Summer is arguably the best time of the year to watch movies. While being outside is fun, watching a good movie can bring sun-soaked energy just as well. Fromhorror classics likeJawsto box-office juggernauts likeBarbie,there are tons of classic films that capture the feeling of warmth and joy that summer brings. Films likeThe Sandlotare a must-watch for the summer, but there are a ton of underrated and underseen films that deserve more recognition as summer classics.
From tropical vacation films to action comedies, these 10 films successfully capture the summer feeling while being amazing movies on their own. They may not be in the cultural zeitgeist as much as films likeTop Gun: Maverick, but they have all the ingredients of a perfect summer film.
Here are 10 underrated movies that are perfect for a summer viewing.
10'22 Jump Street' (2014)
22 Jump Streetmay take place during a college semester, but the film is littered with summer antics that make it a must-watch for the summer. From parties at the beach to sports events, the film oozes fun in every frame. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are one of the best duos in film history, with their natural chemistry and break-up storyline delivering some of the funniest moments put to film. The film itself brings positive vibes from start to finish, but the aesthetic created by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller makes it an instant classic for the summer movie genre.
‘22 Jump Street’ Is One of the Best Comedies of the 21st Century
22 Jump Street
22 Jump Streetisn’t just an underrated summer movie, butone of the best comedies of the 21st century. Often overshadowed by its predecessor, it does everything that the first film succeeded in and improves upon it. The development between the two protagonists not only made for many hilarious moments, but brought growth and development that usually lacks in straightforward comedies. The slam poetry and the “meet the parents” segments alone make this one of the best comedies ever, but the film in its entirety is of equal quality.
9’Snack Shack' (2024)
Being released only a year ago,Snack Shackhas quickly become an instant summer classic. Following two teenagers running a snack shop at a community swimming pool, the film magically captures the coming-of-age essence of ’80s films, having a Richard Linklater-type story while also bringing a style of its own. Gabriel LaBelle and Conor Sherry are fantastic, with their energetic banter and emotional storyline driving the film’s pace and sentiment, making for a perfect throwback film.
Snack Shack
Gabriel Labelle has proven with every role that he is an actor to look out for. Portraying a young Steven Spielberg inThe FabelmansandLorne Michaels inSaturday Night,he has shown that he has the range of an A-list actor. Although his filmography is small, he has been the clear standout in each of his films. If he continues on this trajectory, he will easily be an Oscar-nominated actor in the coming years.
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8’Everybody Wants Some!!' (2016)
Richard Linklater has so many classic films that it is easy to dismiss his smaller works, butEverybody Wants Some!!deserves to be held in a higher regard. Harkening back to his previous films likeDazed and Confused, the film is a pure hangout movie. From nights at the bar and baseball practices with a group of college friends, the film captures the warmth and camaraderie necessary for the perfect summer watch. Starting the career of actors like Glen Powell, this is an easy recommendation for those looking for a relaxing and relentlessly entertaining time.
Glen Powell and Richard Linklater’s Collaborations Are Legendary
Everybody Wants Some!!
Glen Powell’s recent work likeTop Gun: MaverickandTwistershas proven that he is a blockbuster movie star, but his work with Richard Linklater is arguably his best. From a NASA worker inApollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhoodto a career-best performance as a fake hitman inHit Man, Powell and Linklater are easily one of the best actor/director pairings in this generation. With Powellcontinuing to stretch his acting chops withThe Running Manlater this year, I doubt we will be seeing any less of Powell in the coming years.
7’Girls Trip' (2017)
Girls Tripwas a box-office success in 2016, but people have failed to recognize its brilliance since its release. The film is ultimately what the title says it is; a girl’s trip. A comedy centered on a group of female friends is sadly a concept that Hollywood rarely explores, butGirls Tripcapitalizes on it and becomes the best of its genre sinceBridesmaids. The cast is incredible, with Tiffany Haddish putting on a comedic performance for the ages, earning her a Critic’s Choice nomination for Best Supporting Actress. When it comes to female comedies, there isn’t much better thanGirls Trip.
The Studio Comedy Needs a Resurgence
Girls Trip
Whether it’s the current political climate or the push for streaming-exclusive releases, the studio comedy has disappeared almost entirely. Every once in a while,a film likeOne of Them DaysandNo Hard Feelingsis released, but there are rarely any new studio comedies that are released in theaters. Seeing a comedy in a crowded theater can make for an incredible cinematic experience, and studios need to capitalize on that. With the release ofNaked Gun, there may be a comeback, but more strides need to take place for a full resurgence.
6’American Pie 2' (2001)
The originalAmerican Piewas the ultimate coming-of-age movie of the late ’90s, but people underestimate how much of its greatness carries over toAmerican Pie 2.Set in a beach house during the summer after freshman year of college, the film recreates many of the first film’s highlights as well as brings many other standout sequences to the long-running franchise. From the relationship that blossoms between Jim and Michelle to the incredible band camp sequences,American Pie 2has all the best parts of the franchise with the added bonus of taking place during the summer.
Is ‘American Pie 5’ Happening?
American Pie 2
There has been a lot of word about a potential fifth filmin theAmerican Pieseries. While there have been countless spin-offs, there hasn’t been a film centering on the same core friend group sinceAmerican Reunionin 2012. Whether the movie will happen is up for debate, but whether the movie will actually be good is an entirely different question. Seeing a bunch of 40-to-50-year-olds getting into high school hijinks may not work as well, but if they take aGrown Upsapproach, it may be a worthy addition to the iconic series.
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5’Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar' (2021)
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Marhad the unfortunate fate of releasing straight-to-streaming, as the film would have been an incredible theatrical experience. Acting as an extended SNL sketch, the film is constantly hilarious with a beautiful color scheme that captures the summer spirit. It is obvious that Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo were going to give great comedic performances, but Jamie Dornan is the biggest surprise.After the abysmalFifty Shades of Greytrilogy,Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Marallowed him to fully let loose, which allowed him to give one of the best performances of his career so far. It may not have gotten the spotlight it deserves, but the film is easily deserving of a watch during the summer.
Streaming Titles Deserve a Theatrical Release
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
The idea of a streaming service makes a lot of sense in the age of dying movie theaters, but the idea of restricting films from a theatrical release is criminal. For decades, films were only seen on the big screen. The immersion one gets from a dark room with a loud sound system is unlike anything that can be replicated, even if you have a home theater set-up. If streamers decided to release their films in theaters before releasing them on their platform, not only would it bring more buzz to their films, but it would preserve the theatrical experience.
4’High School Musical 2' (2007)
A Disney Channel Original Movie might sound like a strange addition to a summer watchlist, butHigh School Musical 2stands out due to its incredible craftsmanship and catchy songs. After the success ofHigh School Musical, director Kenny Ortega doubles down on the spectacle-driven musical numbers, includinginstant classics like “Bet on It” and “Fabulous.“The cinematography and production design are filled with life and color, contributing to the film’s summer setting with artistic integrity. Although much of Disney Channel’s original content has been hit or miss,High School Musical2stands as one of their best.
The ‘High School Musical’ Trilogy Holds Up
High School Musical 2
With the first film releasing 17 years ago, the famous Disney trilogy surprisingly holds up compared to modern-day musicals. The films have a 2000s charm that makes the film feel less like a dated project and more like an example of what a past era of filmmaking was like. Outside its corny nature, the films have numerous incredible musical numbers that bring gravitas and spectacle to the film, with the songs themselves being some of Disney’s best to date. While the films may be targeted toward younger kids, there’s enough compelling filmmaking and storytelling to make the movies worth a watch for all ages.
3’Theater Camp' (2023)
Theater Campstands out among the countless films set at a summer camp due to the way it embraces its silliness and love for the fine arts. The documentary style of filmmaking not only makes for countless laugh-out-loud moments, but it acts as a cathartic experience for the filmmakers as they attempt to recapture their childhoods through the camera. Ben Platt and Molly Gordon are fantastic as the two leads, with their real-life friendship transitioning into the film seamlessly. It may appear to be just another straight-to-streaming comedy, but it is much more than that.
Molly Gordon Is the New Queen of Comedy
Theater Camp
Although she has only appeared in a handful of projects, Molly Gordon has proved her worth as a comedic actress. From her empathetic work inShiva Babyas well as the antagonistic turn inGood Boys, she has shown that she can elevate a film to the next level. As well as appearing in comedies likeBooksmartand shows likeThe Bear, her resume of projects is stronger than most actresses of her generation.
2’Grown Ups' (2010)
Grown Upscame out in an era where critics and audiences were down on Adam Sandler’s films, but with time,Grown Upshas become a modern Sandler classic. Void of plot and thematic resonance, the film is solely a hangout movie. Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schnieder have incredible chemistry, with many quotable one-liners and overtly goofy sequences. The cabin setting allows the audience to ease with the characters, making it just as relaxing of an experience as it is for the characters. It may not be the most innovative film on the list, but the aesthetic and compelling performances by the ensemble make this the perfect watch for the summer.
‘Grown Ups 3’ Needs To Happen
AlthoughGrown Ups 2is one of Sandler’s worst-received movies by critics, the film still has many memorable moments that keep it away from the worst he’s done. WithHappy Gilmorefinally getting a sequel, it is time to complete theGrown Upstrilogy. At this stage in Sandler’s career,where he’s putting out Oscar-caliber work with each film, he is due for a relaxing cinematic experience where he can truly be himself. With people having a change of heart aroundGrown Ups, there is no better time to have a sequel.
1’Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days' (2012)
TheDiary of a Wimpy Kidfranchise is synonymous with Generation Z, with the books and films making a huge cultural impact. WhileDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Dayswasn’t the best-received film of the series, it still captured the heart and humor that made the franchise so beloved. The acting from the ensemble is incredible, with Steve Zahn and Devon Bostick putting on the best dad and older brother performances in any children’s film. There is alsoa great father and son story surrounding the film, as well as a heartfelt message about how making mistakes is a part of life. When it comes to live-action children’s films, there aren’t many that are as good asDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days.
The Entire ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ Trilogy Is Underrated
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
In a world void of live-action films made for kids, props have to be given to how good theDiary of a Wimpy Kidfilms are. Not only are they faithful adaptations of a beloved book series, but they have great messages to kids about growing up. The films perfectly capture the awkwardness of middle school, focusing heavily on the pubescent phase in extremely relatable ways. Not even the reboot,Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, could get even close to replicating the greatness of the original trilogy. It may not be the best or most influential trilogy of all time, but its the perfect triple feature for younger kids that adults can also get a kick out of.
