If you’re like me, you’re waiting on the edge of your seat for summer: waiting for lush greenery, beach vacations, the ocean…

There’s a certain feeling that comes with summer, and given all the stress that comes from school and life, it’s a feeling to disappear into. This is a list of the best movies that capture that summer feeling.

1. “Boogie Nights”

“Boogie Nights” (1997) acts as a time machine, taking the viewer back to the electrifying summers of the 1970s. It tells the story of an ambitious young man who is recruited by a group of filmmakers who hope to turn him into the next big star. Paul Thomas Anderson recreates a world of fun, filled with parties, palm trees, and pops of color. Its cast is star-studded, including Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, and Julianne Moore. It is a personal favorite of mine, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to be taken back in time.

2. “Dazed and Confused”

Taking place on the last day of school, “Dazed and Confused” (1993) follows a rising freshman, Mitch, as he enters the world of high school and deals with the shenanigans of the seniors. Suddenly, he is exposed to drinking, smoking, and hazing–but it’s the best time of his life. The movie is relatively flaneur, meaning it doesn’t have a real plot, but rather takes the viewer from event to event without purpose. It’s the perfect choice for this movie, because it really puts the viewer in the place of the characters. “Dazed and Confused” is a genre-defining, coming of age flick that I would recommend to anyone in high school or otherwise!

3. “Stand by Me”

While on the topic of important coming-of-age movies, one has to mention “Stand by Me” (1986). Set in 1959, the classic film follows a group of boys in a small town who, after learning that someone has been murdered nearby, decide to venture out and find the body before anyone else. The journey is a bonding experience for the boys, and throughout the film they must overcome many obstacles. This heartwarming family classic takes us back to childhood in hopes to make our adult lives a little more magical.

4. “Lilo and Stitch”

If you like tropical beaches and cute friendships, look no further than “Lilo and Stitch” (2002). This Disney movie follows Lilo, a little girl in Hawai’i who struggles with making friends after losing her parents, until she meets an angry little alien she names “Stitch.” It is a touching story about two lost souls who find each other in a time of struggle. “Lilo and Stitch”, in the end, is super sweet and uplifting, and it makes a perfect summer movie for any family on vacation.

5. “Call me by Your Name”

“Call me by Your Name” (2017) is a romance set in rural northern Italy in the summer of 1983. It tells the story of 17-year-old Elio, who develops an infatuation with his father’s assistant, 24-year-old grad student Oliver. This raw, edgy, and emotional film is one for both the romantics and coming-of-age enjoyers. It immerses the viewer in feelings of newness and discovery. When talking about the feeling of summer, “Call me by Your Name” captures it like none other. We are put in a world of summer, with all the familiar feelings.