Hard as it is to believe, the summer season is officially upon us, bringing with it moonlit barbeques under the stars, crackling fireworks on the Fourth of July, and carefree vacations to almost every corner of the globe imaginable.
With the new season almost here, it might also be a great time to revisit some movies that truly capture the essence of summer, from early blockbuster thrillers like Jaws and E.T. to rip-roaring teen comedies like American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused.
Universal Pictures
Like its equally influential ‘70s counterpart Star Wars, it’s hard to imagine what the current status of American film might look like without Jaws’ larger success. The very first summer blockbuster, it also launched wunderkind director Steven Spielberg to new heights in the film industry – not to mention traumatizing generations of viewers too scared to dip a toe in the ocean for fear of a 25-foot great white shark suddenly dragging them into the deep.
Universal Pictures
Like all great directors, Spike Lee has no shortage of extraordinary movies under his belt, from sweeping biopics like Malcolm X to more recent successes like BlacKkKlansman. To this day, however, it’s difficult to think of a more powerful Spike Lee joint than 1989’s Do the Right Thing. An incendiary study of race, justice, and the sometimes perilous challenge that comes with simply co-existing with our neighbors, it’s assuredly among the finest films of the 1980s, remaining as timely today as it did in the summer of ‘89.
20th Century Fox
Certain images continue to stand the test of time within the larger annals of American cinema, from Julie Andrews spinning around the hills of Austria to King Kong climbing to the top of the Empire State Building. With The Seven Year Itch, such an image can be found in the form of Marilyn Monroe standing over a city subway grate as a train passes below. Arguably the most famous film to feature Monroe in a leading role, it’s also a timeless classic of 1950s cinema, delighting audiences with its cheery humor, relatable topics, and the sensational performances of its lead cast.
Warner Bros.
Planning a vacation might be stressful – but it’s nowhere near as bad as trekking halfway across the country and experiencing numerous freak accidents along the way. Among the most famed films to bear the National Lampoon name, Vacation is a nostalgic trip back to a time when the family loaded up in the station wagon for a fun-filled journey on the road, complete with unpleasant in-laws, ornery locals, and enough nonsensical dad jokes to keep viewers laughing throughout.
Universal Pictures
Before he was redefining science fiction with Star Wars, George Lucas made a name for himself with the bittersweet 1973 teen comedy, American Graffiti. Set during the early years of 1960s California, American Graffiti taps into the bygone days of Lucas’ own youth, cobbling together a plot consisting of souped-up hot rods, vintage rock songs, and aimless teenagers searching for love and meaning on the last day of summer vacation.
Gramercy Pictures
In many ways, one can almost describe Dazed and Confused as the ideal companion piece to American Graffiti. Taking a page from the latter’s playbook, Dazed and Confused finds a group of fun-loving teens enjoying the first night of summer vacation in 1970s Texas. A cult favorite film whose legacy only grows more favorable with each passing year, it’s required viewing for every one navigating the first days of summer vacation, transporting viewers back to their own cherished memories from high school.
Walt Disney
For millions of travelers across the globe, summer means the chance to sit beneath a swaying palm tree, all the while sipping ice-cold cocktails and splashing around in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. With that being said, what better film is there to watch prior to a tropical vacation than 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The first and (for our money) best entry in the POTC series, The Curse of the Black Pearl is a swashbuckling nautical adventure unlike any other, filled with rousing action, impeccable performances, and a perfect blend between comedy, horror, romance, and fantasy.
Universal Pictures
The fact that E.T. is the movie Steven Spielberg wishes to be remembered for should tell audiences all they need to know about this 1982 sci-fi film. Recontextualizing the alien invader story for the modern age, E.T. ingeniously captures the childhood sense of imagination inherently tied to its plot, influencing countless movies and TV shows that followed in its wake. A formidable entry in Spielberg’s filmography, it’s almost the most iconic films of the late 20th century, rivaling other notable classics like Jaws, Star Wars, or Spielberg’s own work on Raiders of the Lost Ark.
