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20 Iconic Beach Scenes That Still Make Waves in Pop Culture

Summer’s here, the sunscreen’s out, and whether you’re actually beach-bound or just dreaming from your desk, it’s the perfect time to relive some of the best beach moments ever captured on screen. “Entertainment Weekly“ pulled together a salty, sun-drenched list of pop culture’s most unforgettable beach scenes—and honestly, it’s a total vibe.

Let’s dive in (with SPF 50, obviously).

1. “Jaws” (1975)
Beach terror hits its peak with the frantic rush of swimmers fleeing the water.

2. “Baywatch” (1989–2001)
An entire TV show dedicated to slow-mo running on the sand. Red swimsuits, dramatic rescues, and a generation of people suddenly motivated to become lifeguards.

3. “The Notebook” (2004)
“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.” Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams get romantic and soggy in a beachside moment of pure rom-dram.

4. “Point Break” (1991)
Patrick Swayze’s final, defiant surf into a deadly wave is haunting and beautiful. A perfect exit.

5. “Casino Royale” (2006)
Daniel Craig walks out of the ocean in tight blue trunks, flipping the traditional Bond girl moment on its head. Internet = broken.

6. “The 400 Blows” (1959)
In Truffaut’s French New Wave masterpiece, young Antoine finally reaches the ocean. His frozen, pensive stare into the camera has haunted cinephiles ever since.

7. “Barbie” (2023)
Ryan Gosling’s Ken gets ultra competitive with Simu Liu’s Ken in a “beach off.” Bonus: Venice Beach plays a starring role when Barbie ventures into the real world, sparkles and all.

8. “From Here to Eternity” (1953)
No beach list is complete without this one: Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr rolling around in the surf mid-affair. Waves crashing. Passion overflowing. Absolute classic.

9. “The Office” (2007)
“Beach Games” features Michael Scott leading the Dunder Mifflin crew in ridiculous competitions. Fun fact: it’s actually a lake. But the energy is very beach.

10. “Planet of the Apes” (1968)
The Statue of Liberty buried in sand. The twist. The existential horror. All thanks to one chilling beach reveal.

11. “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” (2003)
Demi Moore struts out of the ocean while Little Surfer Girl plays. Sass, style, and surf—it’s peak early-2000s camp.

12. “Happy Days” (1977)
The origin of the phrase “jumping the shark,” literally. Fonzie water-skis over a shark while wearing his leather jacket on the episode, “Hollywood: Part 3”. Television, folks.

13. “Mad Men” (2013)
Don Draper might be in paradise in the episode “The Doorway”, but this Hawaiian beach scene reveals a man haunted by existential dread, all while reading Dante’s Inferno in the sun.

14. “Die Another Day” (2002)
Speaking of Bond girls: Halle Berry’s slow-mo strut from the sea in an orange bikini became instant film history.

15. “Top Gun” (1986)
Shirtless, sweaty volleyball with Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer. Need we say more?

16. “The Karate Kid” (1984)
Wax on, wax off. And yes, that includes Ralph Macchio learning the iconic crane kick right there on the sand.

17. “Chariots of Fire” (1981)
That opening scene . . . runners charging along a wind-whipped beach to the Vangelis synth score . . . pure cinematic gold.

18. “Friends” (1997)
“The One with the Jellyfish” gave us way too much info about first aid, and peeing on someone to help them.  

19. “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)
One of the most harrowing depictions of D-Day ever filmed, as Tom Hanks and company land on Omaha Beach. Brutal. Important. Unforgettable.

20. “Splash” (1984)
Tom Hanks meets Daryl Hannah (as a literal mermaid) in a dreamy, sandy, fish-out-of-water moment that launched a thousand beachy rom-coms.

Confused Chicken Shows Up at Buffalo Wild Wings

If I was walking into Buffalo Wild Wings and saw this, I’d still eat there. But I’m probably getting a burger.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa got a call after someone spotted a chicken hanging out by the front door of a Buffalo Wild Wings in Des Moines.

They noted the hen must have been “confused,” since B-Dubs is the last place a chicken would want to be caught hanging out.

“WHAT THE CLUCK? Talk about a chicken on the wrong side of the road!”

How the chicken got to Buffalo Wild Wings is anyone’s guess, and whether it crossed the road to get there is also a hot topic.

