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What To Watch When You’re Bored
It’s peak summer now that July has officially hit, which means it’s time for summer camp! Whether you’re spending your summer as a happy camper, missing your kiddos while they’re off running around outdoors, or just wishing you were back in your childhood summer home, this time of year never fails to bring back the fond memories and summer fun we associate with camp.
Luckily, there’s an abundance of movies that highlight the spirit of color war, the struggle of pitching a tent, the awkwardness of camp crushes and the overall sense of community that forms at camp. Here’s a list of 10 camp classics that embody those summer camp vibes, from The Parent Trap to Crip Camp, and where you can stream them today.
‘The Parent Trap’ (1998)
In this brilliant comedy, Lindsey Lohan plays twins Hallie and Annie, who have been separated their entire lives until they meet at sleepaway camp. The duo turns from enemies to besties when they realize they’re twins, and work together to swap lives. Hallie ventures to London to meet their mom while Annie goes to California to meet their dad, all in the hopes of bringing their parents back together once and for all. This plan has only one flaw: the surprise addition of their father’s 26-year-old gold-digging fiancé, Meredith Blake. With clever pranks, hilarious moments, and an iconic romance, The Parent Trap is always a summertime must-watch.
‘Meatballs’
Bill Murray stars as Tripper in the 1979 classic Meatballs, the film that paved the way for all summer camp movies to come. In this raunchy summer camp comedy, the head counselor of Camp Northstar inspires his campers to defeat rival Camp Mohawk in the annual Olympiad competition. Meanwhile, loner camper Rudy plays matchmaker between Tripper and Roxanne (Kate Lynch).
‘Moonrise Kingdom’
Wes Anderson’s stylized coming-of-age movie Moonrise Kingdom follows 12-year-olds Sam and Suzy, who fall in love and run away from camp together. Their absence incites a search party full of quirky characters from the town and the entire camp, who come together to find the two young lovers.
‘Crip Camp’
This heartwarming documentary tells the tale of a 1970s camp, Crip Camp, specifically designed for teens in the disability community and how it sparked the disability rights movement in the United States. The eye-opening and empowering film features interviews with former campers and staff members, along with archival footage that emphasizes the obstacles and triumphs of the movement.
‘Camp Rock’
Okay, this may not be a film classic, but it’s definitely iconic in the DCOM world. In Demi Lovato’s breakout role, she plays the shy yet talented Mitchie Torres, who attends the infamous music camp alongside The Jonas Brothers. As Disney Channel’s attempt to repeat the success of High School Musical, the star-studded romance and incredible tunes of Camp Rock did not disappoint.
‘Wet Hot American Summer’
The sexy summer camp film Wet Hot American Summer follows a group of counselors on the last day of camp in 1981. As they try to complete their unfinished business before the day ends, the star-studded cast, hilarious script, and comedic classics come to the forefront of the satire film.
‘Addams Family Values’
Addams Family Values features a summer camp subplot surrounding Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley after a new baby boy enters the infamous fam. The two are sent to deal with the bratty bunch at Camp Chippewa, but not without witty comebacks and rewritten rules.
‘Indian Summer’
1993 Drama/Indie film Indian Summer focuses on the longtime director of Camp Tamakwa, Unca Lou, as he brings a group of former campers back for a 20-year reunion. While they’re all facing real, adult problems, Unca Lou hopes to guide them to resolutions just as he did in their childhood.
‘Friday the 13th’
Horror film Friday the 13th takes place at Crystal Lake, where, despite its immense history of murder, doesn’t stop counselors from setting up camp. While locals warn against it, the newbies are in for a rude awakening when they find themselves being stalked by a brutal, hockey-mask-covered killer.
‘Daddy Day Camp’
In the sequel to Daddy Day Care, Daddy Day Camp follows fathers Charlie Hinton and Phil as they purchase and renovate their childhood day camp, Camp Driftwood, for their two sons. A comedic competition ensues with neighboring Camp Canola, which just so happens to be run by Hinton’s enemy Lance.
