If there's a season that likes to flirt, it's summer. Let these nostalgic movies remind you what this sultry, sunny time of year is all about.

<strong>"The Notebook" (2004): </strong>Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) sizzled on screen in this tear-jerking love story that made the actors America's sweethearts for some time, an accomplishment that should be lauded if only because both of them are from Canada. The rain kiss MVP of the early aughts, "The Notebook" was a love story we vowed never to forget — and haven't been able to because it's always airing on cable TV. <br />
"The Notebook" (2004): Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) sizzled on screen in this tear-jerking love story that made the actors America's sweethearts for some time, an accomplishment that should be lauded if only because both of them are from Canada. The rain kiss MVP of the early aughts, "The Notebook" was a love story we vowed never to forget — and haven't been able to because it's always airing on cable TV.
New Line Cinema
<strong>"Dirty Dancing" (1987): </strong>Frances "Baby" Houseman heads on a summer vacation with her family, where she falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), carries a watermelon (if you know, you know) and perfects the lift with practice in the lake. Baby grows up this summer and probably never ever sits in the corner again.
"Dirty Dancing" (1987): Frances "Baby" Houseman heads on a summer vacation with her family, where she falls in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), carries a watermelon (if you know, you know) and perfects the lift with practice in the lake. Baby grows up this summer and probably never ever sits in the corner again.
Artisan Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection
<strong>"Jaws 2" (1978):</strong> OK, not technically a summer romance, but it does have summer and lots of teens dealing with relationships, crushes and feelings, a process complicated by the fact that a giant Great White Shark is waiting to eat them if one of the boys' dads, who happens to be the police chief (Roy Scheider), can't save them. If nothing else, it is memorable for one of the great movie poster taglines ever, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..."
"Jaws 2" (1978): OK, not technically a summer romance, but it does have summer and lots of teens dealing with relationships, crushes and feelings, a process complicated by the fact that a giant Great White Shark is waiting to eat them if one of the boys' dads, who happens to be the police chief (Roy Scheider), can't save them. If nothing else, it is memorable for one of the great movie poster taglines ever, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..."
Bud Gray/Universal Pictures
<strong>"Say Anything" (1989): </strong>John Cusack's underachiever Lloyd Dobler falls hard for valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) in director Cameron Crowe's teen romance, which seemingly, comes with an expiration date, since she's destined to go off to England at the end of the summer. Raise a boombox over your head and enjoy.
"Say Anything" (1989): John Cusack's underachiever Lloyd Dobler falls hard for valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) in director Cameron Crowe's teen romance, which seemingly, comes with an expiration date, since she's destined to go off to England at the end of the summer. Raise a boombox over your head and enjoy.
From 20th Century Fox
<strong>"Sweet Home Alabama" (2002):</strong> Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey vie for the affection of Reese Witherspoon in this not-quite summer release (I'm allowing it!) about a Southern belle who gets a ring and has to unring a bell from her past. Making the perfect rom-com, like going home, is never easy, but heck if Witherspoon doesn't always make it look like a whole lotta fun.
"Sweet Home Alabama" (2002): Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey vie for the affection of Reese Witherspoon in this not-quite summer release (I'm allowing it!) about a Southern belle who gets a ring and has to unring a bell from her past. Making the perfect rom-com, like going home, is never easy, but heck if Witherspoon doesn't always make it look like a whole lotta fun.
Touchstone Pictures
<strong>"Coming to America" (1988): </strong>In what may have been the last time the public overwhelmingly rooted for the royals, golden-hearted Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) sets out on an American adventure to find true love in this comedy. Lucky for him, his queen (Shari Headley) was waiting for him in Queens, and lucky for us, this classic remains highly rewatchable.
"Coming to America" (1988): In what may have been the last time the public overwhelmingly rooted for the royals, golden-hearted Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) sets out on an American adventure to find true love in this comedy. Lucky for him, his queen (Shari Headley) was waiting for him in Queens, and lucky for us, this classic remains highly rewatchable.
Moviestore Collection/Alamy
<strong>"Crazy Rich Asians" (2018): </strong>New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is invited to the wedding of the best friend of her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding), in Singapore. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family is beyond rich and their lifestyle is filled with excess. In Singapore, Nick is also an eligible bachelor, and no one really understands why he's dating Rachel, especially Nick's mother. This colorful rom-com has it all -- humor, high-class family drama, ex-girlfriends and gorgeous locales. <br />
"Crazy Rich Asians" (2018): New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is invited to the wedding of the best friend of her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding), in Singapore. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family is beyond rich and their lifestyle is filled with excess. In Singapore, Nick is also an eligible bachelor, and no one really understands why he's dating Rachel, especially Nick's mother. This colorful rom-com has it all -- humor, high-class family drama, ex-girlfriends and gorgeous locales.
Courtesy of Warner Bros, Inc.
<strong>"The Proposal" (2009): </strong>Two rom-com vets (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds) teamed up for this tale that invites us all to put away our 2020 glasses and ignore the problematic power imbalance that drives the initial fake romance agreement between the two main characters — a boss and her assistant — and instead enjoy Betty White being a scene stealer. As long as we acknowledge it, we can we still enjoy it, right?
"The Proposal" (2009): Two rom-com vets (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds) teamed up for this tale that invites us all to put away our 2020 glasses and ignore the problematic power imbalance that drives the initial fake romance agreement between the two main characters — a boss and her assistant — and instead enjoy Betty White being a scene stealer. As long as we acknowledge it, we can we still enjoy it, right?
AA Film Archive/Alamy
<strong>"My Best Friend's Wedding" (June 1997): </strong>We will love this Julia Roberts classic, forever and ever. Also, writing about it is great because it's all in the title.
"My Best Friend's Wedding" (June 1997): We will love this Julia Roberts classic, forever and ever. Also, writing about it is great because it's all in the title.
TriStar Pictures/Alamy
<strong>"Out of Sight" (1998):</strong> The charming Jack Foley (George Clooney), who just happens to be the most famous bank robber in the country, has feelings for Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez), a federal marshal on his tail. Set in steamy Miami, its worth a watch for the sexual tension in the trunk scene alone. Also, it's directed by Steven Soderbergh, so you know it's good.
"Out of Sight" (1998): The charming Jack Foley (George Clooney), who just happens to be the most famous bank robber in the country, has feelings for Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez), a federal marshal on his tail. Set in steamy Miami, its worth a watch for the sexual tension in the trunk scene alone. Also, it's directed by Steven Soderbergh, so you know it's good.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
<strong>"Father of the Bride" (2022)</strong> Love is both in the air and up in the air in this HBO Max remake of a beloved '90s rom-com franchise starring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan as a married couple who has lost their spark. As the pair contends with their crumbling relationship, their daughter (Adria Arjona) shows up with a ring on an important finger, a new fiancé (Diego Boneta) and a wedding to plan. Let's just say it's a long road for all involved in the attempt to celebrate good times.
"Father of the Bride" (2022) Love is both in the air and up in the air in this HBO Max remake of a beloved '90s rom-com franchise starring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan as a married couple who has lost their spark. As the pair contends with their crumbling relationship, their daughter (Adria Arjona) shows up with a ring on an important finger, a new fiancé (Diego Boneta) and a wedding to plan. Let's just say it's a long road for all involved in the attempt to celebrate good times.
HBO Max