Best Summer Movies 2026 to Stream On Paramount+

Summer movie season usually means road trips, late-night rewatches, family movie nights, and action movies on the biggest screen in the house.

Paramount+ has a massive mix of franchise movies, comedy favorites, animated hits, and iconic classics that fit that routine. This guide focuses on 12 of the movies worth adding to a summer watchlist in 2026.

The following lineup has something for everyone, from feel-good musicals like Grease to laugh-filled faves like Clueless to fist-pumping adrenaline rides like Top Gun: Maverick. Read on for the full list and to learn why you should watch all its titles.

What to watch

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Blockbuster movies to level up your summer

Summer movie lineups are led by franchise movies and action releases perfect for groups of friends to watch together. Here are four such movies streaming on Paramount+…

1. Top Gun: Maverick

Tom Cruise as Pete Maverick Mitchell in Top Gun Maverick — Paramount Pictures

What it’s about: Pete “Maverick” Mitchell returns to train a new group of Navy pilots for a mission tied to his past. Tom Cruise leads a cast that includes Miles Teller, Glen Powell, and Oscar® winner Jennifer Connelly.

Why you should watch it: Its flight sequences, large-format action, and warm humor make director Joseph Kosinski’s blockbuster sequel to Top Gun a more than worthy summer watch.

WATCH NOW: Top Gun: Maverick

2. Mission: Impossible — Fallout

What it’s about: Ethan Hunt races to stop a nuclear threat after a mission goes wrong. Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames join Cruise in the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

Why you should watch it: The thrilling chase scenes and non-stop, large-scale set pieces add up to what is arguably the franchise’s best film. Be sure to check out all the Mission: Impossible movies – they’re all streaming now on Paramount+.

FYI: Want to add even more Tom Cruise to your summer? Get our list of great Tom Cruise movies you can stream now on Paramount+.

WATCH NOW: Mission: Impossible – Fallout

3. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

What it’s about: After a heist goes awry, a group of thieves and adventurers team up to recover a lost relic. Chris Pine, Hugh Grant, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis star.

Why you should watch it: This high fantasy movie perfectly adapts the legendary role-playing game’s quest-driven action into a laugh-filled epic that’s sure to thrill your party of adventurers.

WATCH NOW: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

4. Star Trek (2009)

Chris Pine as James T Kirk — Paramount Pictures

What it’s about: In the Kelvin Timeline, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) meet for the first time as the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise faces an attack from the time-traveling Romulan Nero. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Oscar® winner Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, and Eric Bana lead the cast.

Why you should watch it: A lightning-paced entry in the iconic sci-fi franchise (that introduces the Kelvin Timeline!), director J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek is the perfect entry point for newcomers, as well as veteran Star Trek fans looking for a fresh twist on an old favorite.

FYI: The other two Chris Pine-led Star Trek movies, Star Trek: Into Darkness and Star Trek: Beyond, are also now streaming on Paramount+.

WATCH NOW: Star Trek (2009)

Nostalgic favorites to revisit

Some summer rewatches stay in rotation because fans love watching them during long weekends or late-night movie marathons. The following movies have held that spot for years.

5. Clueless

What it’s about: Cher Horowitz spends her days navigating the high school social scene in Beverly Hills while helping her friends and playing matchmaker. But what happens when love finds her? Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Paul Rudd star.

Why you should watch it: The soundtrack, fashion, and comedy make this modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma a beloved time capsule of the ‘90s.

WATCH NOW: Clueless

6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

What it’s about: Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) skips school and spends the day exploring Chicago with his cool girlfriend, Sloane (Mia Sara), and high-strung best friend, Cameron (Alan Ruck). Totaled luxury cars, street parades, hilarity, and an unforgettable Charlie Sheen cameo ensue.

Why you should watch it: Bueller? Bueller? Writer-director John Hughes crafts one of the most quotable ‘80s teen comedies, and its one-day vacation is the perfect summer-break film.

WATCH NOW: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

7. Grease

What it’s about: In this movie musical, two teenagers (oh, just go with it …), Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John), reconnect after their star-crossed summer romance, and deal with life at Rydell High in the ‘50s.

