"While summer is typically reserved for playing outside, going on family trips, and spending lazy days at the pool, beach or lake, your little ones will certainly find themselves in front of a TV at one point. Maybe they need a break from the sun, need to stay occupied while you work or get some household chores done, or a rainy day has brought them inside and in need of some indoor entertainment. Enter: the best summer movies for kids.
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Watching the same movies over and over again (if you have toddlers, you get it) can quickly become a bore, so to help you decide on something new to stream, we’ve curated a list of 50+ kids movies perfect for summertime viewing. Not only will the movies on this list help cure your littles’ boredom, but they’re also sure to keep the sunny and fun vibes going as they primarily take place in—you guessed it, summer!
From classics flicks that we’ve loved watching since we were kids ourselves to animated favorites and some newer choices, check out our list of 55 of the best summer movies for kids below.
Classic Summer Movies for Kids
The Parent Trap (1998)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
We’re starting off our list strong with a movie that has never ceased to tug on our heartstrings. After being separated at a young age, twins Annie and Hallie reunite by a twist of fate at summer camp. Desperate to know their other parent, the two form a master plan to switch places with the hopes of reuniting their family once and for all.
The Sandlot (1993)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
Nothing says summer quite like baseball. And baseball is exactly what the kids of San Fernando Valley bond over in The Sandlot—and it’s especially important to the new kid, Scotty Smalls. Rewatch their heartwarming adventures and the trouble that ensues when Smalls’ stepdad’s prized Babe Ruth-signed baseball gets lost over a fence.
My Girl (1991)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Perhaps now is the perfect summer to introduce your kiddos to the movie that so many of us loved during our childhoods. Vada lives with her funeral director father and spends her days with her best friend, Thomas Jay. In this sweet coming-of-age story, Vada learns about love, loss, and growing up.
Note for Parents: This movie’s theme surrounds the loss of a parent, so please keep that in mind when viewing with younger kids or anyone who may feel triggered by this emotional topic.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
When the Szalinski kids (and the brothers who live next door) sneak into their inventor dad’s at-home lab to retrieve a rogue baseball, his experimental shrink ray accidentally shrinks them to teeny-tiny size. When Wayne Szalinski returns home, he destroys the device and throws it in the trash in a fit of despair—throwing the kids out along with it. Now, the four children must survive the treacherous journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers are more like rainstorms and worms are giant monsters. Talk about a summertime adventure!
It Takes Two (1995)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Similar to The Parent Trap, this movie offers a classic life swap. Alyssa and Amanda couldn’t be more opposite: Amanda is an orphan, and Alyssa is the typical “sad little rich girl.” They have one thing in common, though—they look identical. They meet at summer camp just as their worlds are about to fall apart. The two form a scheme to switch lives and make everything right.
Little Giants (1994)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Sibling rivalry always makes for a good story, and Little Giants may be one of the best. Danny has always felt inferior to his football star brother, Kevin. But when Kevin’s youth football team reject’s Danny’s daughter, he’s gone too far. So Danny organizes a rival football team comprised of local misfits and the teams go head to head.
Grease (1978)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Hulu
While much of this movie takes place during the school year, the epic last scene perfectly captures the feeling of the end of the school year—and graduating! Plus, all that talk of “summer lovin'” makes this a perfectly fitting option for a list of summer movies. When a wholesome foreign student, Sandy, enrolls at Rydell High, Danny’s rebellious reputation is at stake. The two shared a romance over the summer, but will it last through the school year?
Note for Parents: Though this movie is rated PG, it includes suggestive dialogue and many adult themes (including violence, sex, pregnancy, drugs, and alcohol) that may be inappropriate for younger kids. We suggest watching this movie with kids above age 13.
More Classic Summer Movies for Kids:
- The Adventures of Milo and Otis – G (1989)
- Homeward Bound – G (1993)
- The Goonies – PG (1985)
- Rookie of the Year – PG (1993)
- Camp Nowhere – PG (1994)
- Troop Beverly Hills – PG (1989)
- A League of Their Own – PG (1992)
- Free Willy – PG (1993)
- Flipper – PG (1996)
- Now and Then – PG-13 (1995)
- Dirty Dancing – PG-13 (1987)
Newer Summer Movies for Kids
Camp Rock (2008)
Rating: G | Where to Stream: Disney+
The summer camp of every kid’s dreams came to life in this 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie. Mitchie Torres wants to spend summer at a rock camp, but the only way to get in is to work in the kitchen. When pop star Shane Gray overhears her singing, he goes on a mission to find the girl behind the voice.
