When summertime rolls around, the relaxation of movie nights after long days in the sun comes to mind. Sunkissed and still warm, my family loves to curl up on the couch and press play on a light and fun film that will fit the carefree vibes. Though two of my immediate favorites are known classics, they are both worth a rewatch in my book.
To travel back to my childhood, I first recommend watching Aquamarine. Released in 2006, young Hailey, desperate not to move away from her best friend Claire, prays to the ocean god to stop the change and keep her in Florida. This wish worked a little too well, and the answer to her hopes ends up being a mermaid named Aquamarine who shows up in her pool! With a new distraction from the impending move, Claire and Hailey team up with their new friend and work on land to save her from a forced marriage under the sea. They encounter some trouble along the way while they deal with mean girls, drama, and keeping Aquamarine’s secret away from prying eyes. It is a sweet, lighthearted, and summery movie if I ever saw one!
My second suggestion is the all-time classic, Mamma Mia! The star-studded cast brings to life a story that went from the stage, to the page, and finally to the screen, all while being driven by catchy ABBA songs. Young Sophie, who is about to get married, secretly invited three men to the ceremony to find out which one could be her father. Donna, Sophie’s mother, herself doesn’t know who the father is– so you can imagine her reaction when three ghosts of her past show up at her home! Through song and dance, Sophie does her best to bond with each of the candidates in hopes of discovering the truth before her wedding. Now, I won’t reveal the ending, but I can promise you it is full of love, family, and ABBA!
P.S. The added bonus of the Mamma Mia! soundtrack is the perfect summer playlist. Matched with the mental aesthetic of the movie, there is no way anyone could listen to the songs without donning a flowy, denim, and bright outfit and imagining running down to the waterline.
P.P.S. If you can’t get enough of the storyline and want to know more, you’re in luck. There is a sequel (well, prequel) that brings us back to Donna’s most exciting summer and the one that inspired Sophie’s quest for the truth twenty years later.
Happy watching and happy summer!