Top Ten Favorites: Summer Movies

 "Summer loving, had me a blast. Summer loving, happened so fast." — Grease

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

    There is something entirely magical about the way a summer movie can instantly transport us back to the days when our only real responsibility was figuring out whose house we were meeting at or whether we had enough gas money to get to the beach. Every year when the humidity starts to climb and the evenings stretch out just a little bit longer, I find myself craving those classic stories that practically smell like saltwater and popcorn. They are the cinematic equivalent of a perfect, breezy afternoon spent doing absolutely nothing with the people who know you best, which is exactly why this list feels less like a random collection of Hollywood hits and more like a roadmap through our collective memories.

 

    When we think about the ultimate summer film, it is almost impossible not to start with Jaws. It is the absolute king of July cinema, the movie that single-handedly invented the modern summer blockbuster and made an entire generation terrified of taking a dip in the ocean. Even though we all know the mechanical shark looks a little dated now, that relentless two-note theme still hits you right in the gut. Follow that up with Grease and you are instantly wrapped in pure, unadulterated nostalgia. It captures that bittersweet, fleeting feeling of a high school romance that is destined to end the moment the leaves start to change, all wrapped up in a soundtrack we can all still sing word for word without missing a beat.

 

    Then we get into the gorgeous, sun-drenched romances that make you want to pack a bag and buy a one-way ticket to Europe. Rome Adventure is pure cinematic escapism, filled with that sweeping, mid-century romance where everything feels incredibly grand and beautifully stylized. It pairs so perfectly with Gidget, which is just pure fun and essentially birthed the whole California surf culture that defined an entire decade of teenagers trying to catch a wave or just look cool on a beach blanket.

 

    Of course, summer in the city has its own distinct vibe, which brings us to Marilyn Monroe standing over that subway grate in The Seven Year Itch. It perfectly bottles up that oppressive, sticky city heat where everyone is just looking for a way to cool down. If you want a slightly darker take on that same sweltry atmosphere, Rear Window handles it brilliantly. James Stewart stuck in his apartment during a suffocating New York heatwave, staring out the window out of sheer boredom, is something anyone who has ever survived a July without good air conditioning can deeply relate to.

 

    If Europe is more your speed, Summertime gives us Katharine Hepburn looking utterly luminous in Venice. It captures that unique ache of a vacation romance, where the setting is so beautiful it almost hurts because you know you eventually have to go home. Then, just when you think it is safe to go back in the water, Jaws 2 rolls around to remind us that second helpings of summer terror can be just as fun, even if we are mostly just rooting for the kids to make it back to the docks in one piece.

 

    We wrap things up with two absolute masterpieces of dance, starting with Dirty Dancing. There is a reason we still watch this one every single time it comes on television. It is the definitive summer camp, coming-of-age story that makes you feel the heavy, humid air of the Catskills and wish you were sneaking out to the staff quarters for a late-night dance party. It pairs so beautifully with Shag, a movie that doesn't get nearly enough love but completely nails that wild, chaotic joy of a girls-only weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach before real life catches up with you.

 

    In the end, these movies endure because they remind us of a time when the season felt endless and the nights belonged entirely to us. They are a beautiful reminder that while the years keep rolling by and our lives get increasingly complicated, a great story, a cold drink, and a familiar face can still make it feel like summer vacation all over again.

 

Top Ten Favorites: Summer Movies 
1. Jaws (1975)
2. Grease (1978)
3. Rome Adventure (1962)
4. Gidget (1959)
5. The Seven Year Itch (1955)
6. Rear Window (1954)
7. Summertime (1955)
8. Jaws 2 (1978) 
9. Dirty Dancing (1987)
10. Shag (1989)

So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!