Ah, the beach. Sun-drenched sands, crashing waves, salty breezes, and endless summer vibes. There’s nothing quite like a day by the sea to relax and recharge. But when you can’t make it to the shore, the next best thing is watching a great beach movie. From classic surf flicks to romantic comedies to thrilling adventures, beach movies have a special way of whisking us away to paradise, if only for a couple hours.
So grab some sunscreen, pour a tropical drink, and get ready to dive into the 25 best beach movies of all time. These sandy, sunny films are sure to put you in a summer state of mind, no matter what time of year it is.
1. Jaws (1975)
The ultimate summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws made an entire generation afraid to go in the water. When a man-eating great white shark terrorizes the shores of Amity Island, it’s up to police chief Brody (Roy Scheider), marine biologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and grizzled shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to take down the beast. With a legendary score by John Williams, Jaws is the perfect blend of horror and adventure. Just maybe don’t watch it right before your beach vacation.
2. The Endless Summer (1966)
The quintessential surfing documentary, Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer follows two young surfers, Mike Hynson and Robert August, on a global quest for the perfect wave. From the uncharted waters of West Africa to the shark-filled seas of Australia to the tropical paradise of Tahiti, their journey captures the pure joy and freedom of surfing. With its stunning cinematography and laid-back narration, The Endless Summer will have you dreaming of an endless summer of your own.
3. Blue Crush (2002)
Kate Bosworth stars as Anne Marie, a young surfer training for the big Pipe Masters competition on Oahu’s famed North Shore. But when she falls for a pro football player (Matthew Davis), Anne Marie must choose between chasing her surfing dreams and following her heart. With incredible underwater photography and authentic depictions of female athletes, Blue Crush is an empowering and exhilarating ride.
4. Point Break (1991)
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Utah, an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of adrenaline-junkie surfers led by the charismatic Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). But Johnny soon finds himself seduced by their thrill-seeking lifestyle – and by Bodhi’s philosophies. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Point Break features some of the most breathtaking surfing and skydiving sequences ever captured on film. It’s the ultimate rush.
5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
After getting dumped by his famous girlfriend, sad-sack musician Peter (Jason Segel) takes a solo trip to Hawaii to clear his head. But his plan goes awry when he discovers his ex and her new rock star beau are staying at the same resort. Luckily, the hotel’s cute receptionist Rachel (Mila Kunis) is there to help Peter forget Sarah Marshall. From the Judd Apatow crew, this raunchy rom-com nails the awkwardness of running into your ex on vacation.
6. The Beach (2000)
Based on Alex Garland’s bestselling novel, Danny Boyle’s The Beach stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard, an American backpacker who discovers a secret island paradise off the coast of Thailand. But as Richard soon learns, utopia isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. With its Lord of the Flies-esque plot and gorgeous cinematography of Maya Bay, The Beach is an unsettling but mesmerizing journey to the heart of darkness.
7. 50 First Dates (2004)
Adam Sandler is Henry, a Hawaii veterinarian who falls for Lucy (Drew Barrymore), a charming young woman with short-term memory loss. Every day, Lucy wakes up with no memory of the day before, so Henry must find new ways to make her fall in love with him all over again. 50 First Dates puts a sweet, funny spin on the classic amnesiac romance. Sandler and Barrymore’s goofy chemistry makes this a perfect “just go with it” beach rom-com.
8. Castaway (2000)
After a plane crash strands him on a deserted island, FedEx employee Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) must use his wits and willpower to survive. His only companion? A volleyball named Wilson. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Castaway is a riveting one-man show that captures both the terror and tranquility of being utterly alone. Hanks gives a tour-de-force performance as a man pushed to his physical and psychological limits.
9. Moana (2016)
In this Disney animated musical, Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho), the strong-willed daughter of a Polynesian chief, sets sail across the ocean to save her island from a curse. Aided by shape-shifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana embarks on an epic journey of self-discovery. With catchy songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and stunning visuals of the Pacific Islands, Moana is a joyful celebration of Polynesian culture and a rousing adventure for all ages.
10. The Notebook (2004)
Based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestseller, this sweeping romance follows the decades-long love story of Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams). Though they come from different worlds, the young couple falls deeply in love during one magical summer in 1940s South Carolina. The Notebook has all the beachside kisses, romantic rowboat rides, and tearjerking drama you could want in a summer romance. Just remember to bring tissues.
11. Surf’s Up (2007)
This delightful animated mockumentary follows Cody Maverick (voiced by Shia LaBeouf), a young penguin from Antarctica who dreams of winning the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. But first he’ll have to learn some tough lessons from washed-up legend Big Z (Jeff Bridges). With its laid-back vibe, cool surf rock soundtrack, and in-jokes for surfing aficionados, Surf’s Up is a fun and surprisingly touching underdog story. Hang ten, dude!
12. Mamma Mia! (2008)
On the eve of her wedding, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) secretly invites three men to her mother Donna’s (Meryl Streep) Greek island hotel, hoping to figure out which one is her father. Cue the ABBA songs and sequined jumpsuits! This jukebox musical rom-com is pure summer fluff, but the A-list cast and catchy tunes are irresistible. You can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life.
13. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
When destructive alien creature Stitch crash-lands in Hawaii, he’s adopted by lonely little girl Lilo, who thinks he’s a strange-looking dog. As Stitch learns the meaning of “ohana” (family), he helps Lilo deal with the loss of her parents. This offbeat Disney animated comedy has a big heart and a unique watercolor style that captures the beauty of the islands. It’s a sweet, quirky gem about finding your place in the world.
14. The Parent Trap (1998)
Lindsay Lohan does double duty as twins Hallie and Annie, separated at birth and each raised by one of their divorced parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). After meeting at summer camp, the girls devise a scheme to switch places and reunite their mom and dad. This remake of the 1961 classic is a charming blend of slapstick comedy, pre-teen romance, and family bonding. The summer camp scenes will make you nostalgic for your own childhood adventures.
15. Dirty Dancing (1987)
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!” In the summer of 1963, sheltered teen Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) falls for bad-boy dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) at a Catskills resort. Against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the couple’s sizzling chemistry spills over on and off the dance floor. Dirty Dancing is the ultimate coming-of-age romance, with iconic dance numbers and a soaring soundtrack of ’60s hits.
16. Gidget (1959)
The original surf girl movie, Gidget stars Sandra Dee as perky teen Francie, who earns the nickname “Gidget” (girl midget) when she takes up surfing one summer. She crushes on surf bum Moondoggie (James Darren) and befriends the beach boys of Malibu while navigating typical teen problems. This frothy, wholesome comedy kicked off the ’60s beach party movie craze and inspired multiple sequels and a TV series.
17. Soul Surfer (2011)
The inspiring true story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack at age 13. AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany as she struggles to adapt to her new reality and get back on the board. With the support of her family and faith, Bethany becomes a champion again and a role model for young girls everywhere. Soul Surfer is an uplifting testament to the power of perseverance and the healing magic of the ocean.
18. The Way, Way Back (2013)
Awkward 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) dreads spending the summer at a beach house with his mom (Toni Collette) and her overbearing boyfriend (Steve Carell). But he finds an unexpected friend in Owen (Sam Rockwell), the wisecracking manager of the local water park. This coming-of-age dramedy perfectly captures the pains and joys of adolescence, with a breakout performance by James and a stellar supporting cast.
19. Aquamarine (2006)
Teen best friends Claire and Hailey discover a real-life mermaid named Aquamarine in their beach club’s swimming pool. Aqua has three days to prove to her father that love exists, or she’ll have to submit to an arranged marriage under the sea. The girls help her win the heart of a lifeguard while learning lessons about friendship and growing up. This cute fantasy rom-com has silly humor and mermaid magic galore.
20. Surf Crazy (1959)
Before Gidget, there was Surf Crazy, one of the earliest teen beach movies. When their car breaks down in a small coastal town, college buddies Denny and Ding Ling discover the joys of surfing, beach parties, and bikini-clad girls. Meanwhile, a gang of delinquents led by Eric Von Zipper tries to take over the town. This low-budget romp established many of the genre’s tropes and launched the career of beach party regular Frankie Avalon.
21. Chasing Mavericks (2012)
Based on the true story of surfing prodigy Jay Moriarity, this inspiring drama follows 15-year-old Jay (Jonny Weston) as he trains to surf the mythic Mavericks break with the help of mentor Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler). As Jay pushes himself to the limit to achieve his dream, he also deals with a troubled home life and first love. The thrilling surf scenes were shot on location in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.
22. The Shallows (2016)
Blake Lively is Nancy, a medical student mourning her mother’s death, who goes surfing at a secluded Mexican beach. When a great white shark attacks, Nancy is stranded on a small rock 200 yards from shore, with the tide rising. This lean, mean survival thriller makes the most of its simple premise, with Lively giving a gritty performance as a woman pushed to extremes. You’ll never look at a baby seagull the same way again.
23. North Shore (1987)
Naive Arizona teen Rick Kane (Matt Adler) spends his summer savings to travel to the North Shore of Oahu and learn to surf the big waves. There he clashes with the locals while falling for professional windsurfer Kiani (Nia Peeples). This cult classic perfectly captures the laid-back vibe and stunning scenery of Hawaii’s surf scene in the ’80s. Plus, it has one of the best campy villains in beach movie history, arrogant surf champ Lance Burkhart.
24. Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania (2017)
In this sequel to the animated hit, penguin surfer Cody Maverick convinces an infamous big-wave riding crew known as The Hang 5 to let him join them on a journey to a mysterious surf spot. Little does Cody know that the spot is actually a legendary prehistoric creature’s feeding ground. WWE stars John Cena, The Undertaker, and Triple H provide voices for the radical Hang 5 team. It’s a goofy but action-packed adventure for the whole family.
25. Teen Beach Movie (2013)
Modern-day teen surfers Brady and McKenzie get mysteriously transported into Brady’s favorite 1960s beach party movie, “Wet Side Story.” There they accidentally change the plot and risk erasing the movie altogether if they can’t find their way back home. This Disney Channel Original Movie lovingly spoofs classics like Beach Blanket Bingo while delivering catchy musical numbers and sweet teen romance. It’s a blast of retro summer fun.
So there you have it – the 25 best beach movies to dive into when you need a virtual seaside escape. From golden age nostalgia to modern CGI spectacles, these sandy stories continue to ride the wave of our imaginations. Because no matter what your age or background, there’s a beach movie out there that can make you feel the magic of an endless summer. All you need is some shades, a cold drink, and a comfy couch – the beach will take care of the rest.
