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Fox News
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
10 classic summer movies and where to stream them
Some movies perfectly capture the essence of summer, from the thrilling fun of a beachside adventure to the nostalgia of childhood friendships and family road trips. Watching classic (or newly released) summer movies together is a fun way for the family to bond, especially on a rainy day. Whether you prefer comedies, horror, action flicks or rom-coms, movies can be a great way to break from the sun or entertain yourself during a staycation. So pull up a couch and grab the popcorn—Here are 10 classic summer movies that encapsulate the season's spirit and where you can stream them. Steven Spielberg's Jaws is the summer thriller that transformed beach vacations forever. Set in the fictional town of Amity Island, the film that spawned three sequels follows a police chief, a marine biologist and a shark hunter as they confront a menacing great white shark. Its suspenseful storytelling and iconic score have made it a timeless classic. The Sandlot is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that captures the innocence and adventures of childhood summers. Set in the 1960s, it follows a group of young boys who bond over baseball and navigate the challenges of growing up. You can also consider the hilarious Rodney Dangerfield-helmed Ladybugs if you like the nostalgic sports theme. This cult comedy parodies the classic summer camp experience with absurd humor and an ensemble cast. Set on the last day of camp in 1981, it follows counselors as they try to complete unfinished business before the day ends. Its satirical take on camp tropes has earned it a dedicated fan base, much like another fan favorite, Troop Beverly Hills. Set in the summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing tells the story of Frances "Baby" Houseman, who falls in love with a dance instructor at a resort in the Catskills. The film's iconic dance scenes, music and romantic story have made it a perennial favorite for generations. While you're at it, do a Patrick Swayze binge movie marathon and stream favorites like Road House and Ghost. Spike Lee's masterpiece is set in a Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the year and explores racial tensions and community dynamics. Its powerful narrative and vibrant visuals offer a thought-provoking look at societal issues, making it a significant film in American cinema history. Adventureland follows a recent college graduate who takes a summer job at an amusement park, leading to unexpected friendships and life lessons. Set in the 1980s, the film combines humor and heartfelt moments, capturing the uncertainties of young adulthood. If you like this type of movie, consider Superbad or the movie that made Keanu Reeves a household name, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, which is free to stream on Tubi. This classic family film features Hayley Mills in dual roles as identical twins separated at birth who meet at summer camp and scheme to reunite their divorced parents. Its charming story and catchy songs have delighted audiences for generations and even spawned a remake starring a young Lindsay Lohan. In Roman Holiday, a classic 1953 rom-com, Audrey Hepburn stars as a princess who escapes her royal duties for a day of adventure in Rome with an American journalist, played by Gregory Peck. This romantic comedy captures the allure of spontaneous summer escapades and the beauty of the Eternal City. If you like romantic comedies, you might also consider (500)Days of Summer or Mystic Pizza. A quintessential 1960s beach party movie, Beach Blanket Bingo features Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in a lighthearted tale of surfers, skydivers and musical numbers. Its campy fun and catchy tunes make it a nostalgic trip to the past, much like the cult-flick Grease and its sequel Grease 2. Set in Hawaii, this animated film tells the story of a young girl who adopts a mischievous alien, leading to adventures that emphasize the importance of family and acceptance. Its vibrant visuals and heartfelt message resonate with viewers of all ages. If you're wondering why you're seeing the characters everywhere again these days, it's because it's the film's 20th anniversary and Disney celebrated with a live-action remake. If it's tropical vibes you're after, you might also consider Disney's Moana.
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Why ‘Jaws' Works
On the most basic level 'Jaws' is a movie about a relentless great white shark, terrorizing the residents of a beach community during a Fourth of July weekend. It was the razor-toothed beast who adorned the onslaught of T-shirts and other merchandise when the film came out 50 years ago, premiering in June 1975 and all but creating what we think of as the modern blockbuster. It was the shark who got the two-note tuba treatment from John Williams's ominous score. But the new National Geographic documentary 'Jaws @50,' now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, makes one thing as clear as a summer day on Amity Island: 'Jaws' is primarily about flawed people, not a scary fish. The real villain is not the shark, who, after all, would be happy to be left alone. (As the shark conservation biologist Candace Fields says in the documentary, 'The sharks are not infesting the water. The sharks live in the water'). The bad guy is the avaricious mayor (Murray Hamilton), who insists on keeping the beaches open during peak season rather than shutting down for safety. The three heroes — the police chief Brody (Roy Scheider), the sea captain Quint (Robert Shaw), and the oceanographer Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) — form a carefully drawn triangle, written with a depth that has eluded most post-'Jaws' spectacles to this day. For Laurent Bouzereau, the author and filmmaker who directed 'Jaws @50,' the human touches were what made 'Jaws' a classic, and what guided a young Steven Spielberg as he turned Peter Benchley's best-selling novel into a runaway hit movie. 'The humanity of Steven's approach to everything in his career started emerging in a movie like 'Jaws,' where it's much more about people's reaction to a crisis rather than the crisis itself,' Bouzereau said in a video interview. 'You feel like you know these people, and they all stand out.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Behind the scenes secrets of Jaws revealed as Hollywood blockbuster turns 50 – & how its bite can still be felt today
MOST of us know it for the ominous music and giving us a fear of going into the water. But what went on behind the scenes of Jaws, which is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of its release, was often scarier than on camera. 8 8 It involved a 27-year-old novice director steering the ship of a monster production, impossible deadlines and cut-price production — which yielded a box-office smash. In the making of his masterpiece, Steven Spielberg very nearly disappeared beneath the surface. And to this day, the classic horror movie still makes a splash. We all know the hallmarks of the world's original summer blockbuster. First, there are those ominous two notes that signal the arrival of the 25ft, three-ton killer shark. Then, the foreboding tagline: 'You'll never go in the water again.' And, of course, those infamous words uttered by actor Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, as he comes face to face with the ravenous great white that's been tucking into tourists in Amity Island. He tells seasoned shark hunter Quint, who — spoiler alert — later finds himself chewed up like chum: 'You're going to need a bigger boat.' Now, Disney+ documentary Jaws@ 50: The Definitive Inside Story has uncovered details that give a fresh insight into how Spielberg's smash hit was made, and its legacy. Speaking to The Sun, the documentary's director Laurent Bouzereau says of the film: 'It stands alongside the great masterpieces in painting and music and other art forms that have had an impact on culture, generation after generation. Shocking moment paddleboarders in 'Jaws' country come terrifyingly close to giant great white shark stalking waters 'Steven was fighting his own shark' 'It taps into those fears we all have, but it's also the film's humanity that makes it so timeless. 'It's a very human story about overcoming the odds. 'I would hope that in 50 years from now, we'll still be talking about Jaws.' As part of his deep dive into the cinema classic, Laurent spoke at length to Spielberg, plus other leading filmmakers including George Lucas, James Cameron, Jordan Peele and Guillermo del Toro, who all agree the Jaws director changed the game. Laurent says: 'What's extraordinary to me is the fact that the story itself was about fighting this shark, but in the making of the film, Steven was metaphorically fighting his own shark.' The drama behind the scenes is already well-known. It began in 1973 — before the writer Peter Benchley even published his then-untitled manuscript about a killer beast (working titles included Leviathan Rising and The Year They Closed The Beaches). His novel was already generating significant buzz, prompting Universal Pictures to buy the rights. The mechanical shark, which was meant to be the star of the film, malfunctioned almost immediately because it had only been tested in a pool — and the salt water from the sea wrecked its internal electrics and hydraulics Studio bosses originally wanted Dick Richards to direct, but they and author Benchley were put off when he repeatedly referred to the shark as a whale. So they took a chance on then- unknown Spielberg, who had already shown promise with his feature films Duel and The Sugarland Express. The then-rookie had a lot to prove, and the odds were stacked against him. First, studio execs wanted him to deliver the finished project in just 55 days to coincide with the paperback release of the book, which by then had become a word-of-mouth hit. But having decamped to the beachy film set of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, Spielberg soon realised the deadline was laughable. It would have been a tall order for any movie, but one filmed on water — where tides, weather and background boats