Spooky Season in Flip-Flops: 30 Movies, Books, and TV Shows to Celebrate Summerween

Who says you have to wait until October for thrills and chills? Welcome to Summerween—that perfectly eerie mix of sunshine, sand, and spookiness. Whether you're on assignment by the coast or cooling off in the mountains, this list of Summerween-inspired movies, books, and binge-worthy shows is here to keep your heart racing (and your sunscreen handy).

🎬 10 Must-Watch Summerween Movies

Cue the creepy music and get ready for some scary-good cinema:

• Jaws – Classic beach horror. You’ll never look at ocean waves the same way again.
• The Lost Boys – Vampires and SoCal boardwalks? Peak spooky summer.
• I Know What You Did Last Summer – Teen slasher meets coastal town drama.
• Midsommar – Daylight horror in flower crowns and cultish rituals.
• The Cabin in the Woods – A satirical, twisty take on your typical cabin getaway.
• Us – Family vacation gone horrifyingly wrong. Jordan Peele does it again.
• Sleepaway Camp – Retro summer camp horror with a shocking twist.
• Friday the 13th – The ultimate summer slasher set at Camp Crystal Lake.
• The Wicker Man (1973) – Folk horror in a sun-soaked pagan village.
• The Shallows – A solo survival thriller with a shark and serious tension.

📚 10 Spine-Tingling Summerween Reads

From haunted mansions to summer flings with a dark side, these reads are perfect for poolside chills:

• Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews - A chilling tale of remote woods and eerie mysteries—perfect for an unsupervised shift break.
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno‑Garcia - A lush, atmospheric horror novel set in a haunted Mexican mansion—gorgeously creepy and thrilling.
• Survive the Night by Riley Sager - A tense, gripping ride through a fateful night—nothing says Summerween like a road trip thriller.
• Night Shift by Stephen King - Classic short stories—quick scares ideal for those late-night, short‑on‑time reads.
• Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - A carnival of nightmares and dark magic—timeless Summerween material.
• Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach - Think Lizzie Borden meets Supernatural with a beachside twist—goosebumps guaranteed
• In Nightfall by Suzanne Young - Set in an eerie coastal town with a curfew before dark—perfectly Summerween
• The Whisperwood Legacy by Jo Schulte - A sinister theme‑park mystery—darkness hiding right behind the lights!
• When We Go Missing by April Henry - A summer investigation that turns chilling fast—secrets, suspense, and Summerween vibes
• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz - Campfire folklore and creepy illustrations—excellent for a quick fright, any time

📺 10 TV Shows to Binge for Chilling Summer Vibes

These shows range from nostalgic to downright disturbing—perfect for late-night streaming on assignment:

• Stranger Things – Small town mystery meets ‘80s horror and heart.
• Bates Motel – A modern-day prequel to Psycho that’s moody and mesmerizing.
• Goosebumps (OG or Disney+ reboot) – Kid-friendly chills with nostalgic flair.
• Yellowjackets – Wilderness survival horror meets psychological thriller.
• What We Do in the Shadows – Comedic vampires navigating Staten Island life.
• American Horror Story: 1984 – Summer camp horror meets slasher homage.
• The Haunting of Bly Manor – Romantic, eerie, and beautifully tragic.
• Midnight Mass – Small island secrets and spine-chilling revelations.
• Outer Banks – Less horror, more treasure-hunting and teen drama—but perfect for beachy suspense.
• Fear Street Trilogy (Netflix) – Three time periods, endless frights, and summer-camp-meets-slasher vibes.

🎃 Bonus Summerween Fun for Travel Nurses:

• Host a Summerween-themed potluck with spooky treats (gummy worms, anyone?).
• Swap horror book recs in your nurse group chat.
• Have a haunted movie night under the stars with fellow travelers.
• Explore a local ghost tour—many cities have them year-round!
• Carve a watermelon like a jack-o’-lantern. Trust us—it’s a vibe.

Whether you're curled up post-shift or exploring your spooky side on assignment, Summerween is the perfect way to add a little boo to your sunshine.

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