Do your eyes light up when you discover a new surf movie to get lost in? Are you in need of a good flick to help satisfy your itch to get out on the water? While most of us are venturing out of our homes much less during this time, that just means we have more time to curl up on the couch with a good movie.
The truth is, most of us surfers love to see our lives glamorised on the big screen in a captivating surf film. The next best thing to riding a big wave is reliving it by watching it on the television. And if you’re not a hardcore surfer yourself, don’t worry – these movies are simply exhilarating to watch nonetheless.
Fortunately, Prime Video has made it easier than ever to watch all of your favorite movies online. You no longer have to wait around hoping that Netflix releases a good surf film. All you need is an Amazon Prime account to stream unlimited movies online from any device. There’s a small monthly fee to open an account but you get access to thousands of movies with your subscription. And of course, you can’t forget about the faster Amazon package deliveries that show up right on your doorstep!
With everything from real-life documentaries to adrenaline-pumping horror flicks, here’s a compilation of the best surf movies on Amazon Prime that you can stream right now. Let’s jump right into it!
Andy Irons: Kissed by God
This documentary is an emotional behind-the-scenes look into the life of three-time world champion surfer, Andy Irons. The movie gives you insight into his constant battle with both opioid addiction and bipolar disorder. Fans across the world looked up to him for his success throughout his career but had no idea of his internal struggle with the dark side of addiction and mental illness. These are the same diseases that eventually led to his untimely death. His incredible story serves to shed light on the same issues that so many other people across the United States (and the globe) can relate to.
- IMDB Score: 8.2/10
- Genre: Documentary
- Rating: NR
- Length: 1hr 40min
Momentum Generation
Centered around a group of teenagers’ rise to fame in Hawaii, this documentary provides insight into the world of professional surfing in the ’90s. Whether you have heard of Kelly Slater, Jeannie Chesser, Thomas DeLonge, Shane Dorian, and the rest of the crew or not, you’ll be swept away by their story. Bound together by competition, the tragic loss of life due to Mother Nature, and their love for surfing the dangerous waves, this film is unmissable for fellow surfers.
- IMDB Score: 8.2/10
- Genre: Documentary
- Rating: NR
- Length: 1hr 43min
The Endless Summer (1965)
This documentary is a classic among surfers. It takes you back to the 1960’s where two surfers travel around the world surfing waves, meeting some incredible locals wherever they go. It’s the kind of film that you get invested into and don’t want to end because it’s so well-directed. This is one of the main reasons the film is still considered a must-watch today. A round of applause for the director Bruce Brown—who also just happens to be the narrator.
- IMDB Score: 7.7/10
- Genre: Documentary, Sport
- Rating: NR
- Length: 1hr 35min
Point Break (1991)
What do corporate heists, extreme surfing, and a young FBI agent have in common? Absolutely nothing, but the director, Kathryn Bigelow, manages to pack it all into one film and tie it together surprisingly well. The acting is incredible and sometimes it seems like they don’t make movies as great as this anymore. This box office hit did so well on the big screen that they made a remake of it in 2015.
- IMDB Score: 7.3/10
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Rating: 14A
- Length: 2hr 2min
Bunker77
We recommend this documentary if you’re in the mood for a film that combines the search for love, freedom, and don’t forget some seriously dangerous waves. This is the story of an American named Bunker Spreckles who was not only an heir to a sugar fortune but a surfing legend as well. He was one of the first to ride the dangerous Backdoor Pipeline waves in Hawaii. In the late 60’s and into the 70’s, he became quite controversial, which eventually led to his demise.
- IMDB Score: 6.7/10
- Genre: Documentary, Adventure, Biography
- Rating: NR
- Length: 1hr 26min
Point Break (2015)
Full of action, adventure, and huge waves, this flick is the remake of the 1991 classic with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. Although we can agree that the acting was superior in the original, the remake excels as an extreme sport movie. The impressive cinematography will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch the actors ride some seriously massive waves.
- IMDB Score: 5.4/10
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
- Rating: PG
- Length: 1hr 54min
Soul Surfer
This movie is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who loses her arm in a shark attack. In this courageous story, Bethany relies on her faith in God as she adapts to life with one arm. Not only must she overcome her fear of getting back in the ocean, but she has to relearn to surf after the traumatic incident that changed her life forever. The underwater cinematography is incredible and with a storyline like this, it’s hard to not be inspired by watching.
