My family has a list of must-see movies during the month of December. Does yours? The season isn’t complete until Home Alone, Noelle, Elf, and White Christmas grace our screen. The best part is that it’s a tradition that requires very little effort from Mom! So I was thinking—why don’t we start a summer movie tradition?
I’m not for more screen time over the summer, but when thunderstorms roll in, or it’s so hot out that we feel like we’re melting, it’s smart to have some movie ideas in your shorts’ back pocket. So, which of these 25 summer movies for kids could become your family’s new summer tradition?
Camp-Themed Summer Movies for Kids
1. Family Camp (2022) IMDB
A workaholic dad drags his reluctant family to church camp, where they’re paired with an overly competitive clan. Amidst wacky camp games and hilarious clashes, both dads learn what truly matters: faith, family, and not taking the trophy too seriously.
2. A Week Away (2021) IMDB
Rebellious teen Will avoids juvie by attending a Christian summer camp. He embraces camp life, falls for the head counselor, and grapples with faith before finding belonging and a second chance.
3. Space Camp (1986) IMDB
Teenage space enthusiasts at camp get launched into orbit by accident. They are forced to rely on their training and teamwork to overcome technical troubles and safely return home, proving that even dreamers can become unlikely heroes.
4. Camp Rock (2008) IMDB
Demi Lovato stars as Mitchie, a kitchen-worker/aspiring singer who secretly rocks Camp Rock under a hidden identity. Pop star Shane (Joe Jonas, and yes, the other bros make appearances, too) falls for her voice, unaware she’s not the “princess” he expects.
5. Camp Cucamonga (1990) IMDB
This movie has all the makings of a quintessential summer camp movie: camp shenanigans, romance, and an end-of-summer battle of the bunks. The cast is a who’s-who of the late ’80s: Danica McKeller, Candace Cameron Bure, Chad Allen, and Jaleel White (Yes, Urkel), plus Jennifer Aniston as a camp counselor. We could only find it on YouTube (and it’s rough), so if you’ve got the scoop on where to stream it, post it in the comments.
Summer Movies You May Have Watched as a Kid
6. The Parent Trap (IMDB 1961 & IMDB 1998)
Identical twins separated at birth meet at summer camp and hatch a plan to reunite their parents. Both versions of this classic are delightful. Make it a double feature. Watch them back-to-back and then have a backyard campout.
7. The Sandlot (1993) IMDB
A new kid in town swings for the fences one summer, finding friendship, baseball greatness, and maybe even a way to rescue his prized ball from the back yard of The Beast.
8. It Takes Two (1995) IMDB
Mary Kate and Ashley star as identical twins separated at birth. One’s a wealthy heiress and the other, a mischievous orphan. They switch places at summer camp, and hijinks ensue as they try to play matchmaker for their lonely guardians. Before you say, “They ripped off The Parent Trap!” give it a shot.
9. Hello Dolly (1969) IMDB
Dolly, a matchmaking dynamo, waltzes into Yonkers to find a wife for grumpy millionaire Horace. But between hilarious hijinks, catchy tunes, and a dazzling summer New York adventure, Dolly might just surprise everyone (including herself) by finding her own perfect match
10. A Goofy Movie (1995) IMDB
Goofy’s epic road trip to fish for family bonding snags on teenage angst, but they catch unexpected memories worth more than any trout. Yeehaw for gooey grins and growing up, Goof-style!
11. Troop Beverly Hills (1989) IMDB
A Beverly Hills queen ditches designer bags for backpacks! She leads her sassy daughter’s scout troop in hilarious high-fashion camping (think Rodeo Drive tents at the Beverly Hills Hotel). Can these posh gals learn survival skills and save their troop before it’s haute couture-n’est-pas?
Movies With a Summer Vibe
12. The Goonies (1985) IMDB
This cult classic takes place in a rainy Northwestern town, but with pirates and a treasure hunt, it screams summer adventure. You just have to overlook the plot holes you never noticed as a kid, like how could the Fratelli’s restaurant be a landmark if the dabloon was created in the 1600s? Content warning: Those boys use some strong language, so use discretion.
13. Jumanji (1995) IMDB
This adventure film follows two siblings who discover a magical board game that brings jungle animals and dangers to their living room. It’s exciting, funny, and teaches valuable lessons about responsibility and cooperation.
14. Spy Kids (2001) IMDB
Carmen and Juni Cortez discover their parents are secret agents and get swept up in a hilarious mission to save the world. Action, gadgets, and family fun!
15. Moana (2016) IMDB
This visually stunning Disney adventure follows a brave Polynesian princess who sails the seas to save her people. It’s packed with catchy music, lovable characters, and a positive message about perseverance.
16. Flipper (1996) IMDB
A sulky teen sent to Florida for the summer befriends a dolphin named Flipper. Together, they uncover a dangerous polluter and defend the ocean.
17. Luca (2021) IMDB
Sun-kissed Italian summers, secret sea monster transformations, and two fishy friends dreaming of Vespa adventures—Luca’s an underwater blast full of gelato, giggles, and the courage to face your fears, one sun-drenched step at a time!
18. Little Mermaid (IMDB 1989 & IMDB 2023)
A bubbly mermaid, Ariel, swaps her voice for legs to chase a dreamy prince (and sing!), but she soon learns flippers might just be cooler when battling an octopus witch and winning hearts. Use this movie as an opportunity to talk to your kids about why it’s important to think through the choices we make.
19. Space Jam (1996) IMDB
Alien bullies steal NBA stars’ talent, so Bugs Bunny calls up Michael Jordan for an epic, cartoon-fueled hoops showdown. Do your kids love the Lebron James version? Watch MJ and crew, and let the debate over which is superior commence!
More Summer Movies for Kids and Families
20. The Baby-Sitters Club (1995) IMDB
Kristy and her crew dream of an epic summer camp for their littlest clients, but rival grown-ups throw shade like sunscreen. Between dodgeball wars and lost puppies, the girls juggle friendship, first crushes, and maybe even a touch of adulting (gross!), proving even babysitters can be boss ladies.
21. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) IMDB
Greg Heffley’s summer plans of video games and poolside snacks are torpedoed by a vacation involving a smelly pug, a heat wave, and the most disastrous public pool incident this side of chlorine rash.
22. Holes (2003) IMDB
In “Holes,” an innocent boy ends up at a strange desert camp where kids dig holes every day. A hidden truth emerges as he befriends fellow inmates and unravels the camp’s secret. Get ready for your kids to ask for a shovel!
23. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) IMDB
Drac ditches the hotel for a monster cruise and falls for a charming captain with a hidden bite, and Mavis turns overprotective vampire bat, all while dodging sunburns and singing sea shanties!
24. Dolphin Tale (2011) IMDB
True story! A tail-less dolphin named Winter finds her fin-tastic second act when a wacky marine park owner and a whiz-kid engineer team up to build her a sleek prosthetic tail. Laughter splashes like ocean waves as Winter discovers zoomies, befriends curious pelicans, and proves that even without fins, dreams can swim just fine.
25. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019): IMDB
Peter Parker’s Euro trip gets wrecked by interdimensional monsters and an illusionist with a grudge, forcing him to choose between teen awkwardness and saving the world, one web sling at a time.
What summer movies for kids take you back to your childhood?