Teen Beach Movie (2013)
Rating: G | Where to Stream: Disney+
In this Disney Channel Original Movie, McKenzie and Brady find themselves transported into a 1960s beach musical. When their presence sends the plot of the musical into chaos, they have to find a way to return home.
Cheaper By the Dozen 2 (2005)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
What’s meant to be a carefree summer vacation for the extra-large Baker family quickly goes south when they arrive to find they’re placed in the dingiest unit of their lakeside resort. Being a “handyman,” dad Tom takes it upon himself to make some necessary updates. To make matters worse, his worst enemy, Jimmy, and his equally large family are staying at the same resort. Jimmy’s family challenges the Bakers in more ways than one in this fun summer comedy.
Holes (2003)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
If your kiddos haven’t seen this one yet, it’s a summer must watch (and rewatch for the parents!). In the wake of a family curse, Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake as a punishment. He and the others at “camp” must dig mysterious holes in the dessert day in and day out… and no one knows why. When Stanley starts questioning the routine, he realizes he may have made a grave mistake.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
While your kiddos may not have grown up watching Lizzie McGuire on TV, that doesn’t mean they won’t fall in love with her post-middle school graduation adventures abroad. When Lizzie meets a famous pop star whose estranged singing partner is practically her twin, he enlists her help to save the duo’s career. Lizzie’s educational summer in Rome quickly turns into a whirlwind adventure as she pretends to be an international pop sensation.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
When a group of high school best friends go their separate ways during one summer vacation, they’ll do whatever it takes to stay united. Following their individual stories as they stay in touch by sharing a pair of jeans that magically fits all of them perfectly.
Sleepover (2004)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
What’s more “summer” than having sleepovers with friends (or a sleep under!)? In the summer before high school, four best friends plan to have a normal sleepover. What starts as a night of gossiping and nail painting quickly turns into competitive scavenger hunt against the popular girls in school.
The Last Song (2010)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Hulu
Nicholas Sparks books and movies are the epitome of summer with their dreamy love stories (seriously, have you rewatched The Notebook lately?!). This particular flick starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth follows a young girl who begrudgingly spends the summer with her father in the Carolinas. If she had her way, she’d be back in New York with her friends, yearning to attend the prestigious Juilliard—that is, until she meets an unlikely companion in the beach town.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Rating: PG-13 | Where to Stream: Disney+
Spider-Man like you’ve never seen him before—on a European summer vacation! Peter Parker’s plan to hang up his cape for a few weeks is compromised when Nick Fury needs his help. Together, they take on an elemental creature attack that may turn out to be more than high school student Peter bargained for.
More Newer Summer Movies for Kids:
- Charlotte’s Web – G (2006)
- High School Musical 2 – G (2007)
- The Cheetah Girls 2 – G (2006)
- Because of Winn-Dixie – PG (2005)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days – PG (2012)
- Daddy Day Camp – PG (2007)
- Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer – PG (2011)
- Kangaroo Jack – PG (2003)
- What a Girl Wants – PG (2003)
- Blue Crush – PG-13 (2002)
- Mamma Mia! – PG-13 (2008)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – PG-13 (2003)
Animated Summer Movies for Kids
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Rating: G | Where to Stream: Disney+
While all of the Toy Story movies are great, it’s the fourth installment that gives the perfect summer vibes. In this go around, Andy’s toy gang embarks on an adventure with their new owner, Bonnie, and a new toy named Forky.
Luca (2021)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
When you can’t actually vacation in the Italian Riviera, you can be transported there through Luca. Follow along with a young boy’s summer of adventures with his best friend until a deep secret threatens all of their summer fun.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Rating: PG | Where to Stream: Disney+
With her big sister’s help, Lilo adopts a rambunctious dog, Stitch—or so she thinks. He’s actually an alien experiment that’s escaped from his home planet. While Stitch overturns their lives, Lilo’s sister is at her wit’s end, trying to raise her sister as a single parent after their parents passed away. But when the aliens come looking for Stitch, Lilo reminds everyone of a very important lesson.
More Animated Summer Movies for Kids:
- Finding Nemo – G (2003)
- Cars – G (2006)
- The Secret Life of Pets – PG (2016)
- Moana – PG (2017)
- Zootopia – PG (2016)
- Surf’s Up – PG (2007)
- The Little Mermaid – PG (2023)
- The Lion King – PG (2019)
- Aladdin – PG (2019)
- Shrek – PG (2001)
- Inside Out – PG (2015)
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie – PG (2023)
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – PG (2018)