The 50 Best Summer Movies of All Time, Hands Down
From classic movies about summer to new favorites for 2024, these films evoke that last day of school feeling.
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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.
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.
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 ...
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?
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.
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.
(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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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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 ...
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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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