Skateboarding Films

If you love to skateboard, check out skateboarding films! These shows range from history and culture to how-to or demonstration reels. There's something for everyone, from those who have never been on a board to expert skateboarders.

To learn about the history of skateboarding, watch "Lords of Dogtown." This blockbuster hit explored the history of skateboarding in the 1970s in California. A group of skateboarders called the Z-Boys started what eventually became the punk/skater subculture that exists even today. "Lords of Dogtown" was written by Stacy Peralta, one of the earliest pro skateboarders, and he appears throughout the movie, showing off amazing tricks. Their story was also explored in the movie "Z-Boys and Dogtown." For the 1980s history of skateboarding through the eyes of pro skateboarders from that era, check out "Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator," a documentary. All three are must-see movies for those who are interested in the origins of today's skateboarding culture.

Beginner Trick Skateboard

Are you trying to improve your skateboarding skills or learn new tricks? Many top skateboarders produce their own demo films. Some are clips of their competitions; others actually show you, step-by-step, how to perform skateboarding tricks. Some are designed for beginners, even those who can do nothing on a skateboard besides simply rolling forwards. Others include more advanced tricks, including some that are so tricky you may not have even seen them in real life unless you've been to a major skateboarding competition.

Skateboarding Films

Skateboarding films are a great choice for skateboarders, and they're also a good way to prepare yourself for skateboarding. If you have young kids and aren't quite ready to let them skateboard yet, let them watch skateboarding films to feel like they're part of it all. In fact, there are many skateboarding shows that are designed especially for kids, even those who have never skateboarded themselves. The cartoon series "Rocket Power" is a great example of this. It has all of the great skateboarding culture, without the danger of falling. There are many other family-friendly cartoons and comedy movies that incorporate skateboarding, too.

If you're looking for a little entertainment with a skateboarding theme, there are plenty of dramas and comedies incorporating skateboarding. "Grind" is a movie featuring several pro skateboarders as high school students seeking to strike it big as pro skateboarders. "Gleaming the Cube" is a unique drama featuring both a murder mystery and skateboarding.

Many of these movies feature pro skateboarders, whether they are documentaries, demonstrations, or even comedies. Tony Hawk is perhaps the best-known skateboarder with numerous video games and movies featuring his tricks. If you want to see some of his most famous tricks, watch "Tony Hawk's Trick Tips," which features tricks for everyone from beginners to pros. His "Boom Boom Huck Jam" series features skateboarding, BMX, and motocross performances filmed during his Boom Boom Huck Jam live performances.

Many of these have been big hits, but there are also countless independent films about skateboarding, ranging from drama to documentary to how-to instructional videos. These can be found on YouTube or through the Skateboard Film Festival, held each August in Seattle. If you enjoy skateboarding, these movies can entertain you, teach you about skateboarding culture, and even show you new moves.

Skateboarding Films