I remember arriving in Thailand as a 20 year old in 1995 who had never even set foot outside of the UK before. It was a wild experience, not from the girl bars / drinking etc, but just the whole experience of a new world to me. I remember leaving Heathrow in the middle of a cold winter and being stuck on plane for 12 hours, to then step outside Don Mueang International Airport and experience the heat and smells of Bangkok hit me right in the face. I was absolutely captivated, the strange writing on the signs and buildings, monks going about their business and stray dogs everywhere, often in gangs. I boarded a train to head to Khaosan road, but from being a cheap traveler I went for standard class and stood the whole way. A big pale, sweaty ginger kid from the UK, made me someone to stare at and receive many smiles, as I stood and listened to the chilli peppers on my Sony Walkman cassette player. I remember the Khaosan road so well. Back then a luxury benefit of a guest house was being able to watch a 'VDO' in the half lobby / half cafe, while you munched on a banana pancake and shyly watched all these beautiful tanned girls in hippie clothes from countries like Denmark or Israel float past. There were no smartphones, ipads etc and internet was as slow as anything (a web page would take about 10 seconds to load), so you never posted your life to instagram or stared at the world through a small black box, instead you soaked it all in through your own eyes, etched forever into your own memory for only you to see. I headed south to Krabi (very undeveloped then) and over time my white skin tanned and I dropped a bit of baby fat from eating less from the heat. I looked like a more seasoned traveller hippy type. I was gutted when I came back to the UK. I remember walking around in flip flops, smoking my last packet of krong thip cigarettes and wanting to smile at everyone, but I was again in a different land and had to slowly adjust back, but part of my heart stayed in Thailand. Now I sit as a 50 year old bloke in my own house with a family and career, but I would so love to go back in time and experience that part of my life again.

I’ve been to Thailand 5 times already. I spent 5 days in Phi phi island this January, and on the final day of my trip I went to the balcony of my bungalow to listen some music with a glass of Chang beer while my boyfriend was packing. Moby - Porcelain was on my playlist and it came up with no reason... I was just sitting and watching the sea and the trees, feeling the breeze of piece and happiness... eventually I felt myself as one with the nature and the universe, no words could describe that moment. Im 35 now, I was young when the movie ran, but in that moment I realized what was the message of The Beach movie. Wish I was in Thailand 20 years ago, when no iphone, no social media was existed... when people lived the moment, instead if recording it.

Just watched this movie and man it was refreshing to see a film that’s just that ..a film …not a blockbuster, or comic book characters ..a great story/acting and man the 2000’s feel of the movie was delightful, im 30 and it just felt amazing !

"I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for. Because it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life when you're a part of something. And if you find that moment... It lasts forever" great movie and soundtrack

The beach was sooo secret that it was 1 mile away, and visible from the main beach.

Early 90's and 2000s were the best

I feel you Mike. I did that '6 months backpacking in Asia' in 2000 and had a blast! It was the happiest time of my life! Not knowing where my love and I would be tomorrow was the sweetest way to live. We really lived for the moment. My love died a few tears back and I am broken. Those times linger and I occasionally go back there to feel the magic.

This movie is really interesting because it basically represents the idea that we all have of how a perfect picture of paradise should look like, yet it never turns out to be exactly that way. Turns out there’s always a reality check along the way. But reflecting on life and having done some backpacking myself, I still look back with much gratitude and happiness to my travels. It may never be the picture you painted in your head, but that’s actually the fun about it, you never know how it will go !

cult classic of our generation. This always brings a tear to me. When life was simple back then. In a parallel universe.

The film epitomized what would come to represent a large part of the lives so many of us from that time would go on to live. We all fell in love with the idea of meeting a beautiful French girl, backpacking indefinitely, on a shoestring budget, in some tropical paradise with little rules and lots of tropical parties. Regretfully, the lesson that was lost upon us all probably has become all too real for many. That is, that paradise is a state of mind, not a destination frozen in time. I wonder if any of us will ever be whole again, endlessly longing to relive those carefree, formative, adventures of those youthful years. It's been 20 years now, and I actually did move to a tropical island to do my life like The Beach, and yet I still yearn for some other beach, something that probably doesn't exist. I know it doesn't. For one brief moment though, like Richard, I had it all, the beach and the dark haired French girl of my parallel universe.

