The Best Summer Movies to Watch While You Await Beach Season
From The Sandlot to Midsommar, we have something for every summer vibe.
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Summer may not officially be here yet, but these films sure make it seem like it is. Whether you’re a fan of slashers, romances, Old Hollywood gems, or ’90s cult classics, dive into our list of best summer films below to add a little seasonal twist to your next movie night. Warmer days will be here before you know it.
The Parent Trap (1998)
What’s better than one Lindsay Lohan? Two. In some of her finest work, America’s sweetheart plays double trouble as long-lost twins who reconnect at a summer camp and plan a switcheroo to get their separated parents back together. Make it a double feature with the 1961 original.
Jaws 1975
In this 1975 classic, a killer great white shark terrorizes swimmers on the coast of a New England town. With the help of mechanical shark replicas, a terrifying two-note theme song from John Williams, and some movie magic, Steven Spielberg gave us yet another reason not to get in the water at the beach.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
This summer slasher stars a solid lineup of ‘90s teen icons: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze Jr. The fab four play a group of friends involved in a fatal accident and find themselves haunted by it when they reunite the following year. Someone knows what they’re hiding—but who?
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
In Alfonso Cuarón’s road trip masterpiece, Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal are two teenage boys who drive across Mexico with an older woman, Luisa (Maribel Verdú), in search of a secluded beach. It’s not just a coming-of-age story but a commentary on machismo, sexuality, and Mexican politics.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Angela Bassett stars as Stella, a successful stockbroker who takes a much-needed vacation with her best friend (Whoopi Goldberg) and falls for a much younger man (Taye Diggs). The film is directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan and adapted from Terry McMillan's book, but let's also applaud costume designer Ruth E. Carter for putting Ms. Bassett in the best beach looks on screen.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
In Timothee Chalamet’s breakout role, he stars as teenage Elio, who gets swept into a passionate summer fling with his father’s attractive doctoral student (Armie Hammer). Based on André Aciman’s book of the same name, this Luca Guadagnino film is tender and gorgeously shot, thanks to its Italian setting.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
On a sweltering day in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, the temperature is so high you can feel the sweat as it drips down the faces on screen. But the tensions are higher, as an argument over why a local pizza joint doesn’t display any photos of Black celebrities grows into a political and then violent confrontation. Spike Lee’s film explores racism and police brutality in ways that—unfortunately—still feel timely and poignant, while staying true to his directorial style.
In the Heights (2021)
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical (pre-Hamilton) gets the big and bold screen treatment with a film adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu. Starring Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins—and the Rita Moreno—it celebrates life, community, and Latinx culture in Washington Heights with dazzling song and dance numbers.
The Sandlot (1993)
Set in the summer of 1962 (but made in the early ‘90s), this treasured baseball flick follows new kid Scottie Smalls as he befriends a group of boys who play baseball at the local sandlot. When they accidentally hit his dad’s prized ball over the fence, they find themselves in big trouble.
Summer of Soul (2021)
While Woodstock got most of the attention in the summer of 1969, another historic musical event was unfolding further down the Hudson: the Harlem Cultural Festival. Amir “Questlove” Thompson sheds light on this long-forgotten fest, which included legendary acts like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Mahalia Jackson. Both eye-opening and entertaining, Summer of Soul won the Oscar for documentary feature in 2022.
Midsommar (2019)
Leave it to Ari Aster to turn a couple’s Swedish vacation into an unnerving pagan nightmare. Florence Pugh delivers a star-turning performance in this indie fright from the mind behind Hereditary.
Fire Island (2022)
A modern, queer take on Pride & Prejudice, Fire Island stars (and was written by) Joel Kim Booster as a devoted friend trying to set up his longtime pal, played by Bowen Yang, during their annual friend trip to the Fire Island Pines. There may or may not be a handsome group of strangers, an enemies-to-lovers arc, and passionate confrontations in the rain.
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
It’s the last day of Camp Firewood in 1981 and the temperatures (and hormones) are high, especially for the counselors. This hilarious cult classic stars Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, and Elizabeth Banks.
Blue Crush (2002)
Surf’s up in this aughts favorite starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez. Loosely based on Susan Orlean’s 1998 article, “The Maui Surfer Girls,” for Outside magazine, Blue Crush follows Anne Marie (Bosworth) as she lives, breathes, and rides the waves ahead of the Rip Masters surf competition—until love gets in the way.
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
For Frances Mayes (Diane Lane), the answer to getting cheated on and divorced just might be in Tuscany. When her best friend Patti (Sandra Oh!) takes her on a trip to Italy to lift her spirits post-breakup, Frances purchases a picturesque home in Tuscany that ends up changing her life.
Girls Trip (2017)
Queen Latifah. Tiffany Haddish. Regina Hall. Jada Pinkett Smith. These powerhouses star as four best friends headed to Essence Music Festival in New Orleans for the ultimate girls’ trip. To say that hijinks ensue would be an understatement. There are even more shenanigans to look forward to: a sequel is on the way.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Catch Matthew McConaughey at his McCoughaughey-est. This coming-of-age comedy from Richard Linklater puts the spotlight on freshmen, seniors, jocks, and stoners alike on the raucous last day of school in Austin in 1976. Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Milla Jovovich are also in the cast.
Mystic Pizza (1988)
Julia Roberts and her glorious ‘80s curls star as Daisy, a waitress at a (real) Mystic, Connecticut pizza joint who works alongside her sister (Annabeth Gish) and outspoken friend (Lili Taylor). This beloved comedy follows the three young women and their romantic escapades one summer.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward) may be young, but they’re in love. This Wes Anderson favorite follows two 12-year-olds who fall for each other and run away together, while the adults frantically search for them before a big storm hits their small island town. Frequent Anderson collaborators like Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, and Jason Schwartzman star.
Miss Juneteenth (2020)
Nicole Beharie shines in this warm, intimate indie from Channing Godfrey Peoples. Turquoise (Beharie), a Texan single mom, is a former Miss Juneteenth pageant winner now training her less-than-enthusiastic daughter for the same competition. Insecure’s Kendrick Sampson co-stars.
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