Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
This 4th of July, you don’t have to be bitter that you’re not vacationing at one of this country’s fine beaches, coastlines, national parks, or wonders of the world. After all, you made the smart decision to stay indoors with the air conditioning and your nearest streaming platform.
But sure, you’re feeling the nagging regret that you didn’t go anywhere. Fear not! We here at Decider have you covered. In honor of Independence Day, we’re going to show you how you can take advantage of this country’s finest vacation destinations as experienced in movies you can stream today.
Happy 4th!
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Vacation home to the New England elite, this island off the coast of Cape Cod was the filming location for fictional “Amity Island” in Jaws. Enjoy that salty air and the peaceful feeling of being off the mainland, not to mention the plentiful beaches. Just, you know, watch out for fins in the water.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The beachy, breezy border islands in North Carolina have proved to be some of the most idyllic locations in all of America. Which is why author of book-to-movie adaptations Nicholas Sparks sets so many of his stories about all-consuming, doomed romance in the Outer Banks. Starting with Kevin Costner and Robin Wright’s nautical romance in Message in a Bottle, Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum being beautiful around each other in Dear John, and the ultimate Outer Banks romance, Richard Gere building a bad-idea house on the beach — ON the beach — in Nights in Rodanthe.
[Where to stream Message in a Bottle.]
[Where to stream Dear John.]
[Where to stream Nights in Rodanthe.]
San Diego, California
You’d think that Top Gun would make a poor fit for vacation inspiration. Oh, but it looks like somebody’s forgetting a little beach volleyball scene. So, yes, the hotshot fighter pilots in Top Gun were all based out of San Diego, and when they wanted to blow off a little steam, they set up a net, cranked the homoeroticism up to 11, and played some damn volleyball.
Miami Beach, Florida
But maybe all the aggro testosterone of beach volleyball isn’t your speed? Perhaps instead you’d like to don some linen pants and a flowy pastel scarf and catch a Miami sunset before heading out to a spirited night at the drag club? Good news, The Birdcage was made specifically for you. Particularly if you enjoy farce, gender-bending, and jokes about sweet-and-sour peasant soup.
[Where to stream The Birdcage.]
The Oregon Coastline
Okay, we hear you. Beach culture is awful. Sunbathing will give you skin cancer. Swimming just puckers your fingertips. But the ocean … oh, the ocean is still just so nice. How about all the fun of the ocean but a little bit chillier and with mists that make you feel like you’re walking slowly into the Undying Lands? How about Oregon?? The beautiful Oregon coastline is some of the most beautiful oceanfront territory you’re ever going to find. Just as Mikey, Mouth, Data, Chunk, and the rest of the gang from the 1980s kids adventure The Goonies, who used the scenic views of rocky landmarks to lead them directly to One-Eyed Willie’s treasure.
[Where to stream The Goonies.]
Oahu, Hawaii
Into surfing? Get your ass out to Hawaii! Streaming-wise, we mean. The 2002 girl-surfers movie Blue Crush is not only an underappreciated classic, but being set on the North Short of Oahu, it’s one of the most gorgeous movies ever.
The Hamptons, New York
We heard you say you’d rather die than spend a weekend with New York City’s snooty elite in their disgustingly perfect Hamptons homes and their lily-white garden parties and their godforsaken jitneys. With Weekend at Bernie’s, the ’90s comedy/punchline (and Rachel Green’s real favorite movie!) about a dead guy paraded around the Hamptons for a weekend by his two hapless employees, you can live out your wish.
[Where to stream Weekend at Bernie’s.]
The Grand Canyon
Weekend’s over. Tuesday morning looms. You have to go back to work. But what if you didn’t? What if your streaming journey around America didn’t have to end? What if you just … kept going? Let Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon take you up to the cusp of the Grand Canyon in Thelma & Louise, the 1991 Oscar-nominated film about two women on the run from the law in a man’s world. Peer out over the edge into the chasm. It’s beautiful. It’s free. It’s summer. Ponder turning back and retreating to the coming months spent sweltering at your desk. Then hit that gas pedal.
