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7 Must-Watch Camping Movies to Inspire Your Next Outdoor Adventure

7 Must-Watch Camping Movies to Inspire Your Next Outdoor Adventure

When it comes to camping movies, a variety of genres can bring the outdoor adventure to your screen. For laughs, check out classic camp comedies like 1979’s “Meatballs,” featuring the always funny Bill Murray. Heartwarming coming-of-age stories like “Moonrise Kingdom” (another Bill Murray gem) and the musical drama “Camp” are perfect for a nostalgic trip. And for those who enjoy a thrill, horror movies set in campsites turn the peaceful setting into a spooky adventure. Whether you’re an avid camper or just looking to enjoy some summer vibes from your couch, these films will bring the essence of camping right to you.

1. Stand By Me

Based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, this film follows four friends who venture into the woods to find a rumored body. The adventure takes them from their small town of Castle Rock, Oregon, into the wilderness. Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern pack their sleeping bags and supplies, ready for a camping trek like no other.

Stand By Me isn’t just one of the best coming-of-age films; it’s also a top pick for camping movie enthusiasts. The boys set up camp, share stories around a campfire, and sleep under the stars, capturing the essence of a quintessential camping trip.

Despite its bittersweet tone, this summer adventure was a pivotal experience for the boys, helping them grow and gain independence. It’s a reminder of how camping trips can be more than just an escape—they can be life-changing.

2. Meatballs

Bill Murray’s first appearance on this list is in the 1979 classic, Meatballs. Often hailed as the original camp movie, Meatballs essentially created the genre. This summertime comedy follows the underdog Camp North Star as it faces off against the elite Camp Mohawk. Though North Star seems to have no chance of winning, Murray’s counselor character boosts the campers’ confidence, showing that even the most unlikely heroes can triumph.

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3. Moonrise Kingdom

If there’s a summer camp that perfectly captures the essence of adventure and nostalgia, it’s Wes Anderson’s meticulously designed Camp Ivanhoe. With its charming Khaki Scouts in their impeccable uniforms and detailed tents, it sets the ideal scene for a memorable camping experience. But for Sam and Suzy (played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward), life takes an unexpected turn. Having fallen in love the previous summer, they decide to escape together, setting off a massive search involving the entire camp, Suzy’s parents, the local police, and practically everyone in Hollywood. This beautifully crafted and whimsical tale is a delightful tribute to the innocence and excitement of young love.

4. Camp Hideout

A rebellious teen escapes trouble in the city by hiding out at a mountain summer camp. Things seem peaceful until his enemies find him, putting him and his new camp friends at risk.

5. Heavyweights

This might not be the best summer camp movie out there, and it hasn’t aged well. However, for those who watched it as kids, it holds a special place, earning it a spot on our list!

Ben Stiller stars as Tony Perkis, a fitness fanatic who takes over Camp Hope. His goal? To turn this friendly camp into a military-style boot camp. While it works as a family camping movie, one highlight is seeing a young Kenan Thompson in action!

6. Daddy Day Camp

Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as a dad who believes he knows how to manage a business where kids are the main customers. Deciding to start a summer camp with his dad’s friends seems like a great plan, but they quickly realize it’s not as easy as it sounds. The kids turn out to be lively, mischievous, and brimming with endless energy, making their camping adventure quite the challenge.

7. Theater Camp

What makes this mockumentary stand out is its meticulous adherence to the classic summer-camp narrative—where lovable misfits unite to save a struggling camp from greedy developers—and its affectionate satire of overzealous theater kids. When the owner of AdirondACTS (Amy Sedaris) falls into a coma, her son, the clueless TikTok business influencer Troy (Jimmy Tatro), takes charge of the camp and its unruly staff, including the hilariously competitive friends Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon, who also co-writes and co-directs) and Amos (Ben Platt, who co-writes as well). The film is peppered with fantastic Broadway-specific humor, peaking in the camp’s delightfully awful original production. The comedy is spot-on (pun intended), showcasing both the vulnerability and the wonderfully irritating nature of theater enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Not only do movies about camping inspire you to travel and settle down far from civilization, but it is one of the best ways to ignite the spark in yourself. Try watching family camping movies and you will find yourself yearning to pack up and head to the woods or lake to sing songs around a campfire, enjoy sunsets, and find peace.

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