12 Feel-Good Disney Movies for Summer Nostalgia

I know Autumn’s supposed to be the cute answer when someone asks you what your favorite season is, and although I do enjoy good Fall foliage, Summer is where it’s at for me! There’s nothing I love more than being able to live in shorts every day and go on outdoor walks at night. Of course, the start of Summer can mean lots of rain and thunderstorms, so in case you’re looking for something to do when you can’t go outside, here are 12 feel-good Disney movies for Summer nostalgia:

1. Heavyweights

Whether you’re nostalgic for the ’90s, miss spending your summers at camp, or simply find joy in watching Ben Stiller acting like a psychotic lunatic, this film about a group of friends trying to save Camp Hope is sure to keep you entertained and even feeling the warm and fuzzies at times.

2. Teen Beach Movie 2

High School Musical and Camp Rock tend to get the most attention when it comes to summertime DCOMS, but my personal favorite is Teen Beach Movie 2. If you haven’t seen the first one, you should probably watch that first, which is sort of like a mash between Grease, Pleasantville, and Barbie, but I’ve mentioned the sequel here because it’s even more meta than the first, and I dig movies that aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves.

3. The Parent Trap

The Parent Trap is, by far, my favorite Disney live-action movie of all time, and I love both the OG and the remake equally. Between that gorgeous dream home in Monterey and horseback riding in Napa Valley, both films will make you want to embark on a warm getaway or run away in the mountains for a few days.

4. Blank Check

If your idea of a perfect summer involves mountains of ice cream, waterslides, and running through sprinklers, Blank Check’s the flick for you! An 11-year-old boy manages to get his hands on a million bucks and purchases everything from a fancy lobster dinner to a new mansion, making it the most epic adventure he ever dreamed of. Of course, he learns some lessons along the way that are far more valuable than what money can buy.

5. The Princess and the Frog

I’m not a big fan of humidity, but The Princess and the Frog is so beautifully animated that it somehow tricks me into thinking that I actually want to spend the warmer months in a Southern swamp with fireflies hovering over me. Enjoy this traditionally animated film indoors, with air conditioning from the comfort of your dry sofa.

6. The Sandlot

Although I spent my childhood in the ’90s, this ’60s baseball movie brings me back to a simpler time when we weren’t all glued to our devices and instead played outside until street lights came on. Even if you’re not into sports, you’re sure to enjoy this movie about a group of well-intentioned kids constantly getting into fun shenanigans day after day.

7. Luca

Luca is different from other Pixar films in that it’s not as humorous as others. Still, there’s something very calming about the animation and the sweet storyline of the two main leads. This is a good “rainy day” movie that’ll have you daydreaming about venturing off to Italy and filling yourself up with the yummiest pasta and wine.

8. The Color of Friendship

This DCOM is set in the summer of 1977 and is loosely based on the real-life friendship of Piper and Mahree (or Piper and Carrie, if we’re using their real names) during the South African Apartheid Era. To this day, this remains my favorite made-for-TV Disney movie because it’s both eye-opening and touching without being too after school special-y. They don’t shy away from difficult conversations in this one, but it still comes off as very natural and easily digestible.

9. Toy Story 4

This is a controversial opinion among Pixar fans, but I really like Toy Story 4! Yes, the third movie was great and wrapped things up well, but I like vintage toys and the message that we’re constantly evolving in life, which Toy Story 4 conveys. It’s also hilarious and heartwarming, plus it involves things like an RV trip and a carnival, so it has all the classic family vacation vibes.

10. High School Musical 2

Okay, I know I (sort of) threw shame at the High School Musical series above, but I had to mention the 2nd one since it’s literally about kids on summer vacation. Plus, I get the hype behind the HSM series; I just happen to prefer the Teen Beach movies overall.

11. A Goofy Movie

I’ve been a fan of A Goofy Movie since I first watched it on VHS in ’95, so I’m happy that it’s finally got the cult following it deserves. If you haven’t seen it yet, it needs to be at the top of your Disney summer movie list. It begins on the last day of school and is filled with valuable lessons, fantastic music, and hilarious antics. It’s truly a gem of a film!

12. Lilo and Stitch (2002)

The new Lilo and Stitch may be the most successful box office hit at the moment, but I just couldn’t get into it for a whole list of reasons that I won’t bore you with here. The original movie, though, is *Chef’s Kiss*, as it’s funny (in a very quirky way), adorable, and set in a tropical paradise. I always assumed that most people had already seen the original, but I was recently in SHOCK when I learned that many people had only seen the remake. Do yourself a favor and make time for this cute little masterpiece as soon as possible.

What are some of your favorite feel-good Disney movies for Summer? Share in the comments below!

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