This month we’re featuring summer movie favorites. We have included information about the rating each movie has received to help you determine if it’s appropriate for family movie night or best to watch after the kids go to bed.

The streaming information is subject to change, but it’s the most accurate information we can provide at the time of publishing.

Always check local listings.

American Graffiti (1973) PG – Directed by George Lucas, this film is set in 1962 and tells the story of a group of recent high school graduates and their friends on the last evening of summer vacation in Modesto, California. It’s about what’s next as they contemplate leaving behind friendships, romances, cruising in their cars and hanging out at the local diner to enter the work force, go away to college, or go to Vietnam. Featuring music from the early days of Rock and Roll, this movie also has an incredible cast – Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams (who would later play Shirley Feeney in Laverne & Shirley), Wolfman Jack, Bo Hopkins, Mackenzie Philips, Joe Spano, and Suzanne Somers as the blonde in the T-Bird. No matter how many times I watch, I always find something new to enjoy. Free to watch on Peacock. Available to stream with subscription to Showtime, Fubu, or Cinemax. Rent it on Apple TV, YouTube, or Vudu.

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) R – Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) Griswold want to take their two kids on a cross country vacation to an amusement park. Clark’s attentions become more focused on a beautiful woman in a sports car (Christie Brinkley) than watching the map or the road. The family ends up making several unscheduled stops and the results are hilarious. If you’ve ever taken a long family car trip in the days before map quest or navigation systems, you can relate. Available to stream on HBO Max, Fubu TV, & AMC. Ent or buy from iTunes, Prime Video, or Microsoft.

The Goonies (1985) PG – Kids living in the “Goon Docks” neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon try to save their homes from foreclosure and discover a treasure map to the fortune of a pirate called “One-Eyed Willy.” They are chased by a band of criminals who want the treasure. This fan favorite stars Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Corey Feldman and includes a cameo by director Richard Donner as a sheriff’s deputy. Available to stream with subscription to HBO MAX. It will be on BBBC America throughout the month of June. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Vudu, and Amazon Prime.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) PG-13 – Who hasn’t seen this movie multiple times? There’s always something to make you laugh, especially Ben Stein, “Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?” high school slacker Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is cutting class one more time before graduation. He enlists the help of his buddy, Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck) and Cameron’s dad’s Ferrari, and his girlfriend, Sloane Peterson ( Mia Sara). The group is chased by the high school Dean of Students, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) who wants to catch Bueller cutting school just once before he graduates. Writer/Director John Hughes wanted to feature famous Chicago landmarks and things about the people and culture of Chicago in this film. As an interesting touch, Ferris often breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to his audience to explain his techniques and inner thoughts. Available to stream with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video or Paramount+. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Vudu, or Apple TV.

The Graduate (1967) PG – “Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?” Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) utters these famous words to Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), a bored housewife and friend of his parents. The two begin a steamy affair, but Benjamin falls for Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine (Katherine Ross) the one person she warned him to stay away from. It’s funny and touching and has gifted us with so many great Hollywood lines and tropes. It’s also interesting to look at the political climate, decorating and fashions of the 60s. Available to watch with a subscription to Amazon Prime. You can rent or purchase it on YouTube, Google pay Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu.

The Sandlot (1993) PG – This is a sports comedy set in 1962 about kids playing baseball in an empty lot in their neighborhood. Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry), the new kid in town is small and a bit clumsy. Gradually he becomes part of the team. When their last baseball gets hit over the fence into the yard of an old house with a big dog, Scott borrows a baseball from his stepfather’s study not knowing it was signed by Babe Ruth. When the ball gets hit over the fence, the team has no choice, but to retrieve it somehow. What transpires next is  funny and touching. It’s a great story about friendship, acceptance, and feeling like you belong. This film is free on Tubi (a free streaming channel). It’s available to watch with a premium subscription to Hulu or Sling TV or a subscription to Amazon Prime Video. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu.

Dirty Dancing (1987) PG-13 – “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey are an unlikely and  unforgettable pair (Johnny Castle and Frances “Baby” Houseman) in this story about growing up and letting. Jerry Orbach stars as Grey’s strict and overprotective dad and Kelly Bishop plays her mother. I never miss an opportunity to watch Swayze dance. Available on HBO Max, Spectrum TV, SYFY, NBC, USA Network, Telemundo, Bravo, E!, OXYGEN, Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, or Redbox.

