My Summer Watchlist

This summer, I’m challenging myself to complete a watchlist of movies. I could share a collection of any old films, but what’s better than a list tailored to the season? Join me as I share the movies I plan to watch during the slower, more relaxing days of summer. 

“Mamma Mia!” (1 and 2)

Until I see the beautiful Greek sun someday, I’ll enjoy it from afar by watching “Mamma Mia!” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” “Mamma Mia!” follows Sophie and her mother, Donna, in the preparations for Sophie’s wedding. But chaos ensues when Sophie invites her three potential fathers to the wedding without Donna knowing. “Here We Go Again,” the prequel, gives the backstory of Donna’s three suitors. These films top my list for their breathtaking landscapes and fantastic ABBA music. After I finish these masterpieces, I’ll likely also be belting these soundtracks in my car on the way to the beach. 

“Luca”

The first time I heard about this film was when multiple kids ran up to me to tell me I looked like “Luca” (back when I had luscious curly locks… May they rest in peace). While I don’t see the resemblance, “Luca” has a special place in my heart. This joyful Disney film is set in a seaside Italian village and follows a group of three friends as they look to find freedom and adventure, but little does Giulia know that two of them are sea “monsters.” Although the plot sounds more like a horror film, it truly is a wholesome movie with the perfect vibes for summer.

“The Sandlot”

So far, European settings have topped my list—but don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the classic American summer. “The Sandlot” combines all the essential elements of a childhood summer: baseball, mischief, fun, and, of course, friends. The movie follows Scott, the new kid in town, as he tries to make friends. He meets a group of guys at the baseball diamond, unbeknownst to him launching his true summer adventure. Even though my parents forced me to watch this movie from their childhood, I’ve come to appreciate it. The themes of friendship and figuring things out as you go still hit—and honestly, it’s hard to beat a summer story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Top Gun” (OG and Maverick)

I must admit I have never seen these films—yes, I plan to be in the Navy, and yes, it is disgraceful that I haven’t watched them yet. “Top Gun” follows Maverick, a Naval Aviator played by Tom Cruise, who is sent to the TOPGUN Navy Fighter Weapons School and must overcome high-stakes combat challenges. The sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” takes place 30 years after the original in which Maverick is now a test pilot and instructor that must train a new batch of TOPGUN graduates on a special mission set; the sequel leaves enough room for adventure and thrill while maintaining the series’s award-winning storyline. Set among the sunny benches of San Diego, these action-dramas are a must-watch for me this summer.

“In the Heights”

“No me Diga?” “In the Heights” is a stellar movie adaptation of a musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the infamous creator of “Hamilton.” The vibrant and high-energy musical is an ode to community, love, and dreams, taking place on the hot summer streets of Washington Heights in New York City. Miranda grew up a few blocks from the Heights, inspiring the creation of this musical. 

“The Princess and the Frog” 

In another life, I would live in the Louisiana Bayou, playing my trumpet while hunting for crawdads on the marshy lands. But in this life, I watch “The Princess and the Frog” to scratch that itch. In one of my favorite Disney films, writers beautifully combine Cajun and Creole culture and melodies into a story about a girl who works her hardest to achieve a dream, but never really has time for fun, until a certain frog prince spices up her life. The Princess and the Frog leaves me believing that “dreams do come true in New Orleans.”

“The Sound of Music”

My mom has tried to get me to watch this movie countless times, but I keep putting it off. I need to get on it because of the great music, fascinating history, and beautiful scenery—“These are a few of my favorite things.” “The Sound of Music,” set in Austria on the brink of World War II, is based on the story of the Von Trapp family, a world-renowned Austrian music group, and their governess Maria, played by Julie Andrews. I can’t wait to watch this iconic movie with my mom.

“Jaws”

Growing up in the “Great Lakes state” sharks always fascinated me. Yet I never saw or heard about them, because most of my swimming was confined to freshwater. “Jaws” tells the story of a great white shark that repeatedly attacks people in a beach town. To stop the attacks and keep tourism, the mayor hires a hunter to take down the beast. A friend suggested this movie when I was eight, but after seeing the infamous cover of the giant shark under a swimmer, I said, “absolutely not!” I’ve never gotten around to watching, but Jaws will after much anticipation be playing on my TV this summer. 

“Lilo and Stitch”

“There’s no place I’d rather be” than on a couch watching this masterpiece. It’s pretty self-explanatory why “Lilo and Stitch” is a great summer movie—the Hawaiian sun is a main character in the show, and watching the development of a non-traditional Ohana (family) tugs on the heartstrings. We’ll see if I’m ever motivated enough to watch the live-action version, but for now, I’m sticking to the timeless film I grew up watching. 

To be honest, many of these films have nothing to do with summer, but they do seem to evoke a joyful sunny feeling. Whether it’s the majestic setting they take place in or the childhood nostalgia they bring me, it’s a warmth that I could only describe as a summer-y feeling. Maybe this list inspired you to grab the remote and binge one of these films, perhaps it didn’t. Either way, finishing these movies will top my summer bucket list.

Kalvin Frank ’28 (kfrank@college.harvard.edu) began tackling his watchlist with Top Gun after writing this and is in shambles about Goose.