Inseparable best friends AJ and Moose decide to run the local pool's snack shack after their plan to sell home-brewed beer goes down the drain. Things take a turn when they meet Brooke, an effortlessly cool lifeguard who puts their big plans, and friendship, at risk.
Ratings
Curator score: 4.5/10
IMDb: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
Metacritic: 64
TMDB: 7.1/10
Director
Adam Rehmeier
Production
T-Street, Paperclip, MRC
Cast
Conor Sherry, Gabriel LaBelle, Mika Abdalla, Nick Robinson, David Costabile, Gillian Vigman, June Gentry, April Clark, Michael Bonini, Christian James, Steve Berg, Kate Robertson Pryor, J.D. Evermore, Dominick Marrone, Tracy Long, Christian J. Velez, Dawson Mullen, Jason Boots, Sidi Henderson, Gregg Gilmore
Curator Review
Verdict
A breezy, sincere summer coming-of-age comedy with strong hangout energy, appealing chemistry, and a nostalgic 90s-rock vibe. It’s more about friendship, first crushes, and the messy drift into adulthood than big plot turns, which is exactly why it works for the right viewer.
Best for
fans of laid-back coming-of-age comedies
viewers who like nostalgic summer settings and small-town vibes
people who enjoy buddy dynamics and first-crush awkwardness
audiences looking for a warm, easy watch with a strong sense of place
Skip if
you want sharp, high-concept plotting
you need a big third-act payoff or escalating chaos
you dislike nostalgic teen-boy perspective stories
you prefer comedies with a harder edge or broader jokes
Overview
Snack Shack is the kind of summer movie that wins you over by being relaxed, funny, and emotionally honest. It leans into the rhythms of a last-golden-season friendship: petty schemes, awkward bravado, and the slow realization that growing up is already happening whether the boys are ready or not.
Worth noting
The film’s biggest asset is its chemistry. The central duo feels lived-in, and the movie understands how much of adolescence is just hanging out, posturing, and trying to look cooler than you are. That gives the comedy a natural, unforced feel, even when the story is deliberately lightweight.
Bottom line
It’s also a movie with a strong nostalgic texture, from the poolside setting to the 90s-rock atmosphere. The plot is simple, but the vibe is carefully tuned, and the sincerity keeps it from feeling disposable. If you want a warm, funny, slightly wistful hangout movie, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Conor Sherry (5★) · 7663 likes
Had the best summer of my life making this movie. The 90s rock
Kera McKeon (3★) · 3551 likes
Those boys absolutely grew up to cause the 2008 financial crisis
amanda48 (4.5★) · 2947 likes
Need a fuck dog from shit pig and moose
Joe A (4★) · 2307 likes
It’s criminal this movie was buried by Paramount in the middle of March because it’s oozes that Linklater-esque summer coming of age story that so many people love. Hopefully it gets a second life on streaming, it’s far too fun and sincere for it to go unnoticed.
Gabriel LaBelle, you’re going places.
alexis (3.5★) · 2236 likes
Solid addition to the SJCU (summer job cinematic universe)