There is a crucial, fundamental difference between stories that are coincidentally set during the season of summer and cinema that reflects the essence of summer. College is the last years to achieve that ultimate memorable summer of your youth, therefore it is imperative to reminisce and enjoy the incomparable vibes of vacation and hot summer nights. Teenagedom may be gone, but you can still easily experience that amazing summer of your dreams by setting the tone and gathering inspiration from these vibey TV shows and movies. Take advantage of the summer vibes and get ready to say “last night was a movie!” with this expert list of the utmost summer-esque pieces of media.
Summer vibe MOvies
- “Aquamarine” (2006)
I will die devoted on this hill that Aquamarine is the greatest coming of age summer film of all time. It contains mermaids (every little girl’s dream), BFF sleepovers, boardwalk festivals, and a swoon-worthy end of summer (non-school) dance. Every August, I insist on re-watching this childhood classic film to set the tone of the season coming to a bittersweet close. The dip-dyed blue streaks were the all the rage in the early 2000s and Aqua was the OG DIY queen. It remains my dream to own a quaint beach house in a summer-all-year style town due to the influence of this movie on my child brain.
- “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
- “Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants” (2005)
This film is perfect for all personality types because it represents and displays the different ways one can have their summer adventure. We have the flirty and bold character who spends her day at a soccer camp in California, while the introvert stays indoors at their seasonal job. All four of the main characters emit their unique vacay styles: cozy Grecian islander summer, retro filmmaker goth summer, affluent Southern Estate familial summer, or sporty camp counselor summer. Pick your fancy, and I am sure this heartwarming movie of friendship and love will fulfill your desperate need to live a fateful summer vicariously through a screen.
- “The Little Mermaid” (2023)
Purposefully neglecting the fact that Sebastian and Flounder’s animation were butchered, the new live-action remake of the classic The Little Mermaid is phenomenally executed. The lively scenes set in Eric’s kingdom were radiating a zesty Caribbean flare and carefree island lifestyle. I wanted to teleport myself inside the movie setting to the bustling town square, colorful market, and the beautiful coral reef buzzing with life underwater. This movie will make you want to visit the various islands in the Pacific and explore the thriving cultures under the summer sun! Form a dance circle and let yourself be free.
- “Mamma Mia” (2008)
- “The Parent Trap” (1998)
Nothing screams childhood nostalgia like a throwback 90s flick about summer camp. While I cannot relate to finding my long-last identical twin, the old school of experience of camping in the woods, playing outside in the dirt, and mischievous prank calling remain vivid in my memory. Vineyard roaming and horseback riding are also very summer-coded activities. Tap into your childish wild side by skinny-dipping in a lake at midnight, getting a new piercing, or playing classic card games to pass your time. Anyone still believe that Lindsay Lohan has an irl secret twin due to these advanced special effects?
- “Luca” (2021)
- “IT” (2017)
Calling all you horror fanatics! Some may doubt why a terrifying horror film about a killer clown would be on this list, but if you have watched the iconic movie, then you would know why it radiates such summer vibes. While the sleepy province of Derry, Maine is haunted by an supernatural being, the preteen rag-tag group of outcasts embark on a mission to save their livelihood while also creating lifelong bonds. Something about the dreary rainy days, chunky high socks, melted ice cream, and tall grass gives the perfect “Spooky Small Town Summer” atmosphere.
- “Barbie” (2023)
Summer vibe Tv Shows
- “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (2022-)
Are you Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? Oh what I would have given to be a pretty teenager prancing on the sand with two hunks fighting over me in a spicy love triangle. Season 3 is on the horizon, “August” by Taylor Swift is playing, and drama is wafting through the salty air. Re-watch the past two seasons of summer puppy love and despair this summer while awaiting the final season of the trilogy. If the clothing brand American Eagle were a television series, their vibes would match this youthful (and messy) plot. No matter how old you grow, a silly teen boy brawl over the same girl-next-door character will always be entertaining.
- “Panic” (2021)
- “Stranger Things” (2016-)
Remember the immaculate vibes in 2016 when this show first premiered? Every watch-through feels just as sweet as the first time you watched the renowned sci-fi series because of its shocking originality and loveable kiddo characters. Simultaneously radiating a Halloween and summer atmosphere, Stranger Things is a must-watch for the early gen-z-ers who mourn their simple days of playing board games in their musty basement and riding bikes around their suburban neighborhoods. The 80s are back in style (biker shorts & oversized blazers) and so is the fantastical monster genre! Fantasy nerds arise!
- “The Wilds” (2020-2022)
Ever wonder how events would have transpired differently if the Lord of the Flies was set as girl castaways? I’ll save you some useless pondering: a lot less violence. After crash landing on a deserted island, 8 teenage girls have to band together to survive in harsh conditions. All of the strangers hail from different unsightly backgrounds, causing an interesting dynamic to ensue as they are unknowingly being watched by cameras set up to catch the forged social experiment. This Amazon Prime Series highlights the ugly parts of summer and the extremeness of island life. No glamorous expense-paid vacay resort here! Find out which survival style you most relate to (the gifted naturalist or the pessimist loner). I, personally, would pass away without the modern amenities of AC and WIFI.
- “Cruel Summer” (2021-)
- “H20: Just Add Water” (2006-2010)
NAUR CLEO! For all the young girly girls who desperately wanted to transform into a mermaid in the swimming pool, I get you. This cable TV series is unforgettable to the Y2K kiddos who grew up watching the Australian teen drama consisting of smoothie bars, abandoned magical tide pools, and glimmering orange fish tails. Built off of silly teenage girl antics, joined together by vintage matching mystical necklaces, the bond of the mermaid trio is indescribable. Although the outdated fashion choices might make you cringe, the viewer can’t help but smile at the stickler Emma, ditzy Cleo, and hotheaded Rikki navigating high school with their massively inconvenient fishy secret. Be ‘no ordinary girl‘ and channel the Australian manner of summer living.
- “The White Lotus” (2021)
- “Outer Banks” (2020-)
What could possible radiate more summer vibes than a storyline set in the beach town of Outer Banks, North Carolina? The Netflix show “Outer Banks” features an exhilarating treasure hunt Ă la Goonies style, a turf-war clash of two cultures (the trust fund island babies vs. the rough and tough working class), and the friendship of a rag-tag team full of actors way too old looking to play teenagers. The Pogue gang, clad in swimsuits and Hollister type clothes the entire series, will make you envious that you do not have a makeshift pirate crew of your own in the OBX. If you plan on hosting a beach day, this will kickstart your sandy, salty, and sunny mood.