10 Great Summertime Films to Watch

Looking for a way to enjoy summer without actually being outside? Want to experience popular holiday destinations without the crowds? Or maybe you'd like to forget winter ever existed? We got you.

Look no further than our ultimate list of 10 great summertime films that deliver all the vibes without the hassle.

10 Summertime Films to Watch

1. SWIMMING POOL (2003)

A crime/thriller from François Ozon.

Charlotte Rampling plays a middle-aged crime novelist staying at her publisher's fancy holiday house in the south of France. While struggling to write her next book, she gets an unexpected visitor (and a writing prompt she never bargained for). This film proves that writers will do anything to cure writer's block.

2. MAMMA MIA (2008)

A musical comedy directed by Phyllida Lloyd.

Go on, you know you want to. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Meryl Streep singing in Greece? What more could you want? This is the movie that put the "feel good" factor back into film. It's up there with other classic summer musicals: GREASE and DIRTY DANCING. Is it cringe? Er, a little bit. And that's exactly why we love it.

3. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (2008)

A romantic comedy-drama from Woody Allen.

This film features a ridiculously good-looking, charismatic cast (Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem) getting flirty in Barcelona. Two best friends from the U.S. travel to Spain and both fall for a sexy artist. But his eccentric and temperamental ex-wife is about to crash the party.

4. THE WAY WAY BACK (2013)

A coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon.

If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favour and watch it ASAP. It's a real gem about a shy boy forced to holiday with his mum and her boyfriend in a seaside town. He finds an unlikely mentor in Sam Rockwell's character. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll regain hope in humanity.

5. GLASS ONION: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

A murder mystery from Rian Johnson.

Remember when a sequel could stir up controversy for not meeting the original's standards? Those were the days. If there has to be one murder mystery on the list, this is it. Enjoy summer vibes while watching rich people get taken down a notch?Yes, please!

6. THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY

A thriller/crime film from Anthony Minghella, based on Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel.

A con artist in Italy takes things a little too far. We chose the original 1999 version for this movie list. No shade to the Netflix version with Andrew Scott, which was brilliant but darker in tone. The film stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Cate Blanchett.

7. CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (2017)

A coming-of-age romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino.

Still set in Italy, this is another fine adaptation based on André Aciman's book. It tells a gentle tale of a blossoming romance between two beautiful young American men in northern Italy during the 1980s. The ensuing fallout when summer comes to a close is heart-wrenching.

8. MIDSOMMAR (2019)

A horror film from Ari Aster.

This Swedish folk horror will get your blood pumping. A couple visits a rural town famed for its midsummer festival. As you can guess, things quickly unravel in an unpleasant way involving a pagan cult. Starring Florence Pugh, this film is not for the faint-hearted.

9. MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

A coming-of-age comedy-drama from Wes Anderson.

No film list is complete without a Wes Anderson title. Set in the summer of 1965 on an island off New England, two twelve-year-olds fall in love and decide to run away. Just as a violent storm brews on the horizon, their adventure begins.

10. MY SUMMER OF LOVE (2004)

A romance/thriller from Pawel Pawlikowski.

Emily Blunt's breakout film explores the romantic relationship between two girls from different ends of the class spectrum. They are drawn together through the secrets they share about their respective dysfunctional families. Highly recommended!

All these films capture the essence of summer. They transport you to beautiful locations, evoke emotions, and provide a perfect escape from reality. Whether you're looking for laughter, romance, or a thrill, this list has it all.

What are your favourite summertime films? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter, and teacher, Kristina Jilly. An Australian living in Central Europe, she has written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. As a teacher at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Kristina also writes online content about storytelling and creativity.

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