In Hollywood-movie summer, anything is possible. You might meet a mermaid, find hidden treasure, or even become an international pop star. Anything can happen, and it probably will. From romance to comedy to horror, here are 23 movies to pump you up for summer.
1. The Endless Summer (1966)
Credit: Montery Media, Inc.
"The Endless Summer" is the most iconic surf movie ever made. It made its nationwide theatrical release in 1966, inspiring pop-culture ever since. The film follows Bruce Brown, filmmaker and professional surfer, and his buddies Mike Hynson and Robert August as they cling onto the coattails of summer all over the world. It's authentic and raw: there aren't glistening ripped dudes with chiseled jawlines and perfect hair. Instead, there's Hynson and August, just a couple of surfers. Clearly Brown's from another era, and his dad jokes are pretty telling. I'll tell you what, though, the visuals in this film will make you want to chase the waves.
2. Jaws (1975)
Credit: Zanuk/Brown Productions, Universal Studios
Okay, so "Jaws" is iconic. But I wouldn't feel right if I didn't make this point: Sharks are not evil. The "Jaws" trailer calls him an "eating machine" that likes to kill, which is completely false. Don't get me wrong, they're dangerous. But they're not after me or you. We're actually after them.
3. Grease (1978)
Credit: Paramount Pictures
The songs of "Grease" are basically the soundtrack to any summer. And what's a summer fling if not Danny and Sandy?
4. The Goonies (1985)
Credit: Amblent Entertainment
There was a time we all wanted to be Goonies. I remember a summer when my cousins and I discovered a path in the forest, marked by colorful tree markers. Could it lead to a secret tree house? A hidden lagoon full of pirate ships? Or an aluminum shed marked "STORAGE," with a padlock on the door. We didn't find Sloth, but we were Goonies for a little while.
5. Stand By Me (1986)
Credit: Columbia Pictures
When does childhood start to blur into adulthood? For some of us, it's hard to tell. For Gordy, Chris, Teddy and Vern, it's Memorial Day weekend, 1959. After hearing talk about a dead body, they decide to go find it. Along the way, they grow together and their naivety is left in the dust.
6. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Credit: Vestron Pictures/Great American Films Limited Partnership
It's that summer we all know. You know, the one before life starts. For me, it was the summer before my freshman year at the University of Cincinnati. For Baby, it's the summer before the Peace Corps. It's like a 'Romeo and Juliet' kind of plot, and you just can't help but love it.
7. Dazed and Confused (1993)
Credit: Gramercy Pictures
The last day of school is loooong. But the night? Even longer. "Dazed and Confused "is one of my favorite summer films. I wasn't around in the 70's, but the nostalgia's still there. Oh and check out Matthew McConaughey's mustache! Summer trends to watch for? I hope not.
8. The Sandlot (1993)
How could you forget about the slobbering, nightmarish Beast? More importantly, how could you forget about Benny Rodriquez?
9. Tommy Boy (1995)
Credit: Paramount Pictures
I'm a fifth-year senior and all I can think about is the debt I'll have to pay off once I'm finished. But a seventh-year senior?! Holy Shnikes. Chris Farley's character will keep you laughing throughout this entire movie, and you'll find yourself rooting for him the whole way.
10. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Credit: Mandalay Entertainment/Summer Knowledge LLC
I've made some questionable decisions over the course of my young years, but dumping a body isn't one of them. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" has everything a summer flick needs, and a little bit more: high-school graduations, celebratory drinking, beach bonfires and tons of paranoia.
11. The Parent Trap (1998)
Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
"The Parent Trap" may be one of the most nostalgic summer movies of our generation. I mean, come on. Sleepaway camps? Bracelet-making and hair-braiding? Using an apple to pierce your ears? And of course, a young Lindsay Lohan. Can we talk about how good her British accent is?!
12. Almost Famous (2000)
Credit: DreamWorks
"Almost Famous" follows William, a soon-to-be high school grad, on the road. He's on tour with a band called Stillwater, and he's writing a piece on them for The Rolling Stone. This movie has a great soundtrack, especially for the summer. It has a feel-good, sunshine vibe to it, so I watch it all-year round.
13. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Credit: NBC Universal/USA Films
The title pretty much speaks for itself, but if you haven't seen this film, I suggest you do. It's a great kick-off to the summer, although it's technically on the last day of camp. Camp Firewood has incredible counselors: Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Christopher Maloney (Stabler from SVU), and Molly Shannon. Trust me, you won't be able to stop laughing. If you want to go to Camp Firewood for the summer, there's an eight-part series on Netflix: "Wet, Hot, American Summer: First Day of Camp," streaming now!
14. Blue Crush (2002)
"Credit: Imagine Entertainment"
"Blue Crush" is emotional, inspiring, and full of summer vibes. It's a story about friendship, motivation, perseverance, and beating the boys at their own game.
15. Holes (2003)
Credit: Walden Media/Walt Disney Pictures
What kind of summer is it without a trip to Camp Greenlake?
16. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
Lizzie McGuire was the original queen of Disney Channel. She was so relatable, except for the time she found out her doppelganger was an Italian pop-star. I know middle school me would be too shy to perform in front of millions of people, but you do you, Lizzie. You do you.
17. 50 First Dates (2004)
Credit: Paramount Pictures
50 First Dates or 50 Shades? Either way, this one's definitely more romantic. Henry's tape for Lucy, to help her fall in love each day, is the sweetest thing I've ever seen. The sand beneath the palm trees will make you crave the hot summer days to come. Maybe even a summer love.
18. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Credit: Alcon Entertainment/DiNovi Pictures/Alloy Entertainment/Warner Bros. Pictures
You know how hard it can be to find a good pair of jeans, right? Not these girls. This magical pair of pants is one-size-fits-all-of-us. I wonder what Blair would think of Serena sharing jeans from a thrift store.
19. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Olive's the runner-up in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, so her and her family go to California. The film tackles tough subjects with warmth and humor, like mental illness, sexuality, identity and body-positivity. Talk about a summer road trip!
20. Aquamarine (2006)
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Hot lifeguards, mean girls, mermaids and magic. This movie's got summer written all over it. Two girls, Claire and Haley, meet a mermaid. She promises to grant one wish if they help her prove to her father that love does exist. My eleven-year-old self's been hoping to cross paths with a mermaid ever since.
21. Disturbia (2007)
Credit: DreamWorks Studios
What if your neighbor was a murderer? Would you even notice? I bet if you were on house arrest, you would. Obviously, house arrest isn't very "summer," but summer's still here. It's still three months off of school, spent doing hoodrat things with your friends. Just don't get caught, especially when you're breaking into the murderer's house. Or doing this creepy hair sniff.
22. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
"500 Days of Summer" isn't your typical RomCom. It's funny, it's sad, and pretty unpredictable. Out of nowhere, Summer dumps Tom, and he can't deal. He goes over the 500 days they spent together, ultimately rediscovering himself.
23. The Uninvited (2009)
Credit: DreamWorks Studios""
"The Uninvited" follows Anna as she is released from a psychiatric hospital at the beginning of the summer. Many things have changed since she's been home, but it's not what you'd think.
