The Best Shows & Movies to Feel the Sparkling Summer Magic
Summer is finally here! Whether you’re looking for the perfect show to binge on a hot summers day, or a great movie for a dive-in movie night, we got you covered. Let’s break down our favorite movies and television shows that help us have a sparkling summer.
Movies
Mamma Mia!
If you want a magical musical that makes you want to book a flight to Greece, this is the movie for you! The vibes of this movie will transport you to a glimmering summer vacation no matter what time of year it is. Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried deliver a touching mother daughter story with plenty of comedy, dancing, music, and summer lovin’. Mamma Mia! will leave you feeling warm and happy, and ignite an all-night debate on who the father is at your watch party.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Did you really think we’d include Mamma Mia! and not this gem? The sequel to Mamma Mia! dives into Donna’s backstory, revealing how she met each of Sophie’s fathers. This second installment feels like going home, and Lily James is a beautiful young Donna who captures Streep’s energy perfectly. Sequels are a risky endeavor, especially when the original story is so beloved, but Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again knocked it out of the park.
High School Musical 2
Every early 2000’s baby remembers exactly where they were when this masterpiece dropped on Disney Channel. The second installment of the High School Musical franchise is a fan favorite that follows the Wildcats to a resort where they work, sing, and have the ultimate summer. From Zac Efron singing “Bet On It”, Vanessa Hudgens making history with “Gotta Go My Own Way”, or Ashley Tisdale changing lives with “Fabulous”, this movie is pure magic.
If you want a nostalgic summer watch to sing along to with your friends, High School Musical 2 the ultimate pick. Start deciding who will be Troy and Gabriella for your version of “Gotta Go My Own Way” now!
Aquamarine
Who didn’t love playing mermaids in the pool as kids (and honestly, as adults)? Aquamarine is a mystical mermaid adventure that is every little kid’s dream come true. Sara Paxton plays Aquamarine, a mermaid who becomes human and is stranded in a small beach town. Reminiscent of The Little Mermaid, she has limited time to prove true love exists to her skeptical father. She enlists the help of two best friends, played by young Emma Roberts and Jojo, to win the affection of a hunky surfer dude.
This movie is pure early 2000’s joy that reminds you of the magic of girlhood. Add this to your next dive in movie night!
The Parent Trap
Am I the only one who spent nearly my entire childhood thinking Lindsay Lohan was a twin and Natasha Richardson was Princess Diana? The Parent Trap is a nostalgic childhood classic that the whole family will love. When Halle and Annie attend the same summer camp, they soon discover they are twin sisters and switch places to meet their respective parents. Dennis Quaid and Richardson star as the two divorced parents who have some unfinished business.
This film is pure family summer vibes and will tug at your heartstrings in the best way. Whether you’re more Annie or Halle coded, you’ll love this film and love to hate Meredith Blake!
Monte Carlo
Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester playing sisters? Sign me up! I could watch this film over and over and over again. Gomez stars as Grace, a high school senior who saves up to visit Paris with her best friend Emma, played by Katie Cassidy. Grace is less than pleased when her mom makes her bring her uptight stepsister, Meg (Meester). While Paris isn’t what Grace dreamed, the girls are catapulted on a whirlwind summer adventure when Grace is mistaken for a European heiress. Can the girls keep the facade up and have the best summer getaway?
Monte Carlo is a touching summer story following three young women as they find love, friendship, and themselves. If you want a heartwarming story that champions girlhood, Monte Carlo is the perfect watch for you!
The Little Mermaid
The 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid is a magical summer romance that will have you giggling and kicking your feet, or mermaid tail! This remake is a beautiful iteration of the original with gorgeous added elements to the storyline. Halle Bailey is the perfect Ariel with her mesmerizing voice and kind spirit. Bailey’s chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King is off the charts and will leave you swooning. This remake is definitely one to add to your summer watchlist.
Top Gun: Maverick
Hunky dudes playing volleyball on the beach and flying planes? Need I go on? Jokes aside, this film is such a fun ride from start to finish. The long-awaited sequel to Tom Cruise’s Top Gun follows Maverick as he battles his guilt for loosing his best friend Goose in action, and protecting Goose’s son on a risky mission. Cruise is joined by the holy trinity of internet boyfriends: Lewis Pullman, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller.