People on Facebook were quick to offer up their own theories – a common theme being she’s finally buckled under the crushing weight of existence, and can’t deal with the unrelenting nature of life itself.

“She’d just given up. Was like ‘Just take me Lord!'”

“It wanted to be someone’s dinner.”

“How 2025’s been going, she just wanted to be done with it all!”

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa was able to catch the chicken, adding that she was safe and receiving the care she needed. And the best news is it appears the wayward fowl never made it inside the restaurant.

Imagine the level of PTSD you’d endure if you realized you’d been just a few short steps away from becoming a combo meal.

Nick Cannon Choked When Asked to Name All 12 of His Kids

Nick Cannon might need a flashcard app to keep track of his kids.

During a recent appearance on the Really Good Podcast with Bobbi Althoff, Cannon was challenged to name all 12 of his children—and he didn’t quite stick the landing. Right out of the gate, he admitted, “That’s gonna get me in trouble.” And, yep, it did.

While Cannon rattled off ten names without issue, he blanked on the youngest two: Beautiful Zeppelin, whose mom is Abby De La Rosa, and Halo Marie, the daughter he shares with Alyssa Scott. Not exactly a flex when your personal headcount hits a dozen.

Cannon’s candid explanation? He blames it on what he calls a “king complex.”

He told Althoff, “You know, Black men, we always be like, ‘What’s up, king?’ I really think I’m the king.” Apparently, ruling over your own kingdom of toddlers doesn’t come with a cheat sheet.

To be fair, the man has a famously packed schedule and an unconventional approach to parenting. But social media was quick to roast the moment, with many calling it both hilarious and kind of sad. After all, forgetting your own kid’s name doesn’t exactly scream “Father of the Year.”

Still, Cannon has always been open about his growing family, saying he’s deeply involved in their lives. But maybe next time, he’ll prep with a quick review. Or better yet, carry a laminated list.

@bobbialthoff

The really good podcast x @Nick Cannon out NOW

♬ original sound – Bobbi

Feeling Stressed? Science Says You Should Try Wearing Green

Looking to lower your anxiety without meditating on a mountaintop or adopting another houseplant? You might just need to rethink your wardrobe. According to color psychology experts, the simple act of wearing green could give your mood a serious boost.

While color psychology doesn’t have the deepest stack of peer-reviewed studies behind it, plenty of artists, designers, and therapists agree that color affects how we feel. And green, in particular, might be your new go-to.

“Green is the psychological primary color that balances the others—red, yellow, and blue,” one expert explained. “If you’re too stressed, it calms you. Feeling low? It picks you up.”

Consider it the yoga teacher of colors.

There’s real science to back it up, too. Studies have shown that just being around the color green—say, walking past a park or looking at houseplants—can reduce stress levels, lower your blood pressure, and even ease anxiety. So it makes sense that wearing green might create a similar effect, kind of like tricking your brain into thinking it’s on a nature hike.

Another psychologist (who also happens to be a Reiki master, so you know they’re serious about good vibes) chimed in: “Green tends to be soothing. So wearing it may make you feel more relaxed and less anxious.”

So if you’re spiraling about deadlines, dinner plans, or the general state of the world, maybe start small: grab a green sweater, or throw on that minty T-shirt that’s been hiding in your drawer. It might not solve everything, but it could make your day a little easier to handle.

This should work for everyone except New York Jets fans.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: June 22-28

Spider-Man, fo’ shizzle, Diddy crime, and mattress actors. Here are 10 things that happened 10 years ago this week.

The new Spider-Man was an actor you’d never heard of.

19-year-old Tom Holland was relatively unknown, but did have some cred for his performance in 2012’s “The Impossible” with Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. (Really needed his web slingers in that one. Spoiler: the tsunami wins.)

Leonardo DiCaprio invested in a mattress startup.

He knows his way around a bedroom, so folks laughed. Fellow mattress enthusiasts Adam Levine and (ex Spider-Man) Tobey Maguire were also early investors. The up-and-coming mattress company was Casper.

Diddy was maybe going to jail.

