5 Nostalgic Summer Films To Watch All Year Long
Feel the warmth of the sun all summer long with these heartwarming movies.
Y2K is all the rage this year, from fashion to music to television. Unsurprisingly, we're seeing a yearning for early 2000s films in pop culture—simpler times when hairstreaks were abundant and Hollywood's young talents got their start. From the childlike vibrance of Aquamarine to the meditative Eat, Pray, Love, here are the best coming-of-age movies to watch this summer and beyond.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Whether you're in it for Donna's romantic galavanting, Sophie's journey to find her father, or simply the ABBA soundtrack, romantic comedy musical Mamma Mia! has something for everyone. This movie follows the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the daughter of a hotelier (Meryl Streep), who secretly invites three of her mother's past lovers to her wedding in hopes of revealing her father's identity. Between earnest acting and sweeping views of Greece, it's no wonder this is such a quintessential summer movie.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Before her breakout role in Gossip Girl (2007), Blake Lively stole our hearts as the fiesty Bridget in Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. Bridget, with her three best friends Carmen (America Ferrera), Lena (Alexis Bledel), and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) devise a plan to stay connected during their summer apart. Based on a book of the same name, Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants is a nostalgic story of self-discovery.
Aquamarine (2006)
Before TikTok thrift flipping hacks, there was Aquamarine and her iconic long-sleeve tee-turned-halter dress. Two girls (Emma Roberts and JoJo Levesque) get their summer turned upside down when a mermaid (Sara Paxton) washes up at the local pool. A sort of manic pixie dream girl, Aquamarine brings much-needed joy to an otherwise dreary summer.
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Soothe your wanderlust with this globetrotting tale of a woman finding solace after a divorce. Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) takes a sabbatical to Italy, India, and Bali after splitting from her husband in hopes of finding herself. This movie is a must for anyone looking to mend a broken heart this month.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
High-energy and heartfelt, Bend It Like Beckham follows Jesminder "Jess" Bharma, a Punjabi teen living in London who'd do anything for her parents' approval—that is until Jess risks it all to follow her passion for soccer. From Jess' touching friendship with Jules (Kiera Knightley) to her steamy romance with soccer coach Joe, Bend It Like Beckham is a classic feel-good film.
