The 20 best swimming pool scenes of all time

Nothing beats a good fight scene where at least one of the participants ends up in a swimming pool. It's even funnier when where there's an above-ground pool involved. In the case of Scott (Pete Davidson) and Ray (Bill Burr) from this underappreciated 2020 Judd Apatow comedy-drama, the dialogue of their fight is actually the best part. That is, before Scott ends up being flipped into the pool, and claims Ray tried to drown him — which was hardly the case, but still funny nonetheless. Sometimes the pool doesn't have to dominate the scene to be effective.

Another example where the pool provides the backdrop to a notable film scene. At this particular pool party, Mia (Emma Stone) happens upon Seb (Ryan Gosling), who is playing keyboards and keytar in a pop-jazz fusion band. As folks splash around in the background, Mia requests the 1980s classic "I Ran (So Far Away)," while then dancing along and mocking the rather stuck-on-himself Seb in the process. It's one of the more underrated moments during the highly acclaimed movie, which would not be possible without the pool party setting. 

Back in 1983, Dynasty was all the rage when it came to primetime network-television viewing. One of the most memorable moments during the run of the massively popular ABC drama came when the tension between well-off rivals Krystle (Linda Evans) and Alexis (Joan Collins) boiled over into a full-blown, physical fight in Season 3 — in the water. Now, technically, this wasn't in a traditional swimming pool, but more of a large, estate pond, but this one is just too good to not showcase. The fight was complete with choking, hitting with hats and a hilarious punch or two. As legend goes, Collins actually filmed the scene without the use of a stunt double.

We go to the end of Season 3 of the massively popular HBO drama. One of the more impactful and audience-stirring scenes within the Succession universe was in the penultimate episode of that season, where Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is drunk and floating on an inflatable raft in the pool. Seemingly losing consciousness, Kendall's head bobs into the water as his beer bottle floats away from his possession. Then came the closing credits, which left fans of the show truly wondering if one of the show's main characters was truly done for good heading into the season finale.

Back to 2014 for this rather forgotten — but excellent — horror flick that does feature one of the more intense pool scenes in recent memory. College student Jay (Maika Monroe) is the only one who can see a killer entity that takes human form. She and some friends lure it into an indoor swimming pool, and Jay is nearly killed as the entity, which takes the form of her late father, grabs her in the water. However, friend Paul eventually shoots and kills it in the water before rescuing Jay, who is the only one present able to see the blood that has consumed the pool.

Little Max's birthday party was a time of joy, but Frank (Will Ferrell) was going through a rough time after his marriage dissolved before it really started. Looking for a friend, the depressed and robe-cladded Frank ends up accidentally shooting himself in the neck with a tranquilizer dart made for the small animals at the party. Loopy and ready to pass out, Frank falls into the pool. Thankfully, he was saved and given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from the skeevy Peppers (Seann William Scott). Frank comes to — after dreaming of kissing his estranged wife... much to Peppers' dismay.

When it comes to the great fictional athletes of all time, it's important to highlight legendary Atlantic City show diver Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield), who was known for the executing the almost life-threatening "Triple Lindy." According to the aging college freshman Melon, he was the only one who could pull it off the complicated dive. So, when his son's Grand Lakes University diving team needs an emergency diver to clinch a meet victory, he was called upon from the crowd (an action we assume is within NCAA guidelines or Hollywood liberties) to deliver his signature dive. 

One wouldn't blame Skyler White (Anna Gunn) from going through a sort of mid-life crisis. After all, she's married to Walter (Bryan Cranston). And, on his 51st birthday, in one of the more memorable moments from Season 5 — and perhaps the entire run of the iconic series — Skyler finally had a breakdown of sorts. While Walter harped on to Hank (Dean Norris) and Marie (Betsy Brandt) about how supportive Skyler has been through his cancer trials, she stepped into their pool and almost catatonically went under water. Walter eventually jumped in to her aid, but the mental damage had long been done.

From Season 7, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) has begrudgingly befriended Ramon (Carlos Jacott), the overly friendly pool guy at his health club. When Jerry eventually has enough and tells Ramon he doesn't need another friend, things get ugly. While Jerry is doing laps in the club pool, Ramon bothers him with the pool-cleaning pole, which Jerry grabs and sends Ramon into the water. A the same moment, pudgy Newman (Wayne Knight) jumps into the water, on top of Ramon, who is left unconscious... thus leaving Jerry and Newman to save his life via mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. They pass on performing the maneuver, and ultimately get kicked out of the club, though Ramon apparently survived.

The storyline of this underrated 2017 psychological thriller about sisters — Jonna (Alexandra Park) and Bree (Nora-Jane Noone) — trapped under the automatic cover of the pool at the local aquatic center, is both entertaining and terrifying. Now, the scary circumstance also brings out strong emotional moments for the sisters, who appear to be on different tracks in their respective lives. Thrown in the fact that an ex-con is also around to hinder their ability to escape, and it's actually worth the time. However, those with claustrophobic tendencies might not find it too appealing.

