26 Best Summer Movies & TV Shows

Summer is here, and with it comes beach days, BBQs, and blockbusters! Top off fun-filled days with a movie night on VidAngel. No need to slather on the sunscreen for this cinematic journey! From heartwarming romances to adventure-packed comedies, get ready to dive into fun summer movies and shows you’ll want to watch all season long.

The Best Summer Movies

Dirty Dancing

Summer camp romance with undeniable chemistry between Swayze and Grey. Dreamy, simple, classic. A fun and easy watch for summertime!

Synopsis: Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and mature themes. It has 184 VidAngel filters: 36 for language, 53 for sexual content, and 16 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 73%

Starring: Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

The Lost City

Not-to-be-taken-too-seriously fun watch for summer. Lighthearted, silly, and wild!

Synopsis: Reclusive author Loretta Sage writes about exotic places in her popular adventure novels that feature a handsome cover model named Alan.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for language, partial nudity, gore, and violence. It has 311 VidAngel filters: 84 for language, 35 for violence, 23 for sexual content, and 9 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 66%

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt

Available through: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+

Ticket to Paradise

Predictable but nonetheless comedic. The charisma between Clooney and Roberts is always fun to watch. A great travel rom-com for a casual movie night this summer!

Synopsis: A divorced couple teams up and travels to Bali to stop their daughter from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material. It has 182 VidAngel filters: 53 filters for language, 16 for sexual content, 23 for substance use, and 9 objectionable scenes.

TMDB Rating: 66%

Starring: Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Kaitlyn Dever

Available through: Amazon Prime Video

Mamma Mia!

Campy, carefree, and cheerful. Streep’s performance is masterful. The songs are jovial. The backdrop is dreamy. A top critic said it best, “This isn’t a movie. It’s a vacation.”

Synopsis: An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on a Greek island is about to marry off the spirited young daughter she’s raised alone.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for sexual content and foul language. It has 203 VidAngel filters: 33 for sexual content, 55 for language, and 13 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 70%

Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried

Available through: Purchase and rent from Amazon Video

Moonrise Kingdom

Comedy, drama, romance, nostalgia, beautiful cinematography, and a star-studded cast — it has it all with a quirky, but wholesome, touch.

Synopsis: Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and substance use. It has 88 VidAngel filters: 24 for language, 24 for sexual content (including immodesty and kissing), 22 for substance use, and 13 for violence.

TMDB Rating: 76%

Starring: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward

Available through: Purchase or rent on Amazon Video

The Peanut Butter Falcon

An uplifting film about self-discovery that will warm your heart. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking summer movie, add this one to your watchlist.

Synopsis: A down-on-his-luck crab fisherman embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wrestling school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he’s lived for the past two and a half years.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for foul language, some violence, and substance use. It has 215 VidAngel filters: 121 for language, 23 for substance use, 21 for violence, and 2 for sexual content.

TMDB Rating: 74%

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen

Available through: Amazon Prime Video

A League of Their Own

Funny, entertaining, and inspiring. The ensemble cast and great story make for a delightful summer movie anyone can enjoy.

Synopsis: Tom Hanks and Geena Davis star in this big-league comedy based on the real-life exploits of the All-American Girls Baseball League.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for some language and sexual content. It has 174 VidAngel filters: 88 for language, 29 for substance use, and 14 for sexual content.

TMDB Rating: 72%

Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna

Available through: Netflix

Grease

Summer days drifting away? Grease is a fun summer movie with catchy songs and captivating choreography.

Synopsis: Australian good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance despite their eccentric friends?

Parents Guide: Rated PG for foul language, sexual content, and substance use. It has 209 VidAngel filters: 72 for sexual content, 47 for language, and 61 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 74%

Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

Clueless

Described as a “clever and funny satire”, Clueless is a quotable, comic, easy watch every single summer.

Synopsis: Shallow, rich, and socially successful Cher is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for foul language, sexual content, and alcohol use. It has 196 VidAngel filters: 54 for sexual content, 86 for language, and 38 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 72%

Starring: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd

Available through: Paramount+

Just Go With It

As with most of Adam Sandler’s movies, Just Go With It is filled with ridiculousness that’s entertaining to watch. With the beautiful Hawaiian backdrop and Sandler/Aniston chemistry, it’s a great choice for summer movie night.

