If you’re looking for some feel good summer movies that will leave you wanting to curl your toes up in the sand, sip on a piña colada and soak up the sun, then you’re in the right place.
These are our top 10 beach movies that will have you craving a trip to the beach right alongside the actors on your screen.
The 10 Best Beach Movies
#1 Cast Away
While I certainly never want to be stranded on a deserted island by myself, and I’m sure you don’t, either, Tom Hanks sure makes Cast Away an enthralling watch.
This 2000 survival drama features Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive en route to Malaysia when his plane crashes and he washes ashore an island as the lone survivor.
Buckle down for two and a half hours of pure survival instinct, emotional turmoil, and a bond between man and volleyball that goes far deeper than any of us thought possible.
#2 Moana
A Chief’s daughter seeking to save her village, a cocky demigod involuntarily pulled along for the ride, framed by a breathtaking soundtrack and filled with the whimsical magic of the ocean that takes place on a Polynesian Island and open waters, Moana is a 2016 Disney film for the ages.
Called by the ocean her whole life, Moana struggles to fit in with her people.
But when a curse threatens her peaceful village, she must set out and prove that she has both what it takes to become a master wayfinder of the ocean and break the curse overtaking her land.
This one is sure to tug on all your heart strings as you follow Moana on her path of adventure, self-discovery, and some euphonious tunes that will have you singing along for days.
#3 Baywatch
Okay, this one is a given—a slow mo of beautiful lifeguards running on the beach, flawless hair blowing in the wind, looking completely unaffected by the water…it’s a beach classic.
Not the reason Baywatch makes our list, but definitely an honorable mention.
This action-packed movie from 2017 is about more than just Zac Effron and Dwayne Johnson’s abbs—it features an elite team of lifeguards on a mission to save their bay area from a corrupt business woman. It’s comedic, fast paced, and will have you enlisting in the next lifeguard boot camp near you.
#4 Mamma Mia
What’s summer without Mamma Mia? Set on the coast of a Greek island, this jukebox musical tale following a girl’s wedding as she searches for her father features a visually stunning life on an island with beach bars and a church atop a mountain rock.
On one hand, this classic from 2008 presents us with Sophie, a girl who just wants to find her father, and on the other, it’s a tale of two long lost lovers reconciling their break-up. Three possible dads, a free-spirited mom, and a daughter eager to determine which dad is the One.
The story is enough reason to give this one a watch, but if you’re looking for dazzling beaches and waters so blue they look like the sky to get you in the mood for summer, Mamma Mia is the movie for you.
#5 Teen Beach Movie
Teen Beach Movie isn’t your typical beach movie—there’s musical numbers on the beach, witty banter, and an overall fun, high-energy atmosphere that pays due homage to the 60s beach scene.
A rogue wave and a magical surfboard unexpectedly transport main characters Mac and Brady into a 1960s film ‘West Side Story’ featuring a Romeo and Juliette style romance between a rival surf group and biker gang. The two teenagers must grapple with accidentally derailing the movie plotline, which might prevent them from ever returning home, all while dealing with their own budding love story.
This 2013 gem is a shout-out to the golden age of surfing that spins the story with a modern twist, making it a perfect watch for present day beach and surf enthusiasts who are looking to find some new songs to jam out to with their toes in the sand.
#6 50 First Dates
With much of the movie shot on the stunning beaches of Hawaii, 50 First Dates is a bittersweet, beautiful story of finding love despite one woman having a tragic affliction.
Due to a car accident, Lucy has short-term memory loss; she can’t remember anything from the day before.
But when Henry comes into town, played by Adam Sandler, he is determined to woo her. The only issue is, he must start all over every morning when Lucy forgets who he is.
From 2004 comes a timeless tale of a man who refuses to give up on love, who makes a woman fall in love with him day after day without ever tiring, and makes us dream of finding our own beach romance one day.
#7 Jaws
What would a top beach movie’s list be without the very original summer blockbuster, Jaws?!
A killer shark threatens the touristy town of Amity Island in New England, so it’s up to the police chief, a seasoned seafarer, and an ichthyologist to capture and subdue the beast.
Coming out back in 1975, Jaws remains the seventh highest grossing film (adjusted for inflation) of all time, proof that the audience can never get enough of this classic beach horror with perhaps one of the greatest theme songs of all time.
Just be wary of playing it in open waters—unless you think you have a big enough boat.
#8 Just Go With It
Adam Sandler continues to deliver another top beach rom-com, but this time, he devises a scheme with his assistant, who poses as his soon-to-be-ex-wife, in order to cover up a lie he told to the real girl of his dreams.
The three clash on a weekend trip to Hawaii, and this movie is filled with witty remarks, swoon worthy beaches and hula parties, and a classic love story.
#9 The Beach
Thriller movie The Beach came out in 2000 and features stunning visuals alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard. Richard is a backpacker out to seek something real, but when he stays in a Thailand hotel, he meets a man who tells him of a map to a magical island with snow white sand, crystal waters, and how hard it is for most to find this tropical heaven.
So, Richard sets out with two other travelers, determined to find it, but something sinister is taking place on this island that will ultimately alter the trajectory of their lives.
#10 Pirates of the Caribbean
If Jack Sparrow’s beach run isn’t the most iconic beach scene to exist, then I don’t know what is. There’s pirates. A forbidden love story. Sword fights. A deadly (literally) curse. Cannon fights. Did I mention pirates? And, of course, the one and only Captain Jack Sparrow, a deranged pirate who just wants his ship back.
With scenes filmed on the gorgeous coast of Na Pali and filled with oceans and deserted islands, Pirates of the Caribbean is a 2003 swashbuckling tale of adventure and enchantment that will leave you on the edge of your seat and ready to hoist the colors.
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