The adherens junction (AJ) comprises multi-protein complexes required for cell-cell adhesion in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Mutations in key proteins and mis-regulation of AJ adhesive properties can lead to pathologies such as cancer. In recent years, the zebrafish has become an excellent model organism to integrate cell biology in the context of a multicellular organization. The combination of classical genetic approaches with new tools for live imaging and biophysical approaches has revealed new aspects of AJ biology, particularly during zebrafish gastrulation. These studies have resulted in progress in understanding the relationship between cell-cell adhesion, cell migration and plasma membrane blebbing.