Best Beach Movies
“From Here to Eternity” (1953) The embrace in the wet sand between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr remains one of film history’s most enduring romantic images.
“Gidget” (1959) Sandra Dee was the original screen incarnation of the surfing-crazed title teen. “A Summer Place”
(1959) New England beach scenery is a big component of the love story in this classic drama, with Sandra Dee (again) and Troy Donahue as the romantically involved children of former lovers.
“Beach Party” (1963) A whole franchise – and massive teen idolatry of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon – sprang from this admittedly lightweight but quite entertaining comedy.
“Jaws” (1975) Well, of course. The tourist resort Amity Island is packed with holiday revelers ... thanks to a mayor who doesn’t want to threaten
the local economy by mentioning that a great white shark has been prowling the waters.
“Lifeguard” (1976) A magnificently tanned Sam Elliott wonderfully embodies the title, figuratively and literally, in this surprisingly sensitive portrait of a man at a life crossroads. “The Blue Lagoon” (1980) Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins make the most of the surrounding sand and sea as youngsters stranded in the South Pacific.