Does anybody else feel there was something ephemerally different and special about the late 1990s? The coming millenium, movies like The Beach, the first season of Survivor, the internet and what it was back then, and just the general atmosphere and culture, it's hard to put a finger on it but those years were special, in many ways

I’m 25, I remember seeing this movies as a child and seeing it now makes me feel so nostalgic about the 2000’s. Time really flies by

Just watched this movie randomly, never heard of it before and I have to admit that it was the first time in months… maybe in years that I felt genuine happiness. The scene when they get to the beach and the Moby song is playing. Pure full body ecstasy and euphoria. I needed this.

Such an underrated movie.

There is a very specific feeling generated by watching this movie that no other movie out there can reproduce.

This movie transfers for me the feeling of longing for paradise on earth. It brings me to tears.

Best line of the movie, desire is desire after all, it does not matter where you are. You can not control it.

"Desire is Desire. Wherever you go. The sun will not bleach it nor the tide wash it away."- Richard

I did my first backpacking trip when was 19. I'm 29 now and it changed my life forever. I knew from that point on I wanted to see the world and explore it as much as I could. This film reminded me so much of that feeling I had during my early years on the road, and my desire to always be living life to the full, seeing new things, dating beautiful foreign women, partying and such. It really captures that sense of excitement and fun that all young people feel when they pack up their bags and head abroad. I guess reality hits you eventually and you start to realise you can't do it forever. This film reminded me so much of that coming-of-age moment I had where I realised it is those around you that make you truly happy, but goddamn were those good times. Nothing but fun, drinking, women and a sense that the world can't tie you down. I'll never let it go, and am even settling in Asia in the next year or two, but I'm doing it with my beautiful long term girlfriend and a stable career. I'll never let that feeling of wonder truly go.

I saw this movie without watching the trailer and I’m so glad that I did, the trailer pretty much gave the whole story away. If they had just sold it as a getaway paradise movie trust me people would’ve been more mind blown, I was caught off guard by it.

i never wanted this movie to get old as it was a classic for its day and still is

Had a similar experience like this when me and my family went to Mexico in 2006. We were walking up this mountain for a while and once we got to the top.. in one split second everything turned blue. A beautiful lagoon on the other side ... I’ll never forget how mesmerized I was. Laguna De Chapala in Jalisco, Mexico is a sight to see ... not to mention the women there are insanely beautiful

No one talks about this movie but it’s so good

I'm still trying to accept that he is now old: ')

This movie is criminally underated

I like this movie so much..the landscape, the story, the score..just remember when i was first year at college.

Seeing Leo look this young in 2000 makes me feel old now

This movie makes me miss Thailand too damned much. As of 2021, this makes me miss traveling even more.

Wow, this is 20 years old already

This trailer is literally the entire movie lol

The actual beach it's filmed on, Maya Beach in Thailand is now closed for conservation purposes due to the insane number of tourists flooding there. It's not unusual. Please when traveling, remain mindful. It's a place you won't have to see again once you leave but what you left remains there.

I heard the island was ruined irl after the movie was finished and nothing was repaired nor paid to help fix it, oof

Fun fact: Alex Garland penned the novel on which this movie is based. Garland went on to write and direct "Ex Machina" in 2014.

2000 : This island is secret! 2023 : Find the next sushi bar with google maps

I was 20 when this movie came out and it spoke to me and many others. This was the greatest escape ever, I would have go there. Last time in history this was possible back in 2000, no more with all the communications.

i watched this movie again after came from Maya Bay and i can confirm, its paradise!

The soundtracks are amazing in this movie. Almost all the songs 👌

i dont even need to watch the damn movie the trailer is dramatic enough

Perfect Storm I believe was 2000 that was ahead of its time with all the technology it was amazing. They had a lot of good movies back 22 years ago

this movie makes me so happy, plus it has a killer soundtrack

Wow . This movie came out in ,2000 that's 22 years ago??? Damn I'm getting old

I remember randomly watching this movie at my friend's place when we were both really baked and had no idea what was going on but we're enjoying the movie

This movie makes me feel an uncontrollable urge to travel, to live life fully. And the fact that I can't, makes me depressed 🤡

Pre social media, when running away and going off the grid was actually possible

i have to say, I have just finished reading the book, loved it and was excited to see the film. but not after the trailer, its nothing like the book!

