The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap is a classic late 90s film starring Lindsay Lohan in the role of twin sisters who do not know that they are related. This is one of the biggest movies of my childhood. I remember watching it during the summer and wishing I had a twin sister to meet at summer camp too! The film is very nostalgic for me and I always enjoy another rewatch. One of the reasons that I love this movie so much is because of its aesthetic. I absolutely adore the house in California that Hallie and her father lived in. It definitely made me want to have a vineyard when I grew up for a little bit. I love the dynamic that the sisters have with each other and the relationship they have with their parents are super sweet. Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid both did amazing in their roles as the parents. It is a truly heartwarming film that will reignite your belief in true love.
Aquamarine
This is another nostalgic movie from my childhood. Aquamarine is a movie about a mermaid who leaves her ocean home to escape the arranged marriage that she is supposed to go through with. She has to find her true love with the help of Claire and Hailey, best friends who are about to be separated. The movie is a really fun story and has lots of extremely iconic moments like that early 2000s makeover montage or dancing to “Island in the Sun.” I’ve watched it countless times and always enjoy watching it at the start of summer.
Mamma Mia
I know I’ve said this with each movie so far, but Mamma Mia is by far the most nostalgic movie for me. I’ve watched it pretty much every year since I can remember. I know every lyric to every song and can quote pretty much any moment from the movie. It’s such a fun movie with a really heartwarming story at the center. Sophie (also, she has my name so how could I not love it??) is planning her wedding to Sky, and Donna and her friends work to make the weekend perfect for her, but things go awry when Sam, Harry, and Bill, all possible fathers to Sophie, drop by for a not-so-surprise visit. The music is amazing, which of course makes sense since the creators made the story around ABBA’s music. It is the perfect summer movie, and if you can’t get enough of it watch the sequel, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.
Little Miss Sunshine
This is another really heartwarming movie that I watched for the first time last year. It is about a young girl, Olive, and her family as they drive to a beauty pageant for her. Each of the characters goes through their own obstacles on the journey and all come together in the end for Olive. Abigail Breslin did a truly amazing job at just 10 years old! Toni Collette also plays a much nicer mom than her famous role in Hereditary. Actors Steve Carrell, Paul Dano, and Greg Kinner also play important roles in the story and progress in their own ways throughout the film.
Booksmart
This is a fun one for the beginning of summer. In Booksmart, best friends, Molly and Amy, decide to go to their first, and last, party before they graduate. The film takes place during the final day/night of high school and the pair have a crazy night together. It’s sentimental in some ways because we feel the connection that Molly and Amy had, but its also a hilarious movie at times as Amy struggles with her first sexual interaction and the friends run into obstacle after obstacle.
Call Me By Your Name
If you like a more dramatic romance movie, Call Me by Your Name will be your best bet. The film stars Timothee Chalamet as Elio, a teen staying with his family in Italy for the summer who meets Oliver, his dad’s student visitor for the next few months. To me, this film is the epitome of summer vibes. The opening sequence and music immediately put you into the world of Northern Italy in 1987. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this film but in my opinion, it’s an amazing movie that is important to look at with a specific lens. It’s important to realize that Oliver was not a great fit for Elio, they are not perfect by any means, and Elio is the real main character of the movie. He is a young person who falls in love with an older unavailable person. In the end, it’s a beautiful movie about first love and first loss.
Dirty Dancing
This is a classic 80s film that I was surprised to have liked as much as I did. Dirty Dancing is the story of Baby and Johnny who practice dancing together and fall in love in the process. The summer vibes are very apparent in this film as well. The music is on point and Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze both did amazing in their roles as love interests. It puts you into the aesthetic of summer in the 80s and has you rooting for Baby and Johnny’s success throughout the whole movie.