Top 20 Summer Camp Movies

Nostalgia lives in summer camp movies. You get cabins, campfires, canoe trips, counselors, friendships, first crushes, rivalries, and occasionally a homicidal maniac. In other words, there is something here for almost every movie fan.

Hollywood has found plenty of other things to do at summer camp. Sometimes the campers fall in love. Sometimes they put on a musical. Sometimes they overthrow a terrible camp director. And, occasionally, someone gets murdered. That variety is exactly what makes summer camp movies so much fun. These movies also capture something special about summer. Camp creates a little world where ordinary rules seem to disappear.

And there’s another reason 2026 is a particularly good year to revisit camp movies. Camp Rock 3 brings the Disney franchise back nearly two decades after the original. Demi Lovato returns as Mitchie Torres, while Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas reprise their roles. The movie premieres August 13 on Disney Channel and streams on Disney+ August 14.

Click for some Fictional Camp Name Trivia

So, whether you spent your childhood at sleepaway camp or merely experienced it from your couch, it’s time to make up a plate of s’mores and watch your favorite, or new to you, summer camp film.

Here are 20 of the best summer camp movies to add to your watch list.

Meatballs (1979)

Meatballs, directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Len Blum, Daniel Goldberg, Janis Allen, and Harold Ramis, stars Bill Murray as Tripper Harrison. Harvey Atkin plays camp director Morty, while Kate Lynch plays counselor Roxanne. The movie follows the counselors and campers at the struggling Camp North Star during one chaotic summer. Tripper takes particular interest in Rudy, a lonely camper who has trouble fitting in. Meanwhile, Camp North Star prepares to compete against the much wealthier Camp Mohawk. The result is a hilarious combination of camp competitions, teenage romances, counselor shenanigans, and unexpected heart. Meatballs helped establish the summer camp comedy as a genre and remains one of the essential camp movies.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th, directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor Miller, stars Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees and Adrienne King as Alice. Jeannine Taylor plays Marcie, Robbi Morgan plays Annie, and Kevin Bacon plays Jack. A group of young counselors arrives at Camp Crystal Lake to prepare the property for reopening. Unfortunately, the camp has a horrifying history, and someone doesn’t want the counselors around. What follows is one of the most influential slasher movies ever made. The film transformed summer camp into a horror-movie nightmare and launched a massive franchise. And here’s a fun fact for anyone who assumes otherwise: Jason Voorhees isn’t the killer in the original movie.

The Parent Trap (1998)

The Parent Trap, directed by Nancy Meyers and written by David Swift, Charles Shyer, and Meyers, stars Lindsay Lohan in her unforgettable dual role as Hallie Parker and Annie James. Dennis Quaid plays their father, Nick, while Natasha Richardson plays their mother, Elizabeth. The identical twins meet at summer camp and discover that their parents separated them after their divorce. Naturally, the girls decide to switch places and attempt to reunite their parents. The camp setting gives the movie its perfect opening, complete with pranks, rivalry, friendship, and one very important discovery. The movie was based on Erich Kästner’s 1949 novel The Parent Trap, originally published as Das doppelte Lottchen.

Little Darlings (1980)

Little Darlings, directed by Ron Maxwell and written by Kimi Peck and Dalene Young, stars Tatum O’Neal as Ferris Bueller and Kristy McNichol as Angel. Matt Dillon plays Randy, while Armand Assante plays Gary. Two teenage girls from completely different backgrounds meet at summer camp and make a questionable bet about who will lose her virginity first. What follows is a coming-of-age story about friendship, peer pressure, romance, insecurity, and discovering that growing up isn’t quite as simple as teenagers imagine. The movie is very much a product of its 1980 era. Still, the performances give it considerably more warmth and depth than its provocative premise might suggest.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Dirty Dancing, directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Eleanor Bergstein, stars Jennifer Grey as Frances “Baby” Houseman and Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle. Jerry Orbach plays Baby’s father, Jake, while Cynthia Rhodes plays Penny Johnson. Set during the summer of 1963, the movie follows Baby and her family during their vacation at Kellerman’s, a Catskills resort where Johnny works as a dance instructor. Although it isn’t a traditional sleepaway camp, the resort functions as a summer community filled with activities, staff, social hierarchies, romances, and plenty of teenage drama. Baby becomes increasingly drawn into the lives of the resort staff after she agrees to help Johnny and Penny with their dance routine. Their relationship develops through dance while Baby also begins questioning the class divisions and expectations surrounding her privileged upbringing. The movie became a cultural phenomenon, and its combination of summer nostalgia, romance, music, dancing, and coming-of-age drama makes it a natural addition to a list of memorable summer camp movies.