could wreak havoc — meant any shot took at least three times as long to film. What's more, the mechanical shark, which was meant to be the star of the film, malfunctioned almost immediately because it had only been tested in a pool — and the salt water from the sea wrecked its internal electrics and hydraulics. That meant the gargantuan prop — nicknamed Bruce after Spielberg's lawyer, a known legal shark in Hollywood — could only be used briefly, in the film's climax. The setbacks cost time and money. Universal Studios was outraged that filming was extended to 159 days and the budget had to be almost doubled to $9million. Meanwhile, Spielberg was getting word from Hollywood that as far as studio bigwigs were concerned, he would never work again. But just like a shark keeps swimming to stay alive, the now-legendary director just kept going. Realising he could not rely on his big, scary prop to terrify his audience, Spielberg instead used the art of suggestion, leaning on John Williams' menacing score and zooming into the horrified look in his actors' eyes to depict the threat facing them. We felt the power of 'Bruce' all the more because of his very limited time on screen. 8 8 8 As Laurent explains, the music was fundamental to the suspense. He says: 'Spielberg and Williams gave a voice to the monster. 'To use music to symbolise the shark was genius, because when you hear those two notes, you know exactly what we're talking about. 'Even if you don't speak English or there aren't any subtitles, you understand the language of the shark.' For all its tremendous challenges, the monster movie became a monster hit. After opening in the US in the summer of 1975, it grossed over $7million in its opening weekend (which today equates to $42million). Jaws embodies the ultimate battle of man versus beast, both on and off screen, transcending cinema to become a living, breathing, chomping piece of pop culture It became the first film in history to take more than $100million at the US box office, surpassing previous records set by The Godfather and The Exorcist. Spielberg duly went from zero to hero, earning himself final editing cut privileges on all his future projects, including E.T., Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List and Jurassic Park. And yet it is only now that the 78-year-old Hollywood legend recognises the trauma he suffered on set. 'I had nightmares for years afterwards' He reveals in the documentary: 'When the film wrapped at Martha's Vineyard, I had a full-blown panic attack. 'I couldn't breathe — I thought I was having a heart attack. I couldn't get a full breath of air.' That was down, he says, to 'everything that I had experienced on the island, trying to hold myself together, but hold the crew together. "I felt really responsible for keeping them there for as long as we had to stay.' Spielberg adds: 'We didn't have the words PTSD in those days, and I had consistent nightmares about directing Jaws for years afterwards.' It wasn't just the director who felt a negative impact from a global hit. The film sparked widespread fears of swimming in open water — and even spurred a movement of would-be shark hunters. 'Trophy fishing' surged in popularity, while research showed a big drop in white shark populations during the 1970s and 1980s — partly due to the film's demonisation of the sea- dwelling predator. Spielberg himself has voiced his regret, but the book's writer Benchley, who died in 2006, was mortified. He dedicated his life to shark conservation, which his widow Wendy continues to this day with the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, recognising the work of those committed to conservation of the seas. And, thankfully, the tide has turned yet again in recent decades, with a new generation of ocean explorers and conservationists inspired by the film that opened our eyes to the underwater world. Shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru tells The Sun that Matt Hooper — the oceanographer played by Richard Dreyfuss in the film — inspired many marine biologists. He says: 'People will always talk about Jaws in the context of what it did for the fear of sharks, but I don't think we underscore enough the inspiration it brought to the field of shark science and marine science. 'I can't state it enough about Hooper. He's our guy. He's the godfather.' Gibbs, who features in the documentary, switched his studies from medicine to shark science after watching Jaws. He says: 'I decided at that stage that sharks were going to be my life. 'It was going to be that mystery that I wanted to be able to uncover with scientific tools. 'And, again, I need to go back and say thank you to Hooper for giving us the shining example of what that reckless pursuit of nature and wildlife could be like. 'I think maybe, deep down in my psyche, there's a little Hooper in there. 'That's just like, 'Just get in the water, man. What's the worst that could happen?' Without stating the obvious, of course.' Ultimately, the film launched a tidal wave — good and bad. And today, it's still bigger than the sum of its parts. It's a thrilling horror film — a seminal hit that paved the way for blockbusters for years to come. And it embodies the ultimate battle of man versus beast, both on and off screen, transcending cinema to become a living, breathing, chomping piece of pop culture. Fifty years on, its remarkable bite can still be felt. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story is on Disney+ and National Geographic. 8 8
CBC
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
15 summer films perfect for outdoor movie nights
