25 Iconic Shows And Movies That Just Feel Like Summer

Escape the summertime heat and sink into your cool couch. The season we all love is here and there's nothing better than embracing and romanticizing it with the best movies and shows to fit the theme. From Old Hollywood classics to captivating TV series, here are some of our favorite movies and shows that just feel like summer.

1. Aquamarine (2006)

This wholesome movie tells the story of two teenage best friends, Hailey (Joanna “JoJo” Levesque) and Claire (Emma Roberts), who befriends a mermaid named Aquamarine (Sara Paxton). Aquamarine has three days to prove to her father that love exists in the human world (sound familiar?), and the adventures that ensue will remind you of your childhood summers spent with friends.

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, teenage best friends Lena (Alexis Bledel), Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Carmen (America Ferrera), and Bridget (Blake Lively) decide to make their summer apart more fun by keeping in touch via a pair of jeans they all wear. If this movie doesn’t make you laugh and cry at the same time, we don’t know what to tell you. The sequel is another good watch, but nothing beats the magic of the first movie.

3. Mamma Mia! (2008)

Perfect for the girlies who are longing for a European summer, this musical follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) visiting her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), in Greece after she gets engaged. Sophie wants to invite her biological father to her wedding, only to find out that there are three men who could possibly be her father. The adventure that ensues will leave you laughing and singing at the top of your lungs.

4. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

In the long-awaited sequel to the first movie, Sophie is pregnant and travels to Greece to help re-open Donna’s hotel after her death. She is then told the story of how a young Donna (Lily James) traveled to Greece in 1979 to fall in love and find herself. And how could we possibly forget the grand entrance of Sophie’s grandmother and Donna’s mother, Ruby (Cher)? Like its predecessor, this movie will give you all the feel-good summer vibes.

5. The Parent Trap (1998)

Is it really summer without this classic? When preteens Halle and Annie (Lindsay Lohan) discover they’re identical twins at summer camp, they come up with a plan to get their parents back together by switching places and having their parents meet to switch the girls back. It’s a foolproof plan – until their dad’s new fiancée, Meredith Blake (Elaine Hendrix), gets in the way.

6. Blue Crush (2002)

This iconic movie tells the story of three teenagers, Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth), Eden (Michelle Rodriguez), and Lena (Sanoe Lake) as they navigate the competitive world of surfing. The beachy vibes are fantastic, making it the perfect movie to watch when you’re craving the ocean breeze.

7. She’s the Man (2006)

In this hilarious retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Viola (Amanda Bynes) discovers her twin brother, Sebastian (James Kirk), has run away and ditched boarding school. Realizing her one opportunity to play on the soccer team of her dreams, Viola decides to dress like a boy and take Sebastian’s place. All is well until she learns that Sebastian’s roommate, Duke (Channing Tatum), is incredibly handsome and charming.

8. High School Musical 2 (2007)

In this Disney Channel classic, Troy (Zac Efron) is offered a summer job at a local country club, but will only accept if his friends can work there too – including his girlfriend, Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). By doing this, he unknowingly sabotages drama queen Sharpay’s (Ashley Tisdale) plan to get close to him, and hijinks ensue.

9. The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022-present)

Based on the best-selling young adult novels by Jenny Han, this series tells the story of Belly (Lola Tung), who spends every summer with her mom and brother visiting family friends. These family friends include Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney), who have both taken notice of Belly’s recent glow-up. With Jeremiah as the good guy and Conrad as the mysterious bad boy, this classic teenage love triangle will have you laughing as hard as you cry.

10. What a Girl Wants (2003)

When American teen Daphne (Amanda Bynes) discovers that her father (Colin Firth) is a British nobleman and politician, she travels to London to meet him. While she tries to fit into his world, she discovers that she only has to be herself in order to win the approval of her father. This movie is not only wholesome but will take you back to the simplicity of the early 2000s.

11. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Rachel (Constance Wu) and Nick (Henry Golding) have been dating for a year, but Rachel has yet to meet Nick’s family. When he takes her to Singapore to meet his family, she discovers that he comes from immense wealth. From his strict mother (Michelle Yeoh) to the expectations that come with his family name, it doesn’t take long for Nick to realize he has to make a choice: his family or Rachel.

12. The Last Song (2010)

Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, The Last Song tells the story of Ronnie (Miley Cyrus), who travels to a beach town in Georgia to spend the summer with her father. While she misses her home, she meets the handsome and mysterious Will (Liam Hemsworth), who breaks through her tough exterior and teaches her to come out of her shell. This romantic teen drama will leave you in tears, even if you’ve seen it a hundred times before.

