Summer is on its way. And with it comes kids clamoring for activities, the thirst for blockbuster spectacles, and the hunger to get away from it all in an air-conditioned movie theater. But what to watch?
Whether you crave superhero action, twee comedy, riveting drama, family-friendly entertainment, or chilling horror, we've got you covered. Read on for a rundown of all the movies you need to know about this summer, where to see them, and which stars will be coming out to dazzle us.
From Barbie to Fast X, Oppenheimer to Asteroid City, Indiana Jones to Mission: Impossible, summer 2023 is promising to be a cinematic wonderland.
Listed by order of release, here are the 50 movies we can't wait to see this summer.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5 kicked off earlier this year with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Next, the MCU offers the rousing return of Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket, Mantis, Nebula, and Groot, also known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. This band of space-trekking misfits is still reeling from the loss of Gamora (see Avengers: Infinity War). However, the fickle winds of the multiverse have brought another Gamora into their lives. But she seems less charmed by Peter Quill's quips and general playboy vibes.
Can this fractured found family come together to face off against a new threat to the universe, which seems to include the superpowered Adam Warlock? Writer/director James Gunn, who helmed Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1-2, is locked and loaded to bring new barrages of battle scenes, bonkers humor, and head-banging needle drops to kick off the summer just right.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova, and Sylvester Stallone
How to watch: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in theaters May 5.
2. BlackBerry
Before the iPhone conquered the cellphone market, a BlackBerry was the gadget to see and be seen with. If you've ever wondered how typing with your thumbs came to be a global pastime, you won't want to miss writer/director Matt Johnson's BlackBerry. It's not just that this film dives into the scrappy origins of the Canadian company and its oft-at-loggerheads execs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. It's also that Johnson finds the humor in this parable of greed and innovation.
In Mashable's review out of the film's SXSW World Premiere, I wrote, "Though occasionally a bumpy ride… BlackBerry manages to find the humor in the heartbreak of this true tale, delivering an ending that is simple yet satisfying."
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Matt Johnson, Rich Sommer, Michael Ironside, Martin Donovan, Michelle Giroux, SungWon Cho, Saul Rubinek, and Cary Elwes
How to watch: BlackBerry opens in theaters May 12.
3. Hypnotic
From El Mariachi to From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids to Alita: Battle Angel, Robert Rodriguez has scorched a path of wildly stylish action movies. In his latest, pulse-pounding stunts will collide with a mind-bending mystery.
Ben Affleck stars as a detective on a quest to recover his missing daughter. But this is far from a straightforward tale of cops and crooks, as William Fichtner plays a curious and sinister figure who seems to be able to hypnotize others to do his bidding with terrifying ease. Can our hero find his kid in a world turned upside down? What conspiracy might lurk behind this confounding case? We can't wait to fall under the spell of Hypnotic.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Alice Braga, J.D. Pardo, Hala Finley, Dayo Okeniyi, Jeff Fahey, Jackie Earle Haley, and William Fichtner
How to watch: Hypnotic opens in theaters May 12.
4. The Mother
Jennifer Lopez has reclaimed her crown as the queen of rom-coms with Marry Me and Shotgun Wedding. But this summer she's coming to kick butt and take names as one bad mother.
Niki Caro, director of Whale Rider and the live-action Mulan, takes the helm of The Mother, an action-drama that stars Lopez as a former assassin called back into the fray when her long-lost daughter is threatened. Just in time for Mother's Day, Netflix is delivering a present packed with action, suspense, and stars. This one's for the moms who'd stop at nothing to keep their kid safe (and maybe those of us who just crave JLo in action hero mode).
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Omari Hardwick, and Gael García Bernal
How to watch: The Mother premieres exclusively on Netflix May 12.
5. Fast X
It's been a long road, exploding with car chases, hectic heists, secret family members, and several resurrections from the dead. I mean, they've even launched a muscle car into space! After everything we've seen Dom and the crew go through, what could Fast X (aka Fast & Furious 10) possibly do to surprise us? For starters, how about adding Jason Momoa to a cast of characters that might outnumber the MCU?
