6 Best Boardwalk and Pier Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 21, 2026

The flashing lights, carnival games, and salty air of the classic American boardwalk have set the scene for some of cinema’s most nostalgic and memorable stories. In Big (1988): A young boy magically transforms into an adult overnight after making a wish at a carnival fortune-telling machine. Just as strong is The Lost Boys (1987): Two brothers moving to a seaside boardwalk town discover it is secretly infested with a gang of teenage vampires.

Wonder Wheel (2017)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A troubled Coney Island family's lives unravel amid infidelity, jealousy, and long-buried resentment.

Directed by Woody Allen · 1h 41m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Adventureland (2009)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A recent college graduate takes a humiliating summer job at a rundown amusement park, where he finds unexpected connection.

Directed by Greg Mottola · 1h 47m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Big (1988)

IMDb ★ 7.3 RT 98% Metacritic 73

A young boy magically transforms into an adult overnight after making a wish at a carnival fortune-telling machine.

Directed by Penny Marshall · 1h 44m · Rated PG

Nominated for 2 Oscars12 wins & 15 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Lost Boys (1987)

IMDb ★ 7.2 RT 75% Metacritic 63

Two brothers moving to a seaside boardwalk town discover it is secretly infested with a gang of teenage vampires.

Directed by Joel Schumacher · 1h 37m · Rated R

3 wins & 5 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Splash (1984)

TMDB ★ 6.3

A man falls in love with a mysterious woman, unaware she is secretly a mermaid he once met as a child.

Directed by Ron Howard · 1h 50m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, YouTube TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Coney Island (1943)

TMDB ★ 6.3

A nightclub owner's rivalry with his business partner over a talented singer plays out against a bustling amusement park.

Directed by Walter Lang · 1h 36m · Rated NR

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Boardwalk and Pier Movies

Wonder Wheel (2017)

Adventureland (2009)

Big (1988)

The Lost Boys (1987)

Splash (1984)

Coney Island (1943)

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