On the Beach was adapted as a film by John Paxton in 1959. This critically acclaimed film version was directed by Stanley Kramer and features an all-star cast, including Gregory Peck as Dwight Towers, Ava Gardner as Moira Davidson, Anthony Perkins as Peter Holmes, and Fred Astaire as Julian (John in the novel) Osborne. It is available on videotape and DVD.

There is also a 1989 audiotape version of the novel, read by James Smillie, available from Chivers Audio Books.

A television movie version is currently in production, scheduled for broadcast in 2000. Australians Bryan Brown (Osborne) and Rachel Ward (Moira Davidson) are featured.