Best Beach Movies
It’s January. It’s cold. It’s dreary. If you can’t actually go to a beach, watching a beach movie is the next best thing. In that light, here’s my list of the top 10 beach movies of all time.
Top 10 Beach Movies
Photo courtesy of schmoesknow.com.
Point Break (1991)
Who knew? Kathryn Bigelow directed Point Break before she was “Kathryn Bigelow.” This is my personal favorite beach movie because of the great actors (Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey), interesting storyline, and amazing shots of big wave surfing. This is definitely a don’t miss movie.
Cast Away photo courtesy of dvdbeaver.com.
Cast Away (2000)
This is another beach movie by a great director (Robert Zemeckis) with a great cast (Tom Hanks). Plus, this one was nominated for 2 Oscars! In Cast Away, Tom Hanks must learn to survive on a deserted island with no one for company except Wilson, his volleyball.
From Here to Eternity photo courtesy of mirahashmi.
From Here to Eternity (1953)
This movie goes back a ways, but lots of people who’ve never seen the movie have seen the very famous scene where the lovers roll in the surf. Very risqué for its time! Also, it’s an excellent movie that won 8 Oscars.
Dr. No photo courtesy of 007dossier.com.
Dr. No (1962)
Dr. No is a James Bond movie set and filmed in Jamaica. It also has a famously risqué beach scene where Ursula Andress emerges from the ocean in a sexy white bikini. Dr. No is the first James Bond movie.
Soul Surfer photo courtesy of heatherlydee.
Soul Surfer (2011)
Soul Surfer is the inspiring true story of Bethany Hamilton, a champion surfer, who overcomes the loss of her arm after a shark attack.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall photo courtesy of impawards.com.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a hilarious romantic comedy set and filmed in Oahu’s North Shore. Some of my favorite comedic actors are in this film including Jason Segal, Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, and Jack McBrayer.
Gidget photo courtesy of Coastal Living.
Gidget (1959)
The original Gidget movie spawned sequels and even a television series starring a very young Sally Field. Gidget is a fun movie about a teenage girl who discovers surfing and love during one life altering summer.
Beach Party photo courtesy of the reviewbroads.
Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello Beach Party Movies (1963 – 1965)
The Beach Party series of movies were very popular in the 1960s. I couldn’t choose a single one because they are all pretty similar. These aren’t great movies by any means, but they are lots of fun.
Blue Crush photo courtesy of fanpop.
Blue Crush (2002)
Blue Crush is another surfing movie. It features the fictional story of Anne Marie Chadwick’s — a competitive surfer training for the Pipe Masters surf competition — and pro quarterback Matt Tollman’s romantic relationship.
Beaches photo courtesy of screenjunkies.
Beaches (1988)
Beaches is a tearjerker about the lifelong friendship between CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and Hillary (Barbara Hershey) who meet as children in Atlantic City, NJ. Garry Marshall directed Beaches.
To many joyful beach experiences!
— Lisa Dworkin
