The 21 most iconic surfing films in cinema history

Yes, Sally Field had an enjoyable and successful as television's Gidget, but the original movie is a great starting point for an introduction to one of the most iconic fictional teens of all time. "Gidget" Lawrence has become synonymous with beach culture entertainment, though her surf skills often left something to be desired. In this case, Sandra Dee stars as the bubbly, fun-leaving surfer girl who was a ray of sunshine to everybody with whom she came in contact. The movie spawned various sequels, TV series and spinoffs that can still be enjoyed today.

It's interesting to note that Ride the Wild Surf was somewhat of an outlier when it comes to the beach/surf-themed films of the time. Most of the popular fare of the genre were comedies, with poppy musical numbers and goofball antics. However, Ride the Wild Surf is a romantic drama starring Fabian, Tab Hunter, Peter Brown, Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden, about a surf competition on Hawaii's famed North Shore. Plain and simple, this is a film where surfing is the focus (with some stunning photography for the era), and romance serves a worthy subplot. 

Long considered one of the most detailed and influential surf films (or documentary) ever made. It essentially introduced the world to the surf culture, documenting the lives of surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August, who traveled the world looking for that "perfect wave." The movie is also highly acclaimed for its photography, and the way it captured the relationship between man and the water — specifically the aforementioned ocean waves. And, as we'll see later on this list, it spawned a sequel that was actually worthy of viewing.

In the wake of the acclaim surrounding The Endless Summer, the 1970s proved to be very informative to surfers around the world when it came films on the subject. Morning of the Earth is a fascinating photographic journey from Australian director/photographer Alby Falzon and writer David Elfick. It follows dedicated surfers who have immersed themselves in the culture, adopting it as their own lifestyle while trying to tame challenging waves around Australia and other sports within the South Pacific. The film's soundtrack also received consistent critical praise.

Celebrated outdoor filmmaker Greg MacGillivray and regular collaborator Jim Freeman come through with their final surf film, and it's quite a memorable one. That's mostly thanks to the exhilarating and breathtaking photography (obviously for the time period), but also for the interesting way it chronicles the surf culture in America during a rather volatile time, when social, political and environmental issues were coming together to form a potpourri of concerns. Like other films on this list, the movie was lauded for its soundtrack, which included offerings from The Beach Boys. 

Before receiving a screenwriting Academy Award nomination for Apocalypse Now (1979), and directing popular 1980s action dramas Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Red Dawn (1984), John Milius gave surf fans Big Wednesday. The film wound up being a box-office flop, but has earned admiration and cult likability over the decades that have followed. This coming-of-age drama follows three friends — played by Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, and Gary Busey — whose lives have long been defined by the innocence of surfing. However, time, the Vietnam War, and adult responsibilities have gotten in the way of those carefree days of riding waves.

To surf fans, this is an '80s classic. To casual moviegoers of that decade, it was probably lost amid other beach films that opted for a more comic approach. Rick Kane (Matt Adler, of Teen Wolf fame) is a star surfer from Arizona (via a wave tank) who tries his luck at the legendary Banzai Pipeline on O'ahu's North Shore in Hawaii. Of course, for Rick — as an outsider — fitting in and gaining respect as a surfer won't be easy. Co-starring soon-to-be mentor Gregory Harrison and love interest Nia Peeples, this is a typical, predictable '80s type of drama. But one we can't look away from.

A guilty pleasure to some is a crime-action classic for others. Either way, Point Break is a must on this list, even if surfing is relegated to a backdrop — albeit a suitable one. It starred two of Hollywood's biggest draws at the time in Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. Johnny Utah (Reeves), the football player-turned-FBI agent, infiltrates a group of surfers, led by the late Swayze's Bodhi, who are believed to be criminals. It's what one would expect from an early 1990s film, but still a lot of fun to watch in the present day, not to mention it has one of the great endings (which involves surfing) of the time.

Nearly 30 years after the groundbreaking original surf documentary, The Endless Summer director Bruce Brown delivered this sequel. And, while most sequels should not have been made, this one is a solid historical update on the sport of surfing over the time period since the previous movie, exploring the sport's rapid growth in popularity around the world to the evolution of the surfboard to highlighting offshoots such as windsurfing and bodyboarding. For those just getting into surfing and curious about its history, both of The Endless Summer films are obviously worth checking out.

This is not your mother's surf movie. Blue Crush showcased the surfing scene on O'ahu's North Shore, and did so from the point-of-view of a once-promising young female wave rider. That would be former teen surfing star Anne Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth), who is trying to make a comeback following a serious wipeout. It's also got a rom-com feel and plenty of captivating photography from one of the world's best surf spots, so there's enough to take the movie seriously — even though it's tough to buy male lead Matthew Davis as a Pro Bowl quarterback looking for surf lessons. Also, we won't go into Blue Crush 2 (2011).

