We have you covered with recommendations to fit whatever summer you want to have. Whether you want to have a horror girl summer, campy summer or a soapy summer. For when it gets a little too hot out there, or the thunderstorms a little bit rough, consider bingeing one or all these shows. Match your vibe and find your new summer obsession.
Silly Summer
“Wet Hot American Summer” (2015) & (2017)
“Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” (2015) and “Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later” (2017) are two TV continuations of the original satirical comedy film from 2001.
Both TV follow ups follow the same silly and spoofy vibes of the cult-comedy classic original. They are set at a summer camp where the story and comedy get more unhinged and ridiculous as the series goes on.
If you want some easy laughs and that goofy summer camp vibe, then I recommend checking out this quick binge. Each season has eight 30-minute episodes and doesn’t require watching the original film to understand them.
Streaming: Netflix
“Hannah Montana” (2006-2011)
Moving onto a staple of your child: Hannah Montana, who is celebrating the 20-year anniversary in 2026. What better way to celebrate than bingeing the entire show.
I rediscovered this show this year with a rewatch to honor 20 years of Hannah’s music and antics. The series holds up surprisingly well, and I am finding comfort in returning to it.
This sitcom makes for the perfect summer binge because it takes place on the beaches of Malibu. Several episodes feature scenes on the beach, and Hannah always has the best summer fashion.
You can’t go wrong with the music or cheesy vibes of this beloved childhood Disney Channel original series.
Don’t forget about all those other childhood Disney Channel sitcoms as well. There’s just something about sitting down watching Disney Channel while getting lunch or a snack that brings back memories of summer break.
Streaming: Disney+
H20: Just Add Water (2006-2010)
Do you remember this Australian teen soap dramedy about three girls who become mermaids when touching water? If your answer is “oh nauur” then I feel bad that you missed this transformative teenage experience.
However, this summer is finally the time to experience or refamiliarize yourself with this overly Aussie and cheesy fantasy drama.
Get absorbed in the romance and drama, while having some laughs at the over-the-top nature of this show.
If you want your silly summer to be nostalgic or 2000s themed, then this show about teen girls being transformed into mermaids by a magical island is just for you.
Streaming: Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video
Spooky Summer
Dead of Summer (2016) / American Horror Story: 1984 (2019)
“Dead of Summer” was a planned anthology horror series set during the summer, and the show only lasted one season. However, that one season delivered on the creepy summer camp vibes.
I recommend this show for any horror fan that enjoys the supernatural and slasher setting of a summer camp. This is also great for anyone that is a lightweight with the genre.
From the depths of Freeform’s basement, this series follows along with similar vibes to “Pretty Little Liars,” so it’s definitely not too intense or scary. Check out this underrated show, which is buried in the rubble of an unfortunately long dead network.
Streaming: Available to Rent
To go with those summer camp vibes…
If you are a heavyweight of the horror genre, then you can handle the “American Horror Story” season titled “1984.” It features more young people heading to summer camp in the 80s without the knowledge that there is a killer lurking.
There is more violence, horrific images and sex in this season of TV than there is in “Dead of Summer.” Peep this show’s mature rating compared to the other show’s TV-14 rating.
“AHS 1984” features supernatural elements as well, and weaves in some true crime with the narrative of the season. The two standouts of this season, who fill a final girl role, include Emma Roberts and Angelica Ross.
Some seasons of “American Horror Story” are worth skipping, but this season is fun and as long as you don’t take it too serious, it’s a great spooky summer watch.
Streaming: Hulu or Disney+
Dexter (2006-2013)
Miami is hot, humid and it’s sunny. Dexter Morgan also finds it to be the perfect place to dump bodies.
“Dexter” is a great summer watch for any horror fan that likes to root for the anti-hero. There are twists and turns in the whole show as Dexter faces those even more evil than him.
This vigilante serial killer drama series captures the heat and spice of Miami, Florida. Dexter and his trips to the bay on his boat “Slice of Life” definitely give summer vibes, even as those trips entail dumping bodies.
The show is both an addictive and sharply dark comedy that is the perfect summer weekend binge.
Streaming: Paramount+
Blood Drive (2017)
Do you want to make your 2026 summer a grindhouse summer? It’s time you add this underrated gory horror series that aired on SyFy during the summer of 2017.
“Blood Drive” features Alan Ritchson before he blew up with the series “Reacher” on Amazon Prime. The cast includes several other actors who are totally game to get down and dirty.
This dystopian science fiction show follows a divided America that’s been literally split by a ravine called “the Scar.” A police officer and femme fatale must team up to compete and survive in a death race where the cars literally run on human blood.
Like all great dystopian stories, there is an evil corporation, called “Heart Enterprises,” doing shady things. Check out this sweltering and sun-baked series that takes place in the arid and broken down deserts of California.
Streaming: Available to Rent
Juicy Drama Summer
The White Lotus (2021-Present)
Mike White created the perfect prestige drama with enough rich people shenanigans and class commentary to keep the viewer enthralled.
