35 Best Beach Movies That Make Every Day Feel Like Summer
These beach movies will make you feel like you're relaxing by the ocean, even from your couch.
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If it were up to summer-loving people, every day would involve sunshine, waves, and plenty of beach lounging. Of course, real life doesn't always cooperate. Fortunately, some of the best beach movies can give you those relaxing, seaside vibes without ever leaving your couch. Whether you're in the mood for romance, comedy, or even a thrill (sharks, anyone?), each of these movies has one thing in common: The beach takes center stage. And watching from home means never worrying about sunburn!
It's a given that Jaws (one of Ree Drummond's favorite movies) made the cut, but you'll also find family-friendly summer movies that everyone will love. Want to head to Hawaii? Check out 50 First Dates, Disney's Lilo and Stitch, or The Descendants. Otherwise, travel across the world with Mamma Mia! or The Talented Mr. Ripley. We promise you won't be able to peel your eyes off of the sun-drenched landscapes and gorgeous crystal blue waters shown on screen. Many of them include catchy beach songs and famous beach quotes. (Is there anything more iconic than Chief Brody in Jaws saying, "You're gonna need a bigger boat..."?) Heck, it might even inspire your beach captions for Instagram. There are so many movies about sun, sand, and that summertime feeling.
For when you do finally take that beach trip:
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Breakups are tough. Breakups involving awkward reunions with your ex at the same Hawaiian resort? Even tougher! Jason Segel learns this the hard way in this hilariously relatable rom-com, filled with surfing mishaps, puppet musicals, and life lessons best learned in flip-flops.
Blue Crush
Catching waves has never looked so fierce! Follow along as surfer Anne Marie gears up for a major competition that could change her life forever. With friendship, romance, and seriously breathtaking waves, this movie is a love letter to girl power on the beach.
The Beach
Leonardo DiCaprio heads to Thailand in search of paradise, and boy, does he find it. But hidden beaches aren't all sunsets and palm trees. There are plenty of secrets waiting for him—and it turns out escaping to paradise isn't always paradise.
Soul Surfer
Based on the incredible true story of Bethany Hamilton, this heartfelt film follows a young surfer who loses her arm in a shark attack, then courageously gets right back in the water. It's proof that strength and a passion for the waves can overcome anything.
Fool's Gold
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson are divorced, broke, and stuck hunting treasure together. (Oh, you don't do that with your ex? 😂) There's plenty of sun, sand, and silliness, but mostly you're watching to see if these two ever figure things out. Spoiler alert: It's complicated.
The Way, Way Back
This teen boy is painfully shy, but a carefree summer at the beach might just help change that. Surrounded by some truly colorful characters, he finally starts to open up and discover who he really is—thanks, in part, to plenty of sand between his toes.
The Shallows
Going to the beach is relaxing unless there's a shark lurking nearby. Blake Lively stars as Nancy, a young surfer who heads out for the perfect wave only to get stranded offshore with a great white circling her. It's the exact kind of beach vacation nobody asked for...and definitely one that makes you appreciate dry land.
Message in a Bottle
Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn sharing screen time in a Nicholas Sparks beach romance? Sign us right up. This heartfelt drama tells the story of two strangers brought together by fate (and a literal message in a bottle), proving once again that love stories set near the ocean are always a good idea.
Monte Carlo
France might be famous for croissants more than beaches, but there are still plenty of sandy shores to explore. Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, and Katie Cassidy star as three friends whose European getaway turns into a wild ride filled with mistaken identity, unexpected romance, and a few bumps along the way.
Two If By Sea
We're not endorsing theft, obviously. But in this comedy, Sandra Bullock and Denis Leary play a couple whose questionable career path leads them straight to a seaside town in New England. They plan one final heist before settling down by the ocean—assuming, of course, they can outsmart the FBI first.
Flipper
Sandy is a teenage boy who doesn't necessarily want to spend the summer with his oddball uncle, but alas, that's what he has to do. He ends up falling in love with the Florida coastline and befriending a cute dolphin named Flipper. This new friendship is what gives him the courage to stand up to a group who do not have the ocean's best interest in mind.
Just Go With It
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are one of those acting combos that everyone loves. Sandler plays Danny, a man who would rather lie than fall in love. Aniston plays Katherine, his friend and colleague who reluctantly agrees to string these lies along. (What are friends for... right?)
Blue Hawaii
Chadwick (Elvis Presley) loves his mom (Angela Lansbury), but he just can't seem to fulfill her wishes and become a business professional. Instead, he's passionate about music and the Hawaii-way-of-life, which is what he chooses to embark on.
Aquamarine
Mermaids are real, and they want love! So when a mermaid named Aquamarine washes ashore after a big storm, she immediately forms a connection with two young BFFs who vow to help her find her Prince Charming.
Something's Gotta Give
Harry (Jack Nicholson) is an aging man who refuses to date anyone older the age of 30. He's in for an awakening when he runs into some health problems, and ends up in the care of his girlfriend's mother (Diane Keaton). They take many walks along the beach together, which has Harry rethinking his idea of love...
Surf's Up
The penguins of Pen Gu Island sure know how to surf! That's why Cody decides to travel all the way from Shiverpool, Antarctica to partake in the island's annual Big Z Memorial Surf-Off. Does he have what it takes to keep up with the best of the best?
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Four longtime BFFs are heartbroken when they realize they have to spend the next couple months away from each other. It's okay, though, because their love for a pair of traveling denim jeans helps keep their bond stronger than ever, even when some of their adventures take them to the beaches of Greece and Mexico.
The Last Song
A young Miley Cyrus stars in this Nicholas Sparks book-to-movie adaptation about a city teen who is forced to stay with her father at the beach for the summer. She hates the idea at first, but eventually comes around as they start growing closer together. She learns a few lessons and also finds a boy she likes along the way.
Beaches
Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey play two women and best friends who met at the beach when they were young girls. They keep in touch via letters, and decide to head back to the beach where it all started a few decades later.
Teen Beach Movie
A Disney musical that takes place on the beach? Uh, yes please! Watch as a crew of teens yearn to figure out who they are while also enjoying their summer of freedom right along the coast.
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
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