5 Movies That Feel Like Summer Sunshine

Summer isn't over yet, and neither are these summery movies you shouldn't miss.

Summer is in full effect! It’s beach, festival, farmers market, and fair season and we are all soaking up every bit of sun we can get. With the sun shining from early morning until 7 or 8 pm, it can be tempting to spend all day outside and enjoying as much of the season as you can before it’s time to bundle up this fall and winter. However, some downtime is needed sometimes, and cuddling on your couch in an air-conditioned apartment or home is therapeutic, you can’t tell me otherwise. So if you’re looking to rot on the couch and watch movies but still enjoy summer, here are 5 movies to watch that feel like the sun is shining on your skin. Cue “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

Mamma Mia! (2008)

If you’re thinking of summer movies and don’t immediately think of Mamma Mia!, you’re wrong. Set on the Greek islands, Donna (Meryl Streep) is preparing for her daughter Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) wedding. What Donna doesnt know is that Sophie has a plan to invite three men from Donna’s past in the hopes that she will get to meet her real father. The vivid colors, sweeping landscape of Greece, and the soundtrack of ABBA are the epitome of summertime fine. Watch Mamma Mia! on Max.

The Parent Trap (1998)

The Parent Trap is a classic! The story of two twins, both played by Lindsay Lohan, discover the existence of the other at summer camp in the 1990s. The story is a little weird since the twin’s parents, Nick (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), intentionally separate the twins after they got divorced without giving them any knowledge, but I’m not a parent so who am I to judge. Hallie was raised in America while Annie was raised in Europe and the two serendipitously arrive at the same summer camp together. The Parent Trap being set at a summer camp, eating Oreos and peanut butter, pranking the boys, and planning elaborate schemes on your parents makes it the perfect summer film. Watch The Parent Trap on Disney+.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Thelma & Louise is the original girl’s trip film. Maybe Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon take the girl’s trip a bit far when the shoot and kill a man and run from the law, but they still get to ride around in a convertible and soak up the sun! Thelma and Louise set the standard for girl best friendship and inspire many to take a spontaneous trip with your favorite gal pal. Maybe just don’t take that trip because you’re running from the law. Watch Thelma & Louise on Prime Video, FreeVee, and Tubi.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Call Me By Your Name may be heart-wrenching in it’s own regard, but it’s hard to deny how summery this movie feels. In this coming-of-age LGBTQ story, Timothee Chalamet stars as Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old who is spending his summer at his family’s villa in Italy. While there Elio meets Oliver (Armie Hammer) and the two start a summer romance for the ages. The rich blues and greens of the film will make you feel like you’re in Italy under the Mediterranean sun, and nothing screams summer quite like a deep, all-encompassing fling. Watch Call Me By Your Name on Netflix.

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused might be the quintessential summer movie for teens. If you grew up in the 70s, this film is going to hit all the nostalgic pressure points in your body. Dazed and Confused stars a young Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck as a large group of ragtag high school students finish out their last day of school and enjoy their kickoff to summer. As these teens cruise around the town, drink beer, and attend parties, you’ll feel like you were there right next to them, and at one point you probably were! This film exclaims summer in a very chill and laid back way, and that’s alright, alright, alright with us. Watch Dazed and Confused on Amazon Video.