Marilyn Monroe has captivated audiences since the very beginning. She’s been the American dream girl that we all aspire to be. In How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), she takes center stage as Pola Debevoise alongside her costars Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall. The trio takes on the task of pinning down three millionaires for marriage, using any and all assets that they have. Monroe sports a gorgeous red swimsuit, bringing in a new era of the onscreen swimsuit.
In 1953, Esther Williams gave the performance of a lifetime as the starring role in Easy to Love. Playing Julie Hallerton, Williams is a swimming star making the swimsuit an absolute staple in this movie. There are many scenes of beautiful water-ballet numbers which Williams masters gracefully. This musical is, of course, centered on a wild love pursuit. Easy to Love is one of many films that Williams takes on that features swimsuits, water, and fun in the sun.
In this historical film set right before Pearl Harbor, Deborah Kerr plays Karen Holmes. From Here to Eternity (1953) follows multi-leveled love entanglements at a U.S. army base. The story follows a variety of power dynamics and roles across a variety of unique circumstances. Our leading character, Robert E. Lee Prewitt, requests a transfer and finds himself on the beaches of Hawaii. This is why we find Kerr sporting her swimsuit in the sun with the cool waves in the distance.
Brigitte Bardot plays this movie’s namesake — the girl in the bikini otherwise known as Manina. As such, Bardot can be found wearing a striking two-piece swimsuit. In essence, Girl in the Bikini (1958) is a treasure-hunting movie that dabbles with the concept of what can be a true treasure. The main character, Gérard Morère, goes looking for wealth lost at sea but instead finds Manina. While Gérard dabbles in love and romance, eventually finding the treasure, his treasure-hunting partner, Erik, runs away becoming lost in a storm.
In Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) Elizabeth Taylor plays Catherine Holly, a young woman whose mental health begins to deteriorate after witnessing her cousin’s death. The story follows her family’s attempts to find out what really happened that day in order to help restore Catherine’s sanity. Taylor is mesmerizing as the troubled young woman, delivering a powerful performance of great depth and emotion. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress due to her stunning work in the movie.
In the 1962 James Bond film Dr. No, Swiss-German actress Ursula Andress plays Honey Rider, a local shell diver who sells Jamaican seashells to dealers in Miami. Andress was selected for the role just two weeks before the start of filming after the producers saw a photo of her taken by her then-husband, John Derek. In order to make her look more Jamaican for the role, Andress received a spray tan and her lines were dubbed over by another voice actress due to Andress having a thick Swiss-German accent. Honey’s iconic white bikini was constructed out of a British Army webbing belt.
What’s a beach party without a few bikinis and swimsuits? Anette Funicello plays Dolores in the 1968 film Beach Party. The film is the first of five installments and follows a study of behaviors in teenagers as conducted by Professor Robert Orville Sutwell, an expert in anthropology. During the study, the focus of these behaviors falls by the wayside and, instead, there is music and motorcycles. Teenagers being teenagers and having fun on the beach and in the sun is the main depth of this movie.
Before civilization, we had Tumak played by John Richardson. In this prehistoric feature, Raquel Welch dons a rawhide-made swimsuit-esque piece through most of the film. Her character, Loana, is Tumak’s object of desire — immediately made out to be a beautiful woman in a world of discovery. Tumak falls for Loana, but they are from very different tribes. Loana’s is much more gentle and coastal. To win her love, Tumak must fight for Loana against another caveman. Her beauty seems to be worth the tribulation.
In the 1967 film Bedazzled, Raquel Welch plays Lilian Lust. The movie follows Stanley Moon, played by Dudley Moore, who makes a deal with the Devil (Peter Cook) to get seven wishes granted. In exchange for each wish Stanley must give up one of his remaining years of life. Stanley falls in love with Lilian and she helps him come to terms with his fate. This character was revolutionary for its time; it subverted traditional gender roles by having a strong and independent female lead who more than held her own against Peter Cook’s Devil. Raquel Welch’s performance is an unforgettable part of this classic comedy.
The sun, the culture, the waves, the palm trees, and the good vibes…Southern California seems to have it all. In Don’t Make Waves (1967), Sharon Tate embodies the coastal and indulgent Cali energy, living life by the sea. Playing Malibu, Tate — like many cast members — embraces the swimsuit costuming. The main conflict of the storyline is romance — two romances to be exact. Carlo finds himself becoming one with the sunny coast and also is ensnared in a love story.