With the new season almost here, it might also be a great time to revisit some movies that truly capture the essence of summer, from early blockbuster thrillers like Jaws and E.T. to rip-roaring teen comedies like American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused.
Jaws (1975)
Universal Pictures
Like its equally influential ‘70s counterpart Star Wars, it’s hard to imagine what the current status of American film might look like without Jaws’ larger success. The very first summer blockbuster, it also launched wunderkind director Steven Spielberg to new heights in the film industry – not to mention traumatizing generations of viewers too scared to dip a toe in the ocean for fear of a 25-foot great white shark suddenly dragging them into the deep.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Universal Pictures
Like all great directors, Spike Lee has no shortage of extraordinary movies under his belt, from sweeping biopics like Malcolm X to more recent successes like BlacKkKlansman. To this day, however, it’s difficult to think of a more powerful Spike Lee joint than 1989’s Do the Right Thing. An incendiary study of race, justice, and the sometimes perilous challenge that comes with simply co-existing with our neighbors, it’s assuredly among the finest films of the 1980s, remaining as timely today as it did in the summer of ‘89.
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
20th Century Fox
Certain images continue to stand the test of time within the larger annals of American cinema, from Julie Andrews spinning around the hills of Austria to King Kong climbing to the top of the Empire State Building. With The Seven Year Itch, such an image can be found in the form of Marilyn Monroe standing over a city subway grate as a train passes below. Arguably the most famous film to feature Monroe in a leading role, it’s also a timeless classic of 1950s cinema, delighting audiences with its cheery humor, relatable topics, and the sensational performances of its lead cast.
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Warner Bros.
Planning a vacation might be stressful – but it’s nowhere near as bad as trekking halfway across the country and experiencing numerous freak accidents along the way. Among the most famed films to bear the National Lampoon name, Vacation is a nostalgic trip back to a time when the family loaded up in the station wagon for a fun-filled journey on the road, complete with unpleasant in-laws, ornery locals, and enough nonsensical dad jokes to keep viewers laughing throughout.
American Graffiti (1973)
Universal Pictures
Before he was redefining science fiction with Star Wars, George Lucas made a name for himself with the bittersweet 1973 teen comedy, American Graffiti. Set during the early years of 1960s California, American Graffiti taps into the bygone days of Lucas’ own youth, cobbling together a plot consisting of souped-up hot rods, vintage rock songs, and aimless teenagers searching for love and meaning on the last day of summer vacation.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Gramercy Pictures
In many ways, one can almost describe Dazed and Confused as the ideal companion piece to American Graffiti. Taking a page from the latter’s playbook, Dazed and Confused finds a group of fun-loving teens enjoying the first night of summer vacation in 1970s Texas. A cult favorite film whose legacy only grows more favorable with each passing year, it’s required viewing for every one navigating the first days of summer vacation, transporting viewers back to their own cherished memories from high school.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Walt Disney
For millions of travelers across the globe, summer means the chance to sit beneath a swaying palm tree, all the while sipping ice-cold cocktails and splashing around in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. With that being said, what better film is there to watch prior to a tropical vacation than 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The first and (for our money) best entry in the POTC series, The Curse of the Black Pearl is a swashbuckling nautical adventure unlike any other, filled with rousing action, impeccable performances, and a perfect blend between comedy, horror, romance, and fantasy.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Universal Pictures
The fact that E.T. is the movie Steven Spielberg wishes to be remembered for should tell audiences all they need to know about this 1982 sci-fi film. Recontextualizing the alien invader story for the modern age, E.T. ingeniously captures the childhood sense of imagination inherently tied to its plot, influencing countless movies and TV shows that followed in its wake. A formidable entry in Spielberg’s filmography, it’s almost the most iconic films of the late 20th century, rivaling other notable classics like Jaws, Star Wars, or Spielberg’s own work on Raiders of the Lost Ark.