This summer has been a sweltering one already and now that July 4th is over I have just the thing to give you the chills!! I’ve been in a dinner and movie watching mode so I thought, why not come up with a Summerween watch list includes some family-friendly options, teen and adult scares, and even some thrilling TV series to keep you entertained all summer long.
Here you’ll find a mix of classic horror, animated adventures, and terrifying thrillers that will make this a Summerween you won’t forget. Plus, as I watch the films, I’ll be making certain recipes to go along with them and writing blog reviews on each film. Before we get started here’s what you need to know about each film and why it deserves a spot on your Summerween watch list.
Family-Friendly Options
The Addams Family (1991)
This timeless classic offers just the right amount of spooky vibes without being too scary. The quirky and eccentric characters are perfect for a fun family movie night. You’ll fall in love with Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and Pugsley as they welcome you into their wonderfully weird world.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
ParaNorman (2012)
An animated gem that combines humor, heart, and just the right amount of scares. Norman, a boy who can communicate with ghosts, must save his town from a centuries-old curse. A favorite in our household, we watch it multiple times a year!
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Monster House (2006)
Monster House is another fantastic animated adventure that brings just the right amount of spookiness for a family movie night. The story follows three friends who discover that their neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster.
Casper (1995)
Who doesn’t love Casper, the friendly ghost?? This 1995 film brings Casper’s story to life with a perfect blend of humor, heart, and spooky fun and will bring a bit of nostalgia to your living room.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
The Hotel Transylvania series offers a fun and spooky experience for the whole family. These films follow Count Dracula and his friends as they run a hotel for monsters.
Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (2010)
The beloved mystery-solving gang heads to a summer camp where they must uncover the truth behind some spooky occurrences.
Movie Classics
The Lost Boys (1987)
A vampire classic set in a California coastal town. Two brothers move to a new town and discover a gang of vampires terrorizing the community.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Jaws (1975)
No Summerween movie list would be complete without the ultimate summer thriller, Jaws. This iconic film follows a small-town sheriff, a marine biologist, and a grizzled fisherman as they hunt down a terrifying great white shark. Jaws is a masterclass in suspense and remains one of the most influential horror films of all time.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Classic slasher film that literally has summer in the title so it was basically a given. The story follows a group of friends who accidentally hit someone with their car and cover it up, only to be haunted by a mysterious figure a year later.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
A cult classic slasher set at a summer camp. Angela attends camp where a series of gruesome murders occur. Known for its shocking twist ending.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
Midsommar (2019)
A horror film set during a Swedish summer festival, combining bright summer visuals with unsettling horror. Stunning cinematography and a deeply disturbing plot.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Friday the 13th series
A collection of classic slasher films set around summer camps. Follow the infamous Jason Voorhees as he terrorizes camp counselors and unsuspecting visitors.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
A unique horror film that turns the classic “cabin in the woods” trope on its head. A weekend getaway turns deadly, controlled by mysterious forces.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Tremors (1990)
A sci-fi horror film combining humor and horror. A small desert town is terrorized by giant underground creatures. Plus, it stars Kevin Bacon and Reba McEntire!
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
The Ruins (2008)
A horror film following vacationers who encounter an ancient evil at an archaeological dig. A tense and terrifying experience.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
Piranha 3D (2010)
A fun and thrilling horror film where spring breakers are terrorized by prehistoric piranhas. Campy horror and thrilling action.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
The Hills Have Eyes is a horror film that follows a family road trip through the desert that turns nightmarish. The film combines elements of psychological horror and gore, creating a tense and terrifying experience.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Creature from the Black Lagoon is a classic monster film set in a remote Amazonian jungle. The story follows a group of scientists who encounter a mysterious creature while on an expedition.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Two well-meaning hillbillies, Tucker and Dale, head to their dilapidated cabin for a peaceful vacation, only to be mistaken for murderous backwoods psychos by a group of terrified college students. As a series of tragic misunderstandings and accidents ensue, the duo must attempt to curb the chaos and clear their names before it’s too late.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
TV Series
Wednesday (2022)
Follow Wednesday Addams as she navigates the spooky and mysterious Nevermore Academy. A perfect blend of dark humor and supernatural elements.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Stranger Things (2016-present)
A mix of horror, adventure, and 80s nostalgia. A group of kids encounters supernatural events in their small town.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
A blend of supernatural horror and high school drama. Follow Buffy as she battles vampires and other supernatural threats.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
American Horror Story 1984 (2019)
A homage to 80s slasher films, set in a summer camp. Camp counselors are terrorized by a serial killer.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Harper’s Island (2009)
A mystery thriller series following friends and family gathered for a summer wedding on a secluded island. Guests start getting killed one by one.
Have not watched yet! On my to watch list for 2024.
Outer Banks (2020-present)
A series filled with mystery, adventure, and thrilling moments set in a sunny, coastal environment. Teenagers uncover hidden treasure and navigate personal conflicts.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Bates Motel (2013-2017)
A prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, exploring the dark backstory of Norman Bates. Psychological thrills and horror.
Watched and Review and Recipe coming soon!
Decorating, Reviews, Recipes, and More!
Summerween is the perfect time to start binging those horror flicks in preparation for Halloween. As soon as July 4th is over, I start planning decorations and more for the Halloween season. For me watching these movies is a small way I can start celebrating the thrills and chills of Halloween, early, and of course in the comfort of the air conditioning.
One of my degrees is in cinematography and I have been a huge movie buff ever since I can remember. Now that we’re stable in a house again, I’m having fun coming up with recipe ideas that relate to the movies we’re watching. This list encapsulates movies I have seen as well as movies I haven’t seen yet because I wanted to have some new-to-me movies to watch this summer so you and I can enjoy them together!
Once I’ve watched a movie, rated and reviewed it, and created the recipe, this list will be updated with the corresponding blog, so check back regularly for updates! If you like this style blog, I’ll be doing more for throughout the year. Share your suggestions on social media!