Dom might think he's walked away from life-or-death missions so he can focus on the thing that matters most — say it with me in Vin Diesel voice — family. But it turns out that when the Fast and Furious crew drove a bank vault round Rio like a battering ram (see Fast Five), they made a relentless enemy who's determined to destroy all Dom's built. Retconning to work in new vengeance angles is among the things this franchise does best. The other is gonzo action sequences. And with Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, Unleashed) at the helm, such thrills are practically guaranteed.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jason Momoa, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, and Rita Moreno
How to watch: Fast X opens in theaters May 19.
6. Master Gardener
On its surface, the logline for Master Gardener seems a snooze: "A meticulous horticulturist is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate and pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager." You might expect a dozy English drama. But this movie is from writer/director Paul Schrader, best known for critically heralded thrillers like Taxi Driver, First Reformed, and The Card Counter. So, let's look closer.
Master Gardener's trailer begins with flowers and a lovely estate, but soon pivots to talk of gunplay and a grandniece in need of direction. As this mysterious servant grows closer to his troubled protege, what skeletons might come tumbling out of his closet? And what hell might be unleashed on those he cares for?
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Esai Morales, and Quintessa Swindell
How to watch: Master Gardener opens in theaters May 19.
7. White Men Can't Jump
In 1992, White Men Can't Jump was a sports comedy that teamed Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. In 2023, it's a reboot, starring The Secret Life of the American Teenager's Sinqua Walls and rapper Jack Harlow.
Black-ish creator Kenya Barris re-invents the original film with recurring co-writer Doug Hall. At the helm is music video director turned filmmaker Calmatic, who also brought audiences this year's House Party remake.
In the trailer above, you get some taste of the contemporary culture clash and the sense of humor Barris and Hall bring to the remake. But best of all, you get the promise that this comedy will be rated R, assuring that the punchlines can really wallop.
Starring: Jack Harlow, Sinqua Walls, Lance Reddick, Teyana Taylor, and Laura Harrier
How to watch: White Men Can't Jump premieres exclusively on Hulu May 19.
8. The Little Mermaid
Disney made waves when the studio announced the highly coveted lead in their live-action remake of The Little Mermaid would be American singer-songwriter Halle Bailey. One glimpse of this Black Disney princess had Black moms and daughters celebrating, giddy to be part of Ariel's world. At long last, her story of romance, song, and self-discovery is coming to theaters.
Inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Little Mermaid follows the eponymous heroine from the depths of the ocean, where she argues against her father for freedom, to the shores of man, where a pretty prince is her aim. To get what she wants, she'll make a deal with a deceitful sea witch. And along the way, there'll be plenty of opportunities for fun, song, dance, and family-friendly thrills.
Starring: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy
How to watch: The Little Mermaid opens in theaters May 26.
9. You Hurt My Feelings
After contributing to crackling scripts for critically heralded films The Last Duel and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Nicole Holofcener is back in the director's chair for her latest comedy of manners, You Hurt My Feelings.
Set in contemporary New York City, this comedy-drama stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a novelist whose self-confidence is deeply entangled with the reception of her latest book. When she accidentally overhears her adoring husband trashing it, she's thrown into a spin. Love, little white lies, and psychoanalysis come into play, alongside an incredible ensemble. The buzz out of Sundance suggests this one is not to be missed.
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Arian Moayed, and Jeannie Berlin
How to watch: You Hurt My Feelings opens in theaters May 26.
10. The Machine
The Machine began as a stranger-than-fiction story that stand-up Bert Kreischer spun to great success before cackling audiences. Now it's a movie in which the comic plays himself, 23 years later, paying for the mayhem a drunken exchange student can cause among the Russian mob.
On top of this tantalizing premise, this movie also offers Mark Hamill as a grumbly dad who gets a bit more jovial when he's "high on speed!" And the cherry on top of this action-comedy sundae is Peter Atencio, who made the leap from directing Key & Peele to helming the comedic duo's outrageous double-hander Keanu. Let's get weird with The Machine.
