20 Best Beach Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Beach Movies

Summer is here. While it may not be able to travel to the beach due to the present weather conditions, there are plenty of movie selections to choose from. Summer moviegoers can’t get enough of beach, ocean, or lake-themed flicks.

It’s time to take a look at some of the best ones from the past several decades.

1. “Gidget” (1959)

Gidget (1959)

No matter who plays “Gidget” Lawrence on television or movies, she has become synonymous with beach culture fun. Sandra Dee plays the cheerful, fun-loving surfer girl who was a beam of sunshine to everyone she encountered in this film. Sandra Dee There are numerous sequels, TV shows, and spin-offs based on this film that are still available to see today.

2. “Blue Hawaii” (1961)

It’s a fun-loving frolic and musical romantic comedy, even if many Elvis Presley aficionados don’t think this is one of the King’s best films. While some Elvis fans may not have given this film a high rating, one can’t help but love the oldies like “Blue Hawaii” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

3. “Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965)

Avalon and Funicello may be the best-known 1960s beach movie duo, and this is their most well-known film. It was a carefree era. Sunbathing on the beach and soaking up some waves. Plus, there’s the soundtrack, which includes “I Think You Think” and “The Name.” When it appeared like every day was a day at the beach, there wasn’t a care in the world.

4. “The Endless Summer” (1966)

The Endless Summer (1966)

One of the most comprehensive and significant surf films ever, it documented the lives of surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August, who crossed the world in search of the “perfect wave.” The film’s imagery and its depiction of the relationship between man and water, particularly the waves, have also been widely praised.

5. “Jaws” (1975)

The movie’s beach motif isn’t exactly cheerful. There may have been a shark in the sea because a mayor like Amity’s Larry Vaughn ignored the advice of educated experts (sounds like someone American’s could know?). Some of those same people should have learned by now that swimming is not always risk-free.

6. “Jaws 2” (1978)

Amity Island residents, or at least teens, should have heeded the warnings of 1975. Another great white was on the loose, terrifying the sailing-obsessed and annoying Chief Brody. That was not the case, though; (Roy Scheider). Furthermore, Mayor Vaughn continued to insist on allowing both locals and tourists alike access to the shoreline. I don’t see how that guy has been elected so many times.

7. “The Blue Lagoon” (1980)

The Blue Lagoon (1980)

Although Brooke Shields was lambasted for her role, this film helped to establish her as a leading lady. It’s also a photo that, in retrospect, might seem a little cheesy. Stranded on an island with no adult supervision, two teenagers must deal with puberty on their own. At the time, it was divisive, but it was also quite well received by the general public. Christopher Atkins, the co-star, was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on the film.

8. “Weekend at Bernie’s” (1989)

What could possibly be better than spending the day in a Hamptons beach house with a deceased Bernie Lomax (Terry Kiser)? To Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman, Larry and Richard, it became a drudgery and, more importantly, a means of survival. Although it was a lot of fun, audiences ate it up in large quantities. They have an amusing and enjoyable time on the boat together.

9. “Side Out” (1990)

Beach volleyball was as popular as the sand it was played on at the time. As a result, Hollywood had no choice but to cash in. While attending law school in California, C. Thomas Howell was introduced to the sport of professional volleyball. As a guilty pleasure, this film is enjoyable in that it doesn’t require a lot of effort to appreciate or desire for a day at the beach.

10. “Point Break” (1991)

Point Break (1991)

The film is a guilty pleasure to some, but a crime-action classic to others. Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves appeared in this film, which at the time was one of the biggest draws in Hollywood. Utah, a former football player turned FBI agent, joins a bunch of suspected criminal surfers. Although it’s typical of a 1990s film, it’s still a lot of fun to see today.

11. “Six Days, Seven Nights” (1998)

Anne Heche is a fashion editor being flown around the South Pacific by Quinn (Harrison Ford). In the aftermath of the plane catastrophe, these two extremes find themselves on a barren island. When some pirates show up, things get a lot more interesting. There are some good moments in the Ivan Reitman film, but the chemistry between Heche and Ford isn’t quite strong enough to keep the audience engaged.

12. “The Beach” (2000)

Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest picture isn’t his greatest; in fact, some have called it a flop. It’s possible that the latter is too harsh. Leo’s Richard is stranded on an island off the coast of Thailand, where he’s joined by a group of odd farmers. On a number of levels, it’s unsettling and desolate, and that’s enough to make some people wonder what’s going on. Even yet, the time spent by the viewer isn’t necessarily a waste.

13. “Cast Away” (2000)

Cast Away (2000)

After a plane catastrophe, Tom Hanks’ character, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), found himself stranded on a remote island for several years. Fishing, building a raft and even doing some personal dentistry were some of the activities Chuck engaged in during his time on the island. Wilson became a close friend to him as well. A film about self-reflection and direction, it’s one of Hanks’ best.

14. “Psycho Beach Party” (2000)

This horror/beach movie, based on an off-Broadway production, is one of the better ones out there. Then then, it’s possible that many people simply overlooked it, which would have been a shame. An all-encompassing satire of the old-timey beach movies and 1980s horror thrillers staring Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose. When you get into it, it’s actually a lot of fun.

15. “American Pie 2” (2001)

It’s not quite as wonderful as the original American Pie picture, but it’s still a terrific summer flick set in a “lake house” someplace in Michigan. This time around, Jim (Jason Biggs) is back, along with Oz (Chris Klein) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Stifler (Seann William Scott), but it’s not as funny as the previous time. However, if a day at the beach isn’t an option, this is a good way to pass the time.

16. “Blue Crush” (2002)

Blue Crush (2002)

This is not your mother’s surfing film…. The surfing scene on Oahu’s North Shore was featured in “Blue Crush.” Kate Bosworth plays Anne Marie Chadwick, a former adolescent surfing star who has suffered a major wipeout and is now striving to rebuild her career. For those who enjoy romantic comedies and stunning images from one of the world’s most renowned surfing destinations, this film is for you.

17. “Surf’s Up” (2007)

Penguins on the sand. There’s no harm in giving it a try. In his dreams, Cody (Shia LaBeouf) is a world-famous surfer. To keep him on the proper path, though, he is still a little immature. “Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania” is the sequel to the Oscar-nominated animated feature “Surf’s Up.” Despite the fact that it was filmed right away. Even though “The Endless Summer,” a satire of this film, is a quality family film, its message never goes out of style.

18. “The Descendants” (2011)

Matt King (George Clooney), an attorney in Hawaii, has a lot on his plate while enjoying the island’s magnificent scenery. Alexander Payne’s film has a strong blend of drama and appropriate humor in the midst of familial dysfunction and tragedy. Additionally, there are numerous poignant beach and outdoor scenes that bolster the film’s cinematic strength. Shailene Woodley’s career took off after this performance.

19. “Soul Surfer” (2011)

Soul Surfer (2011)

Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, the young surfer girl who lost her arm to a shark attack. In spite of this, she proved her tenacity by getting back on the board and tackling the waves once more. As a family-friendly picture, it has AnnaSophia Robb as the protagonist and Dennis Quaid as a supporting actor. In addition, there are many more stunning images of Hawaii to make us long to be there ourselves.

20. “The Shallows” (2016)

Surfing, if you haven’t noticed, has emerged as a recurring theme across this list. While vacationing in Mexico, Blake Lively plays a medical student stranded on a rock in shark-infested waters who is forced to confront her own mortality while attempting to survive. This suspenseful film may have slipped some people’s notice, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored.