This is a curated list of mostly non-American movies to watch after a day at the beach. 

Warning: you may feel the desire to quit your job, throw your iPhone down the toilet, and/or have an affair with your hot older European neighbor after watching these movies. 

But don't come for me when September rolls around, the neighbor left and rent's due; I warned you!

The Swimming Pool (La Piscine) 1969, Jacques Deray

Streaming on HBO Max

Starting with a certified French summer banger. I actually did watch this last summer after a day at the beach, and it was perfect. Everyone in this movie is hot and cool, and there’s some major furniture inspiration here. 

Typical for a sexy movie of this time, we have folks in their 30/40s and then an 18-year-old girl in the mix. It is what it is. Don’t be a prude! This movie was actually shot twice–both in French and English!

Summer with Monika 1953, Ingmar Bergman

Streaming on the Criterion Channel

This movie is more of a sexy summer gone wrong; a cautionary tale, if you will. I don’t know if any horny teenagers are reading this, but it may be good for you to see this movie.

Maybe because it’s Swedish, but this movie is pretty freakin’ sexy for the '50s! It had me missing being a teenager in love for about 20 minutes. And then promptly thankful that I was past that phase of my life.

Smooth Talk 1985, Joyce Chopra

Streaming on the Criterion Channel

To me, this movie *perfectly* captures being 15. There’s a specificity to being 15. It’s that bridge of a year going from being a kid to a teenager. Your sexuality is maturing faster than your brain.

It’s the time when I had basically zero sexual experience but the desire to be desired by boys. And once I got a little attention, I had no idea what to do with it. THAT is this movie.

Claire’s Knee 1970, Éric Rohmer

Streaming on the Criterion Channel

Very French, very 1970. You could never make this movie today, so just go into this one understanding that! This movie is aesthetically gorgeous, and after watching it, I was fully inspired to spend 3 months lounging in my backyard in a bikini, drinking fruit juice.

(Dear reader: I didn’t do that; I have a job and responsibilities and don’t even own a proper bikini at the moment.)

Body Heat 1981, Lawrence Kasdan

Streaming on Apple TV

I think I took a shower after watching this movie. It is so sweaty, you literally feel sweat while watching. I loooove an erotic thriller and I loooooove Kathleen Turner. She has the sexiest, raspy voice, and she and William Hurt look so good together.

There’s sex, there’s murder, and no A/C. It’s a good time.

Y Tu Mamá También 2001, Alfonso Cuarón

Streaming on Amazon Prime

Alright, time to stop messing around. THIS MOVIE!!!! THIS is the ultimate sexy summer movie! It is a perfect film. A perfect coming-of-age story. The most superb acting. You literally cannot tell me that Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna weren’t best friends in real life.

Two teenage boys taking a road trip with a hot woman in her 20s = so much sex and drugs. You’re welcome; there’s nothing better.

Call Me by Your Name 2017, Luca Guadagnino

Streaming on Apple TV

I saw this for the first time in the theater when it came out (in January in Philadelphia), and I nearly floated home, walking 40 minutes in the dark from the theater to my house. I couldn’t take public transit or a rideshare.

I was in such a beautiful/romantic/nostalgic headspace, and I couldn’t risk anything disrupting it. I felt such a longing for summer, for my first heartbreak, for Italy, where I spent a semester abroad. 

Every rewatch makes me want to get on a bike, ditch my goddamn cell phone, eat freshly picked fruit, and listen to Sufjan Stevens for the rest of my days.

Purple Noon 1960, René Clément

Streaming on Apple TV

This is the first film version of The Talented Mr. Ripley! I actually suggest watching the 1999 version first (of course, another great summer movie) because Purple Noon does not start at the beginning of the story.

I’m not sure what the creative choice was there, but the movie is still really great. I’m a sucker for Tom Ripley anything! It’s Alain Delon’s first major role, and he’s so good, so handsome. Really great summer euro vibes here.

Bonjour Tristesse 1958, Otto Preminger

Streaming on Hulu

Oh, to be a teenage Jean Seberg summering on the French Riviera amongst fashion designers and her fun-loving, playboy father! The clothes in this movie take the freaking CAKE! I was obsessing over the black tea-length halter dress Jean’s character is wearing in the present-day scenes.

Later, I found out all the dresses in this movie are Givenchy. Classique. Between the dresses, the bathing suits, the scenery, and the house, this is my dream life. What happens later in this film…not so much.

Thelma & Louise, 1991, Ridley Scott

Streaming on Kanopy

We can’t make this list without our girls! Another truly flawless film. Yes, the story, acting, plot, writing, and editing are all top-notch, but I think I also love this movie for its grit.

It’s dirty. Like, there’s literally dirt. You can feel it while watching. We’ve lost a bit of that grittiness in the new millennium, I think. It all feels really real and raw.

 Let me be your encouragement to rewatch this classic this summer. I like to think of this movie as a threat to all men – BE NICE TO YOUR WIFE OR ELSE!