Starring: Mark Hamill, Bert Kreischer, Jess Gabor, Jimmy Tatro, Stephanie Kurtzuba, and Mercedes De La Cruz
How to watch: The Machine opens in theaters May 26.
11. About My Father
If you loved Meet the Parents, you should mark your calendar for About My Father. Robert De Niro stars as an Italian immigrant dad who is recently widowed and relentlessly driving his adult son bonkers. American stand-up comic Sebastian Maniscalco co-stars, playing a version of himself co-written with Happy Together's Austen Earl.
With summer approaching, Sebastian is planning to propose to his posh blonde girlfriend during a weekend spent visiting her parents at their sprawling estate. But cultures clash when his dear old dad party-crashes. Alongside father-son heart-to-hearts and family embarrassments, director Laura Terruso also offers peacocks, rocket boots, and dick jokes.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sebastian Maniscalco, Leslie Bibb, Anders Holm, David Rasche, and Kim Cattrall
How to watch: About My Father opens in theaters May 26.
12. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
We've been waiting for this one so long that it made our most-anticipated movies of 2022 list! This promising sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse continues the adventures of Miles Morales and his growing Spider-Family.
Trekking into the multiverse with his friend Gwen Stacy, Miles finds a dazzling realm of Spider-People. Loaded with blink-and-you'll-miss-'em cameos, the trailer alone has comic fans going giddy in anticipation. But rest assured, in whatever new evil Miles must face, he's got his busted buddy Peter B. Parker as a mentor. Plus, Jessica Drew, Pavitr Prabhakar, and Miguel O'Hara join their crew. On top of all that, directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson are teasing plenty of eye-popping animation and a voice cast that is next level.
Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, Jason Schwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Greta Lee, Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham, and Oscar Isaac
How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse opens in theaters June 2.
13. The Boogeyman
Seeking something scary? Then watch out for The Boogeyman. Director Rob Savage slashed his way onto the horror scene in the pandemic-set, found footage hit Host. Sure, his follow-up, Dashcam, crashed and burned, but his latest is based on a short story from Stephen King. So, we're pretty optimistic about the spook factor here.
The plot centers on sisters Sadie (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), who are both reeling from the death of their mother when a legendary creeper begins to lurk in the shadows of their home. If that's not enough to hook you, check out the trailer's bump-in-the-night goodness.
Starring: Madison Hu, Vivien Lyra Blair, Sophie Thatcher, David Dastmalchian, Chris Messina, and Marin Ireland
How to watch: The Boogeyman opens in theaters June 2.
14. Past Lives
One of the most buzzed-about films out of Sundance 2023, Past Lives is a romantic drama that traverses time and thousands of miles. Celine Song makes a powerful directorial debut, also writing the screenplay, which follows childhood sweethearts Nora and Hae Sung. When her parents emigrated out of South Korea, their romance may have seemed doomed. Twenty years later, they reconnect over a fateful weekend.
Coming from A24, the studio that's brought us Everything Everywhere All at Once and Beau Is Afraid, it's difficult to know what to expect from this bittersweet setup. Of course, there will be complications. For starters, she's married. Bring tissues, just to be safe.
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro, and Ji Hye Yoon
How to watch: Past Lives opens in theaters June 2.
15. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Can you believe we're already at the seventh installment of the live-action Transformers franchise? The battle between the Autobots and Decepticons rages on. But things get wild as Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join the fray.
What does that mean? For starters — as teased in the trailer above — Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) will face off against Optimus Primal, a massive robo-gorilla voiced by Hellboy's Ron Perlman. Amid a world of battling bots, Hamilton star Anthony Ramos will play the hapless human caught in the driver's seat — but not in control. If Fast X doesn't satisfy your craving for outrageous vehicular action, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has got your back.
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Vélez, Tobe Nwigwe, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Liza Koshy, Cristo Fernández, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Tongayi Chirisa, Peter Cullen, John DiMaggio, and David Sobolov
How to watch: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts opens in theaters June 9.
