Soul Surfer | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Soul Surfer

      PG Released Apr 8, 2011 1 hr. 46 min. Drama List
      45% 106 Reviews Tomatometer 75% 25,000+ Ratings Audience Score A natural talent in the sport of surfing, teenager Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) loses an arm in a shark attack. Bolstered by the love of her parents (Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid) and refusing to give up, she plans to return to competition, although questions about her future continue to trouble her. Upon seeing the devastation in Thailand caused by the 2004 tsunami, Bethany discovers a greater purpose: to make a difference in the lives of others. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 30 Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      Soul Surfer

      Fandango at Home Netflix Prime Video Apple TV

      Watch Soul Surfer with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

      Soul Surfer

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      There's an amazing true story at the heart of Soul Surfer -- and unfortunately, it's drowned by waves of Hollywood cheese.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (1000+) audience reviews
      SkyRo P Although not a masterpiece, this film tells a poignant story of a young girl on the brink of losing her life, evoking deep emotions. While the overall quality could have been improved, the acting was surprisingly strong given the circumstances. It serves as a reminder that we often overlook the small things that can snowball into significant issues. Instead of demonizing predators like sharks in their natural habitat, we should strive to understand their behavior. The cast delivered exceptional performances, with even Carrie Underwood making a notable attempt at acting despite some initial rough patches. It was a unique experience to see her on screen during the early stages of her career. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/26/24 Full Review Celine B Characterization of the Christian religion in this movie seemed less as a source of a strength and more as an overdone white upperclass American evangelical message. Usage of music with the typical American worship chord progression of I, V, and IV was also quite cringy. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review Emilliano Jr S An inspiring cheesy drama. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/19/23 Full Review Matthew D An inspiring surfer recovery ruined by religious propaganda. Director Sean McNamara's surfing sports drama Soul Surfer (2011) is both touching and annoying in a really mixed bag. I appreciate McNamara's beautiful filmmaking for the underwater swimming and surfing huge waves as well as his tender approach to family drama. Bethany's outstanding surfing skills, moving surfing recovering after her shark attack, and support from her father especially is quite touching. The strange and sudden discussions about the power of God, prayer, and faith feel out of nowhere relative to the surfing movie Soul Surfer should have been at heart. However, Soul Surfer essentially is a religious propaganda movie more than just a film telling the actually inspiring real-life story of one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton. I cannot abide by the Hallmark quality scenes of corny faith pushing for the sake of trying to get audience members to believe in God. I really found these scenes tasteless, hamfisted, and distracting. These scenes could have been about Bethany's love of surfing, desire to return to the waves, and appreciating the water like other surfing classics such as Big Wednesday or Blue Crush. Instead we're subjected to Christian propaganda with these hopelessly awkward faith counselor talks with Carrie Underwood, who is so terrible as an actress. I thought she felt like she was in an entirely different movie. Why does Soul Surfer have a ridiculous amount of writers? There is Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk, Brad Gann, Caleb Wilson, Matt Allen, Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Sheryl Berk, Rick Bundschuh, and Bethany Hamilton herself. Did we need 10 different writers to say to keep following your dreams and believe in God, Bethany? Casting director Joey Paul Jensen got several excellent actresses and actors, then several random actors that could have been better suited. AnnaSophia Robb is the reason I revisited Soul Surfer and she's gorgeous, endearing, cool, and moving as one-armed surfer Bethany Hamilton. AnnaSophie Robb is an underrated actress so deftly delivering natural, emotional acting. She made me want to root for Bethany's return to surfing. She's so hot in Soul Surfer and comes across as genuinely sweet and considerate. Helen Hunt is pretty awful in Soul Surfer as Bethany's supportive, but worried surfer mother Cheri Hamilton. Dennis Quaid is awesome as Bethany's kind and understanding surfer father Tom Hamilton. His inspirational quotes for Bethany feel sincere and come from the heart. Besides AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid has the next best performance in Soul Surfer. Carrie Underwood is bafflingly bad and flatly delivering her lines as the not so inspirational faith leader Sarah Hill. Kevin Sorbo is very nice as Holt Blanchard with his life saving actions and patient understanding for Bethany. I think Sorbo is actually wasted in all those horrendous Christian propaganda movies. He can clearly act well here in Soul Surfer. Ross Thomas and Chris Brochu are nice as Bethany's protective and guilt stricken older brothers Noah and Timmy Hamilton, respectively. Lorraine Nicholson is quite pretty and fun as Bethany's best friend and fellow surfer Alana Blanchard. I found it super weird how Soul Surfer paints her as a friend who disappears from Bethany's life for awhile until they rekindle their friendship. Sonia Balmores Chung is insanely hot and weirdly mean as Bethany's rival surfer Malina Birch. Her surfing is awesome and she is one of the best actresses in Soul Surfer. Craig T. Nelson is basically like the only doctor on the entire island of Hawaii as Dr. David Rovinsky. I liked the actual archival footage of Bethany Hamilton and Alana Blanchard surfing in real life. Editor Jeff Canavan has fairly normal, if forgettable editing. The surfing montages are more impressive than the soap opera level dramatic cuts. Cinematographer John R. Leonetti shoots these stylish underwater shots for paddling and swimming besides the stunning surfing sequences. I love the close-up and medium shots of AnnaSophia Robb or Sonia Balmores Chung. I don't get why the scenes with Carrie Underwood are so poorly shot though. Visual effects artist Dan Schmit creates one truly awful shark attack in terrible CGI even for 2011. Composer Marco Beltrami created a lovely film score with soft melodies and a heartwarming sound. Makeup artist Ronnie Specter really does nice work for AnnaSophia Robb, Lorraine Nicholson, and Sonia Balmores Chung. I loved Joy Zapata and Mary Ann Changg's hairstyling for all the actresses. In short, Soul Surfer is a standard surfing movie that I have a fondness for because of AnnaSophia Robb's lovely lead actress performance. It is essentially a 112 minute Christian propaganda movie besides the more fun surfing sequences. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Powerful and beautiful life messages throughout this true account of Bethany Hamilton’s life. I can’t watch this film without full on sobbing at both the inspirational moments, and the heartbreaking ones. One of my favorite films ever. The soundtrack is perfect, especially the final song Athlete by The Unknown. Perfectly cast as well! Anna Sophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, and Helen Hunt give exceptional performances. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is a great inspirational film. It is a story about a teenage girl who loves to surf, and goes through many surfing competitions. She goes through something tragic, but in the end it helps her become better. With this movie being a true story, I think it adds more sympathy to the story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      21% 65% The Last Song 50% 78% Grace Unplugged 35% 61% Won't Back Down 29% 53% Extraordinary Measures 33% 54% Free Style Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie News & Guides

