Here are 10 movies, in no particular order, sure to put you in the mood for your upcoming summer adventures. Some are new, some are classics—and others just as awesome have been left off the list.
Leave a comment and tell us if we forgot one of your favorites.
White Water Summer
1987 1 of 11
It doesn't get more 80s-classic than a Kevin Bacon-Sean Astin combo. Bacon plays a terrific psycho wilderness guide to Sean Astin's Mikey-esque (from the Goonies) role, struggling to overcome Bacon's torment and challenges. Over giant gorges, across sketchy rope bridges, through crazy rapids, up the face of boulders, through lighting, thunder, pitch black darkness and backcountry disaster.
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campsite180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless
2010 2 of 11
Directed by Chris Malloy, who brought you dreamy surf flicks, Thicker than Water and Brokedown Melody, this journey follows adventurer, Jeff Johnson from Ventura, California to Patagonia, Chile where he attempts to climb the Corcovado Volcano. The film chronicles a true adventure of sailing, surfing and climbing in these distant, magical lands.
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campsiteNorth Shore
1987 3 of 11
Before Kate Bosworth became the skinniest girl to ever dominate Pipeline in Blue Crush and Point Break made rippers out of FBI agents, North Shore gave us Rick Kane. JOJ, ("just off the jet") from Arizona, this young whipper-snapper steps onto the North Shore of Oahu with stars in his eyes. He soon learns what surfing's proving ground is all about. Brush up on your pidgin and enjoy cameos from Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez and Mark Occhilupo.
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campsiteRace for the Nose
2011 4 of 11
This 2011 Banff Film festival movie documents Hans Florine and Dean Potter competing for a speed record on the nose route of Yosemite Valley's famed El Capitan. Watching anyone negotiate 3,000 feet in under three hours looks like insanity—it's all at once exciting, inspirational and humbling.
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campsiteLost
2004-2010 5 of 11
?yes, the TV show. The hype surrounding the enigmatic series might as well have made it a Hollywood blockbuster. Filmed on Oahu, Lost brings us the incredibly good-looking survivors of crashed Oceanic Flight 815 and their plight to survive on this supernatural South Pacific island. Realistic it's not—but it's a heckuva lot more entertaining than watching Tom Hanks yell at a volleyball.
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campsiteDear and Yonder
2009 6 of 11
Tiffany Campbell started her film company, Villa Villa Cola (named after the house where that awesome chick, Pippi Longstocking used to live) to spotlight the very few, but super radical, female skateboarders out there. In this effort, Campbell turns her attention to some of the earth's most skilled and adventurous waterwomen. Top surfers, exotic locales, an impressive sailing adventure and more. An artistic film to inspire you to explore the beauty of summer.
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campsiteWolf Creek
2005 7 of 11
Because summer wouldn't be complete without at least one movie that will scare your pants off. Travel the totally desolate Australian outback with two British backpackers and their friend from Sydney. They camp at Wolf Creek National Park after their car breaks down, where they meet Mick Taylor, a rugged Dundee type who offers to help. As you can imagine, an absolute gory nightmare ensues. Based on true events!
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campsiteJaws
1975 8 of 11
Does this movie need any sort of explanation? Steven Spielberg, skinny dipping, the classic beach location: Amity (Martha's Vineyard), the Old Man and The Sea motif, a giant man-eating shark, Roy Schneider, Richard Dreyfuss, that salty ol' sea dog with the boat, ice cream trucks, bell bottoms, big glasses, floppy hats, short shorts.
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campsiteJurassic Park
1993 9 of 11
Gosh, without Spielberg, summers wouldn't have been the same. This '90s blockbuster brings us to Kauai, Hawaii, posing as Jurassic Park. The wild Napali Coast has got some of the most magical hiking trails, waterfalls and camping spots around—the reason it's also played host to the strapping Indy Jones, Elvis and many more.
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campsiteA River Runs Through It
1992 10 of 11
Prepare to swoon. Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt as two Montana fly-fishing brothers, the harmonious loveliness of mountain streams, running rivers and the charm of the 1920s will captivate you on a hot or cool summer night. This Robert Redford film was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1993. So queue it up and contemplate nature for a spell.
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