Troop Zero (2019)

Troop Zero, directed by Bert & Bertie and written by Lucy Alibar, stars McKenna Grace as Christmas Flint, with Viola Davis as Miss Rayleen, Jim Gaffigan as Ramsey Flint, and Allison Janney as Miss Massey. Set in rural Georgia in 1977, the movie follows a group of unconventional children who form a Birdie Scout troop so they can compete in a talent competition. Christmas dreams of having her voice recorded on a NASA spacecraft as part of the Golden Record, but she needs to win the competition to make that dream possible. As the unlikely troop prepares for the event, the children discover friendship, confidence, and a sense of belonging. The movie has all the ingredients of a classic summer-camp story, including competitions, uniforms, rivalries, friendships, outdoor adventures, and kids determined to prove themselves. It’s a particularly sweet choice for viewers looking for a more modern family-friendly camp movie with plenty of heart.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Wet Hot American Summer, directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, features one of the most ridiculously talented casts ever assembled for a summer camp comedy. Janeane Garofalo plays Beth, David Hyde Pierce plays Professor Henry Newman, Paul Rudd plays Andy, and Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, Christopher Meloni, and Showalter also star. Set on the final day of Camp Firewood in 1981, the movie gleefully sends up nearly every summer camp cliché imaginable. Romance, rivalries, talent shows, strange counselors, and completely absurd plot twists collide before camp closes. It became a cult favorite and eventually spawned two Netflix series, making the original even more fun to revisit.

Addams Family Values (1993)

Addams Family Values, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by Paul Rudnick, stars Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams. Anjelica Huston plays Morticia, Raul Julia plays Gomez, and Joan Cusack plays the wonderfully unhinged Debbie Jellinsky. When Wednesday and Pugsley are shipped off to Camp Chippewa, the cheerful counselors attempt to turn them into well-adjusted children. That plan goes about as well as you’d expect. The movie’s unforgettable Thanksgiving play is one of the great camp scenes in comedy history. Ricci’s deadpan performance also makes Wednesday’s resistance to forced cheerfulness particularly hilarious. The characters originated in the cartoons created by Charles Addams.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Moonrise Kingdom, directed by Wes Anderson and written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, stars Jared Gilman as Khaki Scout Sam Shakusky and Kara Hayward as Suzy Bishop. Edward Norton plays Scout Master Ward, while Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Frances McDormand round out the cast. Set during the summer of 1965, the movie follows two young people who fall in love and decide to run away together. Sam escapes from his scout camp, while Suzy leaves home, sending the adults and scouts on a frantic search. Anderson’s unmistakable visual style turns the story into a quirky, funny, and surprisingly touching coming-of-age adventure. It’s one of the most charming alternatives to the traditional summer camp movie.

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Sleepaway Camp, written and directed by Robert Hiltzik, stars Felissa Rose as Angela Baker and Jonathan Tiersten as Ricky. Karen Fields plays Judy, while Christopher Collet plays Paul. Angela arrives at Camp Arawak with her cousin Ricky, but the seemingly ordinary summer quickly becomes horrifying. A series of increasingly disturbing deaths transforms the camp into a slasher’s playground. The movie developed a devoted cult following, thanks partly to its unusual tone and infamous ending. If you’re looking for summer camp horror movies, this one absolutely belongs on the list.

