The Best Beach Movies for a Date Night

This summer, plunge headfirst into the exhilarating universe of surf and beach movies for a captivating cinematic escapade. Whether you're on the lookout for heart-pounding action flicks, sizzling summer romances or a nostalgic escape, our collection of the best beach movies is expertly curated for your date nights. Grab that big bucket of popcorn and envision yourself on the sandy shores of each featured beach movie. Perhaps, even, they'll inspire your honeymoon destination.

The Knot's Beach Movie List for 2023

Read the ultimate guide for surf and beach movies to keep you on that vacation high all summer long.

Funniest: Couples Retreat

Most Nostalgic: Blue Hawaii

Best Documentary: The Endless Summer

Best Comfort Film: Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights

Best Singalong: Mamma Mia!

Most Underrated: The Descendants

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! is a feel-good musical wedding movie based on the stage musical of the same name, featuring all the ABBA songs you'll love to sing along to. The story follows the soon-to-be-wed Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who invites three men from her mother's past to her wedding in Greece with hopes to discover the identity of her father.

Release Date: July 18, 2008

The Little Mermaid

The revamped, live-action version of The Little Mermaid tells the same story of Ariel (Halle Bailey), who makes a deal with an evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), in order to experience life on land. Why our sweet little mermaid wants to "be where the people are" will always be a mystery to me, but when it comes to beach movies to watch in 2023, it's unthinkable to miss it.

Release Date: May 26, 2023

The Endless Summer

Bruce Brown's Endless Summer is a must-watch among surfing documentaries. The film follows two surfers, Mike Hynson and Robert August, as they travel to the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa in search of the perfect wave. With surf footage from around the world, you'll become entrenched in this summer-time adventure from the moment you press play.

Release Date: June 15, 1966

Beach Party

This lighthearted beach movie embodies the carefree spirit of the 1960s that'll make you want to travel back in time. The film follows a group of teenagers who gather at the beach for a wild summer vacation filled with surfing, dancing, and of course, summer love. With catchy musical numbers, colorful beach scenes and a touch of chaos, this movie is a nostalgic trip back to the era of true American beach culture.

Release Date: July 14, 1963

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Gripping and psychologically intense, The Talented Mr. Ripley isn't your usual, happy-go-lucky beach movie. The film follows Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) as he weaves a web of deception, assuming different identities and infiltrating the lives of the wealthy elite. While it may not emulate a vacation you'd like to take personally, it does take place in a gorgeous sea-side village in 1950s Italy—and plenty of sun-kissed shots of a young Jude Law.

Release Date: December 12, 1999

Blue Crush

Blue Crush is a compelling beach drama that'll immerse you in the world of competitive surfing. Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth), a dedicated surfer, is determined to conquer the massive waves of Hawaii's infamous Pipeline. Balancing her own personal struggles, relationships, and her passion for surfing, she embarks on an intense journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Release Date: August 8, 2002

Blue Hawaii

Prepare to swoon over the ultra-nostalgic vibes of Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley. The iconic American singer plays a young man returning from the army who becomes a tour guide in the islands. Filled with old-school musical performances, picturesque landscapes, and a sweet love story, you'll feel the ultimate vacay vibes with this classic beach movie.

Release Date: November 22, 1961

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights will whisk you away to a vibrant, steamy Cuba in the 1950s. The film follows Katey (Remola Garai) as she moves to Havana and learns to dance. While in true Dirty Dancing fashion, she sparks a forbidden romance with a local dancer.

Release Date: February 27, 2004

Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat tells a hilarious story about four couples as they embark on a tropical retreat, hoping to rejuvenate their marriages. Brimming with the ridiculous situations you'd associate with a Vince Vaughn rom-com, this beach movie is great for a light-hearted evening that'll make you want to maybe skip a group couples retreat IRL.

Release Date: October 9, 2009

Step Into Liquid

Step Into Liquid is a captivating surf documentary by Dana Brown, the son of Bruce Brown (the creator of The Endless Summer). He follows in his father's footsteps as he explores the passion and dedication of surfers from around the world, presenting next-level footage of massive waves and risky rides on the Pipeline, Cortes Bank, and beaches in Vietnam.

Release Date: August 5, 2003

Surf's Up

This adorable animated comedy follows Cody Maverick, a young penguin, who dreams of becoming a professional surfer. It's a great family flick with an uplifting storyline that's sure to leave you smiling from ear to ear this summer.

Release Date: June 2, 2007

The Descendants

Based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Kaui Hart Hemmings, The Descendants is a hard-hitting drama set in Hawaii. The film explores the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness as Matt (George Clooney) struggles with the aftermath of his wife's accident… all while dealing with the revelation of her infidelity.

Release Date: November 18, 2011

The Shallows

The Shallows is a survival thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. While it might not inspire you to take a solo trip to a desolate beach, the film does feature gorgeous coastal landscapes and fab cinematography. The story follows a young woman named Nancy (Blake Lively) who becomes stranded on a small rock just a short distance from the shore, while a great white shark circles nearby. If you prefer suspenseful horror movies over beach rom-coms, skip Blue Hawaii and try this or Jaws instead.

Release Date: June 24, 2016

Morning of the Earth

This uplifting surf film celebrates the connection between nature, music, and the joy of riding waves. Set on the pristine beaches of 1970s Australia, this movie perfectly captures the essence of the surfing counterculture. Through gnarly surfing footage, a great soundtrack, and a contemplative narrative, Morning of the Earth is a 10/10 summer-time pick for your next movie night.

Release Date: February 25, 1972

Point Break

This high-action 90s movie has it all: surfing, bank robbers, and a young Keanu Reeves. The film follows Johnny Utah (Reeves), an FBI agent who infiltrates the tight-knit world of surfers who he believes to be criminals. Johnny ends up forming a tight bond with the surfing criminal leader, Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), blurring the lines between loyalty and duty.

Release Date: July 12, 1991

Surfwise

This surfing documentary delves into the unconventional life of the Paskowitz family. The film follows Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and his wife Juliette as they raise their nine (that's right, nine) kids in a nomadic lifestyle centered around surfing and communal living. Through personal interviews and archival footage, Surfwise is an interesting watch that shouldn't be skipped this summer.

Release Date: May 9, 2008

Riding Giants

This stunning documentary takes you on a journey through the history and evolution of extreme surfing, featuring incredible footage of surfers tackling massive waves around the globe. The film teaches us about the whys and hows of this dangerous sport, featuring Greg Noll, a fearless giant rider during the 1950s and 1960s, Jeff Clark who discovered Mavericks in Northern California, and Laird Hamilton, who brought tow-in riding to the limelight.

Release Date: August 13, 2004