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While I love spending time outdoors in the summer, my plans for the warmer months always include spending time inside in the cool comfort of my home (thank you, air conditioner) and enjoying the best seasonal movies on the best streaming services like Prime Video.
For me, the best summer movies range from fun comedies to adventurous blockbusters, but even better if they appeal to the whole family. Luckily, Prime Video’s library is full of options that seem almost made for the summer season.
I dived into Prime Video’s vast catalog of content and selected a few movies that are sure to be on your bucket list this summer. These movies offer laughs, adventure, thrills, and more and are certainly enough to make you forget about your time in the sun.
“Instant Family” (2018)
Sometimes all you need to create a cozy watch is a simple idea. That’s the case with “Instant Family.” This comedy-drama is inspired by writer/director Sean Anders’ own personal experiences with the foster care system, and is unashamed of its huge heart and celebration of family in all its forms. Featuring an all-star cast including Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabella Merced, and Octavia Spencer, Instant Family is perfect for anyone who needs a laugh or wants to shed some happy tears.
Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) are a long-term couple who venture into the world of foster care and adoption. Their original plan to adopt a young child is upended when they become new parents to three siblings, including a sarcastic 15-year-old (Merced). With three new children in their family, Pete and Ellie must learn how to raise children while working.
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“The Bluff” (2026)
Most of the time, I’m not very impressed with Prime Video’s lineup of original movies, but “The Bluff” was a pleasant surprise in that regard. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a thrilling action adventure set in the world of piracy. And we really need more pirate movies. It’s a lot more R-rated than something like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” so don’t choose this if you want a movie the whole family can watch.
Set in the late 19th century during the dying days of piracy, Arthel Bodden (Chopra Jonas) is a former pirate once known as Bloody Mary who now lives peacefully with her family on a tropical Caribbean island. She may be done with her cruel past, but the past, and more specifically Captain Connor (Urban), isn’t done with her. When Connor and his crew come seeking revenge, Arcel must become his past self to protect those he loves.
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“Your Idea” (2024)
I’m bringing up Prime Video’s romantic comedy “The Idea of You” because, ironically, I think “Dance Before We Walk,” a song by the fictional boy band August Moon that appears in the film, is the perfect summer bop? Perhaps apart from the earworm original, “The Idea of You” also features Anne Hathaway, who brings her authentic charm and on-screen charm to the film. Nicholas Galitzine is also not very appealing as the male lead.
Hathaway plays Solène Marchand, a divorced art gallery owner who takes her daughter to the Coachella music festival, but wanders into the backstage artist area and meets Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the dreamy lead singer of August Moon (think One Direction with the serial numbers erased). Despite their age difference, Solene and Hayes begin a romance that attracts the attention of the paparazzi and many comments on social media.
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“Transformers One” (2024)
This speaks to the brand damage that subsequent truly awful live-action Transformers movies have done to the franchise, with the revived Transformers One underperforming at the box office and possibly killing any chance of a sequel. That’s frustrating because this animated prequel is probably the best big-screen interpretation of robots in disguise ever, and a great summer blockbuster that the whole family can enjoy.
Set in the futuristic world of Cybertron, Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are best friends working in an Energon mine. Desperate to prove they are heroes, they set out on a journey to find the legendary Matrix of Leadership. As a result, they are inadvertently led to their mortal enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron. “Transformers One” is an action-packed ride that combines well-written comedy with surprising layers of moral complexity. It’s not just an indication that the “Transformers” series is running on smoke.
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Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s classic Heat has been an inspiration for modern crime thrillers for over two decades, considering it’s set in sweltering heat. heat This Los Angeles watch is a great summer watch if you’re looking for a movie that’s a little more adult. It’s a truly epic drama, anchored by a strong cast (Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Val Kilmer), and is often cited as one of the most influential crime films of all time. What more do I need to say?
Neil McCauley (De Niro) is a master thief planning one last big score before retiring. At the same time, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) pivots, intending to do whatever it takes to capture McCauley and his crew. As this cat-and-mouse game unfolds, the two men on opposite sides of the law develop mutual respect. “Heat” is a masterpiece of the crime thriller genre and a must-see for anyone who enjoyed recent Prime Video movies like “Crime 101.”
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