9 Essential Summer Movies Now Streaming on Netflix
Zack Sharf
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If you’re looking for something to watch on a humid day this summer, you’re in luck. Below we share a selection of our favorite films on Netflix overflowing with great summer vibes. You’ll find romance in “A Walk on the Moon” and “Adventureland,” a sensual road trip in “Y Tu Mama También” and mouth-watering food in “Chef.” All films are listed below in alphabetical order and are ready to stream on Netflix. Perfect summer viewing!
Synopses provided by Netflix.
“Adventureland” (Greg Mottola, 2009)
Unable to afford the European vacation he dreamed of, recent college graduate James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) reluctantly takes a summer gig at an amusement park. In his review of the film at the Sundance Film Festival, Indiewire Film Critic Eric Kohn called it “one of the sharpest coming-of-age movies in years.” Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig also star.
“Age of Summerhood” (Jacob Medjuck, 2013)
Narrator John Cusack helps bring out the laughs and nostalgia in the story of “Fetus,” a neurotic young boy who recalls the experiences and sometimes scary rites of passage during his time away at summer camp in Canada.
“Chef” (Jon Favreau, 2014)
When chef Carl Casper’s plans for opening a restaurant in Los Angeles fail to pan out, he returns home to Miami and debuts a food truck instead. Director Jon Favreau serves up an intimate comedy, starring alongside Dustin Hoffman, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr.
“The Endless Summer” (Bruce Brown, 1966)
Calling it “The Endless Summer,” two top surfers in 1966 head out on the ultimate surfing adventure, riding the wild waters of Hawaii, Australia, Africa and other exotic locales in a quest for the perfect wave. Also available at SnagFilms.
“It Felt Like Love” (Eliza Hittman, 2013)
Determined to explore her budding sexuality, innocent 14-year-old Lila develops romantic delusions about an older guy that soon turn to obsession. Gina Piersanti, Giovanna Salimeni and Ronen Rubinstein star.
“Red Hook Summer” (Spike Lee, 2012)
Spike Lee taps into his Brooklyn childhood in this film about a boy whose summer vacation is upended when he’s sent from suburban Atlanta to stay with his firebrand preacher grandfather in the Brooklyn housing projects. Clark Peters, Jules Brown and Toni Marie Lysaith star in this “spiritual sequel” to the director’s landmark “Do the Right Thing.”
“Stand By Me” (Rob Reiner, 1986)
Directed by Rob Reiner, this adaptation of a Stephen King novel received an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. The story centers around four boys (Jerry O’Connel, Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix and Corey Feldman) who seek adventure in the woods while looking for a missing teenager’s dead body.
“A Walk on the Moon” (Tony Goldwyn, 1999)
The summer that brings a man to the moon and free love to a small farm near Woodstock shakes up the safe, happy life of a vacationing housewife. The sweet romance stars Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen. “Scandal” favorite Tony Goldwyn directs.
“Y Tu Mama También” (Alfonso Cuaron, 2001)
Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal star in this Oscar-nominated drama that broke box office records in its native Mexico and introduced director Alfonso Cuaron to worldwide audiences. The drama centers around two young adults, Tenoch and Julio, who meet an alluring, older woman named Luisa and convince her to join them on a road trip through Mexico.
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