The 10 Best Summer Movies to Watch Right Now

Jaws (1975): Best Mayoral Election Campaign

When a great white shark starts attacking swimmers in a fictional New England town, the mayor's top priority is tourism. He claims it's perfectly safe to swim, even after multiple attacks. Despite this (spoiler alert), he's still mayor in the sequel. Richard Dreyfuss plays a marine biologist who joins forces with the town's sheriff and a local fisherman to dispatch the shark.

Palm Springs (2020): A Charming Love Story That Repeats Over and Over

Imagine reliving the same day over and over, but instead of a Groundhog Day celebration, you're at a wedding. And you fall for another wedding guest who is also reliving the day. Palm Springs is a fun take on the rom-com, featuring the relentlessly charming Andy Samberg as the protagonist.

Midsommar (2019): If You Like Unsettling Pagan Rituals

A trip to Sweden for a mid-summer festival is charming until people start disappearing and the main characters are forced into peculiar contests. Midsommar is shocking, entertaining, and disturbing, and you'll continue thinking about it for weeks. Florence Pugh, who starred in Little Women the year before, gives an incredible performance.

Adventureland (2009): A Roller Coaster of a Summer Job

Taking place in 1987, Adventureland is the titular workplace of the main characters, where love and drama quickly ensue amid the rides and attractions.

Jesse Eisenberg plays James Brennan, a college graduate who needs money and settles for a job in the park's games section (running the rides requires seniority). Ryan Reynolds is Mike Connell, a villain of sorts and a romantic rival to James for the affections of Em (Kristen Stewart).

Dazed and Confused (1993): School’s Out For Summer

It's 1976 and the last day of school for students from a Texas high school and middle school. It features many teenagers looking to party and avoid hazing, and Matthew McConaughey uttering his classic line "Alright, Alright, Alright."

American Graffiti (1973): For Those Who Love Cars and Tunes

It's 1962, and a group of teens in Modesto, California try to enjoy the last night of their post-graduation summer.

George Lucas cowrote and directed this coming-of-age film between THX 1138 and Star Wars; it was, in fact, the first film he produced through Lucasfilm. It has cars, cruising, a young Harrison Ford, and a solid soundtrack full of classic rock 'n' roll.

Luca (2021): For When Your Dream Car Is a Moped

This charming Pixar film follows a new friendship between Giulia and Luca & Alberta, two boys who happen to be sea creatures masquerading as humans.

All the boys want is a Vespa (they seem really cool to children who have also lived in the ocean their entire lives), so they and Giulia team up to win the Portorosso Cup, a triathalon to determine who in the quaint Italian town is the best at swimming, biking, and eating pasta.

With the usual Pixar charm and a beautiful setting, Luca is a delight with a great message about understanding and being true to oneself.

Grease (1978): Best Summer-Themed Musical

Though nearly all the action in this movie takes place during the school year, the plot is driven by a summer romance. Grease, which is based on a musical of the same name, is a lot of fun and it's hard not to sing along. It was nominated for an Oscar for its original song Hopelessly Devoted to You. And in 2020, Grease was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry.

Glass Onion (2022): When Vacations Get a Little Murdery

This followup to Knives Out sends world-class detective Benoit Blanc to a tech billionaire's Greek island getaway for a murder-mystery party that gets a little too real.

Just like the first entry, Glass Onion has an all-star cast, some great twists, and Daniel Craig's unbelievable (and wonderful) accent. And the setting provides some beautiful backgrounds for all the intrigue.