The Summer Solstice has arrived. Not only is it my birthday, but it means that the best season of the year has arrived. School’s out, vacations are in sight, and the beaches are primed for your arrival. However, the beach can hold some surprises for everyone. Let’s go over some movies that take place on the beach for every genre. There is something for everyone! Love, curses, sharks, injuries. You name it, and it’s probably happened on the beach.
ROMANCE
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN (2003)
When Frances (Diane Lane) finds out her husband is having an affair, she falls into a depression. In an attempt to bring her out of her despair, her best friend, Patti, convinces her to take a tour of Italy. While there, Frances buys a villa and starts a new life, including a new romance with Marcello (Raoul Bova).
Available to watch on:
MAMMA MIA (2008)
There is no way to begin this list other than naming one of my favorite movies, Mamma Mia! This movie musical, set to the music of Abba, follows bride-to-be Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she searches for the truth about who her father is. Her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), is an independent hotelier on an island in Greece.
You can watch on:
THE LAST SONG (2010)
Miley Cyrus stars as Ronnie, a rebellious teen sent to live with her father in a southern beach town for the summer. The move follows her journey to reconnect with her father (Greg Kinnear) and her romance with Will (Liam Hemsworth).
Catch this movie streaming on Disney Plus.
THRILLER
JAWS (1975)
I mean. Can we really have a list of beach movies that don’t include Jaws? I feel we all know what this movie is about. Killer shark, an evil mayor, and the team are trying to save the tourists of Amity Island. Starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw.
It is currently streaming on
THE BEACH (2000)
Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a traveler searching for adventure and runs into trouble while searching for a secluded island untouched by tourism. Instead, he finds himself amongst other wayward souls, where he finds love, drama, and death. This movie is rated R for bloody violence, sexual content, and drug use.
Currently available to stream on
THE SHALLOWS (2016)
Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) travels to a secluded beach for some solace after her mother dies. While relaxing and surfing, a great white shark attacks, forcing her onto a giant rock for safety. Injured and stranded from shore, she fights for her life as the deadly predator circles around her.
Available on Hulu premium subscription and
OLD (2021)
From director M. Night Shyamalan. A family on vacation discovers the beach they are on has mysterious powers that age them all rapidly. This movie is not highly rated. However, I couldn’t leave it off this list.
Available on Hulu with a premium subscription and
COMEDY
50 FIRST DATES (2004)
Set in Hawaii, Adam Sandler stars as Henry, a vet afraid of commitment until he meets Lucy (Drew Berrymore), a woman who suffers from short-term memory loss. After romancing her on day one and finding out about her condition, Henry then sets out to create the connection they had again.
Currently available to watch on
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (2008)
Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is a struggling musician who is better known as Sarah Marshall’s boyfriend. Sarah (Kristen Bell) is a TV star who decides to dump Peter. He struggles to move on and decides to take a trip to Hawaii. Unfortunately, Sarah and her new guy are also there.
Available on
TEEN
TEEN BEACH MOVIE (2013)
Two teens find themselves in a real-life version of “West Side Story” when their presence takes the movie’s plot off the intended path. As a result, they have to set things right in order to return home.
Available on Hulu and
AQUAMARINE (2006)
Two teenage girls (JoJo and Emma Roberts) discover that mermaids are real after one is washed ashore in a storm. The girls are enlisted by Aquamarine in her quest to prove to her father true love does exist.
Available on Hulu and
There are so many movies that take place on the beach or near a beach, or around a beach. I picked out ones that sounded interesting, were popular or unpopular, and ones I remembered hearing of or watching. If you want a part two, let us know! Happy watching, and be careful which beach you visit this summer.
