As summer winds down, stores start bringing out their Halloween decor, and the mosquitos are no longer the number-one enemy. There are countless films that capture the wonderful essence of summer. From the warm breeze of an open window to that no-school feeling and the smell of sunblock. Classics like The Sandlot and their Fourth of July baseball game, to Jaws, the movie that is the reason why a generation of people were afraid of the ocean and what lurks beneath the water — these are just two movies that you have to watch in the summer to get the full effect of the film.

Update August 24, 2023: As summer is winding down soon, this article has been updated with even more great movies that perfectly capture the end of summer.

Of course, what about the inevitable end of summer? When school starts up again, the nights get colder, and the leaves just begin to change. Along with some of the most beautiful cinematography, there are many films that capture this feeling, too. With themes such as new beginnings, or the end of relationships, there are many films that are about the end of summer actually and metaphorically about the end of seasons.

From some classic films and romantic comedies to animation, there are dozens of stories that are fantastic to watch before we break out those spooky Halloween films and the summer comes to a close. Here are fourteen of the best movies about the end of summer.

15 Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

From the acclaimed director, Wes Anderson comes a story about a young boy scout and his girlfriend who run away together to show their maturity to their parents and to each other: Moonrise Kingdom. Their escapade starts a search party, getting the entire town involved. Taking place at a summer camp, the New England setting is the perfect rainy and cloudy background for the late summer months, perfect to say goodbyes to the summer, too.

Related: The Best Back-to-School Movies, Ranked

14 Stand By Me (1986)

You never forget your childhood best friends. Or almost getting run over by a train. Or a dead body you find in the woods. All three happen in the 1986 classic Stand By Me, which takes place towards the end of summer and portrays the naivety of childhood and the fear of it all coming to an end.

13 Call Me By Your Name (2017)

The Oscar-nominated queer love story Call Me By Your Name perfectly depicts the feeling of the end of summer in its tragic romance between Elio and Oliver. With the beautiful scenery of 1980s Italy, the film takes place over the course of the summer months and spans until the end of the season when Oliver has to return to America, leaving a heartbroken Elio behind. This is a perfect movie about the warmth of summer and the chill of the oncoming fall, and the changing of life amidst it.

12 Adventureland (2009)

Featuring a star-studded cast of dynamic stars, including Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, and Bill Hader, Adventureland takes place in 1987 and centers on a group of misfits working at a run-down Pennsylvania amusement park as recent college graduate James Brennan (Eisenberg) attempts to save up money to attend Columbia University in the fall to further pursue his journalism degree. The wholesome and hilarious comedy captures the hijinks the workers get into while running the park and the somber build-up to the end of summer, where the goofy gang must go their separate ways.

11 Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

The underrated satirical comedy Wet Hot American Summer brilliantly elicits a profound feeling of nostalgia and longing for viewers (regardless of your age) as a gang of zany counselors prepares for the final day of summer camp in 1981 Maine. The cult classic uproariously features the completely over it counselors as they somewhat attempt to keep their campers alive one last time while abandoning the majority of their responsibilities. Almost every beloved comedian in Hollywood appears in the spoof, with big names like Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, and Janeane Garofalo all popping up in the outrageous farce.

10 Toy Story 3 (2010)

Arguably one of the saddest scenes in a movie meant for children originates from the classic Toy Story 3. Following the most famous toys ever, Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear must get back to their kid, Andy, who is about to leave for college. With the school year quickly approaching, the end of summer drives this film and gives the toys urgency to get back to Andy. Warning, though: do not watch without tissues or a newly empty nest, or if you yourself are leaving that deflated teddy bear behind, so your roommate doesn't think you're a kid.

9 Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

In Weekend at Bernie's, '80s heartthrob Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman star as two low-level insurance employees who are invited to whoop it up and spend Labor Day weekend in The Hamptons with their conniving boss but find their getaway complicated when the businessman ends up dead. Rather than head back to the city and call it a day, the bumbling duo decides to make the most out of their wild situation and party it up in the final days of summer while pretending Bernie is alive and well...with raucous chaos naturally ensuing.

8 American Graffiti (1973)

The 1973 classic coming-of-age drama American Graffiti, with some of the biggest names in cinema, takes place at the crest of adulthood. A group of high school friends try to make the most of their last night of summer together, as the next day brings the beginning of college and the rest of their adult lives. Told in a vignette style, with snippets of stories that happen over the course of one night, this film is a perfect end-of-summer flick to reminisce on the teenage years and the joy of living in the moment.

7 The Parent Trap (1998)

Lindsay Lohan became a bonafide superstar when she took on dual roles as scheming twins Hallie Parker and Annie James in the '90s rom-com hit The Parent Trap, following the long-lost sisters as they plot to get their parents back together after being separated at birth and inadvertently reunited at a summer camp. Hallie and Annie make it their mission to scare the gold-digging Meredith Blake (Elaine Hendrix) off, targeting the conniving woman during an end-of-summer family camping trip in hopes of chasing her away once and for all.

Related: The Parent Trap: Was Splitting Up the Twins Really the Best Idea?

6 Remember the Titans (2000)

Denzel Washington portrayed real-life football coach Herman Boone in the beloved sports drama Remember the Titans, which chronicles the determined mentor's efforts to integrate a Virginia football team in 1971, joining forces with fellow coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) on his mission to unite the school's students. The uplifting biographical flick begins at the end of summer as Boone and his players become a bonded group while attending training camp, a mindset and connection the gifted boys carry with them throughout the school year. Remember the Titans is widely regarded as one of the greatest football films of all time and was both a critical and commercial success.

5 Cheaper By the Dozen 2 (2005)

Following the Steve Martin classic Cheaper by the Dozen, the Baker family return to the cabin they would rent every summer and get into all sorts of hilarious problems. Taking place on Labor Day weekend, Cheaper By the Dozen 2 has all the usual Steve Martin laughs, with a beautiful heartfelt story about family, friendships, and parenthood.

4 Theater Camp (2023)

Camp is one of the hallmarks of summer, and the recently release Theater Camp is a great way to end the summer and get ready to go back to school. The film is a hilarious romp that gives those great summer vibes, capturing the bonds of friendship and art that come with summer that eventually must end. While the time might be over, there will always be a chance for next year to look forward to, and the memories will remain.

3 RV (2006)

One of Robin Williams' most unsung roles is in the road trip classic RV. Overworked Bob Monroe peels his family away from their modern life to go on a spontaneous road trip before the end of summer and school begins. Risking his job, his marriage, and possibly his sanity, this movie is a must-see for anyone who has been on a chaotic family vacation, anyone who has seen a van-lifer vlog and thought they could do that, and for anyone who wants a belly laugh and a genuine smile.

2 The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies: a no-doubt classic adventure of the Goon Dock kids and their search for One-Eyed Willie's pirate treasure. Set in the rainy town of Astoria, Oregon, at the start of the school year, the Goonies follow a map to try and find the lost gold and save their town from annoying investors who have bought their homes just to plan to tear them down. The Goonies want one last adventure together as the summer ends, and they all will have to move away from each other and is the perfect watch in the early fall months.

1 About Time (2013)

About Time is a romantic movie with so much heart behind it that seems a bit unexpected. On the outside, it stars rom-com sweetheart Rachel McAdams and Star Wars General Domnhall Gleeson and has a fun superpower aspect to it. This film takes place over the course of a few years but focuses on the end-of-summer vibes and ends on a beach towards the end of the summer and the end of many other things. Beautiful cinematography and wonderful performances make this movie a must-see, even if you hate romantic movies. It is about so much more.