He got arrested for aggravated assault after a dust up with a coach at UCLA, where his son was playing football. The charges were eventually dropped due to a “lack of evidence,” but it was later alleged he’d fought the coach, choked out an intern, and put another staff member in a headlock. The good news is he was able to put his legal troubles behind him…

Dustin Diamond was definitely going to jail.

He got four months for stabbing a dude in a bar brawl on New Year’s Day. Served three, got out on probation. Sadly, we lost Screech less than six years later. Dustin (who was not a smoker) lost a battle with lung cancer in early 2021.

“Fo’ shizzle” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Even the snobby, fancy dictionaries had caved and were leaning into the new 21st century vocab. “Sext,” “hot mess,” “autotune,” and “stanky” also made it in that year.

A cat won Dog of the Year.

You’ll know why when you remember the footage. A loose dog tried to rip a kid’s leg off in Bakersfield, CA, but the family cat kicked its ass. 7-year-old tabby Tara took home spcaLA’s highly coveted National Hero Dog Award. Ask your pup, it’s quite the honor.

Paris Hilton wasn’t in a fiery plane crash.

An Egyptian prank show caught heat for making her think her plane was going down. But TMZ later reported she was in on the prank, supposedly pocketing a cool $1 million for the stunt. The collective reaction was wow… she’s a better actress than we thought.

Rumor had it Tom Cruise might do a “Top Gun” sequel.

The rumor picked up steam when he later said he’d do it if there was “no CGI on the jets.” “Top Gun: Maverick” came out seven years later in 2022 and grossed $1.5 billion at the box office. They did use real jets – with a dash of CGI.

The first “Inside Out” was a huge hit with (most) kids.

Unfortunately, a group of excited kiddos in Ohio were left traumatized after a projectionist accidentally screened the horror flick “Insidious: Chapter 3” instead. Scarred for life.

Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris were together and rich as hell.

“Forbes” named them the world’s highest-paid celebrity couple with combined earnings of $146 million. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were next at $110.5 million.

Taylor and Calvin dated for just over a year. She eventually moved on to car wash owner and Campbell’s Chunky souperfan Travis Kelce. “Forbes” doesn’t do the list anymore, but Tay Tay and Trav would be high up on it.

The 10 Best Backyard Games of All Time

Summer is here! So we ranked the 10 best backyard games of all time.

Quick Disclaimer: Any list like this is going to be subjective, and personal preference comes into play. But that being said, we friggin’ nailed it. So if you disagree with these rankings, you might need to take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Have I lost touch with my inner child? Do I still know how to have fun? Am I dead inside?”

Without further ado, here are the 10 best backyard games of all time, ranked according to fun, accessibility, and overall popularity.

1. Cornhole

It’s the undisputed king of the backyard. Whether you’re at a barbecue or a tailgate, cornhole is almost guaranteed to be there. Modern cornhole originated in Cincinnati in the 1960s, but a similar game with square holes was patented way back in 1883. History aside, it’s easy, addictive, and oddly competitive even before you start drinking. (Bonus points for being able to play with a beer in one hand.)

2.  Bocce 

The beauty of bocce? You don’t need a perfect lawn or even grass. A patch of dirt or gravel works just fine. It’s perfect for all ages, and vibes somewhere between lawn chess and bowling for grownups. (Pro tip: beach bocce sets are lighter and easier for kids.)

3.  Wiffle Ball

A dad in Connecticut came up with it in the summer of ’53 and made backyard baseball possible. If you haven’t swung one of those skinny yellow bats in a while, it makes you feel oddly strong. There were also the big fat red ones – the perfect weapon for toddlers looking to attack Dad’s knees, ankles, and groin.

4.  Two-Hand Touch / Flag Football

An American classic. All you need is a ball (preferably a Nerf one) and maybe a couple rags to tuck in your waistband. Bonus points if you have that one cousin who takes it way too seriously.

5.  Kickball

A gym-class hero that never lost its charm, it’s a game played worldwide. Brits call it “football rounders,” Canadians call it “soccer baseball.” 😑 But everyone everywhere calls it a great excuse to sprint around your yard like it’s third grade again.

6.  Horseshoes

A little more advanced and not quite kid-friendly (those things are heavy). But if you’ve got a sandpit setup, horseshoes are peak chill-and-throw fun.

