Flonique Guimary

Cool down this summer with these must-watch summer-themed films

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>As the hot season is in full swing in the Philippines, what better way to beat the heat than by staying indoors and indulging in a summer movie marathon? From feel-good musicals to romcoms and heartwarming adventures, these films will transport you to sunny beaches, dreamy vacations, and unforgettable summer escapades.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A Journey (2024)</strong></div><p>From being friends in <em>Tabing Ilog</em>, Paolo Contis, Patrick Garcia, and Kaye Abad reunite to give a heartfelt story of friendship, time, unforgettable places. and death. The film features scenic places in Nueva Ecija and Pagsanjan as well as Tasmania, Australia that’s good to include on your “magic list” of places to visit to this summer.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tlWrGtvgL-w" title="A Journey | Official Trailer | Netflix" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Moana 2 (2024)</strong></div><p>With much free time this summer, the second installment of Disney animated musical adventure film <em>Moana</em> is one of the movies to enjoy with family and little ones. Its bright visuals, uplifting songs, and themes of courage and connection to nature made it a fun and meaningful choice for family movie nights during get-together.</p><div><br/></div><p>The sequel follows what happened after three years when Moana decided to explore the far seas with the demigod Maui. She also deals with the vision she received from her ancestors about people having the same ability to connect to the ocean as her.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><iframe width="754" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hDZ7y8RP5HE" title="Moana 2 | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Fleeting (2025)</strong></div><p>Offering a heartfelt exploration of love, dreams, and destiny, Kapamilya stars Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing’s film<em> Fleeting</em> is a perfect addition to summer watchlist. The film is an official entry to the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival where it features Mati, the capital city of Davao Oriental.</p><div><br/></div><p>The film follows the story of an aspiring pilot determined to chase her dreams meets a laid-back café owner and surfer who finds contentment in a slow-life kind of life. <em>Fleeting </em>is a film that matches the quiet, reflective moments of long summer days.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PWvA9Cwnvoc" title="FLEETING (2025) CinePanalo Film Festival - Janella Salvador, RK Bagatsing Romantic Drama Movie" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong><br/></strong><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>Anyone But You (2023)</strong></div><p>Summer is extra fun with a romantic-comedy, enemies to lovers trope kind of film. Starring Hollywood stars Sydney Sweeney as Bea and Glen Powell as Ben, <em>Anyone But You </em>follows two individuals who are forced to fake relationships to avoid Bea’s interfering parents and make Ben’s ex jealous at a destination wedding. The film location will certainly give the fun and romantic summer vibes as it is set in Australia.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UtjH6Sk7Gxs" title="ANYONE BUT YOU – Official Trailer (HD)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Roadtrip (2024)</strong></div><p>Nothing screams summer like spontaneous road trips with barkada, the key story of the Filipino film <em>Roadtrip</em>. Released in 2024, the on and off cam friends, Filipina actresses Janice De Belen, Gelli De Belen, Candy Pangilinan, and Carmina Villarroel hit the road for a getaway. However, misadventures and emotional revelations transform their journey into something deeper.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><iframe width="907" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sg6VERCPwoo" title="Official Trailer l Roadtrip l January 17 Only In Cinemas!" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>High School Musical 2 (2007)</strong></div><p>Summer gets extra exciting with the beloved East High Wildcats as they take on summer jobs at a luxurious country club. Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, and the rest of the gang navigate friendships, romance, and musical showdowns in <em>High School Musical 2</em>.</p><div> </div><p>Starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman, this second installment of the hit Disney franchise is packed with summer anthems like &quot;What Time Is It?&quot;, &quot;Fabulous&quot;, &quot;Gotta Go My Own Way&quot;, and &quot;All For One&quot;. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3hOP7qPDyI4" title="What Time Is It (From &quot;High School Musical 2&quot;)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Mamma Mia! (2008)</strong></div><p>Set against the breathtaking backdrop of a Greek island, <em>Mamma Mia! </em>follows Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she tries to uncover the identity of her real father before her wedding. The refreshing Broadway musical is brought to the screen by seasoned actors Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård, and features iconic ABBA songs like &quot;Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All” and &quot;Slipping Through My Fingers.”</p><div> </div><p>The film also has a sequel, <em>Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again</em>, released in 2018 after its predecessors’ massive box-office success.</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KaVlt-JyDGk" title="Mamma Mia! | Slipping Through My Fingers" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Call Me By Your Name (2017)</strong></div><p>Based on André Aciman’s novel, this coming-of-age drama follows Elio (Timothée Chalamet) as he experiences a whirlwind summer romance with Oliver (Armie Hammer), a graduate student assisting his father. Set against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes of Italy, the film beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of first love in 1983.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="636" height="343" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z9AYPxH5NTM" title="Call Me By Your Name | Official Trailer HD (2017)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Here Comes The Bride (2010)</strong></div><p>Directed by Chris Martinez, <em>Here Comes The Bride</em> is a Filipino comedy following a bizarre accident during a solar eclipse that causes a soul-switching mishap among five very different people: a bride, a gay beautician, a driver, a grandmother, and a young boy.</p><div> </div><p>The film which stars Angelica Panganiban, Eugene Domingo, Tuesday Vargas, Jaime Fabregas, Tom Rodriguez, and John Lapus  became a box-office hit, even surpassing Marvel’s <em>Iron Man 2 </em>in the Philippine box office. </p><div><br/></div><p>It later inspired a stand-alone sequel, <em>Here Comes the Groom</em> (2023), starring Enchong Dee and Maris Racal, which was an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="503" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ln5HT1pSL1A" title="Here Comes The Bride Official Full Trailer | Kim Chiu, Gerlad Anderson | &#x27;Here Comes The Bride&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Must Be… Love (2013)</strong></div><p>Delivering the ultimate summer kilig, <em>Must Be Love</em> is the film to watch this hot season. Starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, this coming-of-age love story follows best friends as they navigate the realization of deeper feelings for each other. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="559" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hp0JJNursT4" title="Must Be Love Official Trailer | Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo | &#x27;Must Be Love&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Crazy Beautiful You (2015)</strong></div><p><em>Crazy Beautiful You</em> takes viewers on a breathtaking journey through Mount Pinatubo with an adventure-filled romance storyline. Kathryn Bernardo plays a rebellious girl who unexpectedly finds love and comfort in Kiko (Daniel Padilla), a responsible young man she meets during a medical mission in Tarlac.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="670" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qC-thSRQ68w" title="Crazy Beautiful You Teaser | Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo | &#x27;Crazy Beautiful You&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>The film shows the community around Mount Pinatubo and unveils the reason it was called “a beautiful disaster.”</p>