Beaches

4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (219 customer reviews)
The twists and turns of career, romance, and illness impact the lifelong friendship between two very different women in this unforgettable tearjerker.
  • Starring: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey
  • Directed by: Garry Marshall
  • Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
  • Release year: 1988
  • Studio: Touchstone Pictures
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Beaches

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Product Details
Synopsis: The twists and turns of career, romance, and illness impact the lifelong friendship between two very different women in this unforgettable tearjerker.
Starring: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey
Supporting actors: John Heard, Spalding Gray, James Read, Lainie Kazan
Directed by: Garry Marshall
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 1988
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
ASIN: B004IAK5SU
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period. Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Other Formats and Versions

Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: December 23, 1988
  • Production Company: All Girl Productions, Silver Screen Partners IV, Touchstone Pictures
  • Filming Locations: Tavern on the Green - Central Park at W. 67th Street, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA | 880 La Loma Rd., Pasadena, California, USA | Claremont, California, USA | Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA | Crystal Cove State Park - 8471 Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, California, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(219)
4.7 out of 5 stars
See all 219 customer reviews
“ This movie will make you laugh, cry and so much more. ” "gemini_j"  |  32 reviewers made a similar statement
“ I fell in love with the movie the first time that I saw it and still love it. ” Nicole  |  35 reviewers made a similar statement
“ A very poignant story about friendship, love and caring for others. ” Stafford Mckay  |  12 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful and touching November 24, 2001
By Grace
Format:VHS Tape
This may very well be the saddest movie I have ever seen in my life, but it is also one of the best. If you have not seen it yet, I highly recommend that you do. It tells the story of two young women who meet when they are 11 years old. At a glance, they seem like two completely different people, but in the end, it's their strong devotion to their friendship that make them so close. Bette Midler does an excellent job in her portrayal as CC Bloom, a feisty redhead who is determined to succeed in music and will do almost anything to do so. Hilary Whitney, played by the talented Barbara Hershey, is a quiet, reserved woman who often finds herself jealous of CC's rising success. CC and Hilary may be very different, but they grow even closer when Hilary gives birth to a child--a beautiful little girl named Victoria. When Hilary becomes diagnosed with a fatal disease, she is forced to search her soul and strengthen her relationships with CC and Victoria. Throughout the movie, CC and Hilary go through many difficult times, but in the end, their friendship prevails. I definitely recommend this movie to everyone, but don't expect to have dry eyes at the end! It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will touch every piece of your heart. It really does show that even though two friends may be very different from one another, and even though they may go through a lot of rough times, it is the strength of their friendship that will be the decisive element. Go see this movie--you won't be sorry!
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25 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars classic tale of friendship still a fantastic movie February 6, 2005
By Byron Kolln HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:VHS Tape
BEACHES, based on the novel by Iris Rainer Dart, is a fantastic and emotion-driven drama/comedy. Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey turn in fabulous fully-realised performances as two best friends who share an amazing relationship.

On the beach in Atlantic City, 11-year-olds CC Bloom and Hillary Whitney strike up a friendship that will endure beyond all obstacles. Through letters spanning the years, the two women vent their frustrations, hopes and dreams.

Bette Midler is mesmerising as the brash CC Bloom (the 'Otto Titsling' number is alone worth the price of admission). Barbara Hershey wisely downplays the role of Hillary though she never is upstaged by Midler.

Supporting roles from John Heard, Spalding Gray and Lainie Kazan (as CC's mother Leona) are right on target. Mayim Bialik (TV's "Blossom") plays the younger CC.

This film could have easily fallen into soapy melodrama thanks to it's plot, but the direction of Garry Marshall saves it from becoming too maudlin.

