5 Best Summertime Romance Movies You Must Watch This Season

When else to be brave enough to do things you don't normally feel brave enough to embrace? Summer heat makes life less official, problems seem less important and schedules wide open to finally get that once in a lifetime love story.

Now some of us may have already fallen into a seaside romance, but those who are still out there waiting is this list of 5 amazing summertime love stories told on the big screen. So here are the must-watch movies that capture the heat and heart of summer love.

1. ‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)

IMDb: 7.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% from critics, 90% from audience

Nothing beats a family holiday… Oh wait, it actually does get better when you, a teenage girl, not only fall in love with a hot guy who dances like a god, but also become his muse even though at first it seems like he despises you.

This is the classic story that follows Baby and her unexpected love for dance instructor Johnny Castle, played brilliantly by one and only Patrick Swayze. Set on a family resort where everything seems to be boring, this romance story brings much needed touch of rebellion and passion into the movie, and maybe it can feel as a sign to go search for your own inner voice.

2. ‘500 Days of Summer’ (2009)

IMDb: 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% from critics, 84% from audience

Though not a conventional love story, this indie darling goes deep in exploring a failed relationship, which is also something that can happen during the season. Set against a series of sunny days and bittersweet memories, it captures the highs and lows of summer romance, which turn into valuable lessons we learn from heartbreak.

The chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel is amazing, both in scenes when they are hopelessly in love with each other, and also when summer love ends and leaves them disappointed in each other.

3. ‘The Notebook’ (2004)

IMDb: 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 54% from critics, 85% from audience

This is another iconic love story that you shouldn't miss out on, if you still haven't turned it into your summer binge. Set in 1940s South Carolina, the movie allows a rich girl and a working-class boy who can’t help but fall in love, only to be torn apart by circumstances and family pressures. This is truly a timeless scenario, which is why The Notebook is still the ultimate tearjerker for fans of epic romance.

4. ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (2012)

IMDb: 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% from critics, 86% from audience

Wes Anderson’s whimsical tale of two 12-year-olds who run away together is a different take on summer romance. It captures young love in its most innocent and imaginative form. With Anderson’s typical vintage aesthetics and quirky humor, it’s a heartwarming film that celebrates the daring, rebellious spirit of childhood romance mixed with summer adventure.

5. ‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017)

IMDb: 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% from critics, 86% from audience

Set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside, this Oscar-winning movie tells the story of a blossoming romance between 17-year-old Elio and graduate student Oliver during a rather transformative summer. What’s best in this movie is how delicate it is in portraying the self-discovery process and the bittersweet nature of fleeting connections.