Here Are 5 of the Most Iconic Men’s Swimwear Moments in Film & Television

Mimic these suave stars with picks from today’s leading swimwear brands.

From impacting popular culture and sparking fashion trends to simply dropping the jaws of viewers, a well-executed swimwear moment in film and television can really make a splash (See what we did there?).

Of course, we’re always looking to those stars on the screen for fashion inspiration, so it’s no fluke that some of the most popular swim scenes in film and television have resulted in some of the most highly sought after swimwear fashions. 

With this in mind, we’ve collected a few of our own favorite swimwear moments in film and television and coupled them with swimwear picks to help you mimic the style of your favorite leading men.

Whether you’re looking for an exact swimsuit replica or simply in search of some inspiration for your next poolside look, you’re going to want to dive right into this list (Sorry, we did it again!). 

Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by The Underwear Review. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.

1. Daniel Craig’s Swim Trunks in Casino Royale (2006)

Alright, this one may be a bit obvious, but we can’t help ourselves—it’s iconic for a reason.

“Casino Royale” rebooted the James Bond franchise with Daniel Craig at the helm, portraying Bond in a more modern and gritty light.

One scene in particular sent Craig fans into a tizzy and had men all over the world trying to emulate his swimwear.

We’re on a glitzy Bahamas beach where a figure in a tiny swimsuit emerges from the ocean dripping wet and gleaming in the sunlight.

It’s a shot that previously would have been reserved for a bond girl, but this time it’s Craig as the focus, wearing a snug pair of figure flattering swim trunks.

And for those looking to get their hands on a pair of trunks that look like Craig’s in this scene, the swimwear brand BANG! actually created a replica pair called the Casino Royale Swim Trunk. 

Shop at BANG!: BANG! Casino Royale Swim Trunk

The BANG! Casino Royale Swim Trunk features a comfortable and stretchy fabric blend that contours your body, dries quickly, and allows a full range of movement.

This swim trunk sports a drawstring waistband with engraved golden tips and a zippered mini pocket on the front right leg for convenient storage.

This popular swim brand also has lots of great styles available on Amazon.

2. Signature Red Swimsuits from the Baywatch Crew (TV & Movie)

Running slow motion down the beach, wind in hair, rescue buoy in hand, and those unmistakable red swimsuits.

We’re talking about Baywatch, of course.

The hit television show that starred David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon, heroic lifeguard.

Even to this day, if you rock red swim shorts, you’re almost certain to conjure Baywatch references—a pretty impressive cultural feat!

Sun-soaked beaches, mesmerizing cast members, and plenty of action-packed sequences all played a part in the show’s success.

And one other element the show understood: nothing beats a good-fitting bright colored swim short!

Shop 2(X)IST: 2(X)IST Ibiza Swim Short

The 2(X)IST Ibiza Swim Short features a clean and stylish design with a 4-inch inseam length that hits mid-thigh for ease of movement both in and out of water.

This swim short has a supportive built-in pouch for support, a three-pocket storage design, is fully lined with a quick-dry mesh interior, and is available in several stylish colors and prints.

Later, Zac Efron and The Rock swapped in boardshorts and an extra dose of humor for the Movie remake.

If you’re looking for a high-quality boardshort in bright solid colors, we recommend the One & Only Boardshort from a leading swimwear brand Hurley.

Available on Amazon: Hurley One & Only Boardshort

The Hurley One & Only Boardshort features their signature legacy design in a classic style with cutting edge refinements and a traditional non-stretch waistband with a laced closure front.

This boardshort sports quick-drying 4-way stretch fabric, a water-draining back patch pocket with a hook-and-loop closure, and comes in multiple color options.

3. Jude Law’s White Speedo in the New Pope (2020)

This next one is from a show that never really garnered much acclaim, but we think it might have had more people been aware of the New Pope’s swimwear preferences.

The show follows a new and much younger pontiff played by Jude Law where old traditions clash with modern ideas in a provocative and visually striking style.

The scene we’re most intrigued by, of course, is when the new pope hits the beach adorning a skimpy white speedo and toned physique on display (Does this qualify as a miracle?).

Of course, there are plenty of speedo and swim brief options out there, but if you’re looking for a sleek and polished style like the one Jude Law is rocking here, we recommend the YUZHOU Low Rise Swim Brief.

Available on Amazon: YUZHOU Low Rise Swim Brief

The YUZHOU Low Rise Swim Brief features a soft, lightweight, and quick-drying premium fabric that remains opaque even when wet.

These swim briefs have a classic low-rise design with an adjustable drawstring for a secure fit and are available in multiple color options (including white if you’re bold like Law).

4. Tom Selleck’s Swim Shorts in Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988)

Thomas Magnum is 1980s-cool personified.

In this show, Tom Selleck plays a charming and resourceful private investigator that lives in Hawaii and solves thrilling cases.

And as you can imagine with that stunning tropical backdrop, Selleck makes frequent appearances in short little swim shorts (sometimes bare-chested and glistening wet on the beach, we might add).

We love this flattering yet laid-back style that you can find over at Mr Saker from their Quick Dry Beach Shorts.

Shop at Mr Saker: Mr Saker Quick Dry Beach Short

The MrSaker Quick Dry Beach Short pairs a comfortable and quick-drying polyester fabric with an adjustable drawstring waistband for the perfect fit.

These swim shorts are available in an astonishing 14 color options to match your individual style preferences and needs.

5. Jon Hamm’s Print Swim Shorts in Mad Men (2007-2015)

One of the most popular television shows in recent memory, Mad Men is known for its elaborate depiction of glitzy 1960s Madison Avenue.

Jon Hamm plays handsome and highly talented adman Don Draper who nearly always comes through with the perfect pitch.

While obviously not a swimsuit-centric show, there’s a notable scene of Hamm in retro print Hawaiian swim trunks reading a copy of Donte’s Inferno on the beach that received quite a bit of buzz.

If you’re looking for a cool retro print to add a touch of sophistication to your beach trip, check out the collection from mammgic.

Available on Amazon: mammgic Vintage Swimsuit

These swim shorts sport a high quality polyester fabric with vibrant prints and a soft and breathable mesh liner.

For more great men’s swimwear picks in every style, from swim trunks to swim thongs and plenty more, check our Swim Page.