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Parents' Guide to

Malibu Rescue: The Movie

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Unexceptional teen beach movie has some potty humor.

Movie NR 2019 69 minutes
Malibu Rescue: The Movie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 3 parent reviews

1Newbaby
1Newbaby Adult
June 18, 2019
age 6+

Family Fun

I thought the show was great and put forward the idea that kids and teens can be productive members of society. While the kids did make a lot of mistakes they also learned from them. I thought the entire cast did a great job, even the people in the smaller roles.

This title has:

Great messages
Ff2Medicmom
Ff2Medicmom Adult
June 9, 2019
age 6+

Bummed

My daughter loved it and now it sparked more interest in the rescue part of kiaking and water rescue and hard work. But please teach real CPR and first aid. Now she thinks CPR is 5 compressions and 1 breath. When compressions are the most import and 30:2 or 15:2 are CPR standard of care for health care providers and continuous compressions are being taught for lay person CPR. Please be as real as possible when things are taught. Thanks for the no cussing

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Tyler (Ricardo Hurtado) is in trouble at school again in MALIBU RESCUE: THE MOVIE. Summer vacation is about to start. Tyler's annoying stepdad remembers the time when, as a teen, he turned his life around -- in the Junior Rescue Program on Malibu Beach. A structured summer is the last thing Tyler wants, so when he's sent to Malibu, joining a group of "Valley" kids on their way to train as lifesavers, he's already looking for a way out. Making things worse, the established Malibu Beach teen rescue team has a problem with the lowly Valley types invading their territory -- the insults and harassing are nonstop. Tyler, easily provoked, can't help but want to fight back. Along with Gina (Breanna Yde), a sassy swim champ; Eric (Alkoya Brunson), a Vallelyite eager to succeed; and Lizzie (Abby Donnelly), looking for some medical emergencies to conquer, Tyler leads The Flounders (the name given to this underrated team) on their quest for rescue mastery. Together they take on the arrogant bravado of Malibu Beach "royalty" and vie for the primo lifeguard station on the beach.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (15 ):

The fact that the movie is brimming with cornball jokes, predictability, cartoon pratfalls, and one-dimensional characters doesn't mean that tweens won't like it; actually, most will. It's easy to root for Tyler and his fellow "Flounders," those put-upon kids from the Valley who are looking for both validation and a place at the rescuers table. Other than potty humor and some name-calling, it's inoffensive. The good guys are likable. The acting is purposefully broad -- especially the adults. And, though it has zero surprises, no nuance, and no shining moments, Malibu Rescue: The Movie is a comfortable and clear setup for the Netflix summer series that follows.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Malibu Rescue: The Movie as an introduction to the Netflix series that will follow it. Usually called a television "pilot," the goals are to set up the characters, relationships, tone, and style. A pilot often introduces the "origin" story, the central conflict for the series. Did the movie accomplish its goals? Will you watch the series? What about the movie intrigued you?

  • In some movies, locations and/or settings are considered "characters." How was Malibu Beach a character in this film? How did the specific locales dictate behavior and plot?

  • The filmmakers showed a commitment to making their movie family-friendly. Did you notice that even while most of the action takes place on the beach, there are no bikinis or skimpy clothing? With the exception of fart jokes and some potty talk and juvenile insults, there was no swearing. Does this matter to your family? How does your family determine which movies are okay?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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