The 2017 adventure film Jumanji brought a modern twist to a classic board game story, but audiences may wonder where these jungle scenes and suburban moments were actually shot. Filming took place across multiple countries to capture lush wilderness and stylized suburban fantasy.
This guide breaks down the key production locations, district by district and studio by studio, so you can see exactly where the action was brought to life on screen.
| Primary Location | Specific Site | Contribution to Film | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | Batu Caves and Kuala Lumpur streets | Urban and interior studio sequences | Malaysia |
| Queensland | Oxenford Studios and surrounding areas | Backlots, sound stages, and controlled sets | Australia |
| Hainan | Various outdoor sites | Tropical landscapes doubling for African savanna | China |
| South Africa | Cape Town and surrounding regions | Safari-style wildlife and exterior adventure scenes | South Africa |
Oxenford Studios and Australian Backlot Work
Much of the controlled environment work for Jumanji was handled at Oxenford Studios in Queensland, Australia. This facility provided massive backlots and sound stages where jungle sets, board-game realms, and suburban neighborhoods were constructed with precise lighting and camera placement.
Producers favored Australia for its world-class studios, experienced crews, and reliable infrastructure, enabling complex visual effects and detailed set pieces to be filmed in one centralized location.
Tropical Exteriors in Hainan and South Africa
Hainan’s Lush Landscapes
To capture the dense, adventurous jungles of Jumanji, filmmakers traveled to Hainan, China. The island’s thick vegetation, winding rivers, and varied topography provided a natural stand-in for the perilous wilderness encountered by the characters.
South African Safari Vistas
South Africa contributed sweeping vistas and authentic safari aesthetics to the production. Open grasslands and rocky outcrops were used for wide shots of wildlife and action sequences that could not be replicated convincingly on a soundstage.
Urban and Interior Shooting in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur offered a mix of modern architecture and historic districts that translated well into the bustling suburban and urban segments of the film. Crews filmed street-level scenes and interior sequences at carefully selected sites such as the Batu Caves, adding texture and authenticity to the on-screen world.
The Malaysian locations supplied vibrant street energy and distinctive architecture that complemented the fantastical elements, helping ground the fantasy in a recognizable, lived-in setting.
Production Strategy and Global Location Choices
By distributing the shoot across continents, the directors of Jumanji balanced creative vision with practical logistics. Each region contributed specific environmental and technical benefits that shaped the film’s look and feel.
- Rely on Australian studios for controlled, high-tech interior set work
- Use Hainan’s dense foliage for jungle scenes that required minimal digital augmentation
- Leverage South African landscapes for wide, cinematic outdoor adventure sequences
- Incorporate Kuala Lumpur architecture and streets for urban authenticity and contrast
FAQ
Reader questions
Where was the majority of the interior studio filming completed?
The bulk of the interior studio filming took place at Oxenford Studios in Queensland, Australia, due to its large backlots and advanced production infrastructure.
Which natural locations stood in for the African wilderness in Jumanji 2017?
Hainan, China provided tropical jungle backdrops, while South Africa contributed open grasslands and safari vistas to replicate African landscapes convincingly.
Which urban sites in Malaysia were used for exterior street scenes? Key Kuala Lumpur locations, including the Batu Caves and surrounding city streets, were utilized for urban sequences and atmospheric interior shots. Why did the production team choose multiple countries instead of one primary location?
Splitting filming across Australia, China, South Africa, and Malaysia allowed the crew to access studio capabilities, tropical greenery, and urban authenticity that a single location could not offer.