The Beach Boys

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2:29

The Beach Boys

PG-13

2024

1h 53m

Documentary

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

"The Beach Boys," which streams on Disney+ beginning May 24, 2024, is a celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come. The documentary traces the band from humble family beginnings and features never-before-seen footage and all-new interviews with The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, plus other luminaries in the music business, including Lindsey Buckingham, Janelle Monae, Ryan Tedder, and Don Was. Viewers will also hear from the group's Carl and Dennis Wilson in their own words, plus view a new interview with Blondie Chaplin and hear audio from Ricky Fataar.

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Critics Consensus

An overview of The Beach Boys' history that wraps all the essentials up in a warm blanket, The Beach Boys is a straightforward jam of greatest hits that congeals into a compelling harmony.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

May 29, 2024

2/4

In this watchable but routine overview of the classic California band made up mostly of relatives, the more uncomfortable-making elements about the group get addressed rather than explored.

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Camilla Long

The Times (UK)

May 29, 2024

It’s a strange lasagne of wonderful, mad musical moments and inexplicable talking heads (Janelle Monáe - why?) all deliciously poisoned by the seeping resentfulness of Wilson’s cousin Mike Love, who says it is unfair Wilson got all of the “genius label”.

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G. Allen Johnson

San Francisco Chronicle

May 29, 2024

2.5/4

“The Beach Boys” is a breezy CliffsNotes version of the band’s ups and downs and cultural relevance and should interest established fans — even if they know it all already — and younger music enthusiasts who are looking for a window in.

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Sam Weller

PopMatters

Sep 20, 2024

This short, sweet documentary steers mostly clear of Behind the Music-style melodrama and rock 'n' roll clichés. Instead, it focuses on the group's legacy and the undeniable, infectious good vibrations that will undoubtedly resonate for generations...

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Michael A. Smith

MediaMikes

Jul 7, 2024

5/5

But despite the ups and downs, the music continues and it is the music that will endear us to the band for as long as we have music.

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Christopher Connor

Movie Marker Magazine

Jul 2, 2024

4/5

Over 60 years on from their formation, The Beach Boys continue to have a profound impact on popular music and that is more than reflected here.

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Janet B

@JunoB Feb 25, 2026

This doc was fantastic and now I am down the Beach Boys rabbit hole. There's a lot of rare footage and secret sauce. I loved the ending with Carl, a performance I had never seen. So joyful. Dont miss it!

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Kenny B

@Audiblekbrad Dec 29, 2025

I honestly just love the Beach Boys

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Joaquim M

@RT51435988 Mar 8, 2025

Loved hearing the classic songs and great stories. Great doc

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dave b

@RT51811019 Jan 20, 2025

Very good overview. I enjoyed it, but, then I am 76.

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Tom F

@RT55173143 Jun 28, 2024

Useful as a guide to the band’s constantly shifting lineup, but otherwise not particularly needed or inciteful. Another celebration of boomer icons who don’t really need more celebration but could survive a little scrutiny.

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Ma'ark T

@RT57514104 Jun 16, 2024

The Beach Boys was a great dose of nostalgia and for someone like me who grew up listening to them in the backseat of my dad's car, I didn't actually know a lot of their backstory. I really would've like it to go just a bit deeper into some of the controversies rather than just surface level.

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Frank Marshall

Director

Thom Zimny

Director

Brian Wilson

Self

Mike Love

Self

Al Jardine

Self

David Marks

Self

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Synopsis

"The Beach Boys," which streams on Disney+ beginning May 24, 2024, is a celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come. The documentary traces the band from humble family beginnings and features never-before-seen footage and all-new interviews with The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, plus other luminaries in the music business, including Lindsey Buckingham, Janelle Monae, Ryan Tedder, and Don Was. Viewers will also hear from the group's Carl and Dennis Wilson in their own words, plus view a new interview with Blondie Chaplin and hear audio from Ricky Fataar.

Director: Frank Marshall, Thom Zimny
Producer: Frank Marshall, Irving Azoff, Nicholas Ferrall, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Aly Parker
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Distributor: Disney+
Production Co: White Horse Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Smoking|Drug Material)
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 21, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 24, 2024
Runtime: 1h 53m

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