The Top 10 Summer Camp Movies You Have to Watch

Now, don’t worry (or be upset); not all are perfect representations of camp. Some are deliberately extravagant versions of summer camp, whereas others are just there to be an easy Sunday afternoon watch. Regardless, you’ll pick up little things from each which will remind you of your own summer camp story.

So whether you want a big dose of nostalgia or to find out more before your first trip to summer camp, here’s our list of the top summer camp movies you simply have to watch.

The weird and wonderful world of American Pie is an over-the-top representation of life in general but is always a fun watch.

Band Camp follows students during their wacky summer camp journey. Although it’s obviously not what camp is like, you’ll begin to see the aspects of camp they’re playing on and how that makes the film even funnier.

Camp Rock is a guilty pleasure film for 90’s kids.

It follows a woman exploring summer camp for the first time and all the adventures that come along with it. For most of us Brits, it was probably the first time we had our eyes opened to what the summer camp experience really was.

A film based on the book that nearly every school seemed to have to read during GCSEs.

Now don’t worry; this is absolutely nothing like summer camp (thankfully). It follows a young kid Stanley, who is sent to Camp Greenlake for a crime he didn’t commit.

Although your camp experience will not be like this, it covers important topics such as traditions, spending time with friends, and determination.

A full star lineup of Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, and Amy Poehler are at Camp Firewood back in the 80s, giving a traditional look at summer camp.

It adds a lot of extravagance to some real-life summer camp scenarios, whether fun adventures or complicated love triangles. It’s a very over-the-top look at how things at a summer camp could’ve been, so it’s a film to watch if you want a good laugh.

This film follows Ernest, the maintenance man who wants to be a camp counsellor, around summer camp back in the 80s. (For those with a keen ear, you’ll also realise that Ernest voices Slinky the dog in Toy Story).

It follows Ernest’s hilarious journey into a new role (mistakes and fails included) in a blown-out-of-proportion look at the summer camp life.

Camp Nowhere follows Mud and his friends who look at setting up their own summer camp, different from the standard ones their parents want them to go to.

Whether it’s no parents or no rules, it’s no problem for the kids, at least until the parents want to visit. The ensuing craziness of getting their camp ready for the parent’s visits makes it a fun and easy watch.

The sequel to the famous Addams Family follows the family as they’re sent off to summer camp against their will.

Although initially, they find it hard to integrate with other campers, the film shows it’s important to accept and include everyone for who they are, which is exactly what summer camp does in reality, too.

Moonrise Kingdom is directed by Wes Anderson, meaning you know you’re in for a treat straight away.

This coming-of-age comedy received critical acclaim for the topics it covered, as well as its visuals and soundtrack. The important stories the film tells about adventure will undoubtedly appeal to some of those who have been to camp.

The Parent Trap is a classic (and is often referenced by the Camp Leaders team).

A young Lindsay Lohan plays two characters who meet at summer camp and devise a plan to get their parents together. It follows their adventure through summer camp, including the pranks, experiences and ups and downs that you’d come to expect with any summer journey.

This Ben Stiller classic explores camp with his traditionally incredible American humour.

Camp Hope is a camp for those looking to get into a healthier way of life, which is then taken over by a fitness guru (Ben Stiller). It’s a great 90s film, where it’s funny, nostalgic, and at times meaningful, all in one. At the end of the day, you’ll realise how great camp is, and the most important thing is having fun.