Why you should watch it: Spanning one unforgettable school year, the eager performances and catchy songs (see: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “You’re the One That I Want”) have kept this Broadway hit turned 1970s blockbuster in the summer movie rotation for decades.

WATCH NOW: Grease

8. Mean Girls (2004)

What it’s about: Good girl Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) enters public school for the first time and gets pulled into a social structure led by mean girl Regina George (Rachel McAdams). Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, and Tina Fey (who wrote the adapted screenplay) also star.

Why you should watch it: A defining piece of 21st-century pop culture thanks to its whip-smart dialogue (“Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen! It’s not going to happen!“) and perfect casting, Mean Girls is forever. Also, be sure to check out the 2024 Mean Girls musical on Paramount+.

WATCH NOW: Mean Girls (2004)

Family-friendly summer picks

Summertime usually means finding movies that work for both kids and adults. These animated family releases are perfect for viewing during the long summer stretch.

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Paramount Pictures

What it’s about: In this 2023 box-office hit, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael leave the sewers to try life above ground while facing a growing mutant threat in New York City. Jackie Chan and Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) lead an all-star cast of voice actors.

Why you should watch it: The fast pace and non-stop comedy from Seth Rogen, who’s one of the writers and producers, make Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a strong pick for summer group viewing. Hankering for more heroes in a half shell? Explore the World of TMNT Collection on Paramount+.

So you know: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is rated PG.

WATCH NOW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

10. PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

What it’s about: The PAW Patrol pups gain powers after a meteor crashes into Adventure City, and Ryder and the team face a new threat tied to Mayor Humdinger. Featuring the voices of McKenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, and Kristen Bell.

Why you should watch it: PAW Patrol is one of the most popular children’s franchises in America. And this 2023 theatrical release is an ideal way for adults to share its magic with their kids. Find PAW Patrol movies, shows, specials, and curated playlists in the PAWsome Collection on Paramount+. It’s the perfect way to gear up for PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, coming to theatres August 14, 2026.

So you know: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is rated PG.

WATCH NOW: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

11. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

What it’s about: Sonic (Ben Schwartz) teams up with Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) after Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns with Knuckles (Idris Elba) to search for the Master Emerald.

Why you should watch it: Its mix of action and video-game references makes this 2022 sequel an awesome weekend movie option for gamers and movie lovers alike. Be sure to check out the other big-screen movies from the hit series: 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog and 2024’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3. And read our guide on how to watch all the Sonic the Hedgehog movies in order, and check out the Sonic the Hedgehog Collection on Paramount+ for more titles to watch.

So you know: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is rated PG.

WATCH NOW: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

12. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

What it’s about: SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) leave Bikini Bottom to recover a stolen recipe that threatens the Krusty Krab. Antonio Banderas and Matt Berry join your SpongeBob SquarePants cast favorites in a 2015 movie that fuses animation with live-action sequences.

Why you should watch it: Nothing says summer vacation like the big blue ocean, and where would the Pacific Ocean be without SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom pals? The latest entry in the SpongeBob franchise is as insane as ever. Explore the SpongeBob Universe Collection on Paramount+ for even more nautical nonsense.

So you know: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water is rated PG.

WATCH NOW: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

How to stream these summer movies on Paramount+

All 12 movies in this guide are streaming now on Paramount+. The streaming service boasts 40,000 episodes and movies, plus live sports. Log into your account now, or get started with your subscription. Plans start at $8.99 a month.

FAQ

What are the best movies to watch during the summer?

Summer movie watchlists are usually filled with action franchise movies, quotable comedies, and animated family films. Crowd-pleasing favorites like Top Gun: Maverick, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Mean Girls fit the bill.

What are good family summer movies to stream?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water are all strong family movie picks streaming on Paramount+.

What makes a movie a “summer movie”?

Summer movies are all about escapism – action, comedy, travel, adventure, school breaks, or blockbuster franchises. These are the films that fans love revisiting year after year. They’re as much a part of summer as lemonade, popsicles, and air conditioning.

Availability of titles is subject to change.