Alongside that character drama, is the backdrop of a beautiful summer vacation destination. Each season will transport the viewer to a new White Lotus hotel.
If you want to see how more money just means more problems, then look no further than this HBO drama series.
The cast always delivers and the writing is always fun, so if you haven’t already, make sure to check into “The White Lotus” this summer.
Streaming: HBO Max
Mistresses (2013-2016)
Back when ABC and network TV used to have some actual summer programming, before the streaming takeover, there were some juicy drama series.
One of these shows is “Mistresses,” which aired from 2013 to 2016 and featured mystery, soapy drama and sexy people doing beautiful things on beaches.
The cast was excellent and featured TV stars such as Alyssa Milano, Jes Macallan, Jennifer Esposito, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Justin Hartley.
Time to live that suburban wife fantasy and binge this soapy 2010s vibe series. It might not have been prestige, but it was so much fun and “trashy.” The perfect drama for a summer night with the besties.
Streaming: Hulu or Disney+
Cartoonish Summer
Total Drama Island (2007-2008)
If you aren’t tired of the summer camp vibes from the previous spooky summer section, then you can get more with this Cartoon Network classic.
“Total Drama Island” spoofs shows like “Survivor” (which is another great summer binge option) and other reality competition shows. Similar to those live action reality series, we have a group of young people competing in ridiculous and sometimes humiliating challenges to win big money.
However, unlike those live action series, these characters can get hilariously hurt and injured because they’re not real people. Whether you get the references to “Survivor” or not, you’re guaranteed to giggle at this show’s antics and root for your favorite competitors.
By the way, my favorite contestants are Leshawna, Heather, Lindsay, Courtney and Gwen. Just like real life reality competitions, the women of “Total Drama” do in fact carry the show on its back.
Streaming: YouTube, Netflix or HBO Max
Gravity Falls (2012-2016)
If you want mystery and laughs, as well as a sense of childhood wonder, then “Gravity Falls” is a great summer watch.
The entirety of the series take place over one summer break in the town of Gravity Falls, where twins Mabel and Dipper dive into conspiracy.
Unlike some children’s television, “Gravity Falls” is quite sophisticated and has an engrossing mythology that can be investigated by the viewer.
I recommend this show for anyone interested in an animated series that has lovable characters and goofy villains. Take a pit stop at the Mystery Shack and find out what’s wonderfully weird about Gravity Falls, Oregon.
Streaming: Disney+
Totally Spies! (2001-2013) / Kim Possible (2002-2007)
If you were like me as a kid, then during the summer you were playing outside and envisioning yourself as a super secret spy saving the world. And of course, the theme songs, from two shows in particular, would be bopping in my head.
This imaginary play was all thanks to shows like “Kim Possible” and “Totally Spies!” who make it look so stylish as they slay the bad guys. Several episodes of these two series feature summer outfits and sunny vibes.
Get into the spy vibes and discover these bright shows for the first time or rewatch them from the point-of-view of being older.
If you want a nostalgic animated series from your childhood that will serve you confidence on the beach, then look no further than these two.
- “Kim Possible” Streaming: Disney+
- “Totally Spies!” Streaming: HBO Max
New Release Summer
Elle (2026-Present)
Elle Woods is returning to our screens this summer on Amazon Prime with an origin story. This series could either be super fun or totally offensive.
“Legally Blonde” is supposed to be when Elle has her major character development, so I am interested to see how she is portrayed in this show.
Either way, viewers can expect lots of pink and beach parties galore. This new series will be dropping on July 1 with it already renewed for a season two.
The series is set in 1995 where we met Elle in high school, and dive deeper into her family and friendships before Harvard. Lexi Minetree plays the titular main character.
Streaming: Prime Video
Heartstopper Forever (2026)
Everyone’s favorite love story is returning with a film to conclude the series rather than a final season. Hopefully, these characters don’t get short-changed by this decision.
If you haven’t yet, I recommend watch “Heartstopper” seasons one to three before the films debut this July. The show hops around the seasons, but overall its focus on young love is perfect for summer vibes.
Fans will find out how things are left with Charlie and Nick on July 17 when “Heartstopper Forever” drops on Netflix.
Discover that summer love feeling by adding “Heartstopper” to your binge list.
Streaming: Netflix
Big Brother (2000-Present)
“Big Brother” returns with season 28, yes that’s right, we’ve had this summer ritual for 28 seasons. Fans who have watched this iconic reality competition series since the beginning have seen it evolve over the years.
There isn’t much known about this new season and we won’t expect a cast announcement until close to the premiere. Rumors have circulated about returning players, but these rumors happen every summer.
Whether the cast is all new people, or some retuning faces, “Big Brother” is still worth your time bingeing and keeping up with live feeds this summer.
Join this yearly reality TV ritual for summer 2026, if you haven’t already in the past. Big Brother 28 premieres on July 9.
Streaming: Paramount+
