(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)
Summer movies aren’t defined by when they’re released, but by how they feel. Over the past decade, filmmakers have delivered plenty of films that capture the energy of summer. From coming-of-age stories and road trips to holidays, these films capture the many sides of summer on screen.Now that we have just entered the very hot season, it’s the perfect time to lean into films that match this time of year. Not everyone will be staying in to watch movies in the heat, but for those who enjoy a warm evening watch, these summer-set stories really hit differently in the middle of the season.Here, we’re ranking the 10 best summer movies of the decade that capture the feeling of summer in different ways.10. ‘In the Heights’ (2021)While it sits at the bottom of this incredibly competitive list, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical is a massive feat of joy. “In the Heights” is an explosion of color, community, and seriously impressive choreography. The technical ambition of the musical numbers (especially the dancing on the side of an apartment building and the public pool sequence) makes it a blast to watch.Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) is a bodega owner who dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic while navigating life in his close-knit neighbourhood. Over the course of a few summer days, the story follows him and those around him as they balance work and relationships. These include Nina (Leslie Grace) returning home from college with uncertain plans for the future, Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) pursuing a career in fashion, and Benny working at a local taxi dispatch company.Buy/rent on Amazon9. ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
