It’s Summer, and as of right now, COVID is still very much a thing that exists. But if you thought the Delta variant would ruin your summer plans, don’t fret; here’s a list of movies that to me are must-watches during the hottest time of the year. Of almost every genre. That’s right, folks, there’s something for just about everyone on this list!

1. Grease

What can I say, Grease is the word, amirite? Of course I am. The movie-musical is a favorite in my house, and nothing screams "campout in the backyard" like this sing-along classic. Grease should be on your radar anyway, because “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” is one of Paramount+’s upcoming releases. There’s nowhere I’d rather be during these warm Summer Nights than high school … umm, no, Rydell High specifically, and I’m Hopelessly Devoted to just about every Pink Lady, T-Bird, student, and faculty member this film has to offer. Plus, Danny and Sandy are the love story to end all love stories, if you ask me. Of course, there are other movie musicals you can enjoy this time of year – Dirty Dancing is timeless, the High School Musical series is always fun, In The Heights just came out, the Pitch Perfects are a favorite, and Chicago is an underrated gem, just to name a few – but Grease is The One That I Want this Summer, and every other day of the year! Puns fully intended.

2. Raiders of the Lost Ark

Action, adventure, a hot Harrison Ford … what more can you ask for? My mom and I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark at a movie in the park event in the Summer of 2019 (yes, before the world imploded) and it was one of the highlights of our year. If you’re a young person without much exposure to this franchise, I recommend you see the entire Indiana Jones collection in order this Summer. Heck, if we’re going to go through the pandemic for the second year in a row, might as well spend it uncorking Steven Spielberg’s entire anthology, right? I think so. Sure, the gender-normative tropes are just a touch outdated in this flick: boy meets girl, defeats the Nazis, saves the day, and, in doing so, the damsel in distress. But once again, this is prime Harrison Ford we’re talking about. For this man, I’d be the princess in the ivory tower any day.

3. Back to the Future

Okay, so we may not have flying hoverboards yet, but this movie is one of those still-holds-up hits regardless. Marty and Doc are a duo for the ages (literally), and once again, this is a franchise that I recommend you watch in order. But a little advice: if you’re anything like me and love to obsess over flaws in time-space continuum cinema, just maybe hold off on the mental math for this one and enjoy the experience. As Marty learns, life is just too precious and short to sweat the small stuff. Oh gosh, that reminds me – add Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to this list.

4. Paranormal Activity

Make sure you’re seated, folks; now we’re really taking a hard left turn. Nothing’s better to fill those long Summer days than spending it peeing yourself from very-much self-perpetuated fright. Preferably while clutching the arm of a snuggle buddy, of course, but if you’re forever single like me, you can still enjoy this supernatural spectacle. I don’t know why, but of all horror movies -- and I consider myself an aficionado of the genre – this one really screams summer to me. And by that, I mean that 13-year-old me spent the Summer of 2010 screaming with my sister and a friend while watching Toby do his thing. Were we too young to see this movie, and all its subsequent installations thereafter? You bet we were. Am I scarred? Uh-huh. Do I have any regrets? Hah, nope. Speaking of regrets, We’re The Millers is a Summer stalwart as well. But that’s a different genre, I’m getting ahead of myself. Onward!

5. Bridesmaids

As comedies go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one than this. Fun fact: remember the whole opening sequence when Kristen Wiig tries in earnest to leave Jon Hamm’s house by climbing over the gate? That was filmed at the house across the street from mine. I know, too cool. The laughs abound with this flick, and the cast – led by Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O’Dowd, and Melissa McCarthy – is the stuff dreams are made of. Ooh, The Lizzie McGuire Movie is a great Summer flick too. But we’re not at the kids section yet! As I was saying, I would spend this season watching all of Judd Apatow’s greatest hits if, unlike me, you haven’t seen the vast majority of his work dozens of times over. But start with this one for sure. And then do Trainwreck. And then do The 40-Year-Old Virgin. And then do Superbad. Okay, I’m done. The Big Sick. Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Okay, now I’m really done.

6. The Heat

The name speaks for itself, so how could you not check it out this Summer? I first saw The Heat at the end of a Disney World Summer vacation with my fam in the Summer of 2013, and I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t one of the best parts of our trip. Eat your heart out, Epcot! Seriously though, Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock gave us all world-class performances, and I’m pretty sure I’ve lost weight on a few different occasions from laughing so hard throughout this movie. And peeing myself, again. Bladder control isn’t my strongest suit. If you haven’t seen this one – or any on this list, for that matter – I’m praying for you. Come to think of it, The Heat is just that – a religious experience. Jesus does make an appearance or two in here. I don’t know what else to say about this film other than it’s my favorite comedy of all time. Simple. And also probably my favorite buddy cop movie. Actually, it definitely is. Actually, this movie transcends genre. We own it on DVD, that’s how much we love it. Do kids nowadays know what DVDs are? Is that overly reductive? Probably. Go watch The Heat, and then watch it 57 more times. Strain those rib muscles!

7. The Incredibles

There, told you I’d get the kids stuff in! I could’ve gone a few different directions here, but why not end this list with a movie that 24-year-old me enjoys just as much as 7-year-old me did? Pixar really has done no wrong, and I struggle to say that The Incredibles is my definitive Pixar favorite when Monsters, Inc. and Up are waiting in the wings, but for some reason this movie just encapsulates all things Summer. The high energy, the sweet storylines, the saving the world – all of that can’t happen in January! The Incredibles is one of those timeless tales that you’d be foolish to write off as a “kid’s movie”. I can watch the Parrs and Frozone save the world anytime, anywhere. And my goodness, Edna Mode is my queen, my spirit animal, my gosh-darned hero. I love that woman. I love everything about this film, and the sequel ain’t too bad either. You know what, this COVID nightmare isn’t ending anytime soon – might as well have yourself a Pixar marathon too. I’ll join you!

So that’s the list. If you’re thinking, “But Heather, I don’t see any Westerns on this list!” think again – Back to the Future: Part III is just that! For more of a mystery/thriller, look no further than A Simple Favor, Now You See Me, Knives Out or even the Anya Taylor-Joy pre-"Queen’s Gambit" flick Thoroughbreds. Want more of a straight-up drama? I don’t know, there’s a million of them – try Titanic. Ooh, The Social Network is also excellent. Actually, I can’t finish out this list without a Get Out shoutout, and I’d be remiss if I forgot about Straight Outta Compton. And that’s just the tip of the very large iceberg! Oof, too soon? I thought so.

All of the above are prime candidates for a re-watch this Summer, if you ask me. I don’t know about you, but don’t you just want to roast s'mores and curl up to any one of these? Sounds heavenly. So as the pandemic continues to drag on, fill those hot Summer days with these cool classics. And maybe don’t just have one movie night. I don’t know, 18 movie nights sounds about right to me. No judgment here. Get lazy, everyone! Have a happy Summer, and whatever you decide to tune into, make sure you load up on the snacks. Happy watching!