13. Lilo and Stitch (2002)

Since their parents passed away, Nani and her little sister Lilo have been on their own in their family’s home in Hawaii. When Nani lets Lilo adopt a dog, it doesn’t take them long to realize that they accidentally adopted an alien. This classic may sound silly, but the heartwarming story of family, sisterhood, and belonging is perfect for the whole family.

14. Cruel Summer (2021-present)

We’re not exaggerating when we say this anthology series is a hidden gem that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The first season is set in the 1990s after a small Texas town is rocked by the disappearance of popular girl Kate Wallis. In the aftermath of her shocking disappearance, classmate Jeanette Turner suddenly becomes the new cool girl, leading many to wonder if Jeanette knows more about Kate’s whereabouts than she says she does. The second season is set in the summer of 1999, where a teenage love triangle ends in murder.

15. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

If you’re looking for summer in the city vibes, this classic rom-com that tells the story of a journalist (Kate Hudson) conning an advertising executive (Matthew McConaughey) is the perfect movie. From the fashion to the laughs, this movie is perfect for a girls' night in with wine and popcorn.

16. Outer Banks (2020-present)

From John B (Chase Stokes) to JJ (Rudy Pankow) to Sarah (Madelyn Cline), this show has so many characters that we adore. In this treasure-hunting teen adventure, the backdrop of the Outer Banks in North Carolina gives the endless summer vibes that we all love. Including adventure, romance, and fashion, all three seasons are perfect for summer viewing.

17. The Notebook (2004)

Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) are star-crossed lovers in the 1940s. In the present day, an elderly Noah (James Garner) tells Allie (Gena Rowlands) their love story in hopes that she’ll remember, despite her Alzheimer’s. 

18. Monte Carlo (2011)

This movie is as cute as it is underrated, and it gives off the best European summer vibes. Best friends Grace (Selena Gomez), Meg (Leighton Meester), and Emma (Katie Cassidy) embark on their dream trip to Paris, only to discover that they were ripped off with crappy accommodations. After Grace is mistaken for British heiress Cordelia Winthrop-Scott (also played by Selena Gomez), the three girls embrace the grift, leading to adventures and romance in Monte Carlo.  

19. Daisy Jones & the Six (2023)

Based on the novel of the same name, the 1970s vibes of this show, chronicling the rise and fall of a fictional rock band, are immaculate. The beachy Los Angeles setting and aesthetic of the costumes (Daisy’s and Camila’s outfits are some of our faves) will make you want to channel your inner flower child, making this show the perfect summer watch.

20. The Sandlot (1993)

In the summer of 1962, 11-year-old Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) struggles to make friends in a new town. After his mom and stepfather encourage him to go out of his way to make friends, Scotty befriends a group of boys who like to play baseball at the neighborhood sandlot. This leads to the best summer of Scotty’s life, filled with adventures, laughs, and baseball.

21. The White Lotus (2021-present)

The anthology that launched the Jennifer Coolidge Renaissance is perfect for summer. From the first season in Hawaii to the second in Sicily, both of the settings give endless summer vibes. Come for the setting, and stay for the dark humor and rich people behaving badly.

22. The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)

Serving as the series finale for one of our all-time favorite shows, Lizzie (Hilary Duff) travels to Rome with her classmates for their 8th grade graduation trip. After an Italian pop star realizes that she looks just like his estranged singing partner, Isabella (also played by Hilary Duff), he convinces Lizzie to impersonate her for a performance. What follows is a romantic Roman adventure that never gets old.

23. Roman Holiday (1953)

Speaking of romantic Roman adventures, we couldn’t forget this Audrey Hepburn classic. During a trip to Rome, Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) longs for adventure. She meets Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), who she doesn’t know is a reporter tasked with finding out her story. What results is a romantic adventure around Rome that neither expected, giving us one of the best romantic comedies of all time.

24. Crossroads (2002)

Best friends Lucy (Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana), and Mimi (Taryn Manning) reconnect after years apart by taking a road trip to move Mimi from Georgia to California. The girls not only rediscover their friendship, but Lucy uses the opportunity to ask her long-lost mother why she abandoned her as a kid.

25. Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

Based on the best-selling book, this movie follows Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones), the “marsh girl” of a North Carolina town in the late 1960s. When a local young man dies, it doesn’t take long for townspeople to realize he once had a love affair with Kya, leading to her becoming the prime suspect in his murder. Full of mystery, romance, and nature, this murder mystery will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last second.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you want to watch something wholesome like The Lizzie McGuire Movie or a twisty thriller like Cruel Summer, there’s a summertime show or movie on this list for everyone out there.

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