The sun’s out, the mood’s set, and our summer souls are craving for the perfect summer movie! Whether you’re yearning for a passionate summer romance or a feel-good comedy of errors, we’ve curated the perfect ‘Summer Movie Watchlist’ for you. These are filled with love, nostalgia, and a longing for the long gone. Each one will leave you warmer, lighter, and a little more in love with life.
Summer Watchlist Recommendations: Here Are Our Top 7 Picks
Killa (2015)
Why You Should Watch: Quiet Coastal Melancholy
Set in a quaint Konkan village with crashing waves, Killa is a Marathi movie that captures the essence of puberty in its rawest form. The movie revolves around a young boy grappling with grief while also dealing with new beginnings in his life. But this movie isn’t your typical emotional rollercoaster movie, the movie feels like a soft summer breeze. The cinematography and the background music is exceptional – transporting you gently to a world where everything suddenly seems oddly nostalgic. It’s a movie that makes you think, just like those quiet summer afternoons when you’re staring at the ceiling, thinking of nothing and everything simultaneously.
Platform: Zee5
What are the vibes? Scenic. Soulful. Stillness.
Dear Zindagi (2016)
Why You Should Watch: Emotional, Heartwarming Beach Therapy
What’s even summer without a little lesson on self-love? Dear Zindagi is a heartwarming movie starring Alia Bhatt as she plays an emotionally turbulent lady in her mid-20s. She’s dealing with a storm of emotions and navigating her career, childhood trauma, and family dynamics. Enter Dr. Jehangir Khan, essayed by a charming Shah Rukh Khan, her therapist who holds her hand and helps her deal with her life issues in a better way. What stood out for us in the movie is the compelling writing, performances, and music. By the end of the film, we’re sure you’ll feel a warm glow deep in your heart.
Platform: Netflix
What are the vibes? Closure and Clarity
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Why You Should Watch: Greek Island Escape
Mamma Mia! is the ultimate summer film to watch with your friends and family. This is the kind of movie which will make you pack your bags and your prettiest sundresses and set sail! With an ensemble cast (including a brilliant Meryl Streep), this movie is all about embracing the good vibes and soaking in the Greek sun. Soul-stirring music (thanks ABBA), breathtaking visuals, and a chaotic storyline that ends up falling into place by the end, this movie is simply too good to not watch this summer!
Platform: JioHotstar
What are the vibes? Dance. Drama. Dads.
Kumbalangi Nights (2019)
Why You Should Watch: Heartwarming Family Tale
Kerala’s backwaters have a charm of their own – and Kumbalangi Nights perfectly captures this charm on the silver screen. This movie, which is essentially about the bond between four siblings, is a rich blend of humor, heartbreak, and healing. As the siblings navigate their life, love, and family, you’ll surely connect with them and become a part of their story by the end. Watch the movie for its impeccable cinematography, compelling plot, and incredible performances.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
What are the vibes? Sibling love. Healing. Kerala.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Why You Should Watch: The OG Road Trip Showreel
View this post on Instagram
Did you even enjoy summer if you did not watch Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD)? This road trip movie starring Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, and Abhay Deol in the leads, is a beautiful movie about exploring life in all its glory. From deep-sea diving and flamenco dancing to skydiving, the movie has it all! Watch the movie for its banging music, breathtaking cinematography, and a fun, feel-good writing. ZNMD is the ultimate road trip movie to watch with friends – after all we’re sure that it has made you plan a quintessential road trip with your buddies!
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Watch it for: Adventure. Amigos. Awakening. And Bagwati.
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (2003)
Why You Should Watch: NYC Summer Chaos
Winters aren’t the only time to watch classic Y2K rom-coms, summer makes for an incredible time to go down the nostalgic lane too. Enter How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, a classic Y2K rom-com where the leads engage in a hilarious battle-of-the-sexes. Set against the bustling New York City backdrop, this movie is all about embracing romance the Y2K style. The movie does an incredible job with its writing, performances, music, and of course, 2000s fashion that will surely inspire your Pinterest moodboard. It’s a classic opposites-apart story filled with typical film tropes – but that is what makes How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days gain a position on our summer watchlist.
Platform: Available on rent on Apple TV+
Watch it for: Witty. Wild. Kate Hudson.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Why You Should Watch: Sultry Summer Romance
Set in the sun-kissed countryside of Northern Italy, Call Me By Your Name is the classic summer romance about yearning, passion, and slow-burning romance. The film follows Elio and Oliver who, by a turn of events, start falling for each other. It is about them navigating desire, sexual identity, and emotional awakening against the picturesque backdrops of Italy. With peach orchards, vintage bicycles, and languid afternoons, and of course Sufjan Stevens’ music, the movie is beautifully heartbreaking.
Platform: SonyLiv
Watch it for: Passion. Peach. Pain.
Summing Up
There you have it – 7 movies on our quintessential summer watchlist that we think you must totally watch this summer. These films capture everything – from heartbreaks to passionate romance to summer chaos and friendships. So, chill by the beach, play in the sand, or simply enjoy the summer, one movie at a time. Time to grab your chilled drink, pull down the blinds, and press play.
