Get Your Popcorn Ready! These Are the Coolest Summer Movies

The best season of the year is finally upon us. School's out, the weather's warm, and it’s time to head to the beach. Summer just isn’t summer without a few staples- a summer romance, a sunburn, and these classic summer movies. From Sandy and Danny to Pierce Brosnan belting it out in Greece, these movies need to be on your must-watch list this season.

This movie has it all singing, dancing, a romance for the ages- and young John Travolta in a leather jacket. Grease is actually based on a musical by the same name and debuted in theaters in 1978. Grease would become the highest-grossing musical of all time, and it’s no wonder why with hits like, “Summer Nights,” “Beauty School Dropout,” and “Greased Lightning.” What began as an uncomplicated summer romance in the sun between Sandy and Danny turns more complex as they head back to Ridell High for school. Now if only we could get our hands on a T-birds or Pink Ladies jacket we’d be set. 

If someone told you they were going to sit down and write a musical about a girl living in Greece on a quest to find her father- and that it was going to be a musical completely based on the songs of Swedish pop group Abba- well, you’d probably be skeptical. And yet, as Meryl Streep belts out Super Trooper during Sophie’s bachelorette party on a warm summer’s night in Greece, it’s like magic. The 2008 film adaption of the hit Broadway musical is a summer dream. The views of the Aegean, the sparkling white homes, the color fabrics, the wardrobe... it’s all one big Greek summer fantasy and we. are. here. for. it. Yamas!

2008’s Blue Crush is the story of three friends who are trying to get buy so that they can pursue their one true passion— surfing on Hawaii's infamous North Shore. Kate Bosworth plays Anne Marie who is after a surfing championship but her doubts and fear threaten to crush her dreams. Luckily, a dreamy football player is there to support and encourage her. If you want to escape to Hawaii and live out your surfer girl fantasies- this might be your ultimate summer movie. Viewers are divided on the movie, some think of it as the ultimate summer flick while others have marked it as corny. Thoughts?

Based on a 2007 novel of the same name, Call Me By Your Name is a coming of age romance that debuted in 2017. We have just two words for you: Timothée Chalamet. But in all seriousness, alongside a captivating summer romance are scenes of the Italian countryside in the summer. Pools, lakes, late summer lunches, and riding bikes around freely take us back to simpler days. If you need a dose of desire, passion, and a reminder of just how delicate growing up can be- this summer movie needs to be in your queue.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner, and nobody leaves Dirty Dancing off of a summer movie list. This movie stars Jennifer Grey as Frances "Baby" Houseman, who travels to a resort in the Catskills with her family for the summer. Once there she falls in love with the dance instructor employed at the resort, Johnny Castle, played by the excellent Patrick Swayze. A forbidden love peppered with killer dance routines and even better music? This movie proves that not all family summer vacations have to be boring.

Whether it’s the original 1961 version or the Lindsay Lohan 1998 version, the Parent Trap is a summer must. Imagine going to summer camp and meeting your twin sister! Never mind the fact that your parents were ok with separating you two and living continents apart (let’s just sweep that under the rug). This is a sweet summer movie- perfect for watching on a projector in the backyard. Just pass the Oreos and peanut butter.

Nothing says summer quite like that last bell at school signifying the end of a school year. Booksmart, directed by Olivia Wilde, tells the story of Amy and Molly, two high school seniors about to graduate who realize that they have been labeled by their classmates as bookworms and pretentious. In order to make up for lost time the duo decides it’s time to have a little fun. 

Have you ever been swimming in the ocean and something brushes your leg and it sends you into a total freak out? Well, you probably have this movie to thank. Jaws is the ultimate summer on the beach gone wrong- but in the best way.