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Summer 2025 is Coming! Ring it in with These Summer Must-Watch Movies

It may still be Spring, but once school’s out it’s basically Summer. There’s no better way to ring in the approaching sunny season than with these films!

A still of Ponyo and Sosuke. Photo Credit: GKIDS Films

For many people the approaching of summer might mean the approaching of numerous summer activities. Whether it’s beach days, vacations, or squeezing in lunch with friends during work breaks, summer tends to bring lots of fun activities. However, summer also tends to bring us more free days. What better way to spend those lowkey days, than putting on a movie that seamlessly contributes to the summer vibes.

On this list, you’ll find films that allow you to experience everything from an epic summer romance, to a terrifying summer slasher. With these films, you can have all the summer fun from the comfort your own couch.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park is not only a classic action film that needs no introduction, it’s the perfect addition to this list. Known as a king of the summer blockbuster, it felt wrong not to include a Spielberg film on this list. On top of this being a classic, this summer will bring the latest installment to this beloved franchise. Jurassic World Rebirth will be stomping its way into theaters this July 2nd. The original action-packed dino-epic takes place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar near Costa Rica. The film follows paleontologists Alan Grant played by Sam Neill, and Ellie Sattler played by Laura Dern. Along for the journey with them is mathematician Ian Malcom played by Jeff Goldblum.

This crew, along with other experts, are chosen to go asses the safety and risk of a new theme park filled with lab created dinosaurs. Of course, creatures this big were never meant to be contained to the confines of a theme park. Let’s just say that upon their arrival chaos ensues. It’s essentially a faux paus to never have seen it before, so consider it a required summer watch, or rewatch.

IMDb: 8.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

My Old Ass (2024)

The long days of summer often breed long days of contemplation. It is exactly this reason that a coming-of-age film is an essential genre to a summer movie list. My Old Ass, directed by Megan Park is a perfect addition to this category. There’s nothing like a coming-of-age film following a year of school to make you ponder on the passage of time, and 18-year-old Elliot LaBrant is experiencing just that.

Just a few weeks before they leave for college, Elliott, and two of her friends decide to take psychedelic tea for her birthday. On the drug induced trip, Elliott meets the thirty nine year old version of herself. Like many a time travel film, the older version of Elliot brings advice and opinions on choices that Elliott makes down the line. The film is as equally thought-provoking as it is hilarious. Watching this on a summer day leaves you with plenty of time for contemplation after the credits role.

IMDb: 6.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

Palm Springs (2020)

Few things are more engrossing than a summer romance, but perhaps a time traveling summer romance is one of those things. This summery film is a romantic addition to the time travel sub-genre we seem to have struck up on this list. Palm Springs, directed by Max Barbakow, is a flirty summer love story with a Groundhog Day-esque twist. Nyles and Sarah are two wedding guests that are bounded together through a repeating wedding day. They meet after Nyles saves Sarah from delivering a humiliating maid of honor toast and strikes up a flirty rendezvous. However, the light-hearted nature of their partnership takes a turn when Sarah quickly realizes the surreal nature of Nyles’ presence at the wedding. Stuck together in the sweltering heat of Palm Springs, the two of them grapple with the nihilistic implications of reliving the same day.

IMDb: 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Where to Watch: Hulu

Theater Camp (2023)

For any current or ex theater kids , Theater Camp will absolutely give you cringeworthy flashbacks. Fortunately, this aspect of the film speaks to how accurately this crew captured the theater kid experience. The film takes place at an under-funded East coast theater summer camp. After the camp’s director falls into a coma, the younger staff at the camp must take over and lead. The film’s leads, Amos and Rebecca-Diane, are best friends, former campers, and two of the camps longest working staff members.

Following the shift in leadership, the two of them announce the list of productions the children at the camp will be working on throughout the summer. This list includes an original musical penned by the two of them for a musical that follows the life story of the camps Director Joan, who currently lies in the coma. If the staff hopes to keep the camp alive, they must work together to give the campers an engaging, theatrical summer that they never forget. Whether you have a background in theater or not, this film will absolutely have you cracking up, and leave you with more theater lingo knowledge than you probably bargained for.

IMDb: 6.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

Where to Watch: Prime Video

Ponyo (2008)

I can’t think of a better animated edition to this list than a feel-good Ghibli film. Miyazaki’s oceanic adventure Ponyo, is just that. The film tells the story of the young goldfish princess Ponyo, and her friendship with a human boy named Sosuke. After rescuing Ponyo after she washes up, trapped in a bottle, the two of them become fast friends. Ponyo uses her father’s magic to transform into a human girl, and she begins to fall in love with Sosuke. Unbeknownst to her, this magic creates an imbalance between the ocean world and the human world. When Ponyo’s father attempts to use his magic to bring her back to the ocean, Ponyo and Sosuke must fight to stay together.

No matter how many times you watch this film, the story never gets old. The film is a colorful, magical, story full of heart, and its summer feel is undeniable. After all, what other season could a film following a goldfish princess and a sailor’s son in an oceanside town belong to?

IMDb: 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

Where to Watch: Max

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

This one is for all the Summerween enjoyers. Five friends in a rural, sweltering, Texas must fight to survive a family of psychopaths in this horror classic. Texas Chainsaw Massacre released in 1974 and quickly became part of the family of classic horror films. In that family, it also is the film that likely best fits into your summer watch lineup. Taking place in mid August, five teenagers on a road trip stumble upon a run-down house belonging to a family of murderous cannibals. The film’s iconic main antagonist, Leatherface, terrorizes the group, finding gruesome ways to take them each out.

The suffocatingly hot slasher makes this film the perfect pick for any summertime horror lover. Just make sure that when you decide to watch this one, you have a group of friends with you. This summer slasher is best enjoyed with people to share the screams with.

IMDb: 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Where to Watch: Tubi

So, what will you be watching this Summer?

Written By

Hi! My name is Camille. I’m a 21 year old college student currently going to school for creative writing. When I’m not at school or work you can very likely find me reading, baking, or watching something thats currently sitting on my watchlist.

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