The spirit of summertime is hard to describe, yet instantly recognizable. There’s a nostalgia to the season, which is probably why certain classic movies feel so good to rewatch—because in them we recognize some version of ourselves. Snacks at the ready, shoulders flushed from a day in the sun, basking in the joy that comes from staying up late with no reason to set an alarm. That kind of freedom doesn’t come often, but these few months give us permission to seek it out and sneak it in. So let’s rewind.
Here are the best classic summer movies that feel like a deep exhale—easy, familiar, and filled with golden-hour glow. Whether you want to reclaim a bit of nostalgia, escape without booking a flight, or simply enjoy that feel-good sense of a cinematic score, get ready to press play.
The Best Classic Summer Movies
These are the movies to watch on a rainy summer day, a lazy Saturday morning, or an evening with the windows open and a glass of wine. From critically-acclaimed to campy and heartfelt, each one captures summer’s magic in its own unforgettable way.
Now & Then (1995)
This movie is quintessential summer charm wrapped in an all-star cast for peak Millennial nostalgia. Following four best friends as they navigate one pivotal summer in 1970, this film captures the bittersweet beauty of growing up—summer crushes, family drama, and the earnest yearning for realizing our deeply held dreams. Told through flashbacks as the women reunite years later, it’s a look at how our childhood bonds can shape us forever and that home isn’t so much a place as it’s the people who allow us to change, and welcome us the same.
Streaming on: Apple+
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Hungry eyes and hungry hearts. Nobody puts this summer classic in a corner. (Had to say it.) Set at a Catskills resort in the summer of ’63, this film follows the unexpected romance between “Baby” and her dance instructor Johnny, set to an iconic soundtrack and legendary choreography. With themes of self-discovery, youthful rebellion, and the magic of first love, it captures the electric energy of a summer that changes everything. It’ll be the time of your life.
Streaming on: Hulu, Peacock
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Few summer movies capture the chaos of a family road trip quite like this one. Vacation follows the well-meaning but wildly unlucky Clark Griswold as he loads up the station wagon for a cross-country expedition to the infamous Walley World. Between wrong turns, roadside disasters, and plenty of hilarious moments, this film is a true classic for anyone who’s ever tried to plan the perfect summer getaway.
For rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple+
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Though this film is a newer release, it has all the hallmarks of classic summer wistfulness. Set in sun-drenched Italy in the early 80s, it follows 17-year-old Elio after meeting Oliver, a charming graduate student spending the summer with his family. Their quiet connection grows into something unforgettable, framed through gorgeous cinematography and languid pacing that explores the sensuality of the season—and the beauty of la dolce vita.
Streaming on Paramount+, Amazon Prime, Hulu
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Evoking the sweltering feel of city block summers, Do the Right Thing captures the heat—literal and emotional—within a Brooklyn neighborhood as it builds toward a powerful confrontation. Through vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and Spike Lee’s unflinching direction, the film explores race, identity, and community in a way that still resonates decades later.
Streaming on: Netflix
The Parent Trap (1961 & 1998)
Whether you prefer the retro charm of Hayley Mills or the double-trouble brilliance of Lindsay Lohan, The Parent Trap is the ultimate feel-good summer film. Even if you’ve seen one (or both) a dozen times, the story of identical twins meeting at summer camp and conspiring to get their parents back together is forever endearing. You’re never too old for a rewatch of this one.
Streaming on: Disney+
American Graffiti (1973)
Following a group of high school grads one summer night as they cruise their hometown, American Graffiti is a nostalgic ride through the final hours of teenage freedom. Set in 1962, it captures what’s beloved about the era—from classic cars to neon-lit-diners—including timeless themes of first heartbreaks, aimless agendas, and shifting identities. It’s a gem from George Lucas before Star Wars changed everything.
Streaming on: Netflix
Stand by Me (1986)
Based on a Stephen King novella, Stand by Me is a tender, coming-of-age story that follows four friends on a summer adventure to find a missing boy’s body. But what begins as a daring mission through the Oregon woods eventually gives way to lessons of self-discovery, the ties of friendship, and the bittersweet transition from childhood to adolescence. It’s a summer movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Roman Holiday (1953)
The movie that launched pixie cuts around the world, Roman Holiday follows a runaway princess (Audrey Hepburn in her breakout role) who escapes her royal duties for a day of freedom. Alongside an American journalist, played by Gregory Peck, she embarks on a whirlwind adventure discovering the sights of Rome while unearthing her own sense of self.
Streaming on: MGM+, YouTube+, Amazon Prime
Jaws (1975)
The original blockbuster that will forever make people think twice about getting in the water. Jaws follows a police chief, a marine biologist, and a grizzled fisherman as they hunt a great white shark terrorizing beachgoers. With its hazy summer aesthetic and gripping score, this film is a masterclass in tension—and a reminder that sometimes, you’ll need a bigger boat.
Streaming on: Peacock
Mystic Pizza (1988)
Big dreams, small town, sizzling pizzas. Set in a charming seaside town in Connecticut, Mystic Pizza tells the story of three young women facing life’s deep questions between shifts at a local pizza parlor. While your standard summer themes apply—flings, friendship, heartbreak—this film is carried by that in-between feeling, where maturity wrestles with naiveté and every summer night feels like it could change your life. (Plus, Julia Roberts in one of her very first roles.)
Streaming on: Max, Hulu, YouTube+