Still one fantastic movie!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this movie July 7, 2004
By C. BULLARD
Format:DVD
Bette Midler is wonderful in this movie. Barbara Hershey gives an outstanding performance. I love their friendship and how it goes through the different phases, and yet at the end they are there for one another, to support one another. This movie is definitely a tear-jerker, yet a classic.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting and Emotional, But A Whole Lot of Fun! December 12, 2005
By ROFLChopper
Format:DVD
I loved Beaches so much! I watched the movie on the WE network, but it was still good enough for me to pick up the DVD. The movie remind me so much of friendship with my best friend, that I love so dearly. I don't know how I would go on if I lost my friend to a terminal illness, cause we're so much like sisters. The movie just so heartfelt and tender hopefully every friend of a friend will get this movie.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Film, Bad DVD. August 25, 2003
By Mount_Olympus
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would actually give this film 3 1/2 stars. Bette Middler is just incredible. Bette's timing is perfect. Watch Bette as someone is talking to her in a scene, her facial reactions alone are just hilarious. She is a comedic genius. There are few movies that actually make me LOL, Bette's performance makes me laugh everytime in this film. The child who played Bette was also wonderful...
Barbra Hershey pulls off the other half of the film OK, but it is Bette that makes this movie. Great soundtrack too! I always get teary eyed when Bette is singing "The Glory of Love" at the end of the movie, and waves up in the air to heaven at Hillary.
But why is this a barebones DVD release? This was a huge movie. there are no extras? WHY? Not even a trailer? The DVD gets only 1 star. The movie gets ***1/2. Boo to Touchstone for putting this classic film on such a cheap DVD.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Over the shoulder boulder holders March 26, 2006
By Meesha
Format:DVD
I will cry at anything it seems, My Girl & Armageddon floor me everytime, and I sometimes even cry at Neighbours. So I just knew by reading the blurb of this, that I would cry.

It's amazing these days that a friendship can span three decades - so far my longest friendship has lasted nearly 10 years. And we've been through a lot, but never had a serious argument. As the old saying goes, guys, jobs, etc come & go, but friendships last forever.

In this, the friendship starts at the age of roughly 11, and the young actresses who play Barbara Hershey & Bette Midler's characters are excellent. The little actress who plays CeCe Bloom at 11 is the spitting image of Bette Midler - poor child! She's got the hair, the wide smile and the mannerisms down pat, and it's so funny to watch her. It's a shame Mayim Bialik hasn't done much else, it's mainly voice work she does now (most notably she voices a character in Extreme Ghostbusters.) They become penpals, and the relationship is played out through letters, until they finally get together. The film spirals from there, from husbands, to divorces, to arguments, to children.

It's predictable, and I did find Bette Midler's character just a little irritating, but that wasn't due to Bette Midler. It was just the way she played the character she annoyed me, she was so self centered. Barbara Hershey's character was fun, kinda the sidekick to CeCe, and Barbara actually got collagen injections in her lips to look younger, as she was playing her character through such a long period.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars DVD worked!
The DVD worked and it's a great movie!

Unfortunately my other DVD didn't work but at least this one did!
Published 1 day ago by Kyndra
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST TEAR JERKER CLASSIC
BETTE MIDLER'S TALENT, VOCALS ACTING IS SUPERIOR. EVENTUALLY HOPE TO BUY THE MOVIE.
AND TO START COLLECTING A MOVIE LBRARY THROGH AMAZON.COM.
Published 3 days ago by Kathleen Schatz
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Tale
I feel inspired by this movie to the point that I find it encourages me to both believe and fight for my relationships with friends and family members... Read more
Published 4 days ago by James B. Hazel
4.0 out of 5 stars Beaches
Had it once on vhs, then the tape got ruined somehow, and have been nostolgic (sp) when I came upon it on dvd
Published 6 days ago by David Stauter
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Movie
Saw this movie years ago with my mother. I wanted my daughter to see this as well and we watched it together. Read more
Published 9 days ago by BETHANN COATES
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Film!!!
This is a great film! Bette Midler is fantastic in this movie, her voice and acting skills are superb!! The songs alone are worth buying this movie. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Suzanne Cookson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful movie
We've watched this movie in the VHS many times. It's great to have the DVD version now. Great movie, yes?
Published 13 days ago by Susan Carney
5.0 out of 5 stars classic
If You don't want to cry, don't buy or rent. I say I won't cry, but every single time i watch it I cry, I love this movie
Published 13 days ago by Belle
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt Movie
I love this movie, I bought it for one of my best friends, as it portrays the deep bond between true friends.
Published 15 days ago by Cynthia I.
4.0 out of 5 stars Beaches
Sweet movie about the ups & downs of true friends. I think anyone who has had a friend for a number of years can relate to this.
Published 18 days ago by CindyLouWho
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