Believe it or not, Summer is one of the best times to get in the Halloween spirit. “Summerween,” an unofficial holiday that combines Halloween traditions with Summer activities, was first introduced in a 2012 episode of Disney’s Gravity Falls. In the episode, the main characters dress up and go trick-or-treating during the summer, but instead of decorating with Jack-o’-Lanterns, they use Jack-o’-Melons (carved watermelons).
While the holiday began on the TV show, it has slowly made its way off the screen. Most people might not dress up or go trick-or-treating in the summer, but many celebrate Summerween by decorating with Jack-o’-melons or watching summer horror movies—think Friday the 13th (1980) or Just Before Dawn (1981). So, if you want to welcome spooky season a bit early this year, read up on our list of best Summerween movies to watch on a hot, spooky Summer night.
1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
As their road trip turns into a nightmare, a group of young travelers encounters Leatherface, one of horror cinema’s most infamous killers. The film’s hot, dusty Texas setting and intense road-trip nightmare vibe make it a perfect watch for Summerween.
2. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
A road trip turns into a nightmare after siblings Trish and Darry encounter a mysterious creature stalking the backroads. As they uncover the truth, they must fight to survive against an ancient monster with a terrifying appetite.
3. Midsommar (2019)
A grieving young woman joins her boyfriend and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village for a seemingly idyllic midsummer festival. What begins as a once-in-a-lifetime cultural celebration slowly transforms into a disturbing nightmare.
4. Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)
Summer at Camp Nightwing turns deadly when an ancient curse unleashes a brutal killer. As the body count rises, two sisters and a group of campers must uncover the truth behind the town's dark history to survive the night.
5. Sleepaway Camp (1983)
A shy teenager named Angela attends Camp Arawak for the summer, where a series of mysterious and gruesome murders begin to terrorize campers and staff. As suspicion grows, long-buried secrets slowly come to light, leading to one of horror's most famous endings.
6. Jaws (1975)
The police chief of a small beach town teams up with a marine biologist and a seasoned shark hunter to stop a great white shark terrorizing summer beachgoers.
7. Is God Is (2026)
Twin sisters set out on a cross-country journey after their long-estranged mother gives them one final mission: track down and kill the father who left their family for dead.
8. Just Before Dawn (1981)
A group of friends ventures into a remote forest for a weekend camping trip, unaware they're being hunted by a deadly psychopath lurking in the wilderness. As they become isolated from the outside world, their getaway turns into a desperate fight for survival.
9. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
The lives of four friends are turned upside down after they cover up a fatal accident, only to be stalked by a mysterious killer one year later. As the threats escalate, they realize their dark secret may not have stayed buried after all.
10. Fall (2022)
Two friends climb a 2,000-foot abandoned radio tower to honor the memory of one of their late husbands, only to find themselves stranded at the top. With no easy way down, they must rely on their resourcefulness to survive against the elements.
11. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Two outlaw brothers take a family hostage while fleeing to Mexico, only for their planned escape to take a shocking supernatural turn. Trapped in a remote roadside bar, they must fight to survive the night against a deadly new threat.
12. The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)
A team of scientists exploring the Amazon discovers a mysterious amphibious humanoid creature living in an isolated lagoon. When attempts to study the being turn dangerous, the group finds themselves caught between scientific curiosity and survival.
13. Friday the 13th (1980)
A group of camp counselors is stalked by a mysterious killer with a deadly connection to the camp's past. As the body count rises, the survivors race to uncover the truth before it's too late.
