Every year as a tradition my family watches Jaws together to kickstart the summer season. We genuinely look forward to getting together, eating yummy snacks, and watching one of our favorite movies.

If you’ve wandered though my blog a bit, it is no secret that I love seasonal traditions such as seasonal movie marathons, holiday book lists, etc. Summer is no different! In fact, summer movies are awesome and every genre seems to stake a claim in the season. Below is a list of my family’s favorite movies to watch during the summertime.

The Sandlot, 1993

This is a great film that is family friendly. In typical bildungsroman fashion, a summer of friendship teaches a group of young boys valuable life lessons. Not to mention, who doesn’t love baseball?

Something’s Gotta Give, 2003

Something’s Gotta Give is one of my favorite summer movies of all time! Not only is the film hilarious, but the entire ambiance is perfect for summer. I also enjoy the metaphoric aspects of the film. The characters in the movie are preparing for the coming season of their lives: the autumn.

Moonrise Kingdom, 2012

I am a huge fan of Wes Anderson films, and this is another one that does not disappoint. If you’ve never seen Moonrise Kingdom I urge you to take an afternoon or evening and watch it! Who doesn’t love a summer romance in New England?

Friday the 13th, 1980

Well, if you know me, you know I am an avid horror fan. Of course my summer movie list includes a horror flick! And what better horror movie than Friday the 13th? Hormone-driven teenagers + a sleep away camp with a bloody history = mayhem.

Summer Rental, 1985

My mom makes us watch this movie with her about 10x a summer (but we secretly enjoy it). This is another light-hearted family friendly movie that is filled with humor.

Dirty Dancing, 1987

Who doesn’t remember the dance scene at the end of this movie? This is another summer classic starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.

Point Break, 1991

…speaking of Patrick Swayze, he is in two movies that made the list! Would this be a summer movie marathon without a dramatic surfing movie? Or bank robberies?

The Parent Trap, 1998

This remake of the 1961 classic stars Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, and Natasha Richardson. In all honesty, I do not know many women who have never seen this movie. It is so fun!

The Graduate, 1967

The first summer after graduating college is so surreal. Would this list really be complete without a movie that spoke to that reality? I mean, okay: Benjamin’s first post-college summer is quite out of the ordinary, but so were the 60’s in general, man.

Jaws, 1975

Jaws is the ultimate summer classic! Beach goers, sharks, and manly summer friendships are what it’s all about.

What are your summer favorites?