Much as I love being outdoors in the summer, my plans for the warmer months always include spending some time inside where it’s nice and cool (thank you, AC), enjoying some of the best seasonal watch on the best streaming services like Prime Video.
For me, the best summer movies range from feel-good comedies to adventurous blockbusters, and if they can appeal to the whole family, even better. Fortunately, Prime Video has plenty of options in its library that feel almost tailor-made for the summer season.
I’ve dived into Prime Video’s sizeable content catalog and picked out a handful of movies that are definitely on my watchlist this summer. These movies deliver laughs, adventure, thrills and more, and are certainly good enough to have you skip spending time in the sun.
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‘Instant Family’ (2018)
Instant Family (2018) – Official Trailer – Paramount Pictures – YouTube
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Sometimes all you need for a feel-good watch is a simple idea, and that’s the case with “Instant Family.” This comedy-drama is inspired by writer/director Sean Anders’ own personal experience with the foster care system, and it’s not ashamed of its very big heart and celebration of family in all its forms. With a great cast headlined by Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced and Octavia Spencer, “Instant Family” is a great pick if you need some laughs and maybe want to shed a couple of happy tears, too.
Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) are a long-term couple who leap into the world of foster care adoption. Their initial plan to take in a single younger child is upended when they become new parents to three siblings, including a cynical 15-year-old (Merced). With three new kids in their household, Pete and Ellie have to learn how to parent on the job.
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Watch “Instant Family” on Prime Video now
‘The Bluff’ (2026)
The Bluff – Official Trailer | Prime Video – YouTube
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For the most part, I find myself unimpressed with Prime Video’s original movie lineup, but “The Bluff” was a pleasant surprise in that regard. Far from flawless, it’s a thrilling swashbuckling action movie set in the world of piracy. And we really do need more pirate movies. Just be aware it’s significantly more R-rated than something like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” so don’t pick this one if you need a movie the whole family can watch.
Set in the late 19th century, during the dying age of piracy, Ercell Bodden (Chopra Jonas) is a former pirate, once known as Bloody Mary, now living in peace on a tropical Caribbean island with her family. She might be done with her cutthroat past, but the past, or more specifically Captain Connor (Urban), isn’t finished with her. When Connor and his crew come looking for revenge, Ercell must become her past self to protect her loved ones.
Watch “The Bluff” on Prime Video now
‘The Idea of You’ (2024)
The Idea of You – Official Trailer | Prime Video – YouTube
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Am I including Prime Video rom-com “The Idea of You” just because I unironically think the tune “Dance Before We Walk” by the movie’s fictional boy band August Moon is a total summer bop? Maybe, but aside from its earworm original tracks, “The Idea of You” also boasts Anne Hathaway, and the actress brings her dependable charms and on-screen appeal to the movie. Nicholas Galitzine isn’t too unappealing as the male lead, either.
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Hathaway plays Solène Marchand, a divorced art gallery owner, who takes her daughter to the Coachella music festival, only to stumble into the backstage artist area and meet Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the dreamy lead singer of August Moon (think One Direction with the serial number filed off). Despite their age difference, Solène and Hayes start a romance, which draws the attention of the paparazzi and much social media comment.
Watch “The Idea of You” on Prime Video now
‘Transformers One’ (2024)
Transformers One – Official Trailer | 2024 | Hasbro Pulse – YouTube
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It speaks to the brand damage that the later, truly terrible, live-action “Transformers” movies inflicted on the franchise that the return-to-form “Transformers One” underperformed at the box office, likely costing us a chance at a sequel. That’s frustrating because this animated prequel is perhaps the best big-screen interpretation of the robots-in-disguise to date, and it’s a great summer Blockbuster that the whole family can enjoy.
Set in the futuristic world of Cybertron, Orion Pax (voiced by Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) are best friends working in the Energon mines. Desperate to prove themselves heroes, they set off on a quest to find the fabled Matrix of Leadership, which inadvertently sets them on a course to becoming sworn enemies, Optimus Prime and Megatron. “Transformers One” is an action-packed ride, combined with well-written comedy and a surprising layer of moral complexity. It’s much more than a sign of the “Transformers” franchise running on fumes.
Watch “Transformers One” on Prime Video now
‘Heat’ (1995)
Michael Mann’s classic “Heat” has been inspiring modern crime thrillers for more than two decades, and considering its setting in the sweltering heat of Los Angeles, it’s a great summer watch if you’re looking for a movie that is a little more grown-up. It’s a real epic drama, anchored by a strong cast (Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and Val Kilmer), and has often been cited as one of the most influential crime movies ever. What more do I need to say?
Neil McCauley (De Niro) is a master career thief planning one last major score before retirement. At the same time, Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino) is circling, willing to go to extreme lengths to catch McCauley and his crew. As this cat-and-mouse game unfolds, the two men on opposite sides of the law develop a mutual respect. “Heat” is a titan of the crime thriller genre and a must-watch if you enjoyed recent Prime Video films like “Crime 101.”
Watch “Heat” on Prime Video now
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