Kick-flip into the action-packed realm of skateboarding cinema, where every grind and air tells a story.
From counterculture chronicles to the intimate tapestries of skater life, these flicks carve deep into the heart of the scene.
Eager to roll through the ultimate list of skateboarding movies, shows, and documentaries that truly capture the thrash and thrill?
Best Skateboarding Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- Lords of Dogtown (2005)
- Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) – Documentary
- Skate Kitchen (2018)
- Gleaming the Cube (1989)
- Grind (2003)
- Thrashin’ (1986)
- Mid90s (2018)
- Street Dreams (2009)
- Minding the Gap (2018) – Documentary
- The Search for Animal Chin (1987)
- Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012) – Documentary
Table of Contents
- #1 Lords of Dogtown (2005)
- #2 Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) – Documentary
- #3 Skate Kitchen (2018)
- #4 Gleaming the Cube (1989)
- #5 Grind (2003)
- #6 Thrashin’ (1986)
- #7 Mid90s (2018)
- #8 Street Dreams (2009)
- #9 Minding the Gap (2018) – Documentary
- #10 The Search for Animal Chin (1987)
- #11 Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012) – Documentary
- FAQ
#1 Lords of Dogtown (2005)
- 🎬 Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
- 🌟 Starring: Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, John Robinson, Heath Ledger
Lords of Dogtown chronicles the surf and skateboarding trends that originated in Venice, California during the 1970s. The film follows a group of young skateboarders known as the Z-Boys as they revolutionize the sport with their aggressive style, swagger, and radical moves.
Under the guidance of their eccentric surf shop owner, Skip Engblom (played by Heath Ledger), they gain fame but deal with the pressures that come with it.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
#2 Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) – Documentary
- 🎬 Directed by: Stacy Peralta
Dogtown and Z-Boys is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the skateboarding culture that developed in the 1970s in Southern California.
Directed by former Z-Boy Stacy Peralta and narrated by Sean Penn, the film showcases the evolution of skateboarding from an underground pastime to a significant cultural phenomenon, largely thanks to the innovative styles and charismatic personalities of the Zephyr Skateboard Team, also known as the Z-Boys.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#3 Skate Kitchen (2018)
- 🎬 Directed by: Crystal Moselle
- 🌟 Starring: Rachelle Vinberg, Dede Lovelace, Nina Moran, Kabrina Adams
Skate Kitchen is a film that captures the experience of an all-female skateboarding group based in New York City. It tells the story of Camille, a teenage skateboarder who finds an escape from her troubled home life through the skateboarding sisterhood.
As the girls navigate the predominantly male-oriented world of skating, the film explores themes of friendship, identity, and growing up.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#4 Gleaming the Cube (1989)
- 🎬 Directed by: Graeme Clifford
- 🌟 Starring: Christian Slater, Steven Bauer, Richard Herd, Le Tuan
Gleaming the Cube features a young Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a teenage skateboarder investigating the mysterious death of his adoptive Vietnamese brother.
Along the way, Kelly discovers a dangerous conspiracy and uses his skateboarding skills to seek justice. The film is an action-packed look at skate culture and a tribute to the skating scene of the 1980s.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
#5 Grind (2003)
- 🎬 Directed by: Casey La Scala
- 🌟 Starring: Mike Vogel, Vince Vieluf, Adam Brody, Joey Kern
Grind is a comedy that follows four friends who hit the road with their skateboards in hopes of getting noticed by a major skateboarding star and turning pro.
The friends face numerous comical mishaps and challenges along the way. While Grind leverages skateboarding culture, it focuses heavily on the humor and bonding experiences of the main characters during their adventure.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#6 Thrashin’ (1986)
- 🎬 Directed by: David Winters
- 🌟 Starring: Josh Brolin, Robert Rusler, Pamela Gidley
Thrashin’ is a film centered around two rival Los Angeles skate gangs, with the story following Cory Webster (played by Josh Brolin), who is aiming to win a downhill race and the heart of a woman from the rival gang.
Often described as “Romeo and Juliet on skateboards,” the film showcases the 1980s skateboarding scene, culture, and lifestyle, including the competitive aspects of the sport.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
#7 Mid90s (2018)
- 🎬 Directed by: Jonah Hill
- 🌟 Starring: Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, Katherine Waterston
Mid90s, Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, is a coming-of-age film that captures the essence of skateboarding culture in Los Angeles during the 1990s.
It follows Stevie, a 13-year-old boy who befriends a group of older skateboarders. As Stevie begins to skate and spend time with his new group of friends, he is exposed to a world of excitement and danger, navigating adolescence and family problems.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV
#8 Street Dreams (2009)
- 🎬 Directed by: Chris Zamoscianyk
- 🌟 Starring: Paul Rodriguez Jr., Ryan Dunn, Rob Dyrdek, Terry Kennedy
Street Dreams follows Derrick Cabrera (played by professional skateboarder Paul Rodriguez Jr.) who dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder.
The film offers an inside look into the struggles of achieving success in the competitive skateboarding industry and touches on themes of friendship, perseverance, and following one’s passion despite daunting obstacles.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#9 Minding the Gap (2018) – Documentary
- 🎬 Directed by: Bing Liu
Minding the Gap is an Oscar-nominated documentary that explores the lives of three young men united by their love for skateboarding as they grow up and deal with issues of family, relationships, and personal challenges.
Directed by Bing Liu, the film is an intimate portrayal of youth, socio-economic struggles, and the transition into adulthood, masterfully interwoven with skateboarding’s role in their lives.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#10 The Search for Animal Chin (1987)
- 🎬 Directed by: Stacy Peralta
The Search for Animal Chin is a classic skateboarding film featuring the legendary Bones Brigade team. The team, including Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, and others, go on a wild adventure to find a missing master skateboarder named Animal Chin.
The film is renowned for its humorous take on skateboarding culture and includes some of the most iconic skateboarding scenes of the ’80s.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#11 Bones Brigade: An Autobiography (2012) – Documentary
- 🎬 Directed by: Stacy Peralta
Bones Brigade: An Autobiography is a documentary that delves into the story of the Bones Brigade, a legendary team of skateboarders in the ’80s.
Directed by one of the original members, Stacy Peralta, the film features interviews with the team’s members, who reflect on their impact on skateboarding culture and how they transcended their sport to influence society and pop culture at large.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV
FAQ
What is the best skateboarding movie of all time?
“Lords of Dogtown” (2005) is the best skateboarding movie of all time, capturing the raw culture of skateboarding in the 1970s Venice Beach scene.
What are some good skateboarding movies?
“Thrashin'” (1986), “Gleaming the Cube” (1989), and “Street Dreams” (2009) are good skateboarding movies that depict the skating lifestyle and its challenges.
What skateboarding movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best skateboarding movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are “Minding the Gap” (2018) and “The Motivation” (2013). Availability may vary by region.
