Wintertime can be rough on us. It is cold, the sun sets much earlier, and all we want to do is snuggle under covers in our coziest loungewear and reminisce on the joys of summertime, from amusement parks to summer camp.
Unfortunately, we have no choice but to stick out the cold winter seasons until we can be blessed with summer once again. In the meantime, however, we can quench our summertime cravings by watching films that remind us of the best season!
With so many movies to choose from, it can be hard to pick the right one to really scratch that summertime itch. Thankfully for you, we have curated a list of some of the best summer movies that you can watch this winter. These flicks will bring you joy and make you feel warm, even when it is so cold outside.
From rom-coms to slasher films, these movies cover a wide range of genres so that there is something for every film watcher. Read on to learn all about our favorite summer movies, and be sure to pop one on ASAP to help get you through the winter.
1. Grease
But oh, those summer nights! Looking for a warm and cozy movie musical to get you out of that winter funk? Turn on the all-time classic summertime flick from 1978, Grease.
Starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, Greaseis about two teenagers, Sandy and Danny, who meet on the beach and have a brief summer romance before being split up. When the school year starts back up, good girl Sandy and greaser Danny discover that they both attend the same high school and then the story progresses following their on-again-off-again relationship, as well as following the relationships and friendships of the clicks they fall into.
It is a classic high school romance tale, with themes of love, friendship, and peer pressure that will make you feel nostalgic. There are catchy tunes, fun dance numbers, and lots and lots of sunshine that will feel like summer is upon you.
Most of the songs have very upbeat melodies that will remind you of days spent driving around with the windows down, enjoying the summer heat. From Summer Nights to Grease Lightning, you will feel transported in time and seasons.
Greaseis an iconic film that will absolutely help cure your winter blues!
2. Jaws
Looking for a beachy blockbuster with elements of suspense and adventure? Jawsis the perfect summertime movie for you to watch this winter season. It stars Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, and Robert Shaw as a group of New York men trying to beata shark that is terrorizing the beaches of Amity Island during summer vacation.
A killer great white shark begins wreaking havoc on an island near New York City, and a marine biologist and local sheriff step up to try and capture the beast. It is well regarded as one of Steven Speilberg’s best films ever made, and holds up as one of the most iconic thrillers to date, despite being made in 1975.
You will be left on the edge of your seat watching the ultimate battle of man vs. nature, while also soaking up the summertimevibes of the film.
Despite the suspenseful and sometimes gruesome nature of the movie, it will transport you to that east coast, Cape Cod beach, and make you feel like it is summer again for that brief two-hour run time.
3. Do The Right Thing
Spike Lee’s 1989 drama/comedy Do The Right Thing is an amazing choice to get you through the winter season.
The film is set during a heat wave in a Brooklyn neighborhood and primarily follows Spike Lee’s character Mookie navigating his life working as a pizza delivery boy for Sal, the local pizza shop owner, while also reckoning with the undertones of racism that come from the pizzeria, despite being located in a black neighborhood.
It is an important film that reflects a moment in time perfectly. Aside from its compelling storyline and incredible acting, the film is also an excellent summertime flick.
You can feel the sweltering heat that the characters are experiencing, especially in scenes of people cooling down using fire hydrants. It makes you yearn for those warm summer days, while also letting you reflect on deeper issues.
4. Dazed and Confused
The ultimate coming-of-age comedy movie with summer vibes has to be Dazed and Confused. It takes place on the last day of school in the 1970s and follows the surfer, stoner, and party fiend seniors who are getting into mayhem, while the nerdy freshmen run around the town hiding trying to avoid being hazed.
This film is just pure fun. With Matthew McConaughey’s iconic “Alright, alright, alright” line, an amazing soundtrack, and nostalgic teenage shenanigans, Dazed and Confusedwill get you out of a funk and transport you to summertime in the 70s.
You will laugh hysterically, rock out to some amazing rock songs, and soak in that end-of-school excitement that the characters display so flawlessly.
It is the perfect summertime film that will make you feel good all year long!
5. Call Me By Your Name
A more modern film that is well worth watching this winter season is Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 romance Call Me By Your Name.
The film stars Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, who have amazing chemistry together and suck you into the story with ease. It is a romance between the two young men as they spend a summer in the Italian countryside.
Based on aesthetics alone, this movie is the ultimate summer film to watch during the winter. The shots of the Italian villa make you yearn for a European summer and practically transport you to the small town. There is constant sunshine, characters taking long bike rides through the stunning town, and romance to keep you hooked.
You will fall in love with the two men as they navigate their summertime fling, and feel the ache of heartbreak along with them, all while feeling like you too are experiencing summer in the Italian countryside.
6. I Know What You Did Last Summer
Are you a horror movie buff who also misses the summertime? I Know What You Did Last Summeris just the film for you, and you don’t have to wait until Halloween to watch it. It is a slasher horror movie with a stacked cast of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The previous summer, the group of friends accidentally ran over and killed a fisherman, and decided to hide the body and keep their crime a secret. Then, the following summer they receive an ominous letter telling them that their crime was seen. Following the letter, chaos and a bloodbath ensue.
It is a suspenseful, bloody flick following the teens being targeted and attacked by the maniac who sends the anonymous letter. Despite the elements of horror and gore, it does take place during the summer and feels like a warm, summertime flick, despite the dark subject matter.
It is the best film for any horror fan looking for a reprieve from the winter.
7. Dirty Dancing
This list would not be complete without the 1987 film, Dirty Dancing.
The film takes place at a summer resort and follows Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle. When Johnny’s dance partner can no longer work with him, Baby gets to step up as his new partner, and the story follows the two as they fall in love and prepare for the last big dance of the summer.
Everything about this film is iconic. From the lift during the final dance routine to the quotable line, “No one puts Baby in a corner,” this film is chock full of amazing moments. You will feel like you are also spending your summer in the resort along with the characters.
The story is compelling, the soundtrack is great, and the summer vibes are perfect for watching when it’s winter in real life. You will need to add this nostalgic film to your winter movie lineup.
Honorable Mentions
While you’ve already got seven recommendations up above, you might want a few more movies to enjoy this summer. Below are some honorable mentions that are definitely some of the best summer movies of all time.
- Stand by Me
- Mamma Mia (One of our personal favorites thanks to standout performances from Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried)
- American Graffiti
- The Parent Trap
- Adventureland(With outstanding appearances from Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg)
- The Goonies
- Independence Day (A summer sci-fi classic)
- The Sandlot
- Weekend at Bernie’s
- Wet Hot American Summer
- National Lampoon’s Vacation
- Endless Summer
- Girl’s Trip(an iconic summer road trip film to watch with all your best friends)
Stay Warm With Summer Flicks
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to make the seasons change faster, but you can transport yourself to that time of year through the world of film. Choose any of the above summer movies to watch this winter on Hulu, Netflix, Disney +, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime and make yourself feel warm and summery, despite still being in the throes of winter.
Your wintertime funk will dissolve quickly when you pop on any of the above summer films!
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