Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Surf's Up

film

Surf's Up

2007

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.

Ages 7+Source checked

Why this age? Generally family-friendly, but repeated dangerous surfing, near-drowning, sharp rocks, injuries, bullying, and discussion of a presumed death may unsettle younger children. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age7+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Death of a character2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Standard merchandising typical of animated family films; no aggressive product placement.

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Big Z is believed dead for years, and the film discusses his staged death; many surfers are said to have died in the Boneyards.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

No blood or gore is present.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild name-calling and competitive trash talk.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Cody has a light, age-appropriate crush on a lifeguard character.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Dangerous waves, a near-drowning, sharp rocks, crashes and rescue scenes create moderate suspense, but the animated tone keeps it from being highly frightening.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Cartoonish sports aggression includes challenges, attempts to knock surfers off boards, punching, crashes, and physical confrontations.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Cody faces dangerous waves, public failure, and disappointment, and ultimately risks himself to protect Joe from Tank.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The mockumentary format, imaginative surfing world, inventive characters, board-building, and problem-solving strongly encourage playful creativity.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse set of animal archetypes, though limited in human representation.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It offers incidental lessons about surfing, practice, competition, documentary filmmaking, and handling setbacks rather than formal instruction.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, rescue, mentorship, cooperation, and helping others are recurring parts of the story, especially through Lani, Joe, and Big Z.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes enjoying the activity, accepting failure, patience, honesty, friendship, mentorship, and valuing participation over winning.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The mentor character offers guidance, and the protagonist learns humility and grace in failure.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What message do you think the story most wants you to remember?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Surf's Up would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Surf's Up, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to watch or buy

Buy or rent on AmazonFind on JustWatch

As an Amazon Associate, Dickens & Rumi may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Report an incorrect rating