Summer can be a great time to go outside and enjoy some good weather, but it can also be a great time to just put the feet up, get yourself a nice cool drink and enjoy a fun filled movie. So we’ve got ten film recommendations here to put you in that summery mood. Whether you’re looking for an exhilarating adventure, heartwarming stories, or simply a way to beat the summer heat, we’ve got you covered. From beloved classics to indie gems, these films will be sure to give you that perfect Summer feeling.
Jaws (1975)
This iconic Steven Spielberg thriller set during summertime on Amity Island captures the terror of a great white shark and the chaos it brings to a beach community. Jaws has regularly regarded as one of the greatest films ever
Stand by Me (1986)
Based on a story by Stephen King and directed by Rob Reiner, this classic coming-of-age adventure film explores the meaning of childhood friendship as it follows four young boys who embark on a journey to find a missing corpse during the summer of 1959.
Midsommar (2019)
This unsettling Ari Aster directed horror film follows American college students going to a secluded community in Sweden during their Midsummer festival, with the visitors slowly discovering the haunting true nature of their environment
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
This beloved road trip comedy from Harold Ramis showcases the dysfunctional Griswold family as they set out on a summer vacation to remember, only for many funny hijinks to ensue
The Graduate (1967)
Landmark film of the New Hollywood Era, The Graduate sees Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin aimlessly navigating the Summer after his college graduation. He soon begins an affair with the seductive older woman Mrs Robinson, with the film also very notable for first featuring the classic Simon and Garfunkel song of the same name
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Taking place on the hottest day of the Summer in a neighbourhood in Brooklyn, director Spike Lee’s seminal social commentary explores themes of racism and police brutality all in the boiling heat
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Complete with his unique visual style, Wes Anderson’s acclaimed coming of age drama set in 1965 explores themes of young love as it sees a 12 year old boy escape from his summer camp to reunite with the girl of his dreams. The film would also earn Anderson an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay
Grease (1978)
This classic romance musical tells the story of young lovers Danny Zucko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) who, when they meet on summer break, embark on a feel good romance, with the film being filled with some of the most famous songs in all of the musical genre
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (2005)
Worried about spending their first Summer apart, four high school girl friends try to remain unified by sharing a pair of pants, as they separately experience drama, fun and romance. Also notable for being the first major role of Blake Lively’s career
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Oscar nominated queer love story starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Elio (Chalamet) and his family spend a summer in rural Italy where he begins a secret romance with Oliver (Hammer) in what is one of the most heart wrenching Summer romance films in recent memory
Eoin McCambridge is a writer/film enthusiast from Dublin, Ireland. Graduating from the University of Galway in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies, he has previously contributed articles and film reviews to the university student website. He also has been involved in personal projects for YouTube and operated in various capacities on a number of film sets.
