Top 10 Most Re-Watchable Summer Movies

We might not have gotten the exact summer that we wanted ( thanks a lot COVID ), but as we near the end of it, it’s nice to look back at what could have been. And what better way to do that than to review some of the best “summer feels” movies!

So, what constitutes as a Summer Movie? It doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be released in the Summer Time, but it most definitely has to have Summer Themes, you know: ice cream, pools, tank tops, beaches, life guards, un-requited love etc – you get the picture. Here is my list of my favorite, probably mostly un-discovered Summer Movie Picks.

So sit back, relax and fire up the popcorn!

1. Hot Summer Nights (2018)

Released in 2018, Hot Summer Nights follows Daniel (Timothee Chalamet) who is shipped off to Cape Cod to live with his Aunt in the Summer of 1990 after his father dies. While visiting the summer beach town, he meets the local drug dealer, Hunter Strawberry and his sister, McKayla. After being recruited into the business by Hunter, he pursues a secret relationship with his sister. Drugs, drama and Chalamet. A definite hit.

How To Watch: Amazon Prime Video

2. Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Ever wonder where this gif came from?

Look no further. The Talented Mr. Ripley was released in 1999 and can be attributed to Jude Law’s rocket to stardom. The Talented Mr. Ripley follows Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) who is sponsored on a trip to Italy, after sneaking into a Princeton graduation ceremony, by Dickie Greenleaf’s father to bring home is underachieving son (Jude Law), who has spent the summer traipsing around Europe with his girlfriend (Gwyneth Paltrow). Seizing the opportunity to pass off as a Princeton graduate and gentleman, Ripley travels across the ocean and not only finds Dickie Greenleaf, but becomes fascinated and obsessed with his lifestyle, following him around the country in efforts to be seen as an upper-classman. When his plots are discovered, Ripley finds sinister ways to keep his true identity quiet.

Jude Law, Italian Countryside and…Jude Law. It’s suspenseful and entertaining and worth the watch.

How To Watch: Netflix.

3. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Speaking of Italian Countryside, CMBYN explore the Italian Riveria in the 1980s as two boys fall in love with each other over the course of a summer together. I have written about this a lot so won’t go into all the details, but a very beautiful and moving story. It floored me, the first time I watched it.

How to Watch: Rent on Amazon Prime

4. Rear Window (1954)

If you are into thrillers, check out the Hitchcock Classic. Rear Window takes place during a sweltering summer in New York City. Due to an accident on one of his business trips, travel photographer Jefferies (Jimmy Stewart) is bound to a wheelchair until both of his broken legs heal. Trapped inside his city apartment with nothing to do, Jefferies begins spying on his neighbors in the Apartment Complex with his camera. Nothing seemingly out of the ordinary, until one day he witnesses a fight between a husband and wife and wakes up the next morning to discover that the wife is missing. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, Rear Window is one of Hitchcock’s more tamed down thrillers, but worth the investment. Think Disturbia, but in the 1950s.

How to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

5. The Way, Way Back (2013)

Written and Directed by the same team as Little Miss Sunshine, The Way, Way Back explores the dynamics of a combined house-hold family as they vacation away in Cape Cod Massachusetts for the summer. Steve Carrell stars as the toxic boyfriend to Toni Collette as they spend the summer ignoring the responsibilities of being a parent and ignoring their kids. The movie focuses on shy, 14-year old, Duncan who dreads the summer away and finds solace at the town’s Water Park where he be-friends a laid back life guard (Sam Rockwell) who teaches him how to muster the confidence to deal with his problems. I’m a sucker for Indie movies and this one has a stacked cast: Allison Janey, Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, Ana Sophia Robb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph and more.

How to Watch: Rent on Amazon Prime Video

6. Jaws (1975)

Dun, dun. Dun, dun. If you haven’t seen Jaws, now it the time to watch it! We aren’t going to be near a beach anytime soon so there really isn’t any worry about going for a swim and being eaten by a Great White Shark. I don’t really have any more to say about this iconic classic, except that you will find scary parallel themes to the Mayor of Amity Island and the Governor of Florida in the COVID era, declaring that Beaches are Open for Business. Chills.

How to Watch: HBO Max

7. Something Borrowed (2011)

I have to have more than one Romantic-Comedy on the must-watch Summer List and Something Borrowed fits. Based on the novel by the same name, Something Borrowed takes place during a summer in New York City and explores the relationship between four friends in their adult lives. Centered around Darcy and Rachel, best-friends since they were children, Something Borrowed explores the relationships that we grow up with and the relationships that we grow into. Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson and John Krasinski, this Summer Rom-Com takes place in New York City and the Hamptons and is apparently sponsored by Heineken.

How to Watch: HBO Max

8. Wayne’s World (1993)

Although this movie doesn’t explicitly take place in the summer, it definitely feels like it. Based off of the very popular SNL sketch by Dana Carvey and Mike Meyers, Wayne’s World is one of the most quotable and re-watchable movies on my docket. The movie, if you haven’t seen it, takes place in Aurora, Chicago and follows Wayne and Garth’s attempts to become the next big thing on TV. Totally, worth it.

How to Watch: Rent on Amazon Prime Video

9. Set It Up (2018)

Bring on Netflix, Rom-Coms. Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell team up in this romantic-comedy about struggling twenty-somethings trying to keep afloat in their career as they both struggle with extremely un-likable and terrible bosses. After commiserating together at their great mis-fortune, they plot to set their bosses up together in an effort to get more free time in their personal lives. Powell and Deutch have amazing chemistry and upon recent re-watch, it has me missing the summer in the city. Set It Up has rooftop parties, trips to Yankees Game and drunk late-night pizza. Match made in heaven.

How to Watch: Netflix

10. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (2018)

ABBA sing-alongs set to the backdrop of Greece with three attractive male suitors. Sign me up. Ok, I know this is a re-watch list for the summer, but I re-visit this masterpiece many times throughout the year. A sequel that is amazingly and totally better than the first movie, check it out!

How to Watch: HBO Max

So that’s my list of movies that I end up re-visiting at least every summer. And because I know that 10 movies can’t possible encompass the season of summer, here are some other honorable mentions.

1. Something Borrows (2011)

2. Adventureland (2009)

3. My Best Friends Wedding (1997)

4. Notting Hill (1999)

5. The Sandlot (1993)

6. High School Musical 2

Ok, I’m stopping there.

And that’s the sitch!