Just as surf culture took off, so did surf movies. “Gidget” exploded onto the scene in 1959, capitalizing on the world’s obsession with surfing. Although more of a beach party film, “Gidget,” starring ...

Like surfing, movies are subjective. Everyone has their favorite actors, directors and genres. Some prefer quick, funny hits, others like the long, drawn-out time warps of a Christopher Nolan film.

For decades, Hollywood has portrayed surf characters in its own way. And it's a hit or miss affair—some films very much understand the nuances of surfing, while others overshoot by a mile. Some movies ...