A true two-fer for both fans of surfing and music. Jack Johnson has proven to be more than a prominent singer/songwriter. Johnson co-directed Thicker Than Water, which sets images of famous surf spots in Hawaii, India and in Europe to music — specifically various guitar-playing styles to tell the story of how music and surfing go hand-and-hand for those living the culture. Two years later, The September Sessions sees Johnson directing on his own and following surf studs Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado as they tackle the popular swells along the coast of Indonesia.

For surf enthusiasts, this is another exceptional documentary that explores some of the world's best waves. OK, fine, but what sets it apart from other docs of the same ilk? This is a stereotype-busting film which shows that not all surfers — or waves — are built the same. Not every rider is built and blonde, and there are enticing, yet dangerous, swells that are waiting to be tackled beyond the North Shore (which is featured in this picture by Dana Brown, son of The Endless Summer director Bruce Brown). The shores of Ireland and Vietnam are among those highlighted, and the visuals are simply phenomenal. 

Famed skateboarder/surfer Stacy Peralta went behind the camera in the mid-2000s, and came out with a compelling documentary. It's essentially about the history of surfing and some of its biggest stars of the era, notably the inspiring and trendsetting riding of Mickey Munoz, and surf icons like Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and Jeff Clark. Though Riding Giants didn't earn the overall acclaim of his previous works Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001), it's a smart and insightful look into both surf culture, and perhaps most enjoyably, the folks who have championed the sport.

Surfing penguins. Why not. Cody (Shia LaBeouf) dreams of becoming a superstar surfer. However, he's still a little immature, and needs some wisdom to keep him on the right track. This Academy Award-nominated animated film was a hit, and even earned a sequel: Surf's Up 2: WaveMania. However, that follow-up went straight to video. Still, this original, which is somewhat of a spoof on the aforementioned The Endless Summer, is a quality family film whose message never tires, and has the potential to span generations of viewers. 

This is based on the real-life story of young Bethany Hamilton, the surfer girl who lost her arm in a shark attack. However, she showed her resilience to get back on the board and tackle the waves again. Starring AnnaSophia Robb in the lead role, and also featuring Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt, this is a heartwarming film, and one the entire family can enjoy. Plus, there are more fabulous visuals of Hawaii to make us wish we were there. For those who enjoyed this picture, there's more about Hamilton to come on this list.

American Surf Magazine dubbed this "The Karate Kid of surf movies." We won't go that far, since the film received lukewarm reviews. However, this biopic about Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston), a teen surfer from Northern California, who is taught — by mentor "Frosty" Hesson (Gerard Butler) — to surf the massive Half Moon Bay waves known as Mavericks. While the surf scenes are effective, the relationship between Jay and Frosty is what drives a story that is worth telling. Elisabeth Shue and Leven Rambin also star.

Perhaps the most unique film on this list. Six seasoned and challenge-hungry surfers head to the coast of Iceland in search of some untapped swells. However, while there and being filmed, a severe storm is headed their way. This a documentary, but with the drama and uncertainty of a fictional action thriller. American photographer Chris Burkard directs the movie, while taking an almost news-like, photojournalistic approach to the project. It should be a must-see for any surf buffs who enjoy seeing what's out there on the seas of the world.

We noted the dramatic, made-for-Hollywood story of Bethany Hamilton through Soul Surfer. For a detailed, personal look at her inspirational story following a well-publicized shark attack that resulted in the loss of her left arm, the Unstoppable documentary is a must-see. Hamilton continues to shun her disability and truly live life to the fullest, not only as a competitive surfer, but as an adult, wife and mother. If fans of Soul Surfer thought Hamilton was an inspiration for one's own motivation, Unstoppable only reinforces the fact — and then some.

It can be said that the ocean, specifically in the southern part of the world, is Kirby Brown's extended family. His love for the water and riding righteous and dangerous waves knows no bounds. And, it's all on display in this truly mesmerizing and engrossing documentary about the famed Australian and his actual human family. It's not always an easy watch, but Brown's trials and tribulations in and out of the water make for one of the great sports documentaries of this relatively young century.

The most recent surfing film on our list, the beauty and look of this project is enough to easily gain inclusion on our list. However, the personal feel of the documentary is even more impactful. Directed by Paul Taublieb and narrated by veteran actor Josh Brolin, Ground Swell follows noted surfing stars Nic Von Rupp, Kai Lenny, Matt Bromley, Torrey Meister and pioneering female surfer Bianca Valenti as they take on some of the most legendary spots in the world — like the aforementioned North Shore and Mavericks, and Portugal's Nazare —  during the 2021-22 Big Wave season.