My Favourit Movie. The Reason why im Traveling around the World now. Next year ill be at this Beach in Thailand. Thanks for the Inspiration

Makes me want to play Farcry 3 again for the 10th time

This trailer is the funniest thing I’ve seen today.

This is the movie to thank for causing overtourism in Thailand.

Okay Leo... İ am falling again.

“On an island that no one can get to”. Reminds me of Lost

Reminds me of my backpacking days.. All the money now to stay in better places, just cant beat those old experiences

i saw this movie when I was a student. I wanted to pack my bags and go to the other side of the world immediately.

I remember watching this movie on DVD everyday many years ago

I'm so used to seeing Leonardo DiCaprio being in movies set in the past lol

I can't believe how long ago it came out. Just when I started high school. Such an underrated movie, one of my all time favorites.

Why have I never heard of this movie?!?! It's everything I love the beach, water and Leo 😍😍

I wish i could go somewhere far and leave behind all the memories of my life without my mom

Timeless film, can watch ever year and still love it, very original one of the best

good times! Ive stayed in that exact hotel room in Phuket.

Leonardo is a perfect. Handsomely perfect.

One of the best ending....wow movie , watched it very late at night and it made the movie even more amazing....wow movie

21 f-cking years ago!

Super underrated

Maybe all would disagree, but this movie is one of the best from DiCaprio

I miss 2000 best time of my life

One of the best movies to come out in the 2000’s

I am no film expert, but this is one of the greatest i know

This movie gives me that tropical Island, backpacking, and some strange vibe that I dreamt of.

I never understood why this movie was so poorly received I think it's great

Movie of my life time...

This movie is such a vibe. A dream.

One of my favorite movies of all time.. I wish I can find another alike movies 🍿🍿🍿

I do remember that movie (especially when hearing the soundtrack goes right to it) can't believe that 22 years have past. I'm afraid if i get 80 and then I will say "can't believe how 65 have past"

when reviewing c trailer I feel like returning to the early 2000s.

Sadly maya bay is closed now 😢😢😢

Love this movie, gives me a certain feeling every time i watch it

takes me back to a happier time in my life very nostalgic

To be honest this movie is not that good. I have just watched it again after many years and can't say that it really grabbed me apart from the fact it reminded me when travel was fun and most of all an adventure. No smart phones and limited internet. A time when you went somewhere exotic after having researched it through reading instead of watching vloggers on KZfaq. you went to a place like Thailand with a a picture in your head of what to expect, created by your imagination through reading books and newspaper articles. But now you know what you will experience after a few videos on KZfaq. One of the downsides to the internet is that it took the adventure out if travel. It really does break my heart for some reason.

I WILL DIE THIS DAY TODAY THIS TIME.

One of the songs is Touched by VAST if anybody is wondering

I watch all of his movies

Kids today wouldn’t be interested in a beach paradise if it doesn’t have Wifi.

best movie ever, so underrated

I've always wanted to see this and I just finished it. Loved it.

The backpacker culture had started in the 1980s. This continues such a culture in 1999, the age of early Internet. The backpackers continue in 2023. The same type people getting together and then betraying each other, but with more advanced technology.

Thailand is the most beautiful place ever

Leo was 26 in the 2000 but he looked like 19

One of the best movies ever made

Just watched the movie, loved it

Plot twist Wilson the Volleyball arrives just in time to save the day.

This trailer spoiled so many great moments of the movie

*Underrated*

This was a great movie

danny boyle makes some really good movies!

i feel like they should've stuck closer to the book plot

Película de culto. Memorables Años 90s-2000

18 when this movie came out, a better time it was in 2000.

I can't believe I've never seen this. 2000 was a busy year though.

I haven't seen a movie from that era in a long time. Since Covid I sit much more alone in front of the PC again, don't know how to occupy myself mentally and morally. I have forgotten my dreams. After this movie and an eternity that I have seen something like this, it strikes me unmistakably that the lonely time in front of the computer sucks.