      View All Movie News & Guides

      This movie is featured in the following articles.

      New on Netflix in August 2022 New on Netflix in May 2022 Critics Consensus: Arthur Is On The Rocks

      Photos

      View All Soul Surfer photos

      Soul Surfer

      (L-R) Carrie Underwood, AnnaSophia Robb and Sean McNamara on the set of "Soul Surfer." (L-R) AnnaSophia Robb, Carrie Underwood and Sean McNamara on the set of "Soul Surfer." (L-R) Dennis Quaid as Tom Hamilton, Helen Hunt as Cheri Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton in "Soul Surfer." Carrie Underwood as Sarah Hill in "Soul Surfer." AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton in "Soul Surfer." Carrie Underwood as Sarah Hill in "Soul Surfer." (L-R) Dennis Quaid as Tom Hamilton, AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton and Helen Hunt as Cheri Hamilton in "Soul Surfer." Dennis Quaid as Tom Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton in "Soul Surfer." View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (106) Critics Reviews
      Anna Smith metro.co.uk Soul Surfer is a heavy-handed plea for sympathy that doesn't do the real-life story justice. Rated: 2/5 Aug 24, 2018 Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Clearly Bethany was quite a girl but this film prompts one simply to say "Amen". Rated: 2/5 Sep 23, 2011 Full Review Xan Brooks Guardian The film that follows is thin and frothy, though watch out for that final sentimental upsurge. It could drag and lift you against your will. Rated: 2/5 Sep 22, 2011 Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times "Soul Surfer" is a powerful archetypal story first, a surfing movie second, a Christian movie third, and all-in-all, an inspirational film you should have a family couch viewing of, along with some homemade popcorn. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 22, 2022 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com I celebrate the chance to see such a story of resilience, faith, and love on the big screen. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 24, 2020 Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine The problem with a story like this is that the real drama lies in the first act, courtesy of the shark. After that, it's an uphill slog to a resolution that holds no surprises... Aug 19, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A natural talent in the sport of surfing, teenager Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) loses an arm in a shark attack. Bolstered by the love of her parents (Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid) and refusing to give up, she plans to return to competition, although questions about her future continue to trouble her. Upon seeing the devastation in Thailand caused by the 2004 tsunami, Bethany discovers a greater purpose: to make a difference in the lives of others.
      Director
      Sean McNamara
      Executive Producer
      David Tice, Dominic Ianno
      Screenwriter
      Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk
      Distributor
      Sony Pictures Entertainment
      Production Co
      Island Film Group
      Rating
      PG (Some Thematic Material|An Intense Accident Sequence)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 8, 2011, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 16, 2012
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $43.9M
      Sound Mix
      Dolby, SDDS, DTS
      Most Popular at Home Now