Months ago, I wrote a post about my favorite romance movies for Valentine’s Day that my family and I love to watch. Now that summer is here, and we’re either hiding inside with the AC or only venturing out at night to eat dinner on the patio while watching a movie on a laptop or inflatable screen, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite summer romance movies. Most of these movies are available on various streaming platforms, or if you’re like me, you may even have a few on DVDs.
Some of these movies are older movies, and a few are not even traditional romances. And I’m going to admit that I threw in a few comedies because I love summer comedies… and one Nicholas Spark love story. But all of them are filled with romance or romantic angst to enjoy while hiding from the heat or enjoying a movie outside with the crickets and fireflies. I’ve not included links to the streaming services because the rights to movies are constantly being sold between the services so it’s hard to keep up.
🎬 Summer Romance Movie Favorites
☀️ 1. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Nobody puts this movie in a corner. Summer camp, forbidden love, and dance montages? Perfection.
☀️ 2. The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–)
Amazon Prime’s series adaptation of Jenny Han’s novels. Beach house vibes, teen love triangles, and lots of emotional growth. While the movies take place on the West Coast, the books actually take place in Virginia. 🙂
☀️ 3. Grease (1978)
“Summer lovin’ had me a blast…” Classic high school love, leather jackets, and musical numbers. I don’t love the ending, but I love Olivia Newton John no matter what she’s wearing!
☀️ 4. Roman Holiday (1953)
A modern-day princess (Audrey Hepburn) meets a newspaperman (Gregory Peck) in Rome. When he pretends not to know who she is, they romp around Italy and inadvertently fall in love. I adore this movie!
☀️ 5. Summer Rental (1985)
An exhausted air traffic controller who takes his family on vacation. A feud with a local yachtsman. And a desperate need to earn his family’s respect. This is summertime mishaps at their funniest.
☀️ 6. Monte Carlo (2011)
Three girls, one mistaken identity, and a glamorous summer in Europe. Light, fluffy, and full of fashion.
☀️ 7. Aquamarine (2006)
A mermaid crashes into two girls’ summer, offering them a wish in exchange for help finding true love. Teen beachy magic.
☀️ 8. How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Jamaica, a surprise romance, and a woman rediscovering herself after heartbreak. Glorious tropical visuals.
☀️ 9. The Way Way Back (2013)
Coming-of-age with a quiet romance subplot. Summer at a water park and a quietly charming young love story.
☀️ 10. Before Sunrise (1995)
Two strangers meet on a train and spend a night wandering Vienna. Philosophical, poetic, and unforgettable.
☀️ 11. Letters to Juliet (2010)
A romantic treasure hunt in the hills of Tuscany. Lost love, new beginnings, and vineyard views.
☀️ 12. Summer Catch (2001)
A baseball player and a rich girl fall for each other in Cape Cod. Classic rom-com meets sporty summer vibes.
☀️ 13. Mamma Mia! (2008)
Greek islands, ABBA music, and a joyful celebration of life, love, and rekindled romance.
☀️ 14. PAradise (1991)
It will take a summer miracle to bring this couple back together… so of course a miracle occurs.
☀️ 15. The Last Song (2010)
A Nicholas Sparks tearjerker set during a summer of change. Features beach romance and family drama.
