Picture this: beach vacations, sun-drenched days, and thrilling summer adventures—sounds like a dream, right? But hey, even in the midst of all that excitement, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a breather and treating yourself to a good ol’ movie night. When the weather heats up and the sun shines brighter than ever, it’s the perfect time to beat the heat by kicking back with a classic summer flick.
Guess what? We’ve done the hard work for you! After diving into countless movie databases, we’ve handpicked the 12 absolute best summer movies of all time. So, sit back, relax, and make sure to have a cool drink in hand as you lose yourself in these cinematic treasures on those long, balmy summer nights.
1.‘Grease’
Grease Photo Credit: IMDB
Release Date: June 13, 1978 (New York)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
Nothing screams summer like a fun, classic musical. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John shine in their roles as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson, kids who enjoy a summer fling before learning they both attend the same high school. Danny and Sandy come from vastly different worlds, but their desire to be together and make it work bridges the gap.
Fans still adore this movie, calling it a “timeless classic” and saying, “It’s the ultimate feel-good film.”
2.‘E.T.’
E.T. Photo Credit:Universal Studios.
Release Date: June 11, 1982 (USA)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
One of the most beloved films of all time, “E.T.” is about a gentle alien discovered by a 10-year-old boy. Henry Thomas played the boy, Elliott, who befriends the lost alien. Eventually, Elliott and his sister, Gertie (played by Drew Barrymore), must defend E.T. from government intervention.
This heartwarming story has lived in our hearts for decades and earned one of the highest Rotten Tomatoes scores possible. Reviewers say it “still blows me away to this day.”
3.‘Back to the Future’
Back to the Future Image Credit: Universal Pictures.
Release Date: July 3, 1985
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd star as Marty McFly and Doc Brown in this fun and silly adventure through time. Marty is a typical teenager until he meets Doc Brown, the mad scientist trying to turn a DeLorean into a time machine. Improbably, Doc succeeds, and the shenanigans begin.
The movie is “so good in so many ways,” as one reviewer put it. The effects more or less hold up, the comedy endures and the script is legendary.
4.‘Jaws’
Jaws Image Credit: Universal Pictures / IMBD.v
Release Date: June 20, 1975
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
What screams “summer” more than a trip to the beach? You might want to skip the giant man-eating shark Brody, Quint, Hopper, and the rest encounter in “Jaws,” however.
Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary and more star in this classic summer movie. The quest to kill the shark and cash in on the reward results in a thrilling adventure.
“Jaws” has become “one of the most well-rounded, complete movies ever made,” one reviewer says.
5.‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’
Terminator Photo Credit: IMDB
Release Date: July 3, 1991
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
We could have picked several of the “Terminator” movies, but we settled on “Terminator 2” for having one of the best villains of all time in the T-1000, played by Robert Patrick. The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) does his best to protect Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her son John (Edward Furlong).
“Terminator 2” has gone down as one of the best action/sci-fi films of all time. One reviewer said they could “go on forever pointing out good qualities.”
6.‘Jurassic Park’
Jurassic Park Image Credit: IMDB
Release Date: June 11, 1993
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Time for a family vacation. With dinosaurs.
Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill and Laura Dern are among the stars in this classic Blockbuster about a dinosaur amusement park. When the dinos get loose, chaos ensues.
The special effect work for this movie was painstakingly crafted, and it holds up. The dinosaurs look great, resulting in some iconic moments of raptors and T-Rexes filling up the screen. One reviewer calls the dinosaur rigs “nothing short of breathtaking.”
7.‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Image Credit: IMDB
Release Date: July 21, 1978
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
We could have chosen several of the “Star Wars” movies for this list, but we went with the classic. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher lead this rebellious romp through the heavens. Swash bucklers and princesses combine forces to combat the menacing Darth Vader.
For many, this is the peak of sci-fi storytelling. Reviewers call it “legendary” and say “it far surpasses any 10/10 rating I could give it.”
8.‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
Mad Max: Fury Road Photo Credit: IMDb
Release Date: May 14, 2015
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Charlize Theron plays an incredible Furiosa in this modern take on the classic apocalyptic story. In a harsh landscape, the scattered remnants of humanity struggle to survive. Furiosa teams up with Max (Tom Hardy) to try to bring some order back to this chaotic hellscape.
Reviewers love this action-packed spectacle. “It’s pretty much my idea of a perfect film,” one reviewer says. It’s definitely a fun flick for a summer evening.
9.‘Clueless’
Clueless (1995) Image Credit: IMDB / Paramount Pictures.
Release Date: July 19, 1995
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
If you’re looking for something lighter, “Clueless” is a classic high school coming-of-age story featuring a fantastic performance from Alicia Silverstone. Cher and her friends must navigate the turbulence of being a teenager. Cher’s airheaded persona hides a far deeper soul, one that comes out in subtle ways throughout this funny, silly film. Silverstone nailed her role in this, with reviewers saying she “delivers her character to perfection.”
10.‘Ghostbusters’
Ghostbusters Image Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / IMDB.
Release Date: June 8, 1984
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson shine as the original four ghostbusters in this film about paranormal investigators taking on ghosts in New York City. They’re definitely the folks you want to call if you’ve got a mischievous ghost haunting your city.
The crew gets into plenty of shenanigans that are still fun for audiences of all ages. One reviewer even calls it “one of if not the greatest films ever!”
11.‘The Sandlot’
Sandlot Photo Credit: IMDb
Release Date: April 7,1993
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
We couldn’t talk about summer movies without talking about the summer movie. “The Sandlot” follows a group of young boys whose love of baseball gets them into wacky and heartwarming situations all summer long. This coming-of-age story stars actors like Patrick Renna, Tom Guiry and Mike Vitar.
There’s something about this movie that will resonate with us for all time. One reviewer calls it “one of the greatest childhood films ever,” and we have to agree.
12.’Dirty Dancing’
Dirty Dancing Photo Credit: IMDb
Release Date: August 21, 1987
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
This steamy, foot-tapping summer classic serves up the perfect mix of romance and unforgettable dance sequences. Set in the summer of 1963, we follow the innocent Baby (Jennifer Grey) as she embarks on a passionate dance-filled journey with the rebellious instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze) at a Catskills resort. A tale of young love and liberation against the backdrop of sultry summer nights – “Dirty Dancing” truly puts the ‘hot’ in ‘hot summer blockbuster’.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
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