7.  Badminton

Not as trendy as it once was, and setup takes a minute. But it’s a whole lot of fun if you’re willing to go through the hassle of putting up the net. Once you’re rallying, it’s hard not to get competitive, and the boing sound of a shuttlecock hitting your racket is just oddly satisfying. (Plus, who doesn’t love saying “shuttlecock.”)

8.  Ladderball

Invented by a Pennsylvania mailman and made mainstream by Ladder Golf LLC in 2005, ladder toss has carved out a permanent spot on the backyard game roster. It’s simple, weirdly strategic, and totally addictive.

9.  Lawn darts

Yes, the OG version was basically a weapon. But honestly, wasn’t that a plus? The lawn darts of today are kid-safe and just as fun. (Lies.) Toss them into a target circle to start racking up points – and memories.

10.  Croquet

Sure, it’s old-school… and no one plays it anymore. But croquet was incredibly popular in its heyday and still brings a fancy twist to the backyard. It’s low-impact, slow-paced, and ideal for those sipping something out of a glass with a garnish.

It’s undoubtedly the fanciest pick on the list – the type of game that makes you feel like a member of the aristocracy. But while the word is French, the game actually originated in England in the 1800s. So… not as fancy.

Honorable Mention: Playing Catch

It’s not exactly a “game,” but throwing a ball back and forth has always been part of the backyard DNA. Maybe not Top 10 material, but definitely top vibes.

The Snubs

A few more games that almost made our cut include hide-and-seek, tag, Spikeball, Kan Jam (a.k.a. “Garbage Can Frisbee”), and beer pong if your backyard hangs are more 21+. Ultimate Frisbee also rules if your yard is a full acre.

America’s Favorite Pop Culture Sharks

If you’ve noticed a wave of “Jaws” nostalgia flooding your feed, you’re not imagining things—this summer marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic shark thriller. And naturally, the internet is celebrating the best way it knows how: with lists, polls, and a healthy amount of snark.

A recent ranking of the most popular sharks in pop culture threw a surprising twist into the chum-filled waters: Bruce from “Finding Nemo” took the top spot, edging out the original Bruce from “Jaws.” That’s right—the goofy, toothy vegetarian shark beat out the cinematic terror that started a generation’s fear of the ocean.

Here’s how the finned celebs stacked up:

  1. Bruce, Finding Nemo (2003)
  2. Bruce, Jaws (1975)
  3. Lenny, Shark Tale (2004)
  4. King Shark, The Suicide Squad (2021)
  5. Destiny, Finding Dory (2016)

Fun fact: the name Bruce in “Nemo” was actually a nod to Spielberg’s infamous mechanical shark. So technically, Bruce beat Bruce.

The Most Searched Shark Is . . .

Meanwhile, Google Trends revealed which sharks are swimming through our search histories. The Great White shark dominated across nearly every state. The only holdouts? Alaska, Utah, and Georgia, where whale sharks took the lead. And in Hawaii, residents are more intrigued by tiger sharks.

And the Most Dangerous Shark Is . . .

It’s worth noting that the Great White isn’t just the most famous—it’s also the most dangerous. Shark attack stats put it at #1, followed by the tiger shark, bull shark, requiem shark, and blue shark.

So whether you’re Team Bruce, Team Lenny, or still not over Jaws making you fear swimming pools, the shark love is real this summer. Just maybe avoid the water while you’re at it.

Whatever Happened to Cereal Box Prizes? And Other Stuff That Quietly Vanished

Some things disappear with a bang. Others just slip out the back door while no one’s looking… like your old Tamagotchi or Kevin Costner’s reputation as a box office draw.

A viral internet post recently asked, “What’s something that used to be everywhere, and now it’s just… gone?” The answers were a nostalgic gut-punch… and also kinda hilarious. Here are a few of the best:

1. Heelys
Those shoes with the hidden wheels? If you weren’t flying down the school hallway on a pair of Heelys in 2004, were you even alive? They’re technically still around, but these days you’re more likely to see a grown man on a Bird scooter than a kid on Heelys.

2. Cereal Box Prizes
Once the highlight of any kid’s morning, cereal prizes are now mostly just QR codes that send you to an app you’ll forget about in 10 minutes. Digging through sugary flakes for a plastic toy was a core childhood memory. Now? Just sadness and fiber.

