While Avengers: Endgame has already made most films tuck their entire summer in when it comes to record-breaking box office numbers, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be more heat dropping in theaters. The weather’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and summer movie szn is officially upon us.
While Avengers: Endgame has already made most films tuck their entire summer in when it comes to record-breaking box office numbers, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be more heat dropping in theaters. The weather’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and summer movie szn is officially upon us.
This summer, in particular, has a packed scheduled—from reboots of series we’ve not seen in years to the latest film in Marvel’s sprawling Cinematic Universe to sequels to some of the biggest films to hit theaters in recent memory, there’s something for practically everyone. Hopefully, in between trips to the beach or someone’s shore house for much-needed beer pong festivities, you get a chance to assemble your squad and hit the cineplex for a dope, air-conditioned two-hour experience in the months to come.
From John Wick to Pennywise’s return, here are our picks for the best bets at the movie theater this summer.
‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’
Director: Chad Stahelski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: May 17
Keanu Reeves is back as the killing machine John Wick; the last time we saw Mr. Wick, he was made “excommunicado” from the Continental, with a $14 million bounty on his head. This installment in the series went viral when shots of John Wick riding a horse hit the internet, and thanks to the trailers, we’ve also gotten to see Halle Berry in action, along with two badass dogs. The first two were stellar, and there’s no reason to think the third John Wick film will be anything but awesome.
‘Brightburn’
Director: David Yarovesky
Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner
Studio: Screen Gems / Stage 6 Films / Sony Pictures Releasing
Release Date: May 24
Earlier this year, M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass served as an underwhelming finale to his grounded superhero series; hopefully Brightburn, produced by Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn, can succeed where M. Night didn’t. The easiest way to describe this film is to think of Superman’s origin story: a superpowered being from another planet crash landing on Earth. But instead of this child turning into the biggest hero ever, he becomes something evil. There’s only so much his parents can do when his power manifests itself, and the results look disastrous. If done right, this could be the perfect blend of horror and superhero fare.
‘Booksmart’
Director: Olivia Wilde
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Noah Galvin, Billie Lourd, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis
Studio: Annapurna Pictures / Gloria Sanchez Productions
Release Date: May 24
Already a hit on the festival circuit (and currently sitting at a perfect 100 percent Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), Booksmart tells the tale of two smart AF girls who, on the eve of graduating from high school, realize that they probably should’ve spent more time turning up and less time in the library. The result? Attempting to cram four years of the shit you do in high school outside of studies into one night. Hopefully they make it out alive.
‘Ma’
Director: Tate Taylor
Starring: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Luke Evans, Missi Pyle, Allison Janney
Studio: Universal Pictures / Blumhouse Productions
Release Date: May 31
The talented Octavia Spencer reunites with Tate Taylor (who helmed The Help) for Ma, a Blumhouse horror film that feels like a cross between the Stephen King classic Misery and a campy ’80s horror flick. Spencer plays Ma, a woman who allows high school teens to party in her basement. Her only rule is that they cannot go upstairs. When you realize why, you’ll be begging the kids not to go upstairs, not to get into the basement, and not to fuck with Ma. If you’re looking for the perfect film to scream (and crack up) at the screen to, Ma’s your choice.
‘Dark Phoenix’
Director: Simon Kinberg
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Evan Peters, Jessica Chastain
Studio: 20th Century Fox / Marvel Entertainment
Release Date: June 7
In what will be remembered as the last X-Men film that Fox made before they were acquired by Disney, we see the X-Men universe tackling the legendary Dark Phoenix saga for a second time. The story finds Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey hit with a force that heightens her already-impressive mutant powers during a space mission. This awakens the Phoenix Force within her, and with a little nudging, her limitless power turns her into a destructive force for her teammates and the world. Hopefully, this film knocks this saga (and this iteration of the X-Men) out of the park.
‘Men in Black: International’
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Liam Neeson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Amblin Entertainment
Release Date: June 14
No Will Smith? No Tommy Lee Jones? No problem, apparently. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson put their dynamic chemistry (which was on full display in both Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame) to good use, bringing the Men in Black film series into the modern era. They both don the iconic look and take on an international batch of unruly aliens, with a bucket of big guns and (hopefully) even bigger laughs. F. Gary Gray has helmed some insane action films—including 2003’s The Italian Job and 2017’s The Fate of the Furious—which puts our minds at ease when it comes to the explosive side of this franchise.
‘Shaft’
Director: Tim Story
Starring: Jessie Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, Alexandra Shipp, Regina Hall, Richard Roundtree, Alexandra Shipp, Matt Lauria, Titus Welliver, Method Man
Studio: Warner Bros. / New Line Cinema
Release Date: June 14
When Shafts Collide could’ve been a dope tagline for this film, as a number of Shaft generations converge in the life of John “JJ” Shaft Jr., the FBI agent son of Samuel L. Jackson’s Shaft. JJ might not have his estranged father’s way with women or shoot-first mentality, but it’ll take the both of them (along with the OG Shaft, Richard Roundtree) and others to take on whatever underground organization played a part in the death of JJ’s best friend.
‘The Dead Don't Die’
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Starring: Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, RZA, Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Tom Waits
Studio: Focus Features
Release Date: June 14
You ever get really stoned and wonder what a Jim Jarmusch zombie flick would look like? If you have, 2019’s The Dead Don’t Die is giving you your most insane dream. The legend Bill Murray, Adam Driver, and Chloë Sevigny star as a police chief and officers (respectively) in a small town that’s been infested by zombies. Instead of running for cover, they decide to take the undead on. It’s a Jarmusch film, so expect all kinds of offbeat comedy throughout, and possibly the best answer to conventional horror/zombie flicks you’ll get this year.