16. Strays
Love cuddly puppies and R-rated humor? Then Strays is for you.
The much-anticipated follow-up from Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar director Josh Greenbaum, this crude comedy centers on a scruffy dog called Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell) who is underappreciated by his dick of an owner Doug (Will Forte), and then cruelly left on the streets. Now a stray, Reggie finds family and some comfort with a pack of new friends. But what he wants most is revenge. Specifically, he wants to bite Doug's dick off. Imagine Homeward Bound meets Cujo with a dash of Step Brothers, and you've got Strays.
Starring: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Josh Gad, Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Jamie Demetriou, and Sofia Vergara
How to watch: Strays opens in theaters June 9.
17. Flamin' Hot
Hot of its world premiere at SXSW 2023, Flamin' Hot is coming to deliver family fun right to your home. Eva Longoria makes her directorial debut with a high-energy comedy very loosely based on the rags-to-riches success story of Richard Montañez.
With a spotted past but hope for a brighter future for his family, Richard (Jesse Garcia) gets a job as a janitor at the chip company's factory. There, he's inspired by a gruff engineer (Dennis Haysbert) and wonders if his Mexican American heritage might be channeled into a flavor with mass appeal. Peppered with funny fantasy sequences and a relentlessly optimistic attitude, Flamin' Hot is a breezy crowd-pleaser.
Per our review: "Truth or fiction, Flamin' Hot is a charming romp that boasts a celebration of family, innovation, and moxie. However, for all its energy, the film's exploration of the American dream — and the obstacles to achieving it — is vexingly shallow. In the end, Flamin' Hot is fleeting fun that may well leave you hungry for something more substantial."
Starring: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Emilio Rivera, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, and Matt Walsh
How to watch: Flamin' Hot comes to Hulu and Disney+ June 9.
18. Asteroid City
Writer/director Wes Anderson has brought audiences such twee treasures as The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The French Dispatch. He's returned with another pastel-colored romp. This time, there's a touch of science fiction to boot!
Set in 1955, Asteroid City reveals what happens when a collection of American students and parents convene at a stargazing convention in a desert town. Asteroid Day was meant to be a celebration of innovation and astronomy. But an extraordinary event leads to quarantine, obsession, reflection, and a potential romance between a widower and a movie star. What more might you wish for? How about the sea of stars that make up this movie's incredible ensemble.
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, and Jeff Goldblum
How to watch: Asteroid City opens in theaters in limited release June 16, expanding wide June 23.
19. The Blackening
It's a troubling cliche of slasher movies that the Black character will bite it first. But Barbershop director Tim Story is turning the tables on that trope with The Blackening, a horror-comedy with the cheeky tagline: "We can't all die first."
To celebrate the Juneteenth holiday, a group of Black friends plan a weekend getaway in a remote cabin in the woods. And that's just the first red flag. Once the power goes out, they stumble upon a dusty board game called "The Blackening." The fun and games of this enticing movie looks like Jumanji meets Saw with an edge of comedy that's cutting through race discourse. Co-written by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip) and Dewayne Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show), The Blackening promises to have audiences screaming with laughter.
Starring: Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji
How to watch: The Blackening opens in theaters June 16.
20. Elemental
Pixar has become a landmark in family-friendly entertainment, thanks to critically heralded films like Toy Story, Luca, and Turning Red. Their latest comes from Good Dinosaur director Peter Sohn and centers on a pair of total opposites.
In the fantastical world of Element City, residents are made of air, fire, water, and earth. We're not talking Avatar: The Last Airbender. We're talking cuddly anthropomorphized clouds, clumps of dirt, flames, and splashes. This is a land where lighter fluid substitutes for baby formula and a sponge can be a tricky trap. But there's one rule: "Elements cannot mix." As water could squelch fire, that makes sense. Yet when spitfire Ember crosses paths with watery Wade, there's no denying their bond. Could this culture clash lead to something magical?
Starring: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O'Hara, Mason Wertheimer, Joe Pera, and Matt Yang King
How to watch: Elemental opens in theaters June 16.
