10 Great Movies Set In Summertime

July 7, 2014 - 3:32 pm by Dominick Grillo

Summer has officially arrived, and with it comes scorching heat, humidity (in New York) and neighborhood kids who want to enjoy every moment of their temporary freedom. For the rest of us, it’s business as usual. Unless you're a teacher or a ski instructor, summer usually just means a higher electric bill and a back that refuses to remain non-sweaty.

These 10 flicks set in the summertime remind us of the days of no responsibility and swimming in overcrowded public pools filled with piss. Click through and don’t forget your Italian Ice.

i know what you did last summer movies with a plot based on summer

I Know What You Did Last SummerSummer is the most glorious time of the year when you're young and on break from school, but bad things can still happen. For instance: murder. The guys and gals of I Know What You Did Last Summer end up dumping a (still moving) body in the ocean, and then seem to be shocked to realize it was a terrible decision. Apparently, looking like Freddie Prince Jr. or Jennifer Love Hewitt is not enough to have a murder-free summer. Consider yourself warned.

independence day movies with a plot based on summer

Independence DayWill Smith has been the box office king of the July 4th weekend for years and it all began with the alien ass-kicking of Independence Day. What could symbolize the summertime more than a big budget Will Smith movie about aliens? Audiences will be able to revisit their alien prejudices in two years because a sequel to Independence Day is on schedule for July 1 2016. Unfortunately, Will Smith will not be starring.

JawsThe granddaddy of summer blockbusters, Jaws scared beachgoers out of the water and launched a thousand imitators. (Piranha 3D, we’re looking at you). What kind of summer vacation would it be without the fear of imminent death every time you step into the water? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in, every couple years another giant shark movie was released to terrify swimmers out of the oceans. At this point, we kind of feel bad for the sharks. They just want to eat and the Jaws movies are scaring away their dinners.

adventureland movies with a plot based on summer

AdventurelandEveryone's had to work a summer job they didn’t like to pay their bills, but somehow working at an amusement park doesn’t seem as bad as other possibilities. Sure, you get the annoying park visitors and you're in the sun all day, but you also get to hang out with the rest of the park crew and party the summer nights away. And who wouldn’t like the opportunity to ride rollercoasters for free on their time off?

wet hot american summer movies with a plot based on summer

Wet Hot American SummerAnyone who had the fortune (or misfortune depending on your perspective) of going to summer camp will recognize the insane honesty of Wet Hot American Summer. The counselors don’t care about the kids, the food is terrible, and there are way too many acoustic guitar sing-alongs by the fire, but it’s still a lot of fun. Whether or not you would actually want to return for a second year is anyone’s guess.

stand by me movies with a plot based on summer

Stand By MeFour boys set out on a summertime adventure to find a dead body without realizing how quickly their lives are about to change. They'll soon grow up and grow apart and walk down wildly different paths. Stand By Me is a reminder of those long-lost friends and the experiences that'll never again occur. We only had a few short years of free summertime bliss, and those moments were, unfortunately, long gone by the time we understood they won’t be coming back.

wackness movies with a plot based on summer

The WacknessIn between dealing drugs and eating ice pops to break the heat, the next best cure for the summer doldrums is devouring classic New York hip-hop songs at every opportunity. The year is 1994, so the recently graduated Luke keeps his cassette player jumping with The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, and others. Luke may not have much to do this summer, but it’s okay because the streets are hot and everyone is looking for the best ways to stay cool.

do the right thing movies with a plot based on summer

Do the Right ThingThe heat, the sweat and the simmering tension are all easily remembered characteristics of summertime in the city. Spike Lee’s classic look at racism in New York exploded on the screen 25 years ago and still ranks as one of the greatest films of all time. You can practically feel your own sweat drip off your forehead as you watch the characters struggle to remain calm on the hottest day of the summer.

dazed and confused movies with a plot based on summer

Dazed and ConfusedIt’s the last day of school in 1976 and the parties are loud, the beer is flowing, and people are listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd without a hint of irony. It may be a different world, but those familiar feelings of summer freedom are recognizable in any time period. We’ll be happy to come along for the ride – just don’t ask us to stay awake until daylight.

friday the 13th movies with a plot based on summer

Friday the 13thRemember those summer days as a nubile young teenager? Remember the raging hormones, short shorts, and crappy beer that inspired nights of sweaty, drunken groping? And while those may be cringe-inducing memories, at least you didn’t have to worry about a homicidal machete wielding hulk chopping you into bits in the midst of losing your virginity. Of course, there are probably worse times to die than in mid-coitus, so it’s not all bad.

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