Cosy movie nights take on a whole new meaning in summer. Rather than being cooped up indoors, why not watch something under the stars? Once you get the set up right, it can be a magical experience. The first step is to consider your space and your audience. Keep in mind that it gets dark later in the evening, so be mindful of noise levels, movie ratings and your neighbours. Most importantly, have fun choosing your movie. Creature features, vampire flicks and slashers are ideal for outdoor screenings. They encompass the feeling of the gruelling heat and ignite a fear of what's lurking outside on a balmy night. Then there's the summer romance; whether you're in the mood for a seasonal fling, life-long commitment or a journey of friendship and finding yourself, this is the perfect time for love stories. With all that in mind, here are 15 movies that will spark your passion for the season. Jaws and other creature features Jaws (1975) What better time to press play on the original summer blockbuster than on the 50th anniversary of its release? Steven Spielberg's cult classic takes place in the idyllic beach town of Amity Island, which brings in swarms of people over the summer. This creates the perfect scenario for a great white shark on the hunt for swimmers, so police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) join forces to take the creature down. It's amid this madness that Brody's iconic line, "You're gonna need a bigger boat" is born. And while there isn't a ton of gore, Jaws lays the groundwork for the killer-shark movie trope we've come to know and love. If you want a movie that'll have you on edge all night (and maybe a little scared of your next beach day), this is the one. Crawl (2019) When we think of creature features, we tend to think about sharks, but we can't forget about their fellow predators lurking in the water. In the 2019 film Crawl, Haley Keller (Kaya Scodelario) is trying to escape a Florida hurricane — and a bunch of alligators. After she rescues her dad (Barry Pepper), they both get trapped in the crawl space of his house as water levels, and tensions, rise. This movie will have you jumping out of your seat. Beast (2022) This action-packed film is a story of man versus beast. Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba) and his two daughters, Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Sava Jeffries), visit a game reserve in South Africa to spend time together after the loss of the girls' mother (Naledi Mogadime), but chaos ensues as a lion — the only surviving member of its pride after a poacher attack — stalks them. This survival flick will have you clutching your popcorn while also admiring the beauty of the landscape and its wildlife. However, at its core, it's a thrilling revenge tale for the creature that lost its family. Sinners and other vampire flicks Sinners (2025) Ryan Coogler's Sinners is a genre-defying take on the vampire horror film. Set in Mississippi in 1932 and taking place over the course of a single day, the movie stars Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers Stack and Smoke, who have returned from Chicago with a dream and an infamous reputation. The twins open up a juke joint where the Black community and other people of colour can let loose with soulful music and plenty of dancing. Irish vampire Remmick (Jack O'Connell) is moved by the music and wants to bring everyone there over to the dark side. What ensues is a night of spicy love scenes, addictive musical numbers and, of course, bloody murder. Hot tip: watch through the credits for two additional scenes! The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011) Although watching the entire Twilight series would make for a fun movie night, let me make a case for its fourth installment. In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) have defied all odds to be together. They finally tie the knot and head off on their honeymoon to a small island off the coast of Brazil where the weather isn't the only thing that gets steamy. Bella finds herself pregnant and they head back to Forks, Washington, to deal with the impact of their half-vampire baby. In addition to romance and vampires, this is the perfect summer watch because it opens with a beautiful outdoor wedding — ideal inspo for wedding season. Abigail (2024) Starring Alisha Weir in the titular role, Abigail is about a most unexpected kind of vampire: a young ballerina. A group of criminals is tasked with kidnapping a rich little girl and holding her for ransom overnight in an abandoned building, but they have no idea who they are actually trapped with. This film puts a fun and creepy twist on the classic vampire flick. It features an ensemble cast including Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton and Angus Cloud, who provide comic relief in contrast to the creepy vampire who enjoys dancing as much as draining blood. Add this to your watchlist if you enjoy a horror movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. Friday the 13th and other summer slashers Friday the 13th (1980) For horror fans, nothing screams quintessential summer viewing like Friday the 13th. The cult movie is set in 1979 at Camp Crystal Lake, which has reopened after being shut down decades prior due to the drowning of a boy named Jason Vorhees in 1957 and the murder of camp counselors a year later. What starts as a fun, lust-filled summer for a bunch of teens ends with them getting picked off one by one. This film is a summer camp classic — and spawned a franchise with one of the most iconic villains of all time. With plenty of gory scenes, this slasher might have you rethinking your next visit to the lake. Hell of a Summer (2023) Canadians take the lead in this independent horror-comedy starring and co-directed by Billy Bryk and Finn Wolfhard. Filmed in Ontario, Hell of a Summer takes on the classic formula of a summer-camp slasher, but leans heavily into comedy. Camp counselors get taken out by a mysterious figure in a devil mask, and through gory kills — and big laughs — the audience is left guessing who the culprit is until the very end. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) There's nothing like summer fun with friends, and for these teens, that means covering up a murder. I Know What You Did Last Summer popularized the slasher trope you've come to know: being stalked by an unknown figure who knows your deepest, darkest secrets. In addition to its summertime setting, and cast of icons such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Ryan Phillippe, it's the ideal time to watch this 1997 film because a sequel is being released on July 18. 50 First Dates and other summer romances 50 First Dates (2004) There's nothing more romantic than a love story that defies all odds — and takes place somewhere breathtaking. Both of these describe the beloved rom-com 50 First Dates. On Oahu, Hawaii, Henry (Adam Sandler) decides to give up his playboy ways when he hits it off with Lucy (Drew Barrymore), only to find out she has short-term memory loss and will forget him every morning. What follows is a hilarious but endearing story where he fights for her love each day. This pick will have you laughing out loud and tearing up all in the same night. The Last Song (2010) Based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, the king of romantic drama, this 2010 film is a story about family and first loves. Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus) is sent to a small beach town for the summer to stay with her father, Steve (Greg Kinnear). There she meets Will Blakelee (Liam Hemsworth), who reignites her passion for music — an interest that also helps her to reconnect with her dad. Grab some tissues and prepare for a night of tears, an occasional "aww" and the inevitable heartbreak that stories by Sparks are known for. Wedding Season (2022) A classic fake-relationship rom-com with a fresh take (this interpretation factors in the characters' South Asian backgrounds), Wedding Season was shot in Toronto and features no fewer than 15 nuptials. Asha (Pallavi Sharda) and Ravi's (Suraj Sharma) immigrant parents are hounding them about when it's their turn to get married, so they pretend to date to get them off their backs. Take inspiration from the beautiful outdoor wedding scenes and maybe even add your own open bar to your outdoor screening! Mamma Mia! and other summer travel tales Mamma Mia! (2008) If any movie could inspire you to take that summer trip, attend a destination wedding or live vicariously through unforgettable summer adventures, it's this one. Starring icons such as Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, Mamma Mia! uses Abba songs and the beautiful backdrop of a fictional Greek island to tell its story. Sophie, who is about to get married, hopes to find out who her father truly is by inviting three of her mother's former partners to her wedding. No matter the audience, this jukebox musical will have your guests laughing, singing and dancing the night away. Best to save this for a weekend screening! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) Perfect for girls' night, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is as much about the beauty of friendship as it is about summer romance. Starring Y2K queens Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Amber Tamblyn, this film is fun, flirty and tugs at the heartstrings. Four best friends are separated for the summer by jobs and vacations, but keep in touch with a pair of magical pants that happen to fit each one of them perfectly, even though they're all different sizes and shapes. Plus, there's a dreamy meet-cute and plenty of inspo for your next European getaway. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) After an unexpected divorce, Frances (Diane Lane) heads to Tuscany with her best friend Patti, played by Canadian icon Sandra Oh. She hopes to get over her writer's block and her ex on this trip, but instead buys herself a rundown villa to restart her life. Even if we can't all afford an Italian villa, this film reminds us of the beauty of travel and friendship. Whether it gets you to step out of your comfort zone, block your ex or book an Italian getaway, this film is the perfect pick for a summer movie night.
Gizmodo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Jaws' Is Coming to 4DX for the First Time as Part of Its 50th Anniversary Re-Release
As you've no doubt heard by now, Jaws is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. While the traditional time to do a rewatch is the Fourth of July weekend, if you want to see the film bigger, sharper, and possibly louder than ever before, you'll need to hold out until the end of August to catch Universal Pictures' celebratory 4K re-release screenings in IMAX, RealD 3D, 4DX, and D-Box. Any of those formats would be a treat, bringing Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking blockbuster to giant screens with sound systems to perfectly amplify John Williams' iconic score. But those last two are especially notable. Not only will this be the first time Jaws has been shown in 4DX and D-Box, those screenings will involve seats that move and vibrate and, in the case of 4DX, feature certain environmental enhancements. You won't get drenched—but you might feel the sensation of that Amity Island sea spray when the shark is moving in for the kill. Maybe you'll even sense Chief Brody's nervous sweat as he contemplates facing furious locals dependent on beach tourism—followed by his even more nervous sweat as he heads out to hunt the 25-footer that's been making the town its personal buffet. Check out the 50th anniversary trailer Universal created for the occasion: And before you try and make the obvious 'bigger screen' joke, the studio already beat you to it: As the poster states, the re-release happens August 29. You can snag advance tickets to theater in your area here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