21. Extraction 2
Joe Russo may be best known as half of the Russo Brothers, who have helmed a string of MCU movies including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. But he's been busting out, collaborating with MCU actors for films like the Tom Holland-fronted drama Cherry and the Chris Evans espionage thriller The Gray Man, and contributing to the screenplay for the action-thriller Extraction, which was headlined by Chris Hemsworth and directed by Russo stunt fave Sam Hargrave.
Now, Russo, Hargrave, and Hemsworth are teaming up again for a sequel that resurrects black ops mercenary Tyler Rake for another mission. While plot details are currently unknown, fans of the first Extraction don't need to wait to add this to their queue.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, and Tinatin Dalakishvili
How to watch: Extraction premieres exclusively on Netflix June 16.
22. The Flash
DC hits summer movie season full speed with a turbo-charged tentpole stacked with jaw-dropping stars from past superhero hits. The Flash boasts Michael Shannon, who terrorized as General Zod in Man of Steel; Ben Affleck, who donned the Dark Knight cowl for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; and Michael Keaton, who played the eponymous hero in Batman and (the best DC movie to ever do it) Batman Returns. All this talent joins forces with Justice League's Flash, played by Ezra Miller, for an adventure that — despite its lead's legal troubles — could provide a welcome escape for audiences.
In a bid to save his mother, Barry Allen (aka The Flash) "completely broke the universe." By tampering with time travel, he's created a world without metahumans, defenseless against the supervillains that might rise — or return. So who can he turn to? Maybe a top detective who never needed superstrength, sea buddies, or a lasso of truth to get the job done. Yeah, he's Batman.
Starring: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, and Michael Keaton
How to watch: The Flash opens in theaters June 16.
23. No Hard Feelings
Jennifer Lawrence is back, and she's ready to get raunchy in director Gene Stupnitsky's follow-up to the chaotically comical coming-of-age movie Good Boys.
Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver whose financial troubles and troubled romances have left her without a car. So a Craigslist ad offering a vehicle in exchange for "dating" a rich couple's awkward son seems like a godsend. What could go wrong? From the looks of No Hard Feelings' first trailer, plenty — starting with a kidnapping attempt resulting in mace in the face!
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Matthew Broderick, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Scott MacArthur, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach
How to watch: No Hard Feelings opens in theaters June 23.
24. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
DreamWorks Animation has gifted families wacky and fantastical animated adventures like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Trolls. This summer, they're countering The Little Mermaid with their own fish-out-water tale of a mythic sea creature trying to hack it in the human world.
Tough luck for Ruby Gillman (voiced by To All the Boys' star Lana Condor): She's not a mermaid, beloved by all. She's a teenage Kraken, trying to fit in among her human high school peers. But this kooky cartoon isn't just offering teen angst with a cute Luca coating. Ruby is destined for greatness. The first step to achieving it is loving herself, tentacles and all.
Starring: Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Jaboukie Young-White, Blue Chapman, Eduardo Franco, Ramona Young, Echo Kellum, Nicole Byer, and Jane Fonda
How to watch: Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken opens in theaters June 30.
25. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
It's been 15 years since Indiana Jones last took to the silver screen with The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. But Harrison Ford has only gotten better, aging like a fine wine or a lovingly worn-in fedora.
Logan director James Mangold takes the helm for Indy's fifth installment, co-writing the script with Edge of Tomorrow scribes Jez and John-Henry Butterworth and Jurassic Park adapter David Koepp. Together, this powerhouse has crafted a quest that looks back at the archaeologist's action-packed past, but with a path toward a new adventure for our dashing hero and his headstrong goddaughter, played by the mischievous Phoebe Waller-Bridge. For bonus dazzle, Mads Mikkelsen co-stars as Indy's latest snarling antagonist. Set that dial to must-see!
Starring: Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen
How to watch: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens in theaters June 30.
26. Joy Ride
One of our faves out of SXSW 2023, Joy Ride is an R-rated comedy in the vein of Bridesmaids or The Hangover.