Camp Rock (2008)

Camp Rock, directed by Matthew Diamond and written by Karin Gist, Regina Hicks, Julie Brown, and Paul Brown, stars Demi Lovato as Mitchie Torres and Joe Jonas as Shane Gray. Meaghan Martin plays rival camper Tess, while Maria Canals-Barrera plays Mitchie’s mother, Connie. Mitchie attends a music camp while secretly dreaming of becoming a singer. When Shane hears her singing, he becomes determined to discover who owns the incredible voice. The movie became a major Disney Channel hit and helped launch Lovato’s acting and music career to an even larger audience. Its combination of summer camp, teen romance, music, and catchy songs makes it a natural addition to any list of Disney summer camp movies.

And now, of course, there’s a new chapter. Camp Rock 3 brings back Lovato and the Jonas Brothers while introducing a new generation of campers.

Camp Nowhere (1994)

Camp Nowhere, directed by Jonathan Prince and written by Andrew Kurtzman and Elliot Wald, stars Christopher Lloyd as Dennis Van Welker. Jonathan Jackson plays Morris “Mud” Himmel, while Andrew Keegan plays Zack Dell. When a group of kids discovers that their parents are determined to send them away for summer, they come up with a brilliant plan. They convince their parents to fund a camp that doesn’t actually exist. With Lloyd’s character helping them create the illusion, the kids get the ultimate summer vacation. It’s goofy, imaginative, and exactly the kind of wish fulfillment that makes camp movies so appealing.

Troop Beverly Hills (1989)

Troop Beverly Hills, directed by Jeff Kanew and written by Tammy Ader, stars Shelley Long as Phyllis Nefler. Craig T. Nelson plays her husband, Freddy, while Jenny Lewis plays her daughter, Hannah. After Phyllis becomes involved with her daughter’s Wilderness Girls troop, she discovers that outdoor survival isn’t exactly her specialty. However, she approaches the challenge with her trademark Beverly Hills enthusiasm and a wardrobe that is considerably more glamorous than standard camping gear. The result is a funny, feel-good comedy about friendship, confidence, and discovering that you don’t have to look like a traditional camper to become a great leader.

The Baby-Sitters Club (1995)

The Baby-Sitters Club, directed by Melanie Mayron and written by Dalene Young, is based on Ann M. Martin’s enormously popular book series. Schuyler Fisk plays Kristy Thomas, Bre Blair plays Stacey McGill, Rachael Leigh Cook plays Mary Anne Spier, and Larisa Oleynik plays Dawn Schafer. The friends create a summer day camp while managing friendships, family problems, and the usual complications of growing up. Their business gives the girls independence and responsibility while creating plenty of opportunities for things to go hilariously wrong. It’s a particularly nostalgic choice for readers who grew up with Martin’s books.

The Final Girls (2015)

The Final Girls, directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and written by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller, stars Taissa Farmiga as Max Cartwright and Malin Akerman as her mother, Amanda. Max and her friends attend a screening of Amanda’s famous 1980s slasher movie. Suddenly, they find themselves transported inside the film and trapped at Camp Bloodbath. Unfortunately, the killer is still there. The movie cleverly plays with classic summer camp horror conventions while also delivering a surprisingly emotional story about grief and the relationship between a daughter and her late mother. It’s especially entertaining for fans of Friday the 13th and other vintage slasher movies.

Ernest Goes to Camp (1987)

Ernest Goes to Camp, directed by John R. Cherry III and written by Cherry and Coke Sams, stars Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell. Ernest works as a counselor at Kamp Kikakee, where he becomes attached to a group of troubled campers. Unfortunately, developers are threatening the camp, forcing Ernest and the kids to fight back. Varney’s trademark physical comedy provides most of the laughs. However, the movie also has a surprisingly sincere message about friendship, loyalty, and standing up for something you love. If you grew up watching Ernest movies, this one is practically a summer-camp time capsule.

Indian Summer (1993)

Indian Summer, directed by Mike Binder, features an impressive ensemble including Alan Arkin, Diane Lane, Kevin Pollak, Elizabeth Perkins, Bill Paxton, and Sam Raimi. A group of childhood friends reunites at Camp Tamakwa, the place where they spent summers together years earlier. Returning to camp brings old memories rushing back, along with unresolved relationships and feelings that never completely disappeared. Unlike many summer camp movies, this one focuses on adults rather than children. That gives it a wistful quality as the characters consider how much they’ve changed since those carefree summers. It’s a lovely choice for anyone who thinks their best camp memories happened decades ago.

