Overview
A penguin's quest for glory leads him to discover the true meaning of surfing and friendship.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- laid-back
- warm
- family movie night
- lazy weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a witty and visually impressive animated mockumentary that refreshes familiar penguin and underdog conventions, despite a routine story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The penguin surfing competition is presented through a playful documentary format that imitates surf films and televised sports coverage.
Critics specifically praised the breathtakingly realistic CGI, especially the ocean, waves, and surfing sequences.
Cody Maverick is dismissed by his Antarctic community but pursues the Big Z Memorial Surf Off against the established champion Tank Evans.
The reclusive former surfer Geek trains Cody, while Cody helps Geek reconnect with surfing and purpose.
Films like Surf's Up, and why
Happy Feet
anthropomorphic animal comedy with energetic sports action, underdog ambition, and a warm family-friendly tone
Kung Fu Panda
stylized animated comedy centered on an unlikely competitor, colorful world-building, and perseverance
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
mockumentary structure, witty observational humor, and a visually inventive portrayal of competitive animal subcultures
Movie Details
- Directors
- Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
- Release Date
- 2007-06-08
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (2836)
Cast
- Shia LaBeouf
- Jeff Bridges
- Zooey Deschanel
- Jon Heder
- James Woods
- Diedrich Bader
- Mario Cantone
- Kelly Slater
- Rob Machado
- Selema Masekela
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- 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 Surf's Up about?
- A determined young penguin enters a high-stakes surf competition and discovers that becoming a champion means redefining what winning is for.
- What is Surf's Up like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Surf's Up as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Surf's Up violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Surf's Up.
- What did critics think of Surf's Up?
- Critics broadly found the film a witty and visually impressive animated mockumentary that refreshes familiar penguin and underdog conventions, despite a routine story.
- Which films are like Surf's Up?
- Films with a similar feel include Happy Feet, Kung Fu Panda, and The Pirates! Band of Misfits.
- How long is Surf's Up?
- Surf's Up runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch Surf's Up?
- In United States, Surf's Up is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex.
