As summer winds down, stores start bringing out their Halloween decor, and the mosquitos are no longer the number-one enemy. There are countless films that capture that wonderful essence of summer. From the warm breeze of an open window, to that no-school feeling and the smell of sunblock. Classics like The Sandlot and their Fourth of July baseball game, to Jaws, the movie that is the reason why a generation of people were afraid of the ocean and what lurks beneath the water — these are just two movies that you have to watch in the summer to get the full effect of the film.
Of course, what about the inevitable end of summer? When school starts up again, the nights get colder, and the leaves just begin to change. Along with some of the most beautiful cinematography, there are many films that capture this feeling, too. With themes such as new beginnings, or the end of relationships, there are many films that are about the end of summer actually, and metaphorically about the end of seasons. From some classic films and romantic comedies to animation, there are dozens of stories that are fantastic to watch before we break out those spooky Halloween films and the summer comes to a close. Here are ten of the best movies about the end of summer.
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9 Moonrise Kingdom
Indian Paintbrush
From the acclaimed director Wes Anderson comes a story about a young boy scout and his girlfriend who run away together to show their maturity to their parents and to each other: Moonrise Kingdom. Their escapade starts a search party, getting the entire town involved. Taking place at a summer camp, the New England setting is the perfect rainy and cloudy background for the late summer months, perfect to say goodbyes to the summer, too.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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8 Stand By Me
Columbia Pictures
You never forget your childhood best friends. Or almost getting run over by a train. Or a dead body you find in the woods. All three happen in the 1986 classic Stand By Me, takes place towards the end of summer and portrays the naivety of childhood, and the fear of it all coming to an end.
7 Call Me By Your Name
Sony Pictures Classics
The Oscar-nominated queer love story Call Me By Your Name perfectly depicts the feeling of the end of summer in its tragic romance between Elio and Oliver. With the beautiful scenery of 1980s Italy, the film takes place over the course of the summer months and spans until the end of the season when Oliver has to return to America, leaving a heartbroken Elio behind. This is a perfect movie about the warmth of summer and the chill of the oncoming fall, and the changing of life amidst it.
6 Toy Story 3
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Arguably one of the saddest scenes in a movie meant for children originates from the classic Toy Story 3. Following the most famous toys ever, Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear must get back to their kid, Andy, who is about to leave for college. With the school year quickly approaching, the end of summer drives this film and gives the toys urgency to get back to Andy. Warning, though: do not watch without tissues or a newly empty nest, or if you yourself are leaving that deflated teddy bear behind, so your roommate doesn’t think you’re a kid.
5 American Graffiti
Lucasfilm Ltd.
The 1973 classic coming of age drama American Graffiti, with some of the biggest names in cinema, takes place at the crest of adulthood. A group of high school friends try to make the most of their last night of summer together, as the next day brings the beginning of college and the rest of their adult lives. Told in a vignette style, with snippets of stories that happen over the course of one night, this film is a perfect end of summer flick to reminisce on the teenage years and the joy of living in the moment.
4 Cheaper By the Dozen 2
20th Century Studios
Following the Steve Martin classic Cheaper by the Dozen, the Baker family return to the cabin they would rent every summer and get into all sorts of hilarious problems. Taking place on Labor Day weekend, Cheaper By the Dozen 2 has all the usual Steve Martin laughs, with a beautiful heart-felt story about family, friendships, and parenthood.
3 RV
One of Robin Williams’ most unsung roles is in the road trip classic RV. Overworked Bob Monroe peels his family away from their modern life to go on a spontaneous road trip before the end of summer and school begins. Risking his job, his marriage, and possibly his sanity, this movie is a must-see for anyone who has been on a chaotic family vacation, anyone who has seen a van-lifer vlog and thought they could do that, and for anyone who wants a belly laugh and a genuine smile.
2 The Goonies
Warner Bros.
The Goonies: a no-doubt classic adventure of the Goon Dock kids and their search for One-Eyed Willie’s pirate treasure. Set in the rainy town of Astoria, Oregon at the start of the school year, the Goonies follow a map to try and find the lost gold and save their town from annoying investors who have bought their homes just to plan to tear them down. The Goonies want one last adventure together as the summer ends, and they all will have to move away from each other, and is the perfect watch in the early fall months.
1 About Time
Working Title Films
About Time is a romantic movie with so much heart behind it that seems a bit unexpected. On the outside, it stars rom-com sweetheart Rachel McAdams and Star Wars General Domnhall Gleeson, and has a fun superpower aspect to it. This film takes place over the course of a few years, but focuses on the end of summer vibes and ends on a beach towards the end of the summer, and the end of many other things. Beautiful cinematography and wonderful performances make this movie a must-see, even if you hate romantic movies. It is about so much more.
