Surf's Up

A young penguin named Cody Maverick dreams of making a splash in his first big surfing contest and earning respect from the other birds in his blustery Antarctic world turned beach town. He trains hard, pushes past self doubt, and imagines the glory of riding the perfect wave. When he heads to the famous Pismo Beach event, a laid back mentor nicknamed Big Z challenges Cody to rethink what success really means. Between rivalries and goofy mishaps, Cody discovers that courage and honesty matter more than trophies, and that friendship can change the way a rider sees the ocean and himself. Along the way he learns teamwork, improvisation, and humor while fitting in with a new crew of surfers worldwide.

From the minds of Ash Brannon, Lisa Addario and Don Rhymer, Surf's Up is an original animated comedy produced for Sony Pictures Animation and released in 2007, notable for its mockumentary style and playful visuals that fans remember vividly today.

Surf's Up delivered solid results at the box office, earning about 149 million worldwide against an 85 million budget. The film performed especially well in international markets, contributing to Sony Pictures Animation's growing presence in family entertainment across the globe.

Surf's Up earned a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, underscoring the film's distinctive mock documentary approach and its lively voice cast led by Shia LaBeouf and Jeff Bridges. Critics highlighted its creative visuals, humor, and warmth as strong points. That recognition broadened its appeal with families.

Critics generally praised Surf's Up for its clever visuals and light humor, focusing on its themes of friendship, integrity, and staying true to oneself. The mock documentary frame gives the film a fresh feel, while the character dynamics and voice performances help elevate a familiar sports story for all ages.