They say art imitates life. At Polygon, we know that the opposite can also be true – and in fact, we regularly take it a step further and use our favorite movies as a guide to everyday life.
Summer is a season with one lot of pressure. Gone are the days when kicking a ball outside or hanging out in the playground was enough for a fun summer day. Now everyone is on social media at a cool rooftop bar, or sailing on a yacht, or at another Taylor Swift concert, or at a Taylor Swift concert on a yacht’s cool rooftop bar.
So, from some of our favorite movies, here’s some bona fide advice for a wonderful summer!
Find a special system to keep in touch with old friends
The sisterhood of the traveling pants
Unfortunately, not all of us can find a pair of jeans that magically fit four different friends with four different body types. But maybe try sending postcards or making friendship bracelets or swapping the same stuffed animal to travel around with!
Treat yourself
High school musical 2
Image: Disney
As Sharpay sings High school musical 2, you deserve great! Enjoy something extra this summer, whether it’s turkey towels or Maine turkey.
Keep your mind open for new adventures!
Upwards
It’s never too late in life for an adventure! Just look at Carl, who decided to take matters into his own hands and make his dreams come true – and keep his life open to new possibilities after finally making that big trip to Paradise Falls.
Use protection when you have summer fun!
mama mia
Image: Universal Pictures
After all, you don’t want three different men showing up at your daughter-to-be’s wedding!
Stay active!
Forest Gump
You can go for a run, like Forrest, but taking a dip in the pool is also a great way to keep your body moving during the summer.
Don’t recite curses from mysterious ancient texts you may have unearthed
The mummy
It may seem like a cool fun idea, but maybe not???
Invest in cool sunglasses.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Image: Paramount Pictures
Holly Golightly may be facing extreme existential boredom – but at least she looks gorgeous! A good pair of sunglasses protects your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause damage to the eyelid, cornea, lens and retina. Plus, they always look good.
Be sure to check that the theme park you are visiting is compliant!
Jurassic Park
Sometimes the thrill isn’t worth it. If you get an offer that seems too good to be true for an experience that sounds absolutely dangerous, you may want to put it off.
Pack sunscreen!
The hangover
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
You never know when your friends will leave you stranded on the roof of a hotel for hours. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which not only age skin prematurely, but can also contribute to skin cancer.
Enjoy the outdoors!
The parent trap
Chances are you won’t have to deal with your hot, rich fiancé’s annoying 11-year-old twins sending your air mattress out onto the lake in the middle of the night. However, if you’re engaged to a zaddy whose estranged ex-wife just resurfaced, and you also planned to send his kid to a Swiss boarding school, maybe stay home for the weekend.
Grab your chance and try a new dish!
Ratatouille
Even something with humble origins can surprise you. Try a new restaurant or even a new recipe. As our good friend Remy teaches, anyone can cook! Your favorite dish is waiting for you outside.
Don’t fall asleep. Stay awake. It can find you in your dreams.
A nightmare on Elm Street
Image: New Line Cinema
Freddy Krueger never rests. Why would you?
Remember your mosquito repellent when you are outside!
Lilo & Stitch
Pleakley was under the impression that mosquitoes were a galactically endangered species and so was unprepared for the intense itching of their bites. Don’t be like Pleakley!
Wear lighter colors to fight the hot sun!
Lawrence of Arabia
TE Lawrence and his friends knew how to keep cool in the bitter heat.
Double check ingredients when handing over new foods to avoid allergies!
Glass Onion: A Mystery of the Blades
Keep an Epipen with you too!
Don’t stop walking. Keep moving. Don’t let it catch you.
It follows
The people have said this!
Take advantage of seasonal fruits!
Call me by your name
Image: Sony Pictures Classics
Berries, watermelon and melons are all in season – and tastier than usual. Search your local farmers market to get the goods. There is no better snack on a hot summer day than some fresh fruit. Peaches are especially juicy this time of year.
Stop fighting it. Let it consume you.
The Babadook
̸̳̀̽͗ṭ̶̐̉h ̴̠̭̀̈́e̷̡̠͉̐̂̇̽͐ ̸̡̺͠͠d̶̢̬̭͖̉̄͝a̶̳͉͌r̷͉͍͗͛̓̕k̵̨̏͐̚ṋ̸ ̤̯̏̌̾̊e̸̮̱̱͛̕ ͜ş̸̼͕͉̒̂͛ș̶͚̲̝̔̉̚
If you go skinny dipping, pay attention to your clothes!
The road to El Dorado
Image: DreamWorks
Miguel and Tulio made the cardinal mistake of leaving their clothes unattended while bathing in a hot spring. Monkeys stole them and they had to chase the monkeys through the jungle – and when they got their clothes back, they had to deal with fleas! Make sure you keep your clothes, towels and other belongings within reach.
The cabin in the woods
Hydrate!
Mad Max: Fury Road
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures