Spread a Little Sunshine With the Best Summer Movies of All Time
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The sun is finally starting to shine more consistently and the weather is getting warmer. You know what that means — summer is almost here!
As folks get ready to celebrate Memorial Day, Independence Day and all the days in between, they're enjoying spending time outdoors. But amid all the parties and delectable summer meals, there are other ways to relax and enjoy the long days of summer, like watching nostalgic summer movies that evoke those sentimental summertime feels. After all, the season is about taking it easy and enjoying the moments life brings — so why not enjoy them from the comfort of your home as well?
To help you narrow down the endless summer flicks, we've rounded up a list of the all-time best summer movies you can watch now. Not only do these films center around the best time of the year, but they're the perfect way to relive those times over and over again. Many of the movies about summer on our list are well-loved classics, while some choices may surprise you (in the best way). So grab your loved ones and turn on one of these films that will help you get in the spirit to have your best summer yet!
The Sandlot (1993)
Ever dreamed of just spending all your time playing outside as a kid? Well, The Sandlot is the epitome of that time in your life, where a bunch of kids play on their hometown baseball field, just as a new kid comes to town. The result becomes a lot more than just a baseball game, and watching the movie will bring back all those moments of nostalgia.
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The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
When four best friends discover they all fit into the same pair of jeans, they make a pact to share the garment as they all experience their first summer apart from each other. The adventures the girls (and the pants) get into become memories that last them a lifetime... or until they wear the jeans again the next summer.
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I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Can horror films be considered a part of the summer movies lineup? Well, this one definitely earns its way on our list — and it's not just because the season is in the title. Starring a number of well-known actors (including 9-1-1 star Jennifer Love Hewitt), the movie follows four friends who are forever bound together by a tragic accident. This leads them on a wild goose chase, where they're being hunted by a a stranger who may want some answers...
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High School Musical 2 (2007)
Fans of the hit High School Musical trilogy know this film for a few key factors. First, it follows a group of high schoolers as they work their way up at a summer country club. Second, the songs are iconic, with Zac Efron delivering a memorable performance to his track "Bet On It." Third, spoiler alert — Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez kiss at the end of the movie. What more could you possibly want?
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Thelma and Louise (1991)
It's the movie that brought about the idea of a girls' road trip, with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon leading the way. While the initial getaway comes with unforeseen consequences, the film got all the buzz at the time of its debut, including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Plus, throw in a then-unknown actor named Brad Pitt, and Thelma and Louise will be a movie you won't forget any time soon.
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Crossroads (2002)
In Britney Spears' only feature film, Crossroads follows a trio of once-close friends as they embark on a road trip to Los Angeles. Each teen has gone through her fair share of unfortunate circumstances, but they band together as they go out west to find missing pieces in their lives. It's a film full of heart, love and Britney singing her hit single "Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman." Plus, the movie was written by Shonda Rhimes — yes, the same woman responsible for Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton.
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(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom, a down-on-your-luck guy who falls in love with a woman named Summer (played by Zooey Deschanel). As the film chronicles their 500-day relationship, folks watch the couple experience the rise and fall of a young romance. And if that wasn't enough, Criminal Minds fans may want to watch out for a young Matthew Gray Gubler appearance as well...
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Adventureland (2009)
Long Island, New York residents know the famed amusement park this movie is based on, which follows a young guy (played by Jesse Eisenberg) as he spends the summer after graduating college working at Adventureland. There, he meets a fellow employee (portrayed by Kristen Stewart) and the two start a relationship that only could be described as a summer fling. It's quirky, cheeky and fans of both Jesse and Kristen will love it.
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Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
Some love to hang out at the beach over the summer, while some love to hike in the mountains. Either way, the summer is the perfect time for an adventure, which Journey to the Center of the Earth is great for. It's full of twists, turns and action that really makes you want to pack your bag and head out on the first backpacking trip you can think of.
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In the Heights (2021)
Based on Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical of the same name, In the Heights tells the story of Usnavi, a young bodega owner who dreams of leaving Washington Heights for his native Dominican Republic. But some things are worth sticking around for, as Usnavi realizes over the course of a fateful summer.
RELATED: 50 Best Musical Movies of All Time
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The Parent Trap (1998)
When The Parent Trap debuted back in the late 1990s, folks wanted to be Lindsay Lohan. After all, her characters (yes, she played two!) not only schemed to get their parents back together, but the duo met while attending a fancy summer camp. Who wouldn't want to watch this movie over and over again? Looks like we need to get some Oreos and peanut butter ASAP...
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National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Saturday Night Live comedian Chevy Chase starred in a film that followed the Griswold family as they visited various famous landmarks and an amusement park on a road trip. The group experienced plenty of mishaps along the way, but folks loved National Lampoon's Vacation so much that it sparked a well-loved movie franchise that currently spans many films.
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Dirty Dancing (1987)
No one puts Baby in a corner, and no one takes Dirty Dancing off a summer movie list! This movie classic follows a teenage girl who falls in love with a dance instructor while staying at a vacation resort with her parents. The movie shot actors Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze to fame, and it made all fans "have the time of their lives." Now, if we could only execute the dance lift perfectly, then we'd be in business!
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The Goonies (1985)
What if you were a part of a group of kids who suddenly discover an old treasure map leading to money while their homes are about to go into foreclosure? Would you go on an adventure to find the long-lost fortune, or would you stay back and not risk being followed by criminals looking for the loot themselves? Well, if you're into this type of adventure, then you better go watch The Goonies!
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Fire Island (2022)
Inspired by Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice, this 2022 reimagining follows a group of friends as they go on vacation to Fire Island, New York. While there, things get all kinds of complicated, from revealing personal truths to different methods of finding love. No matter which character you love more, this film will pull on heartstrings in a way you didn't expect.
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Dazed and Confused (1993)
Alright, alright, alright! If you want the optimal feel-good, easy-going movie, Dazed and Confused is the perfect choice. The movie follows different characters as they come of age while in high school. The movie not only became a cult classic, but it featured a cast of actors who would be wildly successful, like Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser and Matthew McConaughey.
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The Way, Way Back (2013)
When Duncan, a shy, introverted teen goes on vacation with his mother, her boyfriend and said boyfriend's daughter, it shouldn't be a trip that he'd like to go on. But over the course of the movie, Duncan discovers some firsts about adolescence, including love and what it means to protect his family.
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It Takes Two (1995)
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen star as two lookalike girls who miraculously meet while attending summer camp. While their lives are incredibly different, the two decide to take on the ultimate task: they want their respective parental figures to get together. Although it feels a little bit like The Parent Trap, just remember — you can't have enough stories like this!
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How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
9-1-1 star Angela Bassett plays the titular role in this film, a single mom who hasn't had a relationship since being with the father of her son. When she spontaneously decides to go on vacation to Jamaica with her friend, she learns the meaning of love while also rediscovering who she was before the harsh woes of life.
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Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
When a college professor learns her sweet boyfriend is a part of one of the richest families in Singapore, she is absolutely shocked. But when she goes as his plus one to a wedding for one of his cousins, she's only shown just how different he is from his loved ones. The movie features a number of well-known Asian actors, including Henry Golding, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and comedienne Awkwafina.
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Roman Holiday (1953)
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in this romantic comedy, which explores a young princess venturing out on her own to see the sites of Rome, Italy. She also manages to fall into step with a reporter, with whom she falls in love. The movie was so loved when it debuted in the 1950s, Audrey won an Oscar for Best Actress for this role.
RELATED: 60 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time
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RV (2006)
Robin Williams plays a dad who is a serious workaholic. When he promises to spend more time with his family but also must be present at a presentation in Colorado, he rents an RV for his loved ones to join him as they embark from Los Angeles. They meet a load of interesting people along the way, including a family who may show how important love is to all. Plus, it's just a really funny movie, with a ton of hijinks!
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Vacation (2015)
As one of the films in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise, this movie follows Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) as he heads back with his family to the amusement park his parents took him to as a kid. And just like the original film, Rusty finds himself in some odd circumstances. And should you want to tune in to see Chris Hemsworth in a comedic role, that doesn't hurt either.
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Mamma Mia! (2008)
Based on the iconic music by ABBA, this story follows a young girl living in Greece looking for her father as she prepares to get married. Between the songs, an impeccable cast (hello, Meryl Streep!) and an incredible setting, who wouldn't love to vacation here? And if you want more of the story...
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Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
... Then you definitely should watch the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. In addition to following up the events of the first film, viewers get a taste of the past with the backstory of Meryl Streep's character. Talk about a showstopper!
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
In one of the most iconic children's movies from the 20th century, viewers explore the friendship between a young boy and an extraterrestrial who gets left behind on Earth. The movie quickly became a classic, with folks also loving E.T.'s obsession with Reese's Pieces. Plus, the main lead's sister is played by none other than Drew Barrymore. It can't get much better than that!
RELATED: 60 Best Kids' Movies Ever Made
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The Last Summer (2019)
This Netflix film stars Riverdale star K.J. Apa and Good Trouble alum Maia Mitchell as two teens whose friends are all enjoying the last licks of summer together before they head out to college. The movie will evoke moments of nostalgia for all, along with some stirred up feelings over the relationships that could've been.
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The Inkwell (1994)
This 1994 romantic dramedy goes back to the summer of 1976, when a teenage boy spends two weeks on Martha's Vineyard with his parents. While he's on vacation, his parents get concerned for his wellbeing as he gets thrust into the party-loving society that congregates on a beach called the Inkwell. The movie not only talks about different forms of love, it also gives pause to the political climate of the time.
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The Last Song (2010)
Nicholas Sparks' coming-of-age movie follows a troubled teenage girl who travels with her brother to spend the summer with their father in Georgia. It's there that she learns about all different kinds of love, from reconnecting with her long-lost parental figure to falling in love for the first time. And if that's not enough, Miley Cyrus plays the main lead with an emotional maturity that's perfect for a movie like this.
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The Kings of Summer (2013)
Nick Robinson stars as a teenager who has trouble with his single father trying to control his life. As a result, he, his best friend and a strange boy they meet along the way decide to escape and build a makeshift home in the middle of the forest. But while freedom is something the trio want, it also comes with unexpected consequences.
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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)
The third film in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding trilogy touches on the Portokalos family venturing to Greece in order to deliver a letter written by Toula (Nia Vardalos)'s late father. While in Europe, the family learns a lot more about their pasts, while also building the foundation for their futures.
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Summer Catch (2001)
Jessica Biel and Freddie Prinze Jr. star as teens who have different dreams while in the same town. The teenage girl comes from a rich background, whose family vacations on Cape Cod every year. The teenage boy, on the other hand, has dreams of making it to the MLB, and his newfound romance causes concern from friends on whether he has what it takes to make it to the big leagues of baseball.
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Mystic Pizza (1988)
In Julia Roberts' feature film debut, the movie follows a trio of friends who all work at a local pizzeria in the Connecticut seaside town of Mystic. The group experience the beginnings of adult life while on the job, including marriage, love and all the trials and tribulations that come with romance. The movie has since developed a cult following, and the brick-and-mortar store that inspired the film still exists today.
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Girls Trip (2017)
When four long-lost friends decide to take a road trip to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, what could possibly go wrong? Well, this comedy brings a lot of laughter, friendship bonding and the perfect quartet of actresses (Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish and Jada Pinkett Smith) to help bring this story to life.
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The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Goodbye Lizzie McGuire, hello fabulous! The spinoff movie from the iconic Disney Channel series explores the titular character having the ultimate European adventure ahead of starting high school. Amid being mixed up for a well-known pop star, getting in her feelings about a suave Italian boy and trying to figure out what her friendship with her male best friend is evolving into, it's the movie that showcases what dreams are made of (hey, now!).
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Theater Camp (2023)
Ben Platt stars in this quirky comedy about the folks working at a long-running theater camp. As the owner's son unexpectedly shows up to take the reins from his sick mother, the employees spend time trying to figure out their next steps... all while working on a brand-new musical for the campers to perform in.
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The Little Mermaid (2023)
The 2023 remake of the iconic animated movie brings all the heart and soul the original film had, with its own unique twists. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, and her interpretation of the underwater princess will make you want to be a part of her world after watching the movie.
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Shotgun Wedding (2022)
In one of Jennifer Lopez's latest romcoms, the movie follows a couple who must save their guests who are taken hostage by pirates while at their destination wedding. The film is a perfect mix of comedy, adventure and the hope of love prevailing through everything. And after seeing J. Lo's wedding dress, we may just want to have a version of it for ourselves.
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Luca (2021)
This Pixar animated movie follows a young sea monster who wishes to explore the world away from the ocean. When he discovers he can turn into a human while on land, he embarks on a life-changing summer with new friends while exploring the fictional coastal town of Portorosso, Italy.
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The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Based on the 1955 novel of the same name, the movie explores the life of a con artist who travels to Italy in order to convince a Casanova-type guy to come back home. But after his initial attempt fails, he decides to stop at nothing in order to make this happen... even if it means hurting people in the process.
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Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Tom Holland's second standalone film in the hit movie franchise sees Peter Parker as he takes a class trip to Europe over the summer. In between mourning the loss of his mentor, igniting a romance with a fellow student and trying to save the world, it looks like Spider-Man has quite a busy vacation ahead!
RELATED: How to Watch All the Spider-Man Movies in Order
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The Beach (2000)
This drama from Leonardo DiCaprio follows a young man who discovers a seemingly uninhabited island off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. When he meets a French couple along the way, a series of mysterious disappearances from unexpected people start to occur, making this beachside vacation a bit ominous.
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Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Julia Roberts goes on the ultimate backpacking trip in this endearing biographical romantic drama. When Julia's character (and real-life book author) Liz Gilbert finds herself stuck amid a divorce and successful career, she decides to rediscover herself in three impactful, yet wildly different locations (Bali, India and Italy). She not only becomes more aware of who she is, but she falls in love too.
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Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
When members of a dysfunctional family decide to go on a road trip, the ultimate goal is for the youngest child to participate in a beauty pageant. What happens in between though is the epitome of what viewers don't want from a family getaway. Either way, it's full of laughter and heart, making this a film that fits perfectly on this list.
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The Notebook (2004)
The star-crossed love story between Allie and Noah is known for bringing a tear or two to viewers' eyes. But amid a sweeping romance, the initial setting of the movie is in the summertime. So if Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling have something to say about it, the summer fling vibe is definitely one to keep an eye out for.
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Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Okay, so this technically isn't a movie about the summertime. But given the titular character's desperation for having fun instead of being stuck at school, it deserves to be on this list for that reason alone. Also, it gives folks a ton of ideas for what to do on a day off... which makes this even better!
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Palm Springs (2020)
Ever imagined the movie Groundhog Day with a summer-like twist? Well, Andy Samberg managed to do that for viewers with his 2020 film that debuted in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Giving a nod to the 1993 classic, this movie follows two strangers who get stuck in a time loop after meeting at a wedding in Palm Springs. This film was well-loved, and it even garnered two Golden Globe Awards.
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Moana (2016)
This movie follows a princess who wants to be more than just the chief of her native Polynesian tribe. She desperately wants to explore the seas, but her father isn't too into the idea. But when the produce and people on her beloved island start getting weak, she sets sail on an adventure in the hopes of saving her community.
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The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006)
The second movie in the hit Disney Channel movie franchise, the quartet of girls hope to win an international singing contest by jet-setting off to Spain. While there, the girls find themselves at odds amid trying to figure out their hopes and dreams for the future. And while the story brings folks in, it's the catchy plethora of songs that keep them there.
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Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)
The first Cheaper by the Dozen film introduced fans to the Baker family and the hilarious antics the dozen children get into. This time around, the clan goes up to their old vacation cabin for a memorable getaway, including a summer-long rivalry with a rival family. Between hijinks, love and all-around laughter, this movie will definitely have you wanting to kick back by the lake.
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