OK, sure, there are the obvious things we get excited for when summer rolls around: lazy days tanning in our backyards, making boozy popsicles every time the temperature rises, and reading by the pool every sunny day. But let’s be honest, some days (and nights!) are worth spending on the couch – because you can binge-watch a summer-themed movie on Netflix with the AC on high. Why take a trip to the beach for the seventh day in a row when you could vicariously live through someone else doing so on the big screen (sans the heat, sweat, and messy amounts of sand)?
Scroll through for a binge-watcher’s guide to the best summer movies on Netflix, including everything from romantic comedies and dramas to thought-provoking documentaries and thrillers based on true stories. We promise, there are enough titles to get you through the entire summer – you know, even when it’s just way too hot to make it out of the house. Read on for our favorite flicks ahead!
– Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
Related: Keep Cool This July With Netflix's Huge Lineup of New TV Shows, Original Movies, and More
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Soul Surfer
Based on the true story of Hawaiian teen Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a vicious shark attack, this movie follows her after she decides to get back in the water again.
Watch Soul Surfer on Netflix now.
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Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Get in the spirit of summer with Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Your favorite monsters embark on a luxury monster cruise ship in pursuit of relaxation, but they end up in a bit of a nightmarish situation.
Watch Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation on Netflix now.
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Sleepover
An oldie but goodie, this 2004 flick follows a group of friends on a wild night leading up to their first day of high school. They must win a scavenger hunt to snatch the best seat on campus and to secure their social status.
Watch Sleepover on Netflix now.
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Summer Night
This coming-of-age romp tells the story of two friends preparing for a big performance – but they find themselves distracted by new crushes and some shocking announcements. Oh, and did we mention the cast is filled with beautiful people, including Analeigh Tipton, Lana Condor, Khris Davis, and Victoria Justice, among several others?
Watch Summer Night on Netflix now.
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After
Based on Anna Todd’s bestselling novel of the same name, After is basically Fifty Shades of Grey set at a college, telling the story of bad boy Hardin Scott, who pursues – and eventually falls in love with – innocent college student Tessa Young.
Watch After on Netflix now.
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Rip Tide
Watch as this teen escapes her life in New York to head to Australia, where she finds the beach, the sun, and new friends.
Watch Rip Tide on Netflix now.
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SPF-18
A coming-of-age romance flick, SPF-18 is filled with all the young love and Noah Centineo you could want. It tells the story of four teens whose lives get engaged and changed in ways they never saw coming.
Watch SPF-18 on Netflix now.
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Under the Riccione Sun
In this Italian rom-com, a group of teens hang out, hook up, and form bonds while spending their summer vacations on the beaches of Riccione on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
Watch Under the Riccione Sun on Netflix now.
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Desperados
After Wes sends an email to a guy she hooked up with, she quickly regrets it and the only way to (hopefully!) fix things is to fly to Mexico with her best friends to stop him from reading it.
Watch Desperados on Netflix now.
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Just Go With It
Head to the beach with Danny (Adam Sandler), his girlfriend, and his fake ex-wife and kids in this movie that will no doubt make you laugh but also make you wish you were at the beach.
Watch Just Go With It on Netflix now.
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Like Father
When Rachel’s (Kristen Bell) wedding falls through, she doesn’t expect to end up on her honeymoon with her estranged father, but that’s exactly what happens. They work through their issues during their time on the cruise and even make some new friends along the way.
Watch Like Father on Netflix now.
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Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer
Third-grader Judy Moody embarks on a summer adventure with her brother, Stink, and Aunt Opal in this family fun movie.
Watch Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer on Netflix now.
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Murder Mystery
It’s not all fun and games when this average American couple ends up in the middle of a murder mystery and Europe, but it sure is funny watching them muddle through it.
Watch Murder Mystery on Netflix now.
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Can't Hardly Wait
School’s officially out for the summer, but not before a giant rager with hookups, fights, and everything else you expect from high school kids.
Watch Can’t Hardly Wait on Netflix now.
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Dude
Four best friends (Alexandra Shipp, Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, and Awkwafina) navigate their final two weeks of high school while also dealing with love, loss, and the stress of wondering what comes after graduation.
Watch Dude on Netflix now.
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Wild Oats
After accidentally getting millions of dollars when her husband died, Eva (Shirley MacLaine) and her pal Maddie (Jessica Lange) decide to escape their old lives and live it up with all the money.
Watch Wild Oats on Netflix now.
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Always Be My Maybe
When Sasha (Ali Wong) is reunited with her old flame Marcus (Randall Park) for the first time in 15 years, they wonder if there’s still something between them. Throw in a Keanu Reeves cameo and you’ve got a superfun film.
Watch Always Be My Maybe on Netflix now.
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The Wrong Missy
What happens when you go on dates with two different women named Missy? Sometimes that means you end up texting the wrong one to come on a company vacation with you, but it turns out for the best anyway.
Watch The Wrong Missy on Netflix now.
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Fun Mom Dinner
If you think this movie is about a bunch of moms having a fun dinner, well, that’s just the beginning. Prepare for hijinks and hilarity as these moms let loose.
Watch Fun Mom Dinner on Netflix now.
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Homecoming
Summer is definitely concert season, so tune in for Beyoncé’s epic Coachella performance in her incredible documentary.
Watch Homecoming on Netflix now.
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What a Girl Wants
Daphne (Amanda Bynes) goes to London to find the dad she never knew and it turns out to be the trip of a lifetime.
Watch What a Girl Wants on Netflix now.
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All the Bright Places
The teen drama is based on a popular YA novel, which follows two teens struggling with mental illness who fall into each other’s orbits and make a pact to see as many beautiful things as they can. It’s emotionally intense and a definite tearjerker!
Watch All the Bright Places on Netflix now.
