Like all listicals this articles going to have some omissions but here are the 10 Best Summer Movies according to myself right now. You ask me tomorrow and the list may change but here goes and in no particular order:
Caddy Shack
One of the best sports movies of all time, and one that is still quoted on every golf course daily 38 years after it’s release. The cast is great and it’s got a guy we look up to here at American Pulps, Rodney Dangerfield.
Also, Bill Murray an avid golfer, now has his own golf clothing line. Here’s the link and if you buy anything tell them we sent you.
Jaws
If you follow us on Instagram you know that this week we’ve posted all the above posters, I just feel they’re too good not to repost so there you go.
Fun fact, my uncle’s girlfriend at the time was one of the people on the beach in that opening scene while the girl goes skinny dipping in the Nantucket Sound.
What can we say about this movie that isn’t known, it was the first “Blockbuster” and Spielberg’s first big hit. Made for less than $9 million, Jaws earned over $470 million globally.
This movie pairs well with Quint’s favorite, ‘Gansett.
Summer Rental
John Candy can walk into a room and I’ll laugh, he was hilarious. Him walking onto the crowded beach and pouring ice cold cooler water on sunbathers is worth the price of admission. This is a fun summer movie and Rip Torn is awesome as Scully owner and proprietor of The Barnacle.
Stand By Me
This and the Sandlot are the two coming of age summer vacation movies on the list. But to me this one takes the cake in regards to coming of age films. The remake of It, Stranger Things, My Girl, etc are all trying to be Stand By Me and The Goonies. Those two flicks really created that genre. Also, the acting is superb.
Lastly, the novella (The Body) by Stephen King is great. It’s in the Different Seasons book which also has Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, and Apt Pupil. If you like The King, get that book.
The Burbs
This is such a classic movie I dare say, and I know this is a hot take: This is Tom Hanks’ best work. You can quote me on that, Saving Private Ryan, A League of Their Own (also a great summer movie), Big, Catch Me If You Can, Philadelphia, Sleepless in Seattle. They all don’t hold a candle to The Burbs. There, I said it. Also, Bruce Dern as Mr. Rumsfield and Rick Ducommun as Art are great in this.
Field of Dreams
I don’t think there’s a better Father’s Day movie than Field of Dreams. Actually, this and Eight Men Out was my dad’s Father’s Day doubleheader for a few years. Are there corny moments? Yes. Did Ray Liotta bat right and throw left when the real Shoeless Joe batted left and threw right? Yeah. Did James Earl Jones have a long monologue about how great baseball is when he, as a black man couldn’t have played in the majors until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947? OK. OK. It’s got it’s flaws.
But I’ve gotta say, the scenes with Archie ‘Moonlight’ Graham are great. The choking on a hot dog part with the girl aside, that scene gives me chills. Same with when they pick him up on the road. Say what you want, I love this movie.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
The second best Die Hard movie and only one of the original 3 (Only 3 in my opinion) that takes place in the summer. It’s a fun ride, and it has Samuel L. Jackson.
Rear Window
My personal favorite of Alfred Hitchcock’s collected works. It’s amazing how suspenseful Hitch is able to keep this movie considering it takes place in Jimmy Stewart’s apartment 98% of the time with him sweating like Michael Jordan in the 1992 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Sandlot
25 years ago this movie came out and a young Matt Pagourgis burned through the VHS from watching it so much. This movie is so classic it should be played in all Drive-In Theaters all summer long. Worth noting, it’s one of two baseball movies on this list and both have James Earl Jones.
Do the Right Thing
Taking place during the hottest day of the year this Spike Lee joint is considered one of the best New York movies of all time as well. Certainly one of the best Spike Lee movies. Spike painted the buildings red, to give a visual effect of the heatwave that hits Bed Stuy. You just feel hot watching the film because of his use of yellow, orange, especially red. It also gives off a feeling of anger, which you get from the subject as well. RIP Radio Raheem.
