Our Top 12 Movies for Beach Parties

      Here are our 12 favorite beach party films.

      Although beach party movies are not as frequent as they once were, they had a significant following in the past. There was even a series of such films starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Many of these films would appear on any list of the best beach party movies, as they generally succeed in what they aim to achieve. For this particular list, however, we’ll limit ourselves to a selection from that series.

      We’re not suggesting that any of these films deserved an Academy Award for Best Picture, but if that's what you expect from a movie about a beach party, then your priorities may be misaligned. These films are, for the most part, entertaining. They may be silly, but that’s the point. It’s a party! Just have fun!

      **Beach Party (1963)**

      American International Pictures

      While it’s not the first film to depict a beach party, it launched the American International Pictures “Beach Party” series and the beach party genre itself.

      This AIP film set the stage for numerous tropes and introduced many recurring cast members. You’ll find teenage couples, broad comedy, harmless villains, adult characters with their own narratives, musical performances, famous old stars, and plenty of attractive individuals in swimsuits.

      "Beach Party" introduced Frankie and Annette as the soon-to-be icons of the series, alongside Jody McCrea as the clueless Deadhead and Harvey Lembeck as the ineffective biker gang leader Eric Von Zipper. Vincent Price makes a cameo, and Dick Dale and the Del Tones provide the music. What more could you ask for?

      It’s an enjoyable watch, featuring a blend of elements that are both unsuccessful and entertaining, along with genuinely great jokes. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of sun, surf, and dancing by the beach?

      **Bikini Beach (1964)**

      American International Pictures

      AIP really churned out these films, with three installments from the beach party series released in 1964 alone. The standout among them is undoubtedly "Bikini Beach." The title suggests a lack of subtlety, which is fitting for this series.

      Keenan Wynn portrays a millionaire with a dancing monkey that surfs better than many teenagers, using this to argue that the beach should be transformed into a retirement home. That’s the kind of simplistic premise these films thrive on; anything else would feel too serious.

      Another storyline features Frankie Avalon in dual roles as himself and The Potato Bug, a British pop star who is a clear parody of the Beatles. Yes, it’s ridiculous. But it's the very kind of fun ridiculousness we expect from these movies. The entire experience is silly, but that’s part of its charm.

      **Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)**

      American International Pictures

      "Beach Blanket Bingo" is arguably the most well-known title in the “Beach Party” series and boasts one of the best movie titles ever. Plus: Buster Keaton, Paul Lynde, and Don Rickles all appear in this film. Need we say more?

      Often, beach party films sought to tap into popular trends of the time, like hot rods. This movie includes a significant skydiving subplot and a villain who ties a girl to a log before sending it into a buzzsaw.

      After "Beach Blanket Bingo," the series continued with a few more films, as well as spinoffs, such as "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine," which feels like something Austin Powers would take a date to.

      There’s also some overlap with Our Favorite Ski Resort Movies.

      **Catalina Caper (1967)**

      Crown International Pictures

      Other studios besides AIP wanted to join the beach party craze in the 1960s, often a year or two behind the trend. "Catalina Caper" is a prime example of this. Its cast doesn’t quite match AIP’s quality, featuring Tommy Kirk in the Frankie Avalon role.

      "Catalina Caper" was featured on "Mystery Science Theater 3000," but we’re not claiming it’s “good” in the conventional sense. However, it stands out as one of the better films featured on that show and is certainly far superior to "Pod People," "Hobgoblins," or anything by Ed Wood. Plus, Little Richard appears in it!

      The film is watchable, even without Joel and the bots, providing a similar vibe to the AIP "Beach Party" movies, full of dancing and people in swimsuits. While the humor might be a bit edgier, it’s generally not grating, allowing you to simply enjoy the experience.

      **Clambake (1967)**

      United Artists

      Several Elvis Presley films are adjacent to the beach party genre and could be classified as such. Some even hold up quite well! However, "Clambake" is a quintessential, timely