3. Picture-in-Picture TV
It used to be a very big deal to watch two shows at once. Now we’re watching TV while scrolling TikTok and responding to emails. Modern multitasking made this feature irrelevant… R.I.P. to the little box in the corner.

4. Voiceovers in Movie Trailers
“In a world…” used to open every epic trailer. But gravel-voiced narrators have all but vanished, replaced by ominous piano music and vague text like “From the studio that brought you… something you forgot.”

5. Paid Lunch Breaks
The “lunch hour” used to be part of your shift. Somewhere along the line, it became a “take it if you dare” unpaid thing, and we just collectively shrugged and said okay.

There’s a lot of this kind of stuff. Here are a few things that DIDN’T make the list, but should’ve:

  • Eye contact.
  • Sears.
  • Justin Timberlake fans.
  • The prestige of an Ivy League degree.
  • MTV.
  • Voicemails.
  • Unopinionated people on Facebook.

The 10 Most Valuable Team Sales in U.S. Sports History

If you thought sports team prices were already out of control, buckle up, because the Los Angeles Lakers just sold for a jaw-dropping $10 billion, making it the most expensive team sale in U.S. history. That’s billion with a B.

This historic deal knocks the Boston Celtics out of the top spot and cements the Lakers’ legacy not just on the court, but also in the boardroom. For sports fans, business junkies, and anyone who’s ever wondered how much a franchise is actually worth, here’s how the all-time leaderboard shakes out now:

Top 10 Most Expensive Sports Team Sales in U.S. History:

  1. Los Angeles Lakers – $10 billion
  2. Boston Celtics – $6.1 billion
  3. Washington Commanders – $6.05 billion
  4. Denver Broncos – $4.65 billion
  5. Phoenix Suns – $4 billion
  6. Dallas Mavericks – $3.5 billion
  7. Charlotte Hornets – $3 billion
  8. New York Mets – $2.4 billion
  9. Brooklyn Nets – $2.35 billion
  10. Carolina Panthers – $2.275 billion

Just let this sink in: In less than two decades, the ceiling for team sales has more than quadrupled. A big chunk of the boom can be credited to media rights, streaming deals, global merchandising, and a whole lot of billionaire FOMO.

Interestingly, this list is a mix of teams across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and even some surprising names (hello, Charlotte Hornets?). Basketball franchises seem to dominate the top spots now, which is a shift from past decades when NFL teams led the charge.

The Lakers, with their worldwide fan base, celebrity allure, and rich championship history, were always expected to go big, but $10 billion big? That’s next-level. And with franchise values continuing to soar, it might not be long before another team makes a run at that record.

Until then, the purple and gold sit on top of yet another mountain.

Pepsi Once Had the Sixth Largest Navy in the World

Did you know that Pepsi, the soda company, once commanded the world’s sixth-largest navy? No, that’s not a typo.

This fizzy tale begins in 1972, when Pepsi became the first American consumer brand to break into the Soviet Union. Because the ruble wasn’t accepted internationally, a traditional payment setup was off the table. So instead, Pepsi bartered with the USSR—trading its cola for Stolichnaya vodka, which it could sell in the U.S.

Capitalism, meet vodka-fueled communism.

But things got complicated in 1989. After the U.S. slapped sanctions on Russian goods following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the vodka-for-Pepsi pipeline dried up. That’s when Pepsi’s CEO Donald Kendall found himself back in Moscow, trying to negotiate a new deal with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

The USSR still couldn’t pay in cash, so they got creative. Wildly creative.

The Soviets offered Pepsi a bunch of military ships—17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. The vessels were decommissioned and needed major repairs, but on paper, PepsiCo was briefly a maritime superpower.

For a short time, the soda company technically owned more naval hardware than some countries. Experts even say that, during this fleeting window, Pepsi possessed the sixth-largest navy in the world.

Of course, Pepsi had no plans to start patrolling the high seas with Mountain Dew torpedoes. They sold the ships for scrap metal to a Swedish company, pocketing about $3 million in the process.

So, the next time someone asks what your favorite soft drink is, just remember: Pepsi once had a fleet of submarines.

📸 WarshipPorn / Reddit (1989 – Here are 5 of the 17 submarines Pepsi acquired from the USSR)

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