Surf's Up

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2:30

Surf's Up

PG

2007

1h 25m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Adventure

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

139 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Surfing means everything to teenage penguin Cody Maverick. Followed by a documentary film crew, he leaves his home in Antarctica for Pen Gu Island, site of 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 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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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Sep 21, 2007

3/4

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

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Aug 10, 2007

3/5

I commend Ash Brannon and Chris Buck's animated film, especially to those who have not yet reached the age of 10.

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Sukhdev Sandhu

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Aug 10, 2007

The real reason Surf's Up is so aggravating is that it's more concerned with sucking up to adults than it is to enchanting their children.

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Megan Basham

WORLD

Oct 16, 2018

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.

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Brandy McDonnell

The Oklahoman

Aug 14, 2018

3.5/4

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.

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Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

Sep 17, 2008

3/5

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).

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Drew B

@only_fresh_tomatoes 2 days ago

One of my top 3 animated movies ever! So funny yet beautiful. Great soundtrack too

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Jace E

@thefilmguy Oct 19, 2026

How this movie made me feel in one word: Stoked. There are elements of this movie that are phenomenal. I love the mockumentary style, the core message, the voice acting and the finale. Unfortunately, the 2nd act is a slog to get through. Seriously, the beginning is fantastic and the finale is top tier. I just completely lost interest during the middle 45 minutes. Best Character: Chicken Joe Best Quote: "He's a dirty trash can full of poop." - Smudge Best Scene: Meeting "the ladies" Best Piece of Score: "Legends"

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MariofanAlex445 T

@RT47678067 Oct 8, 2026

I think as far as family movies go, this is one of the best ever made. It doesn’t talk down to its audience, but it’s also aware of the type of people who would be watching this movie. Parents watching with their kids. They found the perfect balance between gross out humor intended for the younger audiences and genuinely well written jokes. I empathize with Cody’s struggle, I feel that way all the time, his relationship with Big Z made me very happy and I loved how he was a father figure to him. They helped each other out, making each other better people in the end. The cast of voice actors was phenomenal and fit the characters perfectly. I especially liked Burt’s voice actor, he would definitely sound like that in real life lol. I would watch this movie again someday, which is something I don’t say often. The choices of music were pretty nice too. 4/5 stars.

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Ab N

@RT25767627 Oct 8, 2026

Masterpiece. No imperfections.

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Robert P

@Superbad Oct 3, 2026

Surf's Up is a *3.5 star movie!

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Aug 13, 2026

An animated classic achieving its mockumentary form palpably crafted with natural brilliance, albeit structurally formulaic over occasional narrative purposes, backed up with satirically dynamical exceptionality both stirring laughs and heartening a message between dreams and passions. (B+)

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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

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

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

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Surf's Up: Official Clip - Big Z Returns

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

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Surf's Up: Official Clip - The Competition Begins

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

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Surf's Up: Official Clip - The Final Wave

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Surf's Up: Official Clip - Surfing Documentary

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Surf's Up: Official Clip - Lava Boarding

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Synopsis

Surfing means everything to teenage penguin Cody Maverick. Followed by a documentary film crew, he leaves his home in Antarctica for Pen Gu Island, site of 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 teaches Cody about what is truly important.

Director: Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
Producer: Christopher Jenkins
Screenwriter: Don Rhymer
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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