Do you want to go to the beach but are afraid to go out because of the pandemic? You don’t need to go out anymore because here are the top 20 all-time best beach movies that will make you feel like you are on an instant vacation!
Watching these beach movies will satisfy your desire to go to the beach without going out. What are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn, turn on the television, take a seat, and watch these 20 best beach movies this blog will say.
1. The Beach (2000)
English 1h 59m IMDb
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Daniel York
The Beach is an adventure drama film based on the novel by Alex Garland. The story revolves around a young traveler named Richard, who founds the map left by his neighbor, Daffy. The map leads to a beautiful hidden beach where some unexpected people have settled.
This film shows the representation of today’s society, that traveling is not just about enjoying your vacation but something that could change how you view your life. This film will help you realize that not all paradises are beautiful. Some might turn out you did not expect.
2. Soul Surfer (2011)
English 1h 52m IMDb 
Director: Sean McNamara
Stars: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt
Soul Surfer is a biographical drama film about a 13-year-old surfer who was attacked by a shark one night, lost her arms, and overcame a traumatic tragedy. This movie is based on Bethany Hamilton, who is known as a professional surfer, regarding her experience and attributes her strength to her Christian faith.
This movie will give a huge inspiration to all people that not all tragedies will remain a tragedy but could turn into a triumph of victory. This film shows the importance of having strength, perseverance, and hope.
3. Cast Away (2000)
English 2h 23m IMDb
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez
Cast Away is a film that revolves around Chuck Noland, who has a partner named Kelly Fears. When Chuck goes on a business trip, the plane crashes into a South Pacific Island where he only sees himself and is unaware of his fellow flight mates.
This film delivers a strong message of hope, survival, fear, and love. This movie will help you realize the power of a person and their will to survive when they are stuck on an island. This movie showcase the victory of a person under struggle.
Cast Away was the third-highest-grossing film of 2000. Chuck Noland, portrayed by Tom Hanks, won the Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama at the 58th Golden Globe Awards.
4. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: John Sayles
Stars: Jeni Courtney, Eileen Colgan, Mick Lally
The Secret Roan of Irish is about a 10-year-old girl who lives with her grandparents in a small village in Donegal, Ireland. This film is centered on the folklore of selkies in Irish and Orcadian.
Watching this movie will make you realize that Irish cultures are legend rich as if you are in the movie and one of the characters—an overwhelming, magical, and mystical movie with a deep meaning.
5. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Stars: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a light movie about two best friends, Barb and Star, who goes for a vacation in Florida, Vista Del Mar. As they are on vacation, they find themselves tied up to love, adventure, and a villain’s evil plot to kill every people in the town.
If you are looking for a chill and relaxed movie, this movie is for you! This movie will take you on an adventure and teach you to try something new. Plus, the cinematography is good! Prepare yourself to laugh because some say that this movie is funny and witty and that you will probably watch it again.
6. The Beach House (2018)
English 1h 32m IMDb
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Stars: Minka Kelly, Andie MacDowell, Chad Michael Murray
The Beach House is based on the 2002 novel by Mary Alice Monroe, which is about a girl named Cara. As Cara repairs the family beach house, she reopens connections with her old acquaintances and reopens the rhythm of her heart wonderfully.
This movie talks about a troubled family, renewal, and freedom. That will stir up your emotion since it is not about cheery and positive. Hence, despite the roller coaster emotion, you will love the scenery of this movie.
7. December Boys (2007)
English 1h 45m IMDb
Director: Rod Hardy
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer, Lee Cormie
This movie is about four teenage orphans that are looking for parents. Their Reverend Mother sends them on a beach vacation, where they meet a couple who would be a perfect parent.
Since the couple cannot conceive a child, they were thinking of adopting one of them. After knowing this, the boys started competing with each other to be the ones the couple would adopt.
As you watch this movie, your emotions will grow bigger since they depict the reality of life and are relatable. This film received two awards: The Australian Writer’s Guild 2007 and Giffoni Film Festival 2008.
8. Little White Lies (2010)
French (France) 2h 34m IMDb
Director: Guillaume Canet
Stars: François Cluzet, Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel
Amidst a horrific tragedy, a group of friends chooses to go on their annual beach trip. Their friendship, relationships, convictions, and sense of guilt are tested when their friend Ludo is seriously injured in a car accident, triggering a dramatic cascade of responses and emotional reactions.
This movie is one of the realistic movies about life in which some people only tend to give you attention if you are convenient for them or if you can provide them with joy. Hence if you want a funny movie, this will give you a good laugh.
9. The Lost Daughter (2021)
English 2h 1m IMDb
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Stars: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
The Lost Daughter is a psychological film about the past of the main character, Leda. It is based on the novel by Elena Ferrante and was directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
This movie is about a woman’s pleasant rediscovery of herself with her unsettled past and choices as she goes for a vacation. If you are looking for a movie that involves the complexity of motherhood, this one is for you.
This film shows the light and darkness of a mother who has always controlled her life and found a way to create a very independent life. Trivia: This movie was nominated 103 times and won 37 times.
10. Surf’s Up (2007)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Stars: Shia LaBeouf(voice), Zooey Deschanel(voice), Jon Heder(voice)
Surf’s Up is an animated film you can watch with your children! This film is about a penguin, Cody Maverick, that left his home to get what he craves – respect and admiration. He believes that winning the surfing competition will bring him what he craves.