Top Gun: Maverick is an all American film that will have you on the edge of your seat and feeling like you could fly.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
This book to movie adaptation is a nostalgic classic that beautifully captures the importance of female friendship. America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Blake Lively, and Amber Tamblyn play the tight-knit friend group that all magically fit into the same pair of jeans despite their differing body types and heights. As summer approches, the girls agree to send the jeans to one another as they go on their respective summer vacations. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a wonderful summer watch for any slumber party.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Great news, there’s a sequel set in Greece if you’re looking for a double feature! Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 reunites the besties for a summer vacation in Greece. The sequel explores the tough reality of graduating and staying in touch with childhood friends. Plus, Jesse Williams stars as a hunky love interest for one of the girls!
Dazed and Confused
Matthew McConaughey once said “Alright, alright, alright” and the rest was history. Dazed and Confused is a coming-of-age film based in Austin, Texas that follows teenagers on the last day of school in the 1976. You follow the graduating seniors for their last hurrah and the incoming freshman evading hazing. Richard Linklater’s story was actually filmed in Austin and showcases authentic summer vibes in the heart of Texas.
Luca
Pixar’s Luca is the epitome of summer magic! The film follows Luca, a little boy who has a huge secret: he’s a sea monster. When Luca sneaks onto the mainland of a gorgeous Italian town, he befriends two kids who take him on the ultimate adventure.
The film dives into themes of acceptance, prejudice, and being true to yourself. This is a great summer watch for any family!
Crazy Rich Asians
Crazy Rich Asians is an amazing summer romantic comedy! Constance Wu and Henry Golding star as a loving couple who must face their different upbringings. Wu struggles to fit in with Golding’s wealthy family of Singaporean socialites due to her Asian American upbringing. With it’s humor, beautiful setting, and progressive storyline, this is a great summer movie night pick! Oh, and did we forget to mention the fantastic Michelle Yeoh stars in this?
Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch transports you to an endless Hawaiian rollercoaster ride that will make you laugh, cry, and want to hug your pets. Lilo is a lonely Hawaiian girl dealing with the loss of the parents when she meets Stitch, an adorable blue alien evading his home planet. This story dives into themes of found family, friendship, and acceptance. Whether you watch the cartoon or the new live-action in theaters, this film will warm your heart and let you feel like a kid again.
Grown Ups
Adam Sandler unites all his comedy buddies for a hilarious summer film. Grown Ups follows childhood best friends who are reunited for a weekend getaway in their hometown. Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schneider play the besties who get into all kinds of hijinks and prove you’re never too old to have some fun.
Grown Ups 2
If this listacle proves anything, it’s that summer sequels are always hits! Grown Ups 2 reunites the guys for the first day of summer. The guys get into even more hysterical scenarios and the wives join in on some too! Salma Hayek and Maya Rudolph especially bring the laughs in this addition to the beloved family comedy franchise. Let’s hope and pray that we’ll get a third movie one day!
TV Shows
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty is the epitome of summer. The show follows Belly (Lola Tung) as she visits Cousins Beach and gets entangled in a love triangle with two brothers, Conrad (Chris Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Whether you’re Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, this show is the best series to binge with your besties. Plus, with season three on the way, it’s time to start planning those summer watch parties!
Stranger Things
Stranger Things will always feel like summer to me. While not every season takes place in summer, there’s just something so summer-feeling about fighting monsters with your best friends! If you want ultimate summer vibes, revisit season three (arguably the best season) to follow Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and all her friends as they enjoy mall trips, summer lovin’, and fighting monsters from the Upside Down as per usual. This entire season feels like a thrilling yet warm July 4th dream that you won’t want to wake up from.
Outer Banks
Outer Banks might be the king of summer adventure shows. Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Chase Stokes, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Davis, and Carlacia Grant star in this action-packed summer series. If you want to go on daring treasure hunts, fall madly in love, and feel like you’re part of a tight-knit friend group, Outer Banks should be your next summer binge!
The O.C.
This blast from the follows high school friends as they navigate life, love, and plenty of drama in sunny California. If you’re looking for a quick binge filled with outrageous yet addicting teenage drama and lots of Adam Brody, add The O.C. to your watchlist!
Let us know your favorite summer shows and movies on our Instagram, @reeltalkandreviews!
