MOVIEmeter
Top 5000
Down 369 this week

Soul Surfer (2011)

 -  Biography | Drama | Sport  -  8 April 2011 (USA)
6.9
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 6.9/10 from 20,149 users   Metascore: 53/100
Reviews: 100 user | 102 critic | 27 from Metacritic.com

A teenage surfer girl summons the courage to go back into the ocean after losing an arm in a shark attack.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay), 12 more credits »
Watch Trailer
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 2364 titles created 4 months ago
 
a list of 47 titles created 25 Jul 2011
 
a list of 10000 titles created 2 months ago
 
a list of 2653 titles created 11 months ago
 
a list of 136 titles created 22 Apr 2012
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: Soul Surfer (2011)

Soul Surfer (2011) on IMDb 6.9/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Soul Surfer.
1 win & 10 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Action | Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4/10 X  

At his new high school, a rebellious teen is lured into an underground fight club, where he finds a mentor in a mixed martial arts veteran.

Director: Jeff Wadlow
Stars: Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet
Action | Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.1/10 X  

Based on H.G. Bissinger's book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers.

Director: Peter Berg
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Derek Luke
Fighting (2009)
Action | Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.4/10 X  

In New York City, a young counterfeiter is introduced to the world of underground street fighting by a seasoned scam artist, who becomes his manager on the bare-knuckling brawling circuit.

Director: Dito Montiel
Stars: Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao
Action | Drama | Family
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.2/10 X  

Work causes a single mother to move to China with her young son; in his new home, the boy embraces kung fu, taught to him by a master.

Director: Harald Zwart
Stars: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson
Rocky IV (1985)
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4/10 X  

When Apollo Creed is killed in a match against a powerful Soviet boxer, Rocky decides to challenge him himself.

Director: Sylvester Stallone
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.8/10 X  

When young Jay Moriarity discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it.

Directors: Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson
Stars: Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue
Drama | History | Thriller
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X  

The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Stars: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland
Coach Carter (2005)
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7/10 X  

Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.

Director: Thomas Carter
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown, Robert Ri'chard
Warrior (2011)
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X  

The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother.

Director: Gavin O'Connor
Stars: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7/10 X  

When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.

Director: McG
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie
Whip It (2009)
Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X  

In Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.

Director: Drew Barrymore
Stars: Sarah Habel, Ellen Page, Kristen Wiig
Biography | Drama | Sport
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X  

The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.

Director: Boaz Yakin
Stars: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Malina Birch (as Sonya Balmores Chung)
...
...
...
...
...
...
Fuel T.V. reporter #2
Edit

Storyline

13 year-old Bethany Hamilton is a champion surfer who was born to be in the water. But after a fun night out night surfing and what should be a fun day in the water, she is attacked by a shark and loses her arm. Rushed to the hospital, she remains calm, and maintains her faith in God. Now she has to re-learn how to do everything with only one arm - including how to surf. It will take her friends, family, and her Christian faith to get her back into the water, but if that is where she is meant to be, she will find a way to get there. Written by napierslogs

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

When you come back from a loss, beat the odds, and never say never, you find a champion.

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

|

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 April 2011 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Soul Surfer - Coragem de Viver  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$10,601,862 (USA) (8 April 2011)

Gross:

$43,853,424 (USA) (15 July 2011)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The dog in the movie is actually Bethany Hamilton's own dog Hana. See more »

Goofs

When Bethany Hamilton is on the surf board in Thailand and Sarah Hill is watching, a slightly bald man is over her shoulder. The group of people (including the same man) walks over but in the next shot he is over her same shoulder again. See more »

Quotes

Bethany Hamilton: Love is bigger than any tidal wave or fear.
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the ending credits, videos of the real Bethany Hamilton are shown, many of similar (or possibly the inspiration for) moments in the film. See more »

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.119 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

"Mele Hula: E Kuini E Kapiolani"
Performed by Nona Oshiro
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

An Uplifting and Inspirational tale about turning Tragedy into Triumph.
5 March 2011 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a 13 year old competitive surfer with big dreams and a courageous spirit. Coming from a family of surfers, riding the waves is all Bethany can dream about. But her dreams turn into a nightmare after a sudden shark attack takes her left arm and her hopes of ever surfing again.

Soul Surfer is an inspirational film for the entire family about overcoming obstacles and turning tragedy into triumph.

Filmed entirely in Hawaii, it offers some gorgeous cinematography and wonderful surf-action shots and features an all-star cast including Helen Hunt, Denis Quaid, Craig T Nelson and AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany, the teen titan with a heart of gold.

Soul Surfer is a well produced film, that leans heavily on it's soul-lifting story, stellar acting and a rocking soundtrack on a moderate budget. It's encouraging to see such big Hollywood names doing such inspirational family fare without the inflated-sized salary demands.

Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid actually seem to be enjoying themselves alongside the rising talents of the young cast members, most notably AnnaSophia Robb, best remembered for her role in Bridge to Terabithia, Jumper and Because of Winn Dixie. AnnaSophia delivers a powerful and gripping performance that is sure to win your heart and leave you breathless as she struggles to overcome all odds. Carrie Underwood seems a bit misplaced as the youth pastor who comforts and encourages Bethany, but while her screen time is short, she proves that singing may not be her only talent.

For a film based on a true story, I got caught up in the action and well paced story-telling. I found myself entranced by and caring for each of the characters. When the shark attack scene unfolded, I found myself holding my breath and completely taken in by the film. A rare victory few films can achieve.

I admired the way the film presented Bethany's family and their Christian faith, being faithful to church and being such positive role models. But I was disappointed in the failed opportunity to present more biblical truth to a secular audience. Like many recent films being marketed to a Christian audience, the presented faith in Soul Surfer was played a bit too safe and generic to arouse any converts since it lacked in any gospel message, but if viewed with a Christan who knows how to use the film as a topic starter, it can be a great tool or ice breaker.

Another refreshing bonus was the lack of any profanity or sexuality, making it completely suitable and safe for viewing in a church or youth group setting.

I highly recommend this entertaining and uplifting film for the entire family.


104 of 164 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Did anyone else find Carrie Underwood's character really creepy? hollbop
How do people with disabilities feel about this movie? badnixie
Not for kids enboothe
How is this only a 6.7??? What a JOKE. pnegro
A Christain movie that isn't annoying! nefertari86
The Rope on the board zero-bash
Discuss Soul Surfer (2011) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?