Synopsis: A plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon-to-be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief drug references, foul language, and partial nudity. It has 380 VidAngel filters: 131 for language, 180 for sexual content, and 27 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 67%

Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman

Available through: Purchase or rental from Amazon Video

Shotgun Wedding

Rom-com with JLo set in the breathtaking Philippines. A less than complex storyline and quite predictable, but still an enjoyable summer watch!

Synopsis: Darcy and Tom gather their families for the ultimate destination wedding but when the entire party is taken hostage, “’Til Death Do Us Part” takes on a whole new meaning in this hilarious, adrenaline-fueled adventure as Darcy and Tom must save their loved ones—if they don’t kill each other first.

Parents Guide: Rated R for language, some violence, and gore. It has 300 VidAngel filters: 126 for sexual content (including immodesty and kissing), 128 for language, and 41 for violence.

TMDB Rating: 63%

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Coolidge

Available through: Prime Video

Eat Pray Love

Looking for an escape? Eat Pray Love is like a travelogue that’ll inspire you, enlighten you, and make you want to travel the world this summer.

Synopsis: After deciding to reshape her life after divorce, Liz travels around the world in search of good food, spirituality, and true love.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexual references, and partial nudity. It has 128 VidAngel filters: 51 for sexual content, 50 for language, and 19 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 62%

Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

Spider-Man: Far From Home

The Spider-Man movie the world has been waiting for! Adventure-packed, hilarious, and such a sweet ending that’ll pull on your heartstrings. The chemistry between Tom Holland and Zendaya is spellbinding.

Synopsis: Peter Parker and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, brief suggestive comments, and some language. It has 123 VidAngel filters: 37 for language, 13 for sexual content, and 60 for violence.

TMDB Rating: 74%

Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal

Available through: Starz

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Join a group of friends on a larger-than-life adventure to a Greecian island with mysteries around every corner. Glass Onion is an engaging murder mystery that’s perfect for a movie night with friends this summer.

Synopsis: World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for language, violence, sexual content, and substance use. It has 349 VidAngel filters: 126 for language, 161 for sexual content, 13 for violence, and 32 for substance use. Need more info? We’ve got a comprehensive Parents Guide for Glass Onion.

TMDB Rating: 70%

Starring: Daniel Craig, Ed Norton, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn

Available through: Netflix

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

A remake with a twist! Perhaps it’s missing that nostalgic feeling of the original with Robin Williams but is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Action-packed shenanigans throughout for a great option for summer movie night.

Synopsis: The tables are turned as four teenagers are sucked into Jumanji’s world – pitted against rhinos, black mambas, and an endless variety of jungle traps and puzzles.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for some language, adventure action, and suggestive content. It has 234 VidAngel filters: 95 for language, 45 for sexual content, and 69 for violence.

TMDB Rating: 68%

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

Top Gun: Maverick

Looking for an all-American good time this summer? While the original Top Gun hits all the right notes, Top Gun: Maverick is highly-rated, thrilling, and heartfelt. One of the few sequels that keeps up with the original, making it a must-watch.

Synopsis: After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for some strong language. It has 118 VidAngel filters: 81 for language, 14 for non-graphic violence, and 3 for alcohol use.

TMDB Rating: 82%

Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm

Available through: Prime Video, Paramount+

Jurassic Park

The ultimate adventure-fueled summer flick.

Synopsis: A wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious investors.

Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for language and intense sci-fi terror. It has 119 VidAngel filters: 53 for language, 29 for violence, and 26 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 79%

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

The Best Summer TV Series

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Must-watch for teen girls and lovers of Taylor Swift. A fun summer show with trendy music and a pretty aesthetic.

Synopsis: Every summer, Belly and her family head to the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. Every summer is the same… until Belly turns sixteen. Relationships will be tested, painful truths will be revealed, and Belly will be forever changed. It’s a summer of first love, first heartbreak, and growing up — it’s the summer she turns pretty.

Parents Guide: Rated TV-14 for substance use, alcohol use, foul language, and sexual content. It has an average of 64 VidAngel filters per episode: 19 for sexual content, 29 for language, and 12 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 82%

Starring: Lola Tung, Jackie Chung, Rachel Blanchard

Available through: Prime Video

Outer Banks

Mystery, intrigue, drama. Everything about the vibe screams summer.