Jacqueline Bisset plays the part of Vickie Cartwright in The Sweet Ride, which was released in 1968. Vickie is a spirited and rebellious young woman, who is determined to make her own way in life despite the various pressures of society. Her strong-willed nature allows her to pursue a career as an artist during a time when it was considered unconventional for women to do so. In addition, she also does not shy away from challenging gender norms and societal expectations. She eventually finds happiness through true love and friendship with the protagonist, played by Tony Franciosa. Bisset’s performance embodies a sense of female emancipation that resonates even today.
Pam Grier rocked an iconic white bikini for her lead role as a female vigilante in Coffy (1973). The film is about an emergency room nurse, Flower Child “Coffy” Coffin, who seeks revenge against the people responsible for her sister’s addiction and the growing levels of crime in her city. Grier received praise for her performance and went on to be known as a leading femme fatale star in the blaxploitation subgenre for the remainder of the decade.
Perhaps one of the most classic outfits of all time, Carrie Fisher embodies Princess Leia in this bikini number. This look has now become one of the most recognizable costumes — not just in Star Wars history, but in movie history. Fisher is undeniably gorgeous, but also pulls off stunts seamlessly while wearing this particular ‘swimsuit.’ Rumor has it that the costume came as a result of Fisher’s complaints that the costuming in previous movies were boring. As a result, they tried this more feminine and daring approach to Leia.
No list of iconic bombshell actresses would be complete without a mention of Farrah Fawcett. In Sunburn, Fawcett portrays a young woman named Ellie Morgan who finds herself stuck in an unhappy marriage. Her husband’s philandering and lack of attention leave her frustrated and unfulfilled. As she strives to find independence, Farrah Fawcett’s nuanced performance captures the complexities of navigating life even when faced with difficult circumstances. Her struggle to make sense of her inner turmoil is highly relatable, making it one of the most memorable performances in cinema history.
This one highlights all the glory days of the early ’80s, including and especially the classic Linda Barrett cherry red bikini. This look created what was a jaw-dropping moment for Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and perfectly aligns with the Southern California rock and roll scene vibes that the movie showcases. The high school students in this movie are enjoying their youthful carefree adventures and finding love everywhere. Most importantly, this story is actually inspired by real life tales.
Elizabeth Daily, Deborah Foreman, and Heidi Holicker — or as we know them in Valley Girl (1983), Loryn, Julie, and Stacey — share this iconic beach scene. In the film, we see a classic clash of subcultures between the two main characters — Stacey and Randy (played by Nicolas Cage). He’s a city punk and she’s a valley girl and their friends don’t see how they could possibly work out. They learn how to defy their judgmental friends to be together in the end, but not before many scenes of tension, love, and, of course, life out in Cali.
Izabella Scorupco brought an unforgettable presence to the role of Natalya Simonova in GoldenEye. She portrayed a computer programmer and analyst who is initially unaware of her involvement in James Bond’s mission until later on. Her character is strong-willed, resilient, and highly intelligent – all traits that Izabella Scorupco showcased with ease and confidence in her performance. She was also able to demonstrate comedic timing and show romantic chemistry alongside co-star Pierce Brosnan, making her portrayal truly memorable. Overall, she proved to be an invaluable asset to the film as Natalya Simonova, captivating audiences with her acting prowess and poise.
Oh to live the life of Baywatch. A whole group of characters spends all their days living their best lives on the shores of California. This team of lifeguards is responsible for keeping the sandy beaches safe by fighting crimes and finding themselves in the middle of some crazy adventures. One of the stars, Pamela Anderson, has made our list for the topmost iconic swimsuit moments. However, we’d love to put each and every cast member on this list, too. Baywatch gave the public a new appreciation for fun in the sun and, of course, the bathing suit on screen.
In the 1996 film From Dusk Till Dawn, Salma Hayek plays a vampire named Santanico Pandemonium. She is a seductive and dangerous presence who lures the two bank-robbing protagonists, Seth and Richard, into her bar in Mexico. Her character’s entrance is truly breathtaking as she dances on top of a stage draped with a large snake, showing off her mesmerizing moves. She brings an exotic and tantalizing edge to the movie that ramps up the suspense for viewers.
Everyone loves a good conspiracy movie. When Ray Duquette (or as we know him — Kevin Bacon) finds out about a serious story going around about two high schoolers and a guidance counselor, he takes a deeper look into what is really going on. Denise Richards plays Kelly Van Ryan, one of the high schoolers in question. She wears her swimsuit while doing a car wash for her guidance counselor, which would become a key part of the plot and a famous scene.
