled for Vietnam’s Quang Tri Province. Locals were cast as Marines and civilians, many living on the island during production. Retired Marine Capt. Dale Dye trained the extras, bringing the same realism he applied to Platoon and Band of Brothers. Extras were discouraged from shaving or bathing, and many slept on Hunting Island during production.
White Squall (1996) – Beaufort
Director Ridley Scott returned to Beaufort to film portions of this nautical drama inspired by a real-life tragedy at sea. The town’s historic waterfront provided an authentic backdrop for early training scenes. Several familiar downtown locations were temporarily transformed for filming, including the Budget Print building on Carteret Street, which doubled as a bus terminal. The churchyard of the Parish Church of St. Helena also appears on screen. Additional scenes were shot along Washington Street and at local businesses such as Murr’s Graphic and Printing and The Chocolate Tree.
Something to Talk About (1995) – Beaufort
Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid’s Southern romantic dramedy used Beaufort as both backdrop and character. Scenes were filmed at the former Michael Rainey Antiques on Craven Street, while Gatsby’s Restaurant, now Q on Bay, hosted dining scenes. Bay Street buzzed with locals cast as extras, the USC Beaufort Performing Arts Center stood in for a college campus, and the Beaufort Library served as a green room while remaining open throughout filming.
Last Dance (1996) – Beaufort and Jasper counties
This crime drama starring Sharon Stone and Rob Morrow made extensive use of Lowcountry settings. Filming took place at “The Castle” on Craven Street, Hunting Island State Park and Ridgeland Correctional Institution. Off camera, the production embraced local life, with cast and crew gathering at Ned’s Pub-n-Grub and celebrating the wrap party at the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club.
The War (1994) – Beaufort
Starring Kevin Costner alongside a young Elijah Wood and Mare Winningham, this Depression-era drama left Beaufort with another movie landmark. The massive live oak with spiraling branches near the entrance to the Carolina Shores subdivision in Gray’s Hill became the children’s “fort,” an image that has endured long after the credits rolled. To make filming possible, Beaufort County temporarily amended an ordinance to allow the roadway encircling the tree to be removed. Once production wrapped, the pavement was meticulously restored.
Movies Filmed on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) – Bluffton
Although set in Depression-era Savannah, many of the film’s golf scenes were shot on the Pete Dye Course at Colleton River Club. Local PGA Master Professional Tim Moss trained Matt Damon from scratch, turning him into a believable golfer for the role. Moss’s hands-on approach paid off, lending authenticity to every swing. Additional scenes were filmed across Savannah and Edisto Island, blending familiar landscapes with mythic storytelling inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.
Nightwalk (1989) – Hilton Head Island
This thriller starring Robert Urich was filmed on location on Hilton Head Island, using the island’s coastal setting to heighten its sense of suspense. Scenes feature recognizable landmarks, including the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Harbour Town Marina. Numerous local residents appear as extras throughout the film.
Come Away Home (2005) – Hilton Head Island
This family-oriented drama draws on Hilton Head’s beaches, quiet neighborhoods and unhurried coastal rhythm to tell a heartfelt coming-of-age story. The island’s natural beauty and lived-in character lend authenticity to the film and later inspired a successful novel of the same name by Robert D. Slane.
The Gregg Russell Story (2024) – Hilton Head Island
This documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Gregg Russell, the beloved singer-songwriter whose weekly performances beneath the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town have been a Hilton Head Island tradition for generations. Filmed on location across the island, the film weaves archival footage with interviews and present-day scenes to capture Russell’s impact on the community and the unique cultural rhythm of Harbour Town. More than a music documentary, it serves as a love letter to Hilton Head Island itself, preserving a distinctly local story that unfolded not on a sound stage, but under an oak tree.
Movies Filmed in the Inland Lowcountry
Chasers (1994) – Yemassee
Directed by Dennis Hopper, this offbeat road-trip comedy starring Tom Berenger, William McNamara and Erika Eleniak brought Hollywood briefly to Yemassee. Biker-bar scenes were filmed at Harold’s Country Club Bar & Grill, a longtime local hangout known for attracting both residents and high-profile visitors. Among them is film producer Joel Silver, who often stops by when visiting his nearby Lowcountry retreat, Auldbrass Plantation, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) – Cherokee Plantation
This high-energy comedy sequel transformed parts of the South Carolina Lowcountry into an African jungle adventure. Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area provided the film’s wild backdrop, with its boneyard beach, maritime forest and salt marshes standing in for remote African landscapes. Additional scenes were filmed at Cherokee Plantation in Yemassee, which doubled for the British consulate. The production used significantly more animals than the original Ace Ventura, filling the Lowcountry with controlled chaos and unforgettable visuals that showcased the region’s ability to convincingly play far from home. LL
In the Lowcountry, the camera never really leaves.
FAQs About Movies Filmed in the Lowcountry
What movies were filmed in the Lowcountry? Dozens of films have been shot in the Lowcountry, including Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, Daughters of the Dust and The Legend of Bagger Vance.
Why do filmmakers choose the Lowcountry? The region offers historic architecture, coastal landscapes, military bases and diverse scenery that can stand in for locations around the world.
Can you visit filming locations in the Lowcountry? Many filming locations in Beaufort, Hilton Head and the Sea Islands are publicly accessible, though some sites are private property or protected areas.