Screenwriter Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon) makes her directorial debut with this rambunctious road trip romp, which centers on four friends traveling around China in search of a long-lost birth mom. Along the way, they'll sling foul-mouthed barbs, enjoy wild sexcapades, strike out in slap fights, and hoover up some hard drugs — all in the name of friendship!*
Starring: Sabrina Wu, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Ashley Park
How to watch: Joy Ride opens in theaters July 7.
27. Insidious: The Red Door
Leigh Whannell has given us plenty of haunted house horror with scripts for Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, Insidious: Chapter 3, and Insidious: The Last Key. Now he's handing the keys over to screenwriter Scott Teems and leading-man-turned-helmer Patrick Wilson for the final chapter: Insidious: The Red Door.
Since 2010, Wilson has played Josh Lambert, a family man plagued by sinister spirits. He'll make his directorial debut here, and from the looks of the trailer, he's learned some terror tricks from James Wan. In this spooky sequel, Wilson and co-star Ty Simpkins will delve deeper into The Further than ever before. What horrors are in store? What lurks behind the red door? Dare we discover this summer?
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, and Andrew Astor
How to watch: Insidious: The Red Door opens in theaters July 7.
28. Biosphere
This IFC sci-fi offering has gathered buzz since its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall. The feature-length directorial debut of Mel Eslyn, who co-wrote Biosphere with indie darling Mark Duplass, centers on an odd couple at world's end.
In the not-too-distant future, two men exist in a biodome, together potentially forever. The world outside has faced widespread devastation. If they're the last people on Earth, they're mankind's last chance...but last chance for what?
While the premise seems bleak, Biosphere has been praised for its hilarity. The first trailer doesn't offer a great feel for the humor. But we are certainly intrigued.
Starring: Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass
How to watch: Biosphere opens in theaters July 7.
29. Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
Ethan Hunt is back for the seventh installment of this octane-fueled, mask-ripping, pulse-pounding franchise. No official plot synopsis has dropped for this sequel to Mission: Impossible — Fallout. However, Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote and directed the last two M:I movies, has reteamed with leading man Tom Cruise and a slew of the series' recurring stars for another dose of intrigue, stunts, and big twists.
Take a look at the teaser for this two-part espionage epic. You'll see promises of globe-trekking, a sprawling hedonistic party, and Hunt racing cars, riding horses, and battling a barrage of baddies. So do plot details really matter? Or are you already sold?
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Frederick Schmidt, Rob Delaney, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, and Mark Gatiss
How to watch: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One opens in theaters July 14.
30. Theater Camp
This one is aimed at the theater kids. Booksmart's Molly Gordon has teamed with Dear Evan Hansen's Ben Platt for a kooky comedy set in a summer camp dedicated to fostering the talent (and egos) of aspiring singers, dancers, and thespians.
Gordon pulls triple duty. Not only does she star as one of the lead counselors opposite Platt, she also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Galvin (also from Booksmart) and Nick Lieberman, who has previously directed several Platt music videos. Plus, she co-directs with Lieberman. These collaborators and friends explore the touchy terrain where art and personal relationships collide. Expect drama with plenty of silliness.
Starring: Molly Gordon, Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Patti Harrison, Ayo Edebiri, Alan Kim, and Amy Sedaris
How to watch: Theater Camp opens in theaters July 14.
31. Barbie
As a follow-up to her heralded adaptation of Little Women, writer/director Greta Gerwig collaborated with her frequent creative partner (and real-life husband) Noah Baumbach on a mysterious screenplay bringing the iconic Barbie doll to the big screen. And from those first images of Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) in a violently pink Barbie Land, the internet has been rightfully obsessed. The mind-blowing marketing hasn't let up.
Next came a teaser that parodied 2001: A Space Odyssey. Then came chaotic character posters that unveiled a world of Barbies — presidential, successful, splits-ing, and pregnant — and (just) Kens. Then came another teaser that dazzled while only raising more questions. From what we can discern, Barbie will have its titular toy thrown into an existential crisis that plunges her into the human world — along with her dopey but dashing accessory — Ken!
Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Sharon Rooney, Dua Lipa, Nicola Coughlan, Ana Cruz Kayne, Ritu Arya, Kinglsey Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells, Michael Cera, Helen Mirren, Jamie Demetriou, Emerald Fennell, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Rhea Perlman, John Cena, Ariana Greenblatt, and Marisa Abela
How to watch: Barbie opens in theaters July 21.
32. Oppenheimer
The biggest showdown this summer isn't MCU versus DC, it's Oppenheimer versus Barbie.
For as wildly pink and playful as Barbie looks, Oppenheimer is its utter opposite. The latest from writer/director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Tenet) is a dread-laced biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb.
Cillian Murphy stars as the titular theoretical physicist, whose work on the Manhattan Project changed the world and warfare forever. Based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin's book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer promises thought-provoking drama and a star-stuffed supporting cast. On paper, this one is the summer movie most likely to gain momentum during Oscar season.
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh
How to watch: Oppenheimer opens in theaters July 21.
33. Cobweb
If historical dramas or bouncy comedies aren't your jam, Lionsgate has scheduled some scary counterprogramming in July with Cobweb.
Directed by Samuel Bodin and written by Chris Thomas Devlin, this horror thriller focuses on an 8-year-old boy who is terrorized by a mysterious tapping coming from inside his bedroom wall. Naturally, his parents (Masters of Sex's Lizzy Caplan and The Boys' Antony Starr) say it's all in his head. But as his fear grows so do his doubts about his parents. Can they protect him? Do they even want to? Horror hits home with Cobweb.
Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman, and Woody Norman
How to watch: Cobweb opens in theaters July 21.
34. They Cloned Tyrone
John Boyega (Star Wars, Attack The Block) returns to sci-fi fun with They Cloned Tyrone. The vague logline from Netflix offers this: "A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper."
Co-written by Juel Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, the film is the former's directorial debut, and it teams Boyega with The Marvels' Teyonah Parris and Jamie Foxx. While the plot details are vague, this cast — and the chemistry on display in the film's first teaser — already have us sold on this clone comedy.
Starring: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jamie Foxx
How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone premieres exclusively on Netflix July 21.
35. Haunted Mansion
Seeking some spooky fun that the whole family can enjoy? Then line up for Haunted Mansion.
The Walt Disney theme park ride that's already inspired a 2003 movie as well as countless fans and tons of ghost-laden merchandise is getting new life, thanks to Dear White People director Justin Simien. Written by Katie Dippold (Ghostbusters 2016), Haunted Mansion centers on a single mother (Rosario Dawson) hoping to tame the mansion's spirits with the help of a priest (Owen Wilson), a psychic (Tiffany Haddish), a professor (Danny DeVito), and a paranormal expert (LaKeith Stanfield). Can this motley crew handle the creepy residents of Haunted Mansion? Can you?
Starring: LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto
How to watch: Haunted Mansion opens in theaters July 28.
36. Talk to Me
This first thrilled us at Sundance 2023: "An Australian horror movie from Youtubers-turned-filmmakers RackaRacka (aka Danny and Michael Philippou), Talk to Me centers on a spooky party game. It all begins with a ceramic hand, a lit candle, and the invitation to the dead to possess the body of the living. Naturally, thrill-seeking teens revel in the mayhem — lusty, dark, and strange — that ghosts crashing can bring to their cozy homes. But when Mia (Sophie Wilde) can't disconnect from seeing these lurking specters, she's pushed into a frightening quest that could mean life or death."
A24 was quick to acquire the pic out of the fest, where our review cheered, "Talk to Me is a terrifically scary horror offering thanks to powerful performances, creepy creature designs, a splash of blood and gore, and practical effects that'll blow your mind and chill your spine. Like its sister in Sundance 2023's Midnight slate, Birth/Rebirth, Talk to Me is the rare horror trip that knows just when to end — with a wallop. If you're looking for some freaky frightening fun, be sure to reach out and touch this one." (What's that about Birth/Rebirth? Keep scrolling.)