SpaceCamp (1986)

SpaceCamp, directed by Harry Winer and written by Casey Silver and Clifford Green, stars Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Kelly Preston, Larry B. Scott, and a young Joaquin Phoenix. The story follows teenagers attending a NASA space camp who unexpectedly find themselves launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle. Suddenly, their educational summer adventure becomes a genuine fight for survival. The movie combines two irresistible concepts: summer camp and space exploration. For 1980s kids who dreamed about becoming astronauts, SpaceCamp was basically the ultimate summer vacation.

White Water Summer (1987)

White Water Summer, directed by Jeff Bleckner and written by Norman Steinberg, stars Kevin Bacon as outdoor instructor Vic and Sean Astin as teenager Alan. Jonathan Ward and Matt Adler also star. The story follows teenagers who join an outdoor adventure program led by an instructor determined to push them beyond their comfort zones. Hiking, climbing, and white-water rafting quickly become more dangerous than expected. Bacon gives the movie an intense edge as Vic’s increasingly extreme approach tests the teenagers’ limits. It’s a darker take on the traditional summer adventure movie and a particularly interesting choice for fans of 1980s coming-of-age films.

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)

Fear Street Part Two: 1978, directed by Leigh Janiak and written by Janiak and Zak Olkewicz, is based on the Fear Street books by R.L. Stine. Sadie Sink stars as Christine “Ziggy” Berman, while Emily Rudd plays Cindy Berman and Ted Sutherland plays Nick Goode. The story takes place at Camp Nightwing, where a seemingly ordinary summer quickly turns into a blood-soaked nightmare. The movie deliberately embraces the traditions of classic summer-camp slashers while expanding the larger Fear Street mythology. If Friday the 13th made you nervous about sleeping in a cabin, this one probably won’t help.

Fictional Summer Camp Names

Movie	Camp Name
Meatballs (1979)	Camp North Star
Friday the 13th (1980)	Camp Crystal Lake
The Parent Trap (1998)	Camp Walden
Little Darlings (1980)	Camp Little Wolf
Heavyweights (1995)	Camp Hope
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)	Camp Firewood
Addams Family Values (1993)	Camp Chippewa
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)	Camp Ivanhoe
Sleepaway Camp (1983)	Camp Arawak
Camp Rock (2008)	Camp Rock
Camp Nowhere (1994)	Camp Nowhere
Troop Beverly Hills (1989)	Wilderness Girls
The Baby-Sitters Club (1995)	Summer day camp — no named camp
The Final Girls (2015)	Camp Blue Finch
Ernest Goes to Camp (1987)	Kamp Kikakee
Indian Summer (1993)	Camp Tamakwa
SpaceCamp (1986)	U.S. Space Camp
Theater Camp (2023)	AdirondACTS
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)	Camp Nightwing
Dirty Dancing (1987)	Kellerman’s Mountain Resort

If you love summer movies check out our post: The Birth of the Summer Blockbuster

What Makes Summer Camp Movies So Much Fun?

The best summer camp movies work because camp creates a world apart from everyday life. Kids are away from their parents. Teenagers suddenly have more freedom. Counselors have questionable judgment. And somebody inevitably decides that a camp competition is worth risking everything. Summer camp movies take something familiar and make it feel like an adventure. A bunch of kids arrive at camp as strangers. They make friends, get into trouble, fall in love, learn something about themselves, and eventually have to go home. Well, except in the horror movies. In those, going home isn’t always an option.

That freedom makes camp the perfect setting for almost any movie genre. Comedy, horror, romance, family adventure, coming-of-age stories, musicals, and even science fiction can all work within the same basic setting. There’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about the formula. Even if you’ve never attended sleepaway camp, movies have given us a shared idea of what camp should look like. Campfires. Canoes. Talent shows. Mess halls. Cabin rivalries. First crushes. And, of course, the occasional homicidal maniac.