Here’s the thing… I hate summer. Like… HATE summer. I’m not a beach person, think palm trees are overrated, and will change the station the second Jimmy Buffet starts playing on the radio. I don’t do swimsuits or public pools. And don’t get me started on the heat!

Even growing up, when most of my friends would have a year-long countdown to summer, I’d have a summer-long countdown to the start of school. (I wish I was kidding.)

The one thing I do love about summer are the films I try to wait all year to watch. In no particular order, these are the top 10 movies I have to watch each year before summer ends. Let me know what I missed and maybe it’ll inspire me to do a round two! :)

Summer Magic – I mean, it’s called “Summer Magic,” y’all. But most importantly, it’s Hayley Mills and more than half the songs that play on Main Street, U.S.A. “The Ugly Bug Ball,” “Flitterin’,” “Beautiful Beulah”; trust me on this one, guys.

A Goofy Movie – I watched this movie on the last day of school every year since it was released. Summer didn’t officially start until I sang along with “After Today” as loud as my vocal chords would allow. Still my soundtrack of choice to pump me up for weddings, this movie is a summer must!

Pirates of the Caribbean – Captain Jack Sparrow. Enough said.

Orange County – The best movie that no one ever seems to have seen. I saw it in the years of my life I yearned to be a writer, and the soundtrack lived in my car during my Disney College Program. There are so many quotable moments- “Sean, you are my same height, that is neat!” Colin Hanks, Lily Tomlin, Jack Black… It’s a good one. <3

Never Been Kissed – Maybe it’s because it was played on repeat during my high school summers (when I could have rivaled Josie Grossy), but Drew Barrymore in that pink dress kissing Mr. Coulson on the baseball field with the Beach Boys in the background? SUMMER. <3

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year – I know this seems like a long shot, but Nate and I watch this every Fourth of July!! I live my life in a constant countdown to Christmas, and the one scene where Rudolph visits an island where every day is the 4th of July, so clearly, it’s a summer film. <3

The Lizzie McGuire Movie – My best friend Lorie and I saw this in Orlando at the end of our Disney College Program, May of ’03. It was one of the happiest and saddest nights of my life. This time of year, I always get a little nostalgic for Lizzie, Isabella, and Gordo. <3

The Parent Trap – Amelia, my little sister, and I can quote this movie in its entirety. Of course I love the original, but it’s the Lindsay version that has my heart. I was obsessed when it first came out and even still have my Disney Store Cuppie! That scene where Chessy finds out? Swooooooooooon! <3

My Girl – Most of my elementary school years were spent crushing on Macaulay Culkin,  and this was the first movie I distinctly remember making me cry. Those damn bees.

Hook – That Neverland baseball game, y’all. That is summer. Bangarang, indeed. <3