J's Official Summer Movie Watchlist

12 movies, old and new, you should watch this summer

Summer is officially upon us, and with the 2023 season comes a host of exciting new film installments. From Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City to one of the most historic and exciting film days, the simultaneous release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, there are plenty of first-watches to look forward to. Below is a list of those new arrivals and some all-time classics for your summer. (Check it out on Letterboxd, too.)

Jaws (1975)

An all-time classic, I grew up watching Stephen Spielberg’s Jaws (almost) every year, at the beach. Talk about fear by immersion! The mechanical shark may not hold up so much after decades of CG development, but that makes this film even more endearing. It’s a pioneering work with a classic storyline and great performances all around.

Where to Watch: Rent on Amazon Video

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

On June 30, 2023, Harrison Ford returns as Indiana Jones. This film is looking up—especially following the widely-hated Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—and it seems Indy might be in for his biggest adventure yet. I’m intrigued to see how this installment lands in the popular trend of “legacy films” like Top Gun: Maverick. Nevertheless, Dial of Destiny is shaping up to be a fun time at the cinema.

Where to Watch: In theaters, June 30, 2023

La La Land (2016)

La La La is that summer-style movie that has it all: musical numbers, vibrant color schemes, drama, fun, Hollywood, and heartbreak. The six-time Academy Award winning movie may end on a confusing note (get it?), but it still remains the perfect movie on summer loving and big dreams.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Barbie (2023)

Greta Gerwig’s long-awaited directorial follow-up to Little Women is sure to be one of the highest-grossing films of 2023. Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is about the popular doll encountering the real world. The film looks like comedic gold—its antagonist is the CEO of Mattel, played by Will Ferrell—with messaging about the perfect-world trope which always seems to accompany Barbie.

Where to Watch: In theaters, July 21, 2023

Oppenheimer (2023)

Christopher Nolan is confident in his magnum opus, a film about the creator of the atomic bomb. Starring Cillian Murphy, the film is supposed to be heavy, intense, and visually spectacular. Not to mention, it opens the same night as Barbie, and the internet is exploding with excitement for the friendly rivalry with a huge box-office opportunity. This is sure to be the double-feature of the year.

Where to Watch: In theaters, July 21, 2023

Asteroid City (2023)

Wes Anderson is a weirdo—but one of the most creative and original filmmakers of our time. I personally loved his last film, The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City looks like a stunning follow-up with a star-studded cast. The color schemes, cinematography, and script are sure to be stunning and a popular topic this summer.

Where to Watch: In theaters, June 23, 2023

Ratatouille (2007)

Perhaps one of the best animated films of the 2000s, Ratatouille is a perfect comfort movie: it will transport you to a different country and a whole new bizarre world. It’s got great heart and humor. A perfect watch with the family or friends.

Where to Watch: Disney+

Talk To Me (2023)

A24 has long been a leader in the horror film industry. From Hereditary to Lamb and The Green Room, the now-popular film company has made a name for themselves with peculiar and spectacularly haunting films. This year, we get another horror film that looks original and frightening: Talk To Me hits theaters in late-July and seems to be a wild ride.

Where to Watch: In theaters, July 28, 2023

Grease (1978)

One of the few movies (along with Jaws) that just screams “Summer!” to me is Grease. The ‘70s vibes, the musical numbers, the romance—it’s all a perfect throwback film to watch on vacation or a hot summer night.

Where to Watch: (HBO) Max

Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood (2019)

This is one of my favorite Quentin Tarantino films ever. The film, set in 1950s Hollywood spares the classic “Tarantino” brutality until the end, making room for profound and prescient claims on the filmmaking industry, then and now. It’s got great character development, an enthralling story, solid acting, and a jaw-dropping ending.

Where to Watch: Rent on Amazon Video

Up (2009)

One of the more heartfelt stories to come from Pixar is found in Up. It’s equal parts humor, adventure, and drama. This is the perfect funny animated movie to watch on a relaxing day. The iconic balloon-house scene is captivating, and the story has high stakes and good messages for us all.

Where to Watch: Disney+

Train To Busan (2016)

Somewhere between horror and action, zombie movie and family film, Train To Busan resides peacefully. The Korean film has it all: deep character-driven writing, grueling zombies, the fate of the world, and a chance to be kind to one another. It’s a riveting story and one of my few five-star films.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video or Peacock

If you liked this list, be sure to follow me on Letterboxd for all of my mediocre film takes and updates. Let me know what you end up watching this summer!