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The Beach Bum

The Beach Bum

You gotta go low to get high.

201995 minRMidcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Director
Harmony Korine
Starring
Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Jimmy Buffett

An irreverent comedy about the misadventures of Moondog, a rebellious stoner and lovable rogue who lives large.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Beach Bum?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Beach Bum streaming on Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Beach Bum?

The Beach Bum earns 6 badges, led by Star-studded and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is The Beach Bum worth watching?

The Beach Bum's Midcredits score is the 34th percentile of all films, from 106K ratings across 6 sources. 35% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

34th percentile

Better received than 34% of films

38th percentile among Comedy35th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)39th
Approval (how many liked it)30th

58 /100

39th percentile of all films

43rd percentile among Comedy40th percentile among 2010s

Critics 55 · Audience 59

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

35% liked it

30th percentile of all films

32nd percentile among Comedy30th percentile among 2010s
35% rated it 7–1065% rated it 1–6

Critics 58% · Audience 41%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 7 noms overall

96th percentile

106K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Comedy96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 20% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$5M
Opening weekend$1.8M
Domestic gross$3.5M
Worldwide gross$4.6M

Returned 0.9× its budget — 62nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a meandering, style-over-substance stoner comedy anchored by Matthew McConaughey's charismatic but ultimately shallow performance.

Fans praised

  • McConaughey's committed, magnetic performance as Moondog
  • Korine's freewheeling, experimental style and vivid visuals
  • Fun, laid-back vibe and catchy soundtrack

Detractors panned

  • Lack of plot, depth, and coherent story
  • Waste of a talented cast
  • Repetitive, annoying, and emotionally hollow

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

McConaughey's committed performance widely praised; supporting cast divisive

CinematographyDivisive70

Vivid, colorful visuals and scenic Florida Keys praised; some call it 'nice scenery' but not enough

OriginalityDivisive65

Seen as fresh and unconventional; detractors call it derivative of Korine's own style

DialogueDivisive40

Some quotable, humorous lines; others find it lazy and self-indulgent

HumorDivisive35

Some find it funny; most call it unfunny and repetitive

CharactersDivisive30

Moondog called one-dimensional and unlikable; fans see him as fun and free-spirited

Plot and storyDivisive25

Criticized for lacking structure and depth; fans defend as intentionally aimless

Pacing20

Dragging and laboring; even fans note the aimlessness

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 11 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 11 points higher than over-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is The Beach Bum like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulMelancholicAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film presents Moondog's hedonistic lifestyle with a playful, absurdist affection, never judging its characters.
The rideThe film oscillates between carefree partying and moments of loss and consequence, with the emotional weight peaking around Minnie's death.
StructureThe story follows a conventional chronology from Moondog's wedding, through his wife's death and his journey to finish his book, to his eventual success.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a light, happy feeling of Moondog's free spirit, but also a wistful sense of his detachment.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThe film is an episodic character study without a conventional plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFreedomPower
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% (this title) · Technology 1%

Power

Freedom · 5% of filmsArt · 4% of filmsFamily bonds
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film examines Moondog's relentless pursuit of personal freedom through hedonism, and how it conflicts with familial responsibilities and his artistic calling.
StanceThe film presents Moondog's self-destructive hedonism without condemning or celebrating it, simply watching his antics and their consequences.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanIn transitStylized realism
RockPopForeground music · hybrid
SettingFlorida Keys and Miami, with a Jamaican interlude
MusicThe soundtrack features a mix of pop hits and island tunes, reflecting the carefree hedonism of the setting.

Content guide

Is The Beach Bum okay for kids?

R

The Beach Bum is rated R: “Rated R for pervasive drug and alcohol use, language throughout, nudity and some strong sexual content” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (39/100), sexual content at intense (73/100), language at severe (87/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (94/100) and frightening material at mild (30/100). Overall it is heavier than 82% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland18
  • JapanR15+
  • Brazil18
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary16
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland18
  • RO15
  • Russia18+
  • SK15
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 89% of all filmsHeavier than 82% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 20%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 92%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 85%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 99%
Frightening / Intense
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 14%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is drug and alcohol content, language, and sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Beach Bum have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Beach Bum?

Cast

5 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Matthew McConaughey
as Moondog
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Snoop Dogg
as Lingerie
Isla Fisher
as Minnie
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jimmy Buffett
as Jimmy Buffett
Zac Efron
as Flicker
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Martin Lawrence
as Captain Wack
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Stefania LaVie Owen
as Heather
Jonah Hill
as Lewis
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Donovan St V. Williams
as Snoop's Rasta Pilot
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Joshua Ritter
as Groom "Limp Dick" (Heather's Husband)

Crew

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