If you watched Happy Feet, you would probably love this movie. This movie will help you realize that life is worth living. This film won 2 times: The 2008 Oscar and Annie Awards for being the best in animation.
11. A Summer To Remember (2018)
English 1h 22m IMDb
Director: Martin Wood
Stars: Catherine Bell, Cameron Mathison, Samantha MacGillivray
Directed by Martin Wood, A Summer To Remember is about Jessica Tucker, a doctor, and widower. She takes a vacation to bond with her daughter and stays at a resort in Fiji, where she meets Will, the charming proprietor of the property.
As Jessica and Will spend time together, she questions whether the place will give her the love and life she longed for.
This movie will give you a chill and relaxing vibe as you watch because of how breathtaking the place is. The film will show you how a mature relationship works where there is understanding and communication.
12. Storm Boy (1976)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Henri Safran, Ian Goddard(uncredited)
Stars: Greg Rowe, Peter Cummins, David Gulpilil
Storm Boy is a family drama film based on the book by Colin Thiele. This film revolves around this lonely boy with his pelican pet wandering on the deserted coast of South Australia.
This film is about friendship, conservation, family breakdown, and land rights. This movie will teach you emotional responses about connecting and letting go when you grow up.
Prepare yourself to be amazed not just by the cast but also by the pelican! They also released a recent adaptation of this film last 2019, and Shawn Seet directed it.
13. The Way Way Back (2013)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Stars: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney
If you are tired of watching dramas, this movie is for you. The Way Way Back is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. This film is about an awkward boy who spends his summer in a beach house. As he enjoys the beach water park, he finds a father figure in a park manager when he needs one.
This movie will let you relate and tingles your curiosity as you watch the movie as it depicts a meaningful visit to adolescence who felt lost in themselves.
14. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
English 1h 51m IMDb
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Stars: Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd
Forgetting Sarah Marshal is a romance-comedy drama about a struggling musician, Peter Bretter, who recently got dumped by the oh-so-famous TV Star, Sarah Marshall. While he goes on a Hawaiian vacation, fate must be so playful that he, Sarah, and her new boyfriend is staying at the hotel where Peter stays.
Many say this movie will hurt your tummy from laughing too much. This movie is a great romantic comedy with the cast, script, performance, and chemistry! Heads up! Because this movie contains adult jokes and scenes, parental guidance is advised.
15. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
French (France) 2h 2m IMDb
Director: Céline Sciamma
Stars: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami
Portrait of a Lady is about Marianne, a painter commissioned to do a wedding portrait of a young woman, Heloise, who recently just left the convent. Marianne is commissioned to paint Heloise secretly, so she observes her day by day.
The movie received 8.1 over ten stars on IMDb, 59 awards, and 157 nominees last 2020. This movie depicts what is happening in the 21st Century and involves a love affair. People say that this film is one of the great films since it has a great plot and the acting is superb!
16. A Perfect Getaway (2009)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: David Twohy
Stars: Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant
A Perfect Getaway is an American thriller film directed by David Twohy. This movie is about the newlyweds, Cliff and Cydney, who planned their honeymoon in Hawaii.
After staying a night at the hotel, the couple decided to hike toward the remote beach and encountered another two couples heading towards the said beach. They were amazed by how beautiful the mountainsides and picturesque the waterfalls were.
The amusement on Cliff and Cydney’s faces changed to terror when they learned that a gruesome murder had occurred nearby and the possible killer was acquainted with them.
This movie is perfect for you if you want a thriller movie worth your time. With the acting, scripts, and fantastic scenery, this movie satisfies the thrill it serves.
17. North Shore (1987)
English 1h 36m IMDb
Director: William Phelps
Stars: Matt Adler, Nia Peeples, Gregory Harrison
North Shore is a 96-minute movie about Rick Kane, an Arizona native portrayed by Matt Adler, who learns to surf utilizing local wave tanks. Then fly to Hawaii and try to make a livelihood as a professional wave rider.
Many say that this movie is worth the watch, not just because of the characters, soundtracks, and actings itself, but because it will show you the beauty and atmosphere of Hawaii’s North Shore.
18. Mamma Mia! (2008)
English 1h 48m IMDb
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Stars: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried
Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards and won over 15 times, Mamma Mia is about a young woman preparing to marry and realizes that her father may be any of three men. Without informing her mother, he invites the three of them to her wedding!
This movie is for you if you want to feel an instant vacation in Greek without living in your house! Mamma Mia was set on a colorful Island in Greek with many ABBA soundtrack. A movie that will give you laughs and joy where you can sing along and a film that can make your heart light.
19. Momentum Generation (2018)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
Stars: Jeannie Chesser, Tom DeLonge, Shane Dorian
Last but not least Momentum Generation. It is a 1 hour and 43 minutes documentary about a group of teenagers who enter competitive surfing. This documentary is about the painful sacrifices, trials, and achievements of the surfers who started as teenagers in a small house in O’ahu, Hawaii.
The movie depicts universal human experiences centered on surfing but beyond it: successes that send shivers down your spine, friendships that emphasize the term, screwups that make you laugh aloud, tragedies, and life lessons that make you cry.
Conclusion
These are the 20 best beach movies that you must watch! This blog will help you feel like you are on vacation and will satisfy your needs on wanting to go to the beach.
To sum it up, these movies will make your heart smile, flutter, and cry as if you are one of the characters. With the good cinematography and scenery, you will probably feel like you went out for an instant beach vacation. Don’t forget to add these top 20 best beach movies to your watchlist!
