Surf's Up

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2:30

Surf's Up

PG

Released Jun 8, 2007

1h 25m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Surfing means everything to teenage penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf). Followed by a documentary film crew, he leaves his home in Antarctica for Pen Gu Island, site of the the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Cody wants to be respected and admired, and he believes that winning the competition will bring him what he craves. However, an encounter with washed-up surfer Geek (Jeff Bridges) teaches Cody about what is truly important.

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Critics Consensus

Surf's Up is a laid back, visually stunning animated movie that brings a fresh twist to some familiar conventions. Its witty mockumentary format is fun and inventive, and the CGI is breathtakingly realistic.

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Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Not a comedy tsunami, just consistent ripples of laughs and good vibes.

Sep 9, 2008

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

It's fun for a while, but the script doesn't have the structure to sustain 85 minutes.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 21, 2007

Full Review

Megan Basham

WORLD

On the surface, this may not sound like a particularly original idea, but director Ash Brannon handles the "documentary" framing device so well, adults may forget they are watching a cartoon.

Oct 16, 2018

Full Review

Brandy McDonnell

The Oklahoman

What truly sets Surf's Up apart is the natural dialogue. The filmmakers brought the actors together to record their lines, an unusual step for an animated movie. The extra effort pays off.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 14, 2018

Full Review

Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

O estilo mockumentary confere charme a esta animação, que também se beneficia da dublagem perfeita de Bridges e de uma técnica impressionante (a animação de fluidos é fabulosa).

Rated: 3/5

Sep 17, 2008

Full Review

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BlueTop World b

What a cool concept for a movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

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Arthur H

A good movie but way too similar to 'Cars', which is a better movie, so if you've watched 'Cars' then it'll be very predictable and yet less exciting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Juan C

The BEST 1,25hrs i Saw on my life

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 25 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Some Rude Humor and Mild Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Nim T

Great cast with a surprise of the voices of Zooey Deschanel, Jeff Bridges, and Shia LaBeouf. The movie was short but nevertheless gave a animated story that was strong. It described a young penguin seeking out a dream to be a good surfer due to idolization of former surfer Z. The story felt surreal as certain audience members think the movie gave them hope, to which I agree to a degree. However, because I had watched Happy Feet many years ago, it was a little disappointing where the story could've had just a little more scene between Lani and Cody, because without Lani being a major force, Cody could not have continued his dream and being recognized as a surfer. The movie has its great visual effects, despite the simplicity of taking place in just a few settings. Overall, deserves the 4/5 stars and is a good childhood film to watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Such a great chill vibe and some heartfelt moments with funny surfing antics by mostly pretty good ad-lib voice acting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

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Ash Brannon

Director

Chris Buck

Director

Shia LaBeouf

Cody Maverick

Jeff Bridges

Geek

Zooey Deschanel

Lani Aliikai

Jon Heder

Chicken Joe

Surf's Up: Official Clip - A Surefire Cure

2:40

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Building Cody's Board

2:51

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Cody vs. Tank Surf Off

2:48

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Big Z Returns

2:23

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Chicken Joe's Hot Tub

1:12

Surf's Up: Official Clip - The Competition Begins

2:13

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Let's Surf!

3:02

Surf's Up: Official Clip - The Final Wave

2:24

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Surfing Documentary

3:06

Surf's Up: Official Clip - Lava Boarding

2:40

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Surf's Up: Trailer 2

2:30

Surf's Up: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Surfing means everything to teenage penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf). Followed by a documentary film crew, he leaves his home in Antarctica for Pen Gu Island, site of the the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Cody wants to be respected and admired, and he believes that winning the competition will bring him what he craves. However, an encounter with washed-up surfer Geek (Jeff Bridges) teaches Cody about what is truly important.

Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Producer: Christopher Jenkins
Screenwriter: Don Rhymer, Ash Brannon, Chris Buck, Christopher Jenkins
Production Co: Sony Pictures Animation
Rating: PG (Some Rude Humor|Mild Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 8, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 2, 2014
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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