Movie Knight
Surf's Up
PG

Surf's Up

A major ocean picture.

2007 • 85 min • Animation · Comedy · Family

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Synopsis

With a documentary crew in tow, Cody Maverick—a young surfer from Antarctica—travels to the pacific for his first professional competition. Determined to earn respect and live up to his idol, Big Z, Cody pushes himself to the limit. But all that changes when an encounter with a laid-back local forces him to rethink his values.

Our family guide

Best from age 6
84
Movie Knight Score
2800 reviews
  • 100 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
  • 65 Audience · 2797 · 47%

Cody Maverick, a young penguin surfer, leaves Antarctica for his first pro competition. With a documentary crew filming, he aims to win and honor his idol, Big Z. A new friend teaches him that winning isn't everything.

Violence & peril
2/10
Language
1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking
1/10
Romance & sensuality
0/10
Scary moments
2/10

Heads up

  • A few mild cartoon slapstick moments
  • Some peril during surfing competitions
  • Brief use of an inhaler by a character

What it models well

  • Teamwork and friendship
  • Finding your own path
  • Humility and good sportsmanship

Talk about it after

  • The difference between winning and having fun
  • What makes a true champion
  • The importance of friendship and mentorship

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Surf's Up. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Chris Buck, Ash Brannon • Crew: Ash Brannon, Don Rhymer, Chris Buck, Christopher Jenkins, Christopher Jenkins, Christian Darren

Trailers & clips

Cody Maverick is our Comfort Character Inspiration (Scene)

Trailer #1

Surfing Documentary Scene

Voiceover Ensemble

Waves Featurette

Storyboard to Surfboard

Surf Cam Documentary

Reviewer notes

Recommended

Doesn't quite live up to it's potential. I agree with the 60 ish % rating. This is a really cool an fun idea. But the final product underwhelms a little bit. I'm saying this with love. This could have been great! This could have been a classic! A few more instances of genuane emotional moments. That would be needed. It's hard to care enough and invest enough in the characters as it is now. And finally. WHERE...

Recommended

Told by way of a light-hearted documentary, we learn a little of the intrepid young “Cody”. He lives in Antarctica with his family amidst a community who think he’s a bit obsessed. Obsessed with surfing, that is, and he is determined to win the legendary “Big Z” surf-off against the much larger penguin “Tank” who obviously has just a little more ballast against those thirty footers (and he doesn’t have an improvis...

Recommended

A simple comedy (mockumentary) with great visuals, and good performances.

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Gallery

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Details

TMDB audience
6.5/10 (2,797)
Age rating
PG
Status
Released
Budget
$85,000,000
Box office
$149,000,000
Franchise
Surf's Up Collection
IMDb
tt0423294
Official site
www.sonypictures.com

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