It’s June, folks! That means it’s the beginning of long, summer days, pool parties, and most importantly, popcorn. Movie time really is any day of the year, especially for this author, but there is something special about watching a film that screams ‘summer.’ And we’re not just talking about films like Wet Hot American Summer, I know What You Did Last Summer, or even Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Some films are for summer even when it’s not in the title, although, these are some great movies, too. Whether you’re beating the heat, heading to the theatre, or just plain binge watching, we’ve got you covered. Here are some films to get you in the summer mood!

Mamma Mia

“We danced on the beach, and we kissed on the beach, and . . . dot dot dot!”

Mamma Mia is one of the classic, endless summer-feeling films. Just watching it makes you feel like there should be a drink in your hand, a song in your heart, and sand in-between your toes. The movie is filled with the passions of what summer is all about. Love, romance, singing, dancing, laughing, family, friends, and of course, drinking (if that’s your thing!). Watching Donna and the Dynamos reflected through the lives of young Sophie and all her friends, all alongside the wandering plot of who Sophie’s real father is just makes for all-around fun. 

Mamma Mia is, of course, an adaptation based on the original musical that can’t be forgotten! The cast itself is star-stacked with Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters. Every actor looks like they’re having a great time filming, and as the audience, we can feel it too. Celebrate summer with a little love, laughter, and some much needed ABBA.

Mamma Mia is currently streaming on Hulu, Peacock, and Disney+

The Way, Way Back

“I wish I could stay here forever.”

The Way, Way Back is a little coming-of-age story that was released in 2013. It’s a film unheard of to some, but it’s one of this author’s favorites. It stars Liam James as Duncan, our main character, alongside Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, and Allison Janney. Duncan, an introverted 14 year-old boy, is forced to go on a family vacation to a Massachusetts beach town with his mother, her arrogant boyfriend, Trent, and Trent’s daughter. The film shows how Duncan feels alone in this world, as his mother enters summer vacation-mode, while he enters I-would-rather-be-anywhere-else mode. 

Duncan finds an escape from his family through the quirky employees working at Water Wizz, the small-town’s local water park. There, he makes friends who appreciate him, and finds a mentor-esque, father figure through Owen, who decided to hire him for the odd job here and there. This movie celebrates the awkwardness and reality of being a teenager, and the importance of finding yourself a community when you need it most. Sometimes one summer can change it all, and The Way, Way Back celebrates the complications of being young, old, and everything in-between.

The Way, Way Back is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Little Miss Sunshine

“What is your daughter doing?“

“She’s kickin’ ass . . . that’s what she’s doing.”

Now if anyone is looking for a classic, feel-good, laugh out loud movie, look no further. Little Miss Sunshine is about a dysfunctional family that travels to California in order to help their youngest daughter compete in a beauty pageant, and of course, it gets a little complicated. Unlike the others above, Little Miss Sunshine doesn’t actually specifically mention swimming, or beaches, or even summer romances. It stems from screenplay writer Michael Arndt’s own experiences of driving with his family for 600 miles in a VW bus with a broken clutch—one of the best things he and his family did together. It’s a major plot point in Little Miss Sunshine that not only provides so much laughter, but also showcases so much heart within this family. 

Little Miss Sunshine stars Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, and Paul Dano. Acting as a family, the relationships in this move hit close to home as they really are that relatable. Two parents trying to make the most of the tough middle-class realities, a teenage son who has taken a vow of silence, a Grandfather who is a tough-loving, coke monster, and to top it off, a sweet, young girl who wants to win a beauty pageant, but is not your typical pageant queen. We get to witness the challenges, love, and hardships a typical family faces, all while laughing hysterically. Go along for the ride, and kick summer off with a broken clutch and a dream with Little Miss Sunshine.

Little Miss Sunshine is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+

Napoleon Dynamite

“Will you just come get me?

“No.”

“Well, will you do me a favor then?“

“What?”

“Can you bring me my chapstick?” 

“No, Napoleon.”

“But my lips hurt real bad!”

Napoleon Dynamite is a personal favorite. Nothing says summer like voting for your class president, collecting chicken eggs, and feeding Tina the llama old tuna casserole. It’s another coming-of-age story, but it stands alone in its own category of introverted, nerdy high schoolers. Napoleon is an obvious outcast from his peers, but the difference is, he doesn’t care—like, at all. He lives with an odd family of his older brother Kip, his grandmother, and is visited by his steak-loving Uncle Rico. Living in hot, hot Idaho, Napoleon makes friends with new classmate Pedro, and begins a slow friendship with bracelet-making Deb. 

Napoleon Dynamite has its own special brand of humor that’s hard to define, or re-create. It’s a project that was filmed casually and based on the life of director Jared Hess. Most people know it for its iconic scene of Napoleon dancing in his own way to “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai. This movie is iconic for so many reasons—the aesthetic, the characters, the ‘vote for Pedro’ t-shirt; Napoleon Dynamite developed a cult following for a reason. Laugh it up this summer at pocket tater tots, football obsessed Uncle Rico, and Kip’s online dating crisis by watching Napoleon Dynamite. 

Napoleon Dynamite is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+

It’s Getting Hot in Here . . .

Summer is all about spending time outside, being with friends, and taking a swim in some clear water. Sometimes, there is nothing better to get you in the mood for that than by watching it on the big screen! Catch some of these suggestions to get your summer started off the right way. Whether you’re turning up the heat, or getting out of it, revive yourself with some popcorn, a cold icee, and catch a flick.