Summer is finally in full swing, and its bright months bring about ample time for a wide variety of activities. One staple often exclusive to the season is going to the beach — spending time walking through sand, laying in the sun and swimming around the ocean. In cinema, the beach is often a romanticized, picturesque setting where characters contemplate, confess feelings or even sing and dance. In these three films, the beach itself is an important element of the storytelling, with the salty air, waves and sand effectively serving as characters themselves. These movies highlight the unparalleled energy that the beach can offer, potentially inspiring viewers to dip their toes in the ocean this summer break.
“Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965)
The fifth entry in a series entitled “Beach Party” spanning from 1963 to 1987, “Beach Blanket Bingo” is a musical comedy starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Audiences watch as Avalon and Funicello — who play Frankie and Dee Dee respectively — cause shenanigans with their group of friends, spanning from skydiving stunts to encounters with magical aquatic creatures.
With the word “beach” in the title, the movie’s main location is clear and important, as a great amount of its scenes take place amongst the bright, sunny landscape. Characters lay in the sun, dance in the sand and listen to the radio while sitting on beach towels, acting chaotically the entire time.
Throughout the film, beach culture and liveliness is brought to life through its soundtrack. A song also titled “Beach Blanket Bingo” immerses audiences in the summer ambiance through upbeat melodies and catchy lyricism. The repetition in the chorus of the words “Beach blanket bingo / That’s the name of the game” emphasizes the playful nature of the beach through its joyful repetition. The film is a reflection of the freeing ambiance of the beach, with fantastical run-ins and silly antics making for a perfectly unrestrained vacation. Filmed in the 1960s, “Beach Blanket Bingo” is a reminder of how timeless an adventure with friends at the beach can be.
“Teen Beach Movie” (2013)
A Disney Channel original, “Teen Beach Movie” follows characters McKenzie “Mack” and Brady as their worlds are turned upside down when they are transported into “Wet Side Story,” Brady’s favorite movie-musical from the 1960s. “Wet Side Story” teaches audiences about the rivalry between the Surfers and the Bikers, with Mack and Brady attempting to unify the two groups throughout the movie. Clear from their name, the Surfers are beach-oriented, spending most of their time in the sun and doing choreography with surfboards, beach umbrellas and beach balls. In contrast, the Bikers have a rough exterior, getting around the land with motorcycles and wearing leather jackets — atypical beach attire.
As the two groups burst into musical numbers, the troupe is joyfully lost in their beachy environment — Surfers often sing in the ocean, waving towels in the air and doing flips across the sand in their choreography. The film also sets romantic and calm moods at the beach, with dimmed lights, sunset hues and flowing palm trees as a backdrop for vulnerable character moments. “Teen Beach Movie” paints the beach as a sweet escape from reality, one that an especially stressed student may seek out this summer vacation.
“Along for the Ride” (2022)
This Netflix release takes place in the beachside fictional town of Colby, North Carolina, taking viewers through the main character Auden West’s final summer before beginning college. Her love interest, Eli Stock, played by Belmont Cameli, encourages the reserved Auden to venture out of her comfort zone, taking her on nightly adventures to different locations in the beach town to expand her horizons and let loose.
In the film, the pair and cast of side characters experience their most tender moments at the beach. The sound of crashing waves and darkness creates an intensity for viewers across its runtime, especially in the moments when characters grapple with their tumultuous relationships. Moreover, the ensemble hosts many parties on the beach, reminiscent of a summertime reunion with distanced university friends.
Going to the beach is often a simple and fun summer activity — although its crashing waves, warm ambiance and sunlit sand can also surface sensitive emotional moments. Movies like these show the emotional depth to the setting that one may not realize. This summer, do not forget to take a step outside and hear the sound of seagulls and splashes yourself, as the beach is as meaningful as it is enjoyable — it can even become the main character in your own summer.
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