Summer is right around the corner. And I’m sure we’ve all got big plans. But one of my favorite things to do is watch movies. There are many movies I watch to make my summer feel more fun. And here, I will be giving you a list of three you can watch to make your summer feel worth it.
The first movie is Lilo & Stitch. This movie was released by Disney in 2002. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the plot, as this movie has become pretty popular nowadays. But if you don’t know for some reason, here’s the IMDB synopsis: “A young and parentless girl adopts a ‘dog’ from the local pound, completely unaware that it’s supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that’s taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.” I think Stitch is why we all love it so much. He’s quite chaotic, but he’s also a great best friend for Lilo. Since Nani and Lilo were living on their own and Lilo never really had any friends, Stitch was like a blessing to her. He brought her and Nani together in a way. It’s quite heartwarming to see this movie focus on family dynamics and the power of sisterly love, all while being an iconic summer throwback. I really like the scene where David takes Nani, Lilo, and Stitch to the beach, with “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride” playing in the background. It’s probably the most iconic scene in the movie, and for good reason. You can really see how much fun they’re having. I’ve never surfed myself and I have an irrational fear of the ocean, but this movie sometimes really makes me wanna ride those waves.
To me, it’s not summer without SpongeBob. He’s a character that needs no introduction since we all know him. He’s had fifteen seasons and six movies. Yup, you heard right. This little guy has been around for quite a while. But the one film from this franchise that I always come back to for the summer season is the first one. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie was released in 2004. Something about movies in 2004, they were all so iconic and hilarious. But I think everyone is sleeping on this one, so lemme wake you up. IMDB summarizes “SpongeBob takes leave from Bikini Bottom in order to track down, with Patrick, King Neptune’s stolen crown.” It’s a movie with something for everyone: action, comedy, horror, adventure, and coming of age. I’ve been watching this classic ever since I was a kid, and it never fails to make me smile. The jokes always manage to stay fresh on every rewatch, and the story is still really good. Arguably, this is the best one this franchise has ever come up with. I would always watch this in the car when we went to visit my grandma, and it honestly hit a little harder then. Especially because it feels so nostalgic and involves a road trip. No matter where you are, this movie is the best choice and it never, ever gets old. I just wish the series ended after this….
Finally, let’s talk about Luca. It’s a Pixar film that was released in 2021. I don’t think a lot of people talk about this one either, so let’s just take one for the team. According to IMDB, the plot is that “On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human.” It’s a pretty heartwarming tale about friendship and the dynamic between Luca, Alberto, and Gulia. Not only that, but this movie made me want to go to Italy. I wanna eat pasta and go swimming with Luca and Alberto. If I had the power to transport myself into any movie, it would be this one. And I’d never leave.
This summer is probably gonna go by really fast, like this school year. But a way to make it seem like it was worth it is to be productive. And watching movies is a great way to be productive. Movies have the power to give us inspiration. As Robert Altman says, “Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes.” And if there’s one thing you should definitely do during the summer, it’s live life.