- IMDB Score: 7/10
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Family
- Rating: PG
- Length: 1hr 46min
Surf’s Up
If you’re in the mood for a lot of laughs and can appreciate a great animated film, you’ll enjoy this one. This film is loved by people of all ages. It’s made in a “documentary” ESPN-style format, which makes it even more humorous considering it’s an animation about penguins. Join Cody Maverick as he enters the Penguin World Surfing Championship. He’s determined to win first place, but the current champ, Tank Evans, won’t go down without a fight.
- IMDB Score: 6.7/10
- Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
- Rating: G
- Length: 1hr 25min
The Ultimate Wave Tahiti
Are you in the mood to watch a cultural documentary that explores the life of professional surfer Kelly Slater? Kelly, Tahitian surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer, and a group of friends surf the most incredible waves in Tahiti. Featuring major wipeouts and an ocean storm, this film truly showcases the incredible forces of Mother Nature. Fans love that it also has a Planet Earth feel, giving viewers a look below the surface into life in the reef habitat below.
- IMDB Score: 6.7/10
- Genre: Documentary
- Rating: NR
- Length: 45min
The Shallows
Blake Lively stars in this modern shark attack horror film, playing a young surfer named Nancy who gets stranded out in the water one day after being attacked by a great white shark. She quickly discovers that she’s in the middle of its feeding ground where she has become the prey. The entire plot centers around Nancy trying to get back to safety from the shallows to shore. People often underestimate the ability to produce a good shark attack movie, but this director does it without being overly cheesy.
- IMDB Score: 6.3/10
- Genre: Action, Drama, Horror
- Rating: 14A
- Length: 1hr 26min
Lakey Peterson: Zero to 100
If you’re heavily into the world of surfing, you’ve likely already heard the name Lakey Peterson at least once or twice. She was the winner of the 2021 US Open in surfing. The documentary gives you an inside peek into her life and journey to becoming one of the most iconic female surfers in history. It’s inspiring to watch a movie featuring such a successful female surfer in a sport that is historically dominated by men. Fans also love that the movie’s soundtrack features all the best-energizing chart-toppers from artists like AWOLNATION, The binge-worthy Jezabels, and Lights.
- IMDB Score: 6.3/10
- Genre: Documentary, Sport
- Rating: PG
- Length: 1hr
Blue Crush
Combining all of the elements of a great sports movie and a romance in one, Blue Crush has been a fan favorite since 2002. Kate Bosworth plays Anne Marie, a surfer chick who lives with two roommates and her little sister in a small shack on the beach. The film is centered around her training for the women’s Pipe Masters surf competition, but she ends up getting sidetracked and falling for a pro football player, Matt Tollman. In the end, it’s hard not to make a movie look good if it’s filmed on the Pipeline with the biggest swells in Hawaii.
- IMDB Score: 5.7/10
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Sport
- Rating: PG
- Length: 1hr 44min
The Pursuit
This movie is well worth the watch for any surfer. The documentary stars professional surfer Kelly Slater yet again, except this time he’s doing the voice-over in the intro. We’re not tired of him yet – the guy’s a true legend with his 11 world champion surfing wins. The film also features other up-and-coming surfers from Mexico, Indonesia, France, and other locations throughout the world. It’s both inspiring and insightful, featuring nothing but one hour and ten minutes of straight surfing scenes. If you’re a fan of performance surfing, you’ll get a kick out of these men and women performing remarkable moves on a surfboard in beautiful locations across the globe.
- IMDB Score: NR
- Genre: Documentary
- Rating: NR
- Length: 1hr 10min
Grab Your Movie Night Must-Haves, a Cozy Blanket, and Enjoy!
Surfing is much more than just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. So, it makes sense that you’d want to get lost in a movie all about surfing. With that in mind, we hope you enjoy streaming these binge-worthy surf movies on Amazon Prime. With options for documentary lovers, horror enthusiasts, and people who simply want to get lost in a good story, Prime Video’s massive library has something for everyone.
Have you watched any of these surf movies on Amazon Prime or have a favorite flick that didn’t make the list here? If so, we want to hear from you!