Blue Crush (2002) PG-13 – Every summer movie list needs a surfing movie. This movie offers a twist because the three surfers are women. Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth), Eden (Michelle Rodriguez), and Lena (Sanoe Lake) are three friends living together to help take care of Anne Marie’s younger sister, Penny (Mika Boorem) after her mother moves in with her boyfriend in Las Vegas. While Penny’s in school, the girls work as maids and surf whenever they can. After a near death experience surfing, Anne Marie struggles to regain her competitive edge. A victory in the surfing competition on Hawaii’s North Shore could mean a sponsorship and a better life for the four girls. Throw in a romance with a pro football quarterback and stir. This film is free on Tubi and available with a subscription to Amazon Prime. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Vudu.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) R – This is my obligatory horror film for the summer list. A year after four friends covered up the hit and run of a fisherman, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) receives a cryptic letter saying, “I know what you did last summer.” She reunites with her three friends, Barry (Ryan Phillippe), Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Ray (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) to decide what to do. They suspect Max, the only possible witness to their crime. No spoiler alerts, but somebody wants revenge. Available with a subscription to HBO Max, or it can be rented on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple Tv, or Google Play Movies & TV.

A League of Their Own (1992) PG – This film is a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League formed during World War II when many male athletes were serving in the military. Tom Hanks stars as Jimmy Dugan the manager of the Rockford Peaches team. Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, and Rosie O’Donnell are members of the Rockford Peaches. The story focuses primarily on their lives and how this opportunity affects them. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. You can view it on TV in June on the Sundance Channel and AMC. It’s available to stream with a subscription to Sling TV (premium), Fubu, Amazon Prime Video (premium), or Philo. You can rent it on Vudo, YouTube, Apple TV, or Google Paly Movies & TV.

Breaking Away (1979) PG – This coming-of-age drama follows four teenaged males, Dave(Dennis Christopher), Mike (Dennis Quaid), Cyril (Daniel Stern), and Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley) who have graduated high school in Indiana and are pondering what to do next. Dave is obsessed with all things Italian, especially the Italian cycling team. When he gets the opportunity to compete against them in a cycling competition some of the cyclists are such poor sports that he becomes disillusioned about the sport. His friends come to the rescue and convince him to form his own team and compete in the Little 500. I could tell you what happens next, but you should watch this film. It is available with a subscription to Hulu (premium) or HBO Max. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Vudu, or Amazon Prime Video.

Sylvie’s Love (2020) PG-13 – Every summer movie list needs a great love story. Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) has a summer romance with Robert ( Nnamdi Asomugha),a saxophonist working during the summer at her father’s music store in Harlem while engaged to a wealthy man (Lacy) who is away fighting in the Korean War. Robert asks Sylvie to come on tour with him, but Sylvie decides to stay in Harlem. During the years that follow they continue to be in love, but struggle to get the timing right. It’s available with a subscription to Amazon Prime.

Bend it Like Beckham (2002) PG-13 If you like soccer and are up for a healthy dose of girl power this is a summer must watch. Honestly, there’s a lot going on here from family expectations, friendships, crushes, prejudices, and preconceptions about girls/women who play sports. Jesminder “Jess” Kaur Bharma (Parminder Nagra) has to navigate her way through it all with the help of her friend Jules (Keira Knightley) and her coach Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyer). It’s a funny and endearing film with great performances by the actors. Shaleen Khan and Anupam Kher who play Jess’ parents are scene stealers in the best possible way. It’s available to stream with a subscription to HBO Max, Hulu (premium), or Amazon Prime Video (premium). You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Vudu.

In the Heights (2021) PG-13 Musical drama – Every summer movie list needs a musical. This musical features the music and lyrics of Lin-Manuel Miranda. The story takes place over three days involving characters from a pre-dominantly Dominican-American neighborhood, Washington Heights, in Upper Manhattan. Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) owns a bodega there and dreams of a better life. When a winning lottery ticket is sold from his bodega, the members of this tight knit community share their dreams about what they would d if they had the winning ticket. It’s available to stream with a subscription to HBO Max, and Hulu (premium). You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Vudu.

Mystic Pizza (1988) R – Pizza and Julia Roberts – For three waitresses in a little town called Mystic, the summer after high school is a time they will always remember. Daisy (Julia Roberts), Kat ( Annabeth Gish), and Jojo (Lili Taylor) learn the difference between love and infatuation as they make plans for their futures. It’s available to stream with a subscription to Hulu Plus. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, and Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video.

Lilo and Stitch (2002) PG – This animated science-fiction comedy-drama was one of Christian’s favorite films proving Disney films appeal to people of all ages. Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Case) is free-spirited young Hawaiian girl being raised by her older sister, Nani (voiced by Tia Carrere). Lilo finds an alien experiment (Stitch) she mistakenly thinks is a dog. Matters get worse when unfriendly aliens come to Hawaii in search of their experiment. The sisters, who are often at odds, have to band together to protect their home and Stitch, but ultimately, it’s up to Stitch to save the day. It’s available to stream with a subscription to Disney+. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.

Finding Nemo (2003) G - I couldn’t compile a list of summer movies without including at least one G-rated film. This computer-animated adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) an over-productive clownfish is searching for his son Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould) with the help of Dory, a regal blue tang with short-term memory loss (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres). It’s available to stream with a subscription to Disney+. You can rent it on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Microsoft, Redbox, Direct TV, On Demand, and Vudu.

Photo Credit for American Graffiti:

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6762113