Sunshine & Silver Screens: Iconic Movies Set During Summer

The season in which a film is set is crucial. That single storytelling decision impacts the plot, characters, costumes, location — basically every aspect from production all the way to the audience’s first viewing. Really, think about it. The Shining just wouldn’t work if it wasn’t set in winter, right? Or Hocus Pocus in the spring? We shudder to think.

With that in mind, and to celebrate Sideshow’s Summer Blockbuster 2023 event, let’s look at some of the most iconic movies set during summer.

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The Lost Boys

“Drink this, Michael. Become one of us.”

Take some classic teenage shenanigans and peer pressure and add a little vampirism to the mix. Then throw in a summer boardwalk-party atmosphere, comic geeks gone rogue, and awesome ’80s vibes. That’s The Lost Boys. This horror-comedy pits a beautiful vampire biker gang against an impressionable teen boy in a game of seduction and wooden stakes. Let’s call it a must-watch. If you like to eat while you watch your movies, however, we recommend anything besides noodles or rice.

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Wet Hot American Summer

“You taste like burger. I don’t like you anymore.”

Wet Hot American Summer is a star-studded satirical spoof. It’s an absolutely absurd comedy set entirely in summer camp. While the persons of interest are mostly counselors, there are a few notable campers in the ensemble. All of them contribute to a wild ride of a movie. Wet Hot manages to be crass, clever, and full of heart — as well as child endangerment — all at once. And with two spin-off series of this cult classic available, you can fill your summer days with the ridiculous romps of Camp Firewood’s finest.

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The Goonies

“Goonies never say die!”

The Goonies is a classic for a reason. Set in Oregon, the film features a group of kids from the “Goon Docks” who gather to spend a final weekend together. What begins as a simple hangout turns into a hunt for lost treasure. Unlike some kids’ stories, which are either metaphorical or “all a dream,” The Goonies stretches its fantasy into reality. Childhood wonder and wisecracks save the day. Corruption and poverty are defeated by playing at pirates. Is it sensational? Sure. But that’s what’s so special about it.

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Jaws

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

It’s the movie that scared swimmers and scarred summer vacation-goers everywhere. Jaws chronicles the chaos and bloodshed caused by a bloodthirsty shark in New England. This great white snacks on unassuming beachgoers while they relax at a resort. Jaws has all that fun-in-the-sun imagery, plus pulse-pounding waves of blood and splashes of thrilling shark-hunting action-adventure. So grab some popcorn and settle in for some suggested, but no less scary, gore!

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The Sandlot

 “Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die.”

Friendships forged over the summer are strongest. Even if they’re fleeting, and even if you never see those kids again, they stick with you for the rest of your life. That’s the kind of feeling fans get from The Sandlot. This coming-of-age movie follows a group of young baseball players in the early ’60s. Like any sports movie, the plot shows how the kids improve their sports skills and discover what life is all about. But it’s also heartfelt. It’s nostalgic. If you’re a fan of the feel goods, put The Sandlot on your watch — or rewatch — list ASAP.

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Friday the 13th

“Kill her, Mommy! Kill her!”

Typically, summer symbolizes joy. Bright colors, bursts of light, and warm weather all contribute to the generally uplifting mood. As a result, summertime horror relies on the juxtaposition between the genre and the supposedly cheerful season to make its narratives that much creepier. Friday the 13th, for example, takes the exuberant experience of a children’s summer camp and turns it deadly. We also see that summertime spookiness in I Know What You Did Last Summer and Fear Street 1978, among others. So move over, winter — we’ve got a new season of death in town. And it smells like heat-rotted bodies.

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What are your favorite films set during summer? Share your picks at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!