Need a Break From the Heat? Binge These 7 Summery Shows While Indoors
Summer is finally upon us, and there is no better way to kick off the warm months than to watch a show that evokes the feeling of the season. Let’s be honest; even though we may dream of July and August when we are stuck in the dreariness of February and March, summer isn’t always as euphoric as it’s cracked up to be. When the weather drenches us with sweat or gives our hair an unwanted frizz, sometimes, it’s best to curl up inside and watch a show.
Whether a show takes place in a coastal town with houses overlooking beaches with clear, sparkling water and has characters wander through the sandy shores as the wind whips through their hair, or it just gives off a warm-weathered vibe with the costumes and soundtrack. We’ve compiled a list of shows to stream if you’re looking to get in the mood for summer.
Forget the newest beach read; we need shows that can fully immerse us in worlds so we can distract ourselves from gross weather or make us dream about future vacation plans. From mysterious suburban thrillers to coming-of-age teen dramas. Here are some shows that make us feel the vibes of summer.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
I mean, come on, summer is literally in the title. Based on the best-selling book series, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) as she returns to the fictional Cousins Beach. Her family stays with the Fishers, their long-time family friends, every summer. The Fisher’s house in a beach town feels reminiscent of Martha’s Vineyard, with tastefully elegant beach homes and sophisticated country clubs. Used to the regular routine of being treated as the younger sister, Belly is surprised when she notices the Fisher boys, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), seem like they might see her as more than just a family friend this summer. This coming-of-age show is bound to make you feel that warm, fuzzy feeling as Belly deals with first loves, first boyfriends, and first heartbreak. The Summer I Turned Pretty depicts what we all wish our summers were like in our adolescence, and luckily we can live vicariously through Belly.
Season 1, Prime Video
The White Lotus
Both seasons of The White Lotus take place in dreamy vacation destinations where the wealthy go to relax and unwind from the stresses of their daily lives. However, their stays couldn’t be any farther from their expectations. Rooted deep in social satire, this show thoughtfully tackles themes of classism, power, wealth, and privilege, all while located at the luxurious White Lotus resorts. From a newlywed grappling with the idea that her life may have no purpose as she basks in the Hawaiian sun to a father and son getting themselves entangled with a prostitute in the cobblestone streets of Sicily, the characters suffer due to their fatal flaws of greed, arrogance, and ignorance. Despite their misery, you can’t help but somewhat wish you could travel to these idyllic, vacation spots.
Seasons 1-2, Max
The O.C.
Summer sun, splashing waves, sandy feet, and… high school? The O.C. follows the lives of Orange County families as they spend their days in luxurious houses right on the edge of Newport Beach. Everything seems like the California Dream until a teenager from the other side of the tracks, Ryan Attwood (Ben McKenzie), winds up in the thick of SoCal drama. Ryan befriends Seth Cohen (Adam Brody), a super smart and super awkward Newport teen looking to make friends. The two attempt to navigate high school, girls, and parties. On top of that, this sophisticated teen drama keeps you glued to your screen, whether it’s a court drama with lawyer Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) or Ryan attempting to face the demons from his past this show deals with more than just high school gossip. Watching the cast stroll along piers and soaking up the sun in their effortless california-cool outfits transports you to the world of the California elite.
Hulu, Max
Outer Banks
Along the Carolina coast, you can find a group of poverty-stricken misfits struggling to make ends meet. Outer Banks follows a self-titled group of teenagers called the “Pouges” led by the charismatic John B (Chase Stokes). Haunted by the disappearance of his father, John B discovered that his father was searching for, and possibly discovered a decades-old treasure. The Pogues set out to find the treasure with the help of Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), a girl from the affluent side of town. As they motor through waterways underneath the setting Carolina sun and climb through sandy caves, the group notices that others may also be in search of this treasure. With summer outfits that turned Sarah into a teenage fashion icon and the backdrop of the Carolinas in summer heat, the Outer Banks is bound to make you feel like you’re one of the Pogues.
Seasons 1-3, Netflix
Daisy Jones & The Six
From the first chord, the soundtrack of this show perfectly pairs with a late-night summer drive while all of the windows are down. Based on the best-selling book, Daisy Jones & The Six follows a young hometown band, The Six, led by Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin), on their journey to stardom in the late 70s. Along the way, they team up with the free-spirited singer Daisy Jones (Riley Keough), skyrocketing them to fame. However, their path to success is not linear; we must remember that this is the music scene in the ’70s. Anything can happen. Watch as the band attempts to navigate stardom as they face sex, drugs, and rock & roll. The melodic harmonies of their songs layered on top of the edgy guitar riffs, and catchy lyrics give the feeling of a summer night out with your friends. It sounds comforting, with a hint of danger and rebellion. There is no shortage of the beachy, warm aesthetic of coastal California in this hit show.
Season 1, Prime Video
Big Little Lies
What is summer without listening to scary stories around the campfire? Don’t be surprised to feel the chills during this twisty thriller. Based on the best-selling book, Big Little Lies, follows a group of mothers living in the picturesque beach town of Monterey, California. Boasting elegant designer clothes for themselves (and their children), the mothers participate in PTA meetings and local fundraisers for their prestigious elementary school. Behind the shadows of these seemingly perfect families lives dark secrets and hidden pasts. After a murder at a school fundraiser, the story flashes back and forth between the complicated lives of three mothers (Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley). The cloudy coastal setting feels like a stormy summer night. With a relaxed, bluesy soundtrack that emulates the sound of waves, Big Little Lies can’t help but feel like summer.
Seasons 1-2, Max
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Based on the 2001 cult classic movie Wet Hot American Summer, the 2015 miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp acts as a prequel to the hilarious film. The stacked cast including Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks and so many more, return as even younger versions of themselves to Camp Firewood, located in the wilderness of Maine. The premise is ridiculous and hilarious. Watch as 40-year-old actors play teenagers trying to manage romance, friendships, and organizing a summer camp. With even more absurdity than the film, this series takes you back to any summer camp experience and keeps you laughing in the process.
Netflix