‘Toy Story 4’
Director: Josh Cooley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele
Studio: Disney / Pixar
Release Date: June 21
You already know what time it is: Woody, Buzz, and the gang are back for the fourth time with the usual array of toys and a special friend, Forky (literally a plastic spork with pipe cleaner wrapped around it). Because it’s a Toy Story film, there’s a bevy of existential questions about the life of a toy, life in general, and the pursuit of happiness, mixed in with road trips and toy-centric hilarity. Featured voices include everyone from Key and Peele to Keanu Reeves. If there isn’t a John Wick joke in this film, what was all of this even for?
‘Child's Play’
Director: Lars Klevberg
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Tyree Henry, Tim Matheson, Mark Hamill
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Orion Pictures
Release Date: June 21
Rebooting the Child’s Play horror series, with Brian Tyree Henry and Aubrey Plaza? Many thought this would have too many laughs to be taken seriously, but the horrific spin taken this time around involves dolls that are seemingly going sentient due to all of today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology. Mark Hamill also jumps in as the voice of Chucky, reminding us why we loved his turn as Joker in the animated Batman series and making us that much more excited for this film.
‘Midsommar’
Director: Ari Aster
Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter
Studio: A24
Release Date: July 3
A year after releasing the ultra-frightening Hereditary for A24, Ari Aster links with the indie giant once more for his second feature film, Midsommar. If you were intrigued by the cult themes of his first film, you’ll be fully on board with Midsommar, which finds a couple vacationing in Sweden, where they happen upon a festival-like event that only takes place every 90 years. Judging by the trailer, shit gets REALLY REAL really quick, and we wouldn’t be surprised if neither of them makes it out alive.
‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’
Director: Jon Watts
Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Marisa Tomei, Jake Gyllenhaal
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Marvel Studios
Release Date: July 2
The first Marvel film released after Avengers: Endgame has a lot of weight to carry. Part of it has to do with Peter Parker having to deal with the [SPOILER ALERT] death of Tony Stark in Endgame, but the majority of it is the realization that [again, SPOILER ALERT] Thanos’ snap in Infinity War has somehow caused a tear through the multiverse. Seemingly joining forces with Nick Fury and Mysterio, Spider-Man is Earth’s only hope against whatever is coming through this tear; somehow, he has to navigate it all while on vacation with his class. Just another walk in the park for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
‘The Lion King’
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, Beyoncé, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, John Kani, John Oliver, Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release Date: July 19
Disney’s live-action remakes of their classic film properties have been hit or miss, but 2019's The Lion King, which counts the likes of Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, and more as voice actors (including James Earl Jones, reprising his memorable role as Mufasa), is sure to be a hit. The story remains the same—a young lion cub has to figure out how to navigate life without his father—and the visuals from this film feel all too real. If Disney doesn’t stick the landing here, we (read: the adults who grew up on the Disney classic) might have a problem.
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Mike Moh, Bruce Dern, Scoot McNairy, Dakota Fanning, Damon Herriman, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham, Luke Perry
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Heyday Films
Release Date: July 26
Initially thought to be Quentin Tarantino’s take on the horrific Manson Family murders, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood plays more to what life was like in those times, when a figure like Charles Manson was real and walking among the people. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Rick Dalton, and Brad Pitt plays his stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they traverse a Hollywood going through some radical changes. Some say this is more of Tarantino’s homage to the “golden age” of Hollywood; whatever it is, it’s Tarantino, so he’s already got our money.
‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’
Director: David Leitch
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Roman Reigns, Eiza Gonzalez, Eddie Marsan, Cliff Curtis, Helen Mirren
Studio: Universal Pictures / Original Film / Seven Bucks Productions
Release Date: August 2
Idris Elba as a superpowered villain in a Fast & Furious spin-off starring the Rock and Jason Statham? It sounds crazy, but we’re on board. As that franchise’s universe expands, we’re given this pure slice of insanity. Anything the Rock touches is golden, still, and pairing him with a sinister Idris and Statham’s rugged, no-nonsense approach to action films feels like an absolute no-brainer.
‘Good Boys’
Director: Gene Stupnitsky
Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, Brady Noon, Molly Gordon, Midori Francis, Josh Caras, Will Forte, Lil Rel Howery, Retta
Studio: Universal Pictures / Good Universe / Point Grey Pictures
Release Date: August 16
From the diabolical minds of Seth Rogen and co. comes Good Boys, which features Jacob Tremblay and a squad of sixth-graders going on a fantastically vulgar voyage, all in the name of hitting up a party. It packs the blue humor of films like Superbad but ma,kes the protagonists much younger and much more clueless. What the boys lack in knowledge, they make up for in charm, which this film has a lot of. Quite possibly the most laugh-out-loud movie you’ll see this summer.
‘It Chapter Two’
Director: Andy Muschietti
Starring: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Jay Ryan, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone, Andy Bean, Bill Skarsgård
Studio: Warner Bros. / New Line Cinema
Release Date: September 6
Following up the monstrous first chapter of Stephen King’s It is Chapter Two, which brings this summer’s offerings to a dark end. The trailer features the Losers Club’s return to Derry to battle with Pennywise once again, as well as a frightening naked grandma scene (yes, really). With this installation, we'll get more backstory on the sinister clown's multigenerational reign of terror, so prepare to have the shit scared out of you. You've been warned.