The Roundup

Endless Summer: 14 Movies to Make the Season Last

by Team Fathom

Keep it going. A scene from "Endless Summer." Photo courtesy of Cinema V and Monterey Media.

Summer's coming to a close, but the good vibes don't have to end. Not when endless beach days, sleepless camp nights, and the sweltering sizzle are alive on the big screen. Check our roundup of 14 awesome classic summer movies, get out the s'mores, and binge until you feel the sunburn.

Vacation (2015)

Who doesn't have a soft spot for the 1983 American road trip classic? The new film homage has all the droll humor, summer gags, and Chevy Chase-isms that we hoped for.

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American Graffiti (1973)

It's the last day of summer in 1950's Modesto, California. Early rock n'roll plays in the background, the drive-ins are packed with youth in varsity jackets and swing dresses, and teenagers (like Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard) deal with the future before leaving to college the next day.

Watch it now.

The Wackness (2008)

It's Manhattan, 1994. Summer of Notorious B.I.G., slacker culture, restless spirits, and, for teenage weed dealer Luke Shapiro, urban romance. Ben Kingsley plays his stoned therapist; Mary-Kate Olsen plays a stoned hippie; the hip hop soundtrack is sizzling.

Watch it now.

Do The Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee's masterpiece (an archive of inner-city '80s personalities) explores issues of race, hate, and violence when temperatures rise on the hottest day of the year in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

Watch it now.

Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)

Frankie and Annette are back on the beach. And they brought hip-shaking tunes, crazy publicity stunts, and summer-chic swimsuits with them.

Watch it now.

Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

Two knuckleheads spend Labor Day weekend protecting their boss Bernie from a frustrated hitman. The only thing is, Bernie's already dead. And despite their work ethic, they suck at the job.

Watch it now.

Adventureland (2009)

Jesse Eisenberg gets a summer job at an amusement park after underestimating the cost of a post-graduation trip to Europe. Crazy co-workers, gnarly corndogs, and the allure of summer love keep him busy during the awkward after-college months.

Watch it now.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

A cult ensemble classic starring Janeane Garofalo, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Michael Ian Black, and Paul Rudd, among many, many others as bored/idiotic camp counselors indulging sex, muggings, malaria, and psychotherapy for the last day of summer camp. Reprised this summer as a Netflix series, starring all the same actors, who presumably couldn't wait to go back to camp again.

Watch it now.

Blue Crush (2002)

Kate Bosworth takes on big breaks to prove herself as a surfer and falls for a pro quarterback in the process. Stream for huge waves, beach babes, and sexy shots of Hawaii's North Shore.

Watch it now.

Jaws (1975)

Forty years later, we all hear the dun-dun soundtrack in our heads at the mere mention of the word "shark." If you forgot the feeling, relive the anxiety from the comfort of your couch. And don't think about it the next time you're in the ocean. Remember, it's just a movie.

Watch it now.

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

As the wife and kids summer in Maine to beat the heat and seductress extraordinaire Marilyn Monroe turns up the temperature at home, a married Manhattanite with the itch resists the urge to scratch.

Watch it now.

The Blue Lagoon (1980)

Two babes shipwrecked on a deserted island grow up to discover the beauty of each other's bodies. Yes, that's Brooke Shields. Yes, they made a movie about your dream.

Watch it now.

Point Break (1991)

Oh. That Keanu Reeves accent. That Patrick Swazye bod. The beach parties, the adrenaline rush, and the once-in-a-lifetime wave. It's the archetypal surfer dude film your summer's been asking for.

Watch it now.

The Endless Summer (1966)

Few of us have the time or money to chase summer year-round. But really, all you need is this globe-trotting surfer documentary and a few hours to daydream.

Watch it now.

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We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.