The Opposite of Sex (1998) drummed up a ton of buzz upon its initial release. In the movie, Christina Ricci plays our lead — Dedee Truitt. She has an attitude and demeanor that is unmatchable. Truitt is a feisty young girl who comes in to wreak havoc on her half-brother’s life and eventually seduces his boyfriend. Eventually, she even gets pregnant which causes a strange bit of hilarity as events unfold to reveal who the true father may just be. This crazy tale and comedy highlights Ricci’s dynamic acting.
Tara Reid plays Bunny Lebowski in the 1998 cult classic film, The Big Lebowski. She portrays a young woman embroiled in a kidnapping plot involving Jeff Bridges’ character. Despite her limited screen time, Reid’s performance as Bunny is incredibly memorable and her comedic timing helps make the movie so beloved by fans. Additionally, her wardrobe choices add to the character’s charm. Her fur coat and bright-colored outfits create a distinct look that helps her stand out even amongst the zany cast of characters. Overall, Tara Reid’s performance as Bunny Lebowski is an essential part of The Big Lebowski experience, adding comedy and heart to this classic film.
Though shot in the ‘90s, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) takes place in the whimsical Italian ‘50s. The New Yorker — Tom Ripley — is sent to retrieve someone who is quite different from him: a spoiled playboy. It proves to be more difficult than expected. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Marge Sherwood, the playboy’s love interest, however unstable their relationship may be. She’s known by fans for her chic style and this is even more underscored by her iconic swimsuit scene.
Unlike the original Bedazzled film from 1967, the 2000 remake has its bikini-clad female lead in the role of The Devil. Elizabeth Hurley plays a seductive and conniving character, manipulating her victims’ desires to gain control of their souls. With her beauty and charm, she lures Elliot (played by Brendan Fraser) into making seven wishes that come with an unexpected twist. She uses his own naivety against him, causing comedic moments in the film as he finds himself trapped in increasingly difficult situations.
In The Beach, Virginie Ledoyen plays the role of Françoise, a young French woman who travels to Thailand with her boyfriend Étienne. She is portrayed as an adventurous and free-spirited character, whose carefree attitude contrasts with the other travelers’ cynicism. She is also courageous in difficult situations; for example, when Richard (the protagonist, played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is attacked by a shark during a swim, Françoise dives into the ocean to help him. Her presence provides a much-needed respite from the more serious tone of some of the movie’s conflicts. Ultimately, Françoise’s contribution to The Beach reveals her strength and independence as a character.
Jennifer Love Hewitt has stolen our hearts by playing a wide array of slightly scandalous yet banter-filled roles over the years. In Heartbreakers (2001), Hewitt plays Wendy or Page Conners — her identity sort of depends on how you look at it. You see, Hewitt plays the role of daughter in a mother-daughter scam and con mission. The pair hope to coerce wealthy men out of their millions. They’ll do whatever it takes to get their hands on their wallets, using all of their talents.
Arguably, Legally Blonde (2001), like totally could have changed the course of film history, like, forever. Or at least, that’s probably what Elle Woods would say. Reese Witherspoon plays a confident and daring sorority woman who, in an effort to win back the man she loves, finds herself landing a place at Harvard University. To do so, she gets her grades up, aces the LSAT, and records a video essay for the admissions team — in which she shows off her swimsuit in the sorority house pool. In the end, Woods discovers that her successes actually spite her lost love who proves to be even worse than we could have ever imagined.
Every James Bond film features Bond himself and at least one memorable sidekick. In this case, Halle Berry plays Jinx Johnson in 2002’s Die Another Day. The pair are sent to investigate a diamond mogul and are taunted by the looming threat of a possible space weapon. They face perils and action against the backdrop of North Korea. Berry’s orange swimsuit would become almost as memorable as her overall performance in the film. It’s a recognized part of movie history and likely always will be.
A surfer film, of course, is going to come with some bathing suits or two. Plus, a surfboard… duh! Kate Bosworth plays the lead — Anne Marie Chadwick — a famous surfer who is prepping for a huge competition. However, she’s distracted by a love interest. The football player clouds her mind and takes her time away from her very important preparation. Chadwick dons a few different swimsuit looks throughout the film, as is the nature of a film with so many in-the-water shots.
Devon Aoki’s portrayal of the character Suki in 2 Fast 2 Furious was praised by many viewers and critics alike. Suki is a street-wise and confident racer who is an integral part of the movie’s underground racing scene. She has an impressive car collection that includes a bright pink Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, which adds to her edgy persona. She also provides the crew with vital information that helps propel them to success in their mission. Aoki brings a unique flair to the role with her bold and daring attitude, adding a fascinating element to the movie. Her larger-than-life presence on screen leaves viewers entranced and captivated throughout her scenes as she continues to be an icon for young women.
