Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- lush
- wistful
- sensual
- nostalgic movie night
- tropical escape viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually attractive but implausibly idealized, coy about sexuality, and weakened by its simplistic script and contrived resolution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Richard and Emmeline grow from shipwrecked children into romantic partners without sustained contact with civilization.
The island is presented through picturesque beaches, lush nature, and an idealized homemade domestic life.
Puberty, attraction, virginity, pregnancy, and the children's discovery of adult sexuality drive the later story.
The deserted Pacific island, lagoon, ocean, and tropical landscape receive sustained picturesque emphasis.
Films like The Blue Lagoon, and why
Return to the Blue Lagoon
Shared deserted-island survival, adolescent coming-of-age, idealized romance, and tropical escapism.
The Admirable Crichton
Shared shipwreck survival, wilderness isolation, romantic melodrama, and conflict between civilization and nature.
Moonrise Kingdom
Shared young protagonists, isolated natural setting, sensual coming-of-age themes, and romantic awakening.
Six Days, Seven Nights
Shared survival adventure, island isolation, romance, and emotionally heightened melodrama.
Movie Details
- Director
- Randal Kleiser
- Release Date
- 1980-07-05
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (2097)
Cast
- Brooke Shields
- Christopher Atkins
- Leo McKern
- William Daniels
- Jeffrey Kleiser
- Gus Mercurio
- Elva Josephson
- Glenn Kohan
- Bradley Pryce
- Chad Timmerman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Blue Lagoon about?
- Shipwrecked childhood companions build a fragile paradise whose isolation transforms survival, friendship, and adolescent desire into an idealized island romance.
- What is The Blue Lagoon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Blue Lagoon as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Blue Lagoon violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Blue Lagoon as mild.
- What did critics think of The Blue Lagoon?
- Critics broadly found the film visually attractive but implausibly idealized, coy about sexuality, and weakened by its simplistic script and contrived resolution.
- Which films are like The Blue Lagoon?
- Films with a similar feel include Return to the Blue Lagoon, The Admirable Crichton, Moonrise Kingdom, and Six Days, Seven Nights.
- How long is The Blue Lagoon?
- The Blue Lagoon runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Blue Lagoon?
- In United States, The Blue Lagoon streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