Amid the comedic hijinks within Ferris Bueller's Day Off, there's an element of drama — courtesy of the depressed Cameron (Alan Ruck). Let's face it, there was a moment of real concern when Cameron purposely fell out of his lawn chair on the diving board and into the backyard swimming pool, then allowing himself to float to the bottom. Thankfully, a quick-thinking Ferris (Matthew Broderick) dove in and brought his pal above water — only to be essentially punked by Cameron, who stated: "Ferris Bueller, you're my hero."

One of the most memorable fictional rock-star moments comes courtesy of Stillwater's (a fictional band created for the film by director/screenwriter Cameron Crowe) Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). When the volatile Russell comes "under the influence" while disenchanted with his severed band, he finds himself at a house party, on the roof and apparently ready to end it all by jumping off — or at least into the swimming pool. Declaring "I am a Golden God," Russell has an opportunity for a legendary life exit — or at least one impressive cannonball — which only ignites the young crowd to dive in the water and attempt to save him.

At its corel, Boogie Nights (1997) is a drama, however, there are plenty of funny moments. Notably, the extended pool-party scene at famed porn filmmaker Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds). That's where film protagonist Eddie (Mark Wahlberg) meets the cast and crew — all characters in their own right — of Jack's movies. He challenges the goofy Reed (John C. Reilly) to a diving competition, after they compare hilarious personal workout records. And, perhaps most important, it's where Eddie comes up with the stage name of Dirk Diggler.

Visiting the local public pool as kids is a summer rite of passage for most American youth. None seem to do it better, or have more fun in the sun, than The Sandlot gang. From the pudgy Ham Porter (Patrick Renna) flexing in front of the girls before drenching them via cannonball, to rough-housing in the water, to Squints (Chauncey Leopardi) getting himself kicked out of the pool after fake drowning so attractive lifeguard Wendy Peffercorn (Marley Shelton) can give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, these boys also knew how to have a good time beyond the ball field.

Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) is one of film's great goofballs — especially when it comes to dealing with women. Now, we're not condoning infidelity, but he's a man, and was naturally captivated by the Girl in the Red Ferrari (Christie Brinkley). So, when she challenged him to "go for it" and do a little night swimming with her in a hotel pool, Clark was ready, willing, but (thankfully) unable... because the water was too cold. Just another standout comedic moment from this National Lampoon's classic.

Who can forget the carefree days George Bailey (James Stewart) and Mary (Donna Reed) enjoyed during those early years of their romance, like the time they were at the dance, and the automatic floor was activated to expose the swimming pool underneath? The duo delivered some stellar dance moves while just missing falling into the water. Of course, George and Mary eventually got wet, but continued to dance in the pool — much to the delight of the crowd, which would soon join them in a rollicking free-for-all in the water.

Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) spent a good amount of his post-college graduate days lounging in his family pool, working on his tan. However, the most famous pool scene of the movie is one in which Benjamin was highly reluctant to take part. Sporting a scuba outfit so his father (William Daniels) can show off Benjamin's knack to "perform some spectacular and amazing feats of daring in water that is over 6-feet deep." Most of the scene is brilliantly filmed from Benjamin's point-of-view, complete with scuba breathing and underwater focus. For 1967, this was quite the cinematic moment.

There might not be a better male pornographic fantasy sequence in film history than that of Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold) enjoying some bathroom alone-time (while in his Captain Hook's Fish N' Chips work uniform) while picturing himself making out with classmate Linda Barrett (in the scene that made Phoebe Cates famous) right after she climbs out of the swimming pool, dripping wet and gratuitously undoing her bikini top on the way to his embrace. And of course, this all occurs as The Cars' 'Moving In Stereo' soundtracks the moment. It's an indelible moment from the 1982 coming-of-age classic comedy.

Perhaps the least-anticipated day for the members of Bushwood Country Club is "Caddy Day," when the club's caddies are allowed to use the pool from 1:00-1:15 p.m. Oh, but those caddies, with no regard for common courtesy and public safety, get a lot done during that short period of time. This includes the following: hit on women, perform a splendid synchronized water dance routine and, of course, harass the lifeguards to a point that borders dangerous. Not to mention, they manage to clear the entire pool when a suspicious, "dookie-like" object appears in the water. 

The best media moment involving a swimming pool, at least in our opinion, doesn't necessarily need to be a specific scene from a movie of TV program. In this case, it's one of the funniest sketches ever produced from Saturday Night Live. In 1984, Harry Shearer and Martin Short play nerdy brothers Gerald and Lawrence, who set out on a goal to qualify for the Olympics in synchronized swimming. Of course, as noted, "men's synchro isn't even in the '88 Olympics, yet." Not to mention, Lawrence, who sports a swim cap and life protector, doesn't know how to swim. For the younger generation of SNL viewers who are not familiar with this hilarious gem (which was a precursor to Christopher Guest's famed mockumentary comedy films), here's your chance to change that.