In this story, we put together our very subjective top 10 list for you. The best way to spend long evenings dreaming about the most beautiful breaks in the world and gather inspiration for your upcoming surf trip! All of these full-length surf movies are available online for free. So sit back and enjoy the exciting ocean stories and the sound of the waves. The order of the list says nothing about the quality of the films.
1: Strange Rumblings In Shangri La (2014)
“Strange Rumblings in Shangri La” is a mix of high-performance surfing and breathtaking cinematography. By filming it on 16mm, it gives you a great connection to classic movies. The filmmakers Bruce Brown and Jaques Cousteau take you on a “surfari” that you won’t soon forget.
Starring: Dion Agius, Nate Tyler, Taj Burrow, Yadin Nicol, Damien Hobgood, Creed Mc Taggart, CJ Hobgood, Alex Smith, Noa Deane, Brendon Gibbens
2: Nordurland – An Arctic Surfing Adventure (2019)
Follow the three friends from New South Wales, Australia on their journey up north. They surf ice-cold barrels and visit the most remote coastlines covered in snow and ice. The stunning landscapes and Torren’s stories about their adventures invite you to dream about distant places.
Starring: Torren Martyn, Laurie Towner, Ryan Scanlon
3: View From A Blue Moon (2015)
WSL Champion John John Florence is considered one of the best surfers of his time. Growing up on the North Shore of Oahu and neighbour of Kelly Slater, he lives the dream of many. In “View from A Blue Moon” he and his best friends surf the North Shore of Oahu and his favourite surf spots around the world. The ultimate surfer soundtracks combined with incredible 4K recordings are going to make every surfer’s heart beat faster.
Starring: John John Florence, Albee Layer, Matt Meola, Kelly Slater, Jamie O‘Brien
4: The Smiling Bag (2016)
The movie was filmed in Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the United States. The groovy soundtrack, extraordinary visual effects, shots on 16mm and the old-school Super 8 film format make “The Smiling Bag” to something exceptional. The producer Dion Agius didn’t merely want to publish his artwork online. He wants to get to know the viewers by meeting them at the premieres or per email.
Find out more about the smiling bag and download it here for free.
Starring: Ozzie Wright, Craig Anderson, Noa Deane, Chippa Wilson
5: Modern Collective (2009)
Kai Neville’s debut in film making. In “Modern Collective“ he shows the future of the sport with innovative surfers. It’s not only about catching the perfect wave, but it’s also about the perfect time.
Starring: Dusty Payne, Dion Agius, Dane Reynolds, Mitch Coleborn, Yadin Nicol, Jordy Smith
Find the whole movie on Red Bull TV.
6: DONE (2019)
Another film by John John, this one was produced independently and therefore without a large film studio in the background. Directed by himself and Blake Vincent Kueny. John’s skills and his distinctive surf style are simply breathtaking.
Starring: John John Florence, Blake Vincent Kueny
7: Paradigm Lost (2017)
Kai Lenny is one of a kind, especially when it comes to big wave surfing. For his movie “Paradigm Lost” he has travelled all over the world. Whether kiting, stand up paddling, windsurfing or surfing the biggest waves in the world: Kai Lenny makes it all look super easy.
Starring: Kai Lenny, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Julian Wilson, Matt Meola, Levi Siver, Ryan Hipwood
Find the whole movie on Red Bull TV.
8: On It – The movie (2019)
In “On It“ Magicseaweed followed four surfers on their one-year trip. Being “on it” means different things for the surfers. For Nic, it means “being in the right place at the right time“ while Brett describes it as “not missing a swell at home”. The film promises the hottest surf action in best wave conditions. Check out the perfect tubes!
Starring: Brett Barley, Nic von Rupp, Koa Rothman und Albee Layer
9: Athletes Against Plastic – Gegen Plastikmüll Im Meer
The German longboard team takes you to the WSL Longboard Championship in China and draws attention to the massive plastic pollution of our oceans.
Starring: Mascha Trietsch, Valeska Schneider, Chris Landrock, Julius Wenzel
10: Chasing The Shot (2019)
Nowadays everyone knows follow-cam shots from different sports such as snowboarding, freeskiing or mountain biking. But have you seen follow-cam shots in surfing? The photographer Leroy Bellet wants to make it possible and capture the best surfers in the world in a tube. Therefore he has to even deeper in the tube than the surfer he wants to film. Join him on his mission and marvel at some of the most impressive surf shots ever made.
Starring: Leroy Bellet, Michel Bourez, Matahi Drollet, Craig Anderson
Find the whole movie on Red Bull TV.