Need a recap on seasons 1 and 2? Here’s everything you need to know for season 3.

Synopsis: A tight-knit group of teens unearths a long-buried secret, setting off a chain of illicit events that takes them on an adventure they’ll never forget.

Parents Guide: Rated TV-MA for language, mature themes, and sexual content. It has an average of 115 VidAngel filters: 55 for language, 30 for sexual content, 14 for violence, and 12 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 84%

Starring: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss

Available through: Netflix

Daisy Jones & the Six

Missed all the summer festivals this year? Get your fix with Daisy Jones & the Six, a miniseries with all the drama and excitement that is rock’n’roll.

Synopsis: In 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six were on top of the world. Fronted by two charismatic lead singers — Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne — the band had risen from obscurity to fame. And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits. Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth.

Parents Guide: Rated TV-MA for foul language and sexual content. It has an average of 96 VidAngel filters per episode: 43 for sexual content, 42 for language, and 6 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 82%

Starring: Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse

Available through: Prime Video

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Follows all the silly hijinx that is summer camp. With its stacked cast and wacky humor, the series (and film) have garnered a cult following, making it a must-watch for summertime.

Synopsis: Follows the counselors and campers on their first day in Maine at Camp Firewood in the summer of 1981 for what’s billed as “the summer of your life”.

Parents Guide: Rated TV-MA for language, sexual content, and substance use. It has an average of 100 VidAngel filters per episode: 40 for sexual content, 37 for language, 9 for substance use, and 9 miscellaneous filters.

TMDB Rating: 64%

Starring: Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Janeane Garofalo, Chris Pine, Jon Hamm, Kirsten Wiig

Available through: Netflix

Family-Friendly Summer Movies

The Karate Kid

Described as “predictable but sincere” by critics, The Karate Kid is a fun, timeless 80’s movie for families. Such a great message with the classic underdog story.

Already watched it too many times to count? Cobra Kai (via Netflix) may be the one to watch next this summer.

Synopsis: When Daniel moves to Southern California with his mother, he finds himself the target of a group of bullies who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo. Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing and prepares him to compete against his bullies.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for foul language and violence. It has 144 VidAngel filters: 74 for language, 56 for violence, and 8 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 72%

Starring: Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, Randee Heller

Available through: Netflix

The Little Rascals

Cute film for family-friendly fun while the kiddos are at home.

Synopsis: When nine-year-old Alfalfa falls for Darla, his “He-Man-Woman-Hating” friends attempt to sabotage their relationship.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for some language and non-graphic violence. It has 139 VidAngel filters: 56 for language, 22 for violence, and 11 for objectionable/scary scenes.

TMDB Rating: 67%

Starring: Travis Tedford, Bug Hall, Brittany Ashton Holmes

Available through: Purchase and rent from Amazon Video

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

A highly-rated classic movie that elicits feelings of nostalgia.

Synopsis: An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliot who decides to keep him hidden in his home.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for some language and mild violence. It has 110 VidAngel filters: 36 for language, 29 for violence, and 23 for objectionable/scary scenes.

TMDB Rating: 75%

Starring: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Drew Barrymore

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

Troop Zero

Adorable movie with a good message. Its lighthearted nature makes it a splendid summer watch.

Synopsis: In rural 1977 Georgia, a misfit girl dreams of life in outer space. When a national competition offers her a chance at her dream, to be recorded on NASA’s Golden Record, she recruits a makeshift troupe of Birdie Scouts, forging friendships that last a lifetime and beyond.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for language and substance use throughout. It has 159 VidAngel filters: 100 for language, 13 for violence, and 27 for substance use.

TMDB Rating: 70%

Starring: Mckenna Grace, Viola Davis, Jim Gaffigan

Available through: Prime Video, Freevee

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

The littles will appreciate this one! It is summery fun with a sweet message in the end. Kids of all ages would enjoy it for a movie night!

Synopsis: Dracula, Mavis, Johnny, and the rest of the Drac Pack take a vacation on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship, where Dracula falls in love with the ship’s captain, Ericka, who’s secretly a descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, the notorious monster slayer.

Parents Guide: Rated PG for some rude humor and scary scenes. It has 136 VidAngel filters: 76 for violence, 9 for language, and 24 for immodesty.

TMDB Rating: 69%

Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samburg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James

Available through: Purchase or rent from Amazon Video

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