Starring: Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Marcus Johnson, and Alexandria Steffensen
How to watch: Talk to Me opens in theaters July 28.
37. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo are back with a new look, a new adventure, and an ensemble streaked with stars.
Animation writer Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls, Mitchells vs. The Machines) makes his directorial debut with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, alongside co-director Kyler Spears, bringing a style that recalls the brothers' comic book origins. Naturally, they're kicking butt and making friends, like plucky reporter April O'Neil (Ayo Edebiri). But the most promising element from the first teaser is the gleefully kid-friendly sense of humor that makes the teen turtles feel fresh yet familiar.
Starring: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Hannibal Buress, Rose Byrne, Nicolas Cantu, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Natasia Demetriou, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone, Brady Noon, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Maya Rudolph
How to watch: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in theaters Aug. 4.
38. Meg 2: The Trench
In 2018, The Meg pitted competitive diver-turned-action star Jason Statham against a prehistoric shark, bigger than any the modern world has ever seen. While director Jon Turteltaub brought plenty of thrills, the sequel is bringing a bit of indie prestige in the form of helmer Ben Wheatley.
Best known for challenging genre films like High-Rise and Sightseers, Wheatley has done action before with his starred-up shoot-'em-up Free Fire. But this nautical thriller offers the English filmmaker a chance to rebound from a pair of underwhelming offerings (Rebecca, In the Earth) with an action-stacked adventure bolstered by Statham's star power and a script adapted from Steve Alten's horror novel, The Trench. Dare to dive in?
Starring: Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Sienna Guillory, Cliff Curtis, Skyler Samuels, Page Kennedy, Shuya Sophia Cai, and Sergio Peris-Mencheta
How to watch: Meg 2: The Trench opens in theaters Aug. 4.
39. Gran Turismo
Based on the popular video game series and an incredible true story, Gran Turismo is promising a lot to racing fans. It's a coming-of-age tale, a sports drama, a biopic, and an action movie to boot. Its story centers on teen gamer Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), whose mastery of the titular video game led to his shot at the real deal.
At the wheel is director Neill Blomkamp, who helmed such sci-fi dramas as District 9 and Chappie. Here, he channels his skill for tension into a high-speed thrill ride. In the film's sneak peek, Stranger Things' David Harbour promises "bad-ass race car action." What more could Gran Turismo fans ask for?
Starring: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou
How to watch: Gran Turismo opens in theaters Aug. 11.
40. The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Universal is making the most out of its Dracula licensing. Earlier this year, the studio resurrected its iconic vampire in action-comedy Renfield, with Nicolas Cage in the role of the blood-sucking count. Now, Bram Stoker's 1897 novel gets a totally different interpretation, focusing on a single chapter of claustrophobic horror.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter plunges audiences onto a Russian schooner that's been charted to transport 24 curious crates from Carpathia to London. In most adaptations of Dracula, the fate of the Demeter's crew is reduced to a sequence that sets up the carnage the vampire can wreak. Finally, horror fans can relish in the terror of being trapped at sea with a merciless monster who sees all mankind as skittering prey. Adding to our enthusiasm, this summer release is helmed by André Øvredal, who has brought audiences the satisfyingly savage Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and the superb found footage feature Troll Hunter. Treat yourself to either, and the wait to enjoy this voyage might seem a bit more bearable.
Starring: Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, and David Dastmalchian
How to watch: The Last Voyage of the Demeter opens in theaters Aug. 11.
41. Birth/Rebirth
If you're seeking something unnerving and yet grimly funny, you'll treasure co-writer/director Laura Moss's new spin on Frankenstein.
Marin Ireland and Judy Reyes star as a pair of mothers caring for a resurrected child, no matter what the cost. Amid grisly body horror and increasingly gruesome actions, Birth/Rebirth has a defiant thread of dark comedy.
As I shared in our review, "It's the kind of dark humor that will make some cringe and others feel like they've just gotten an injection of adrenaline."*
Starring: Judy Reyes, Marin Ireland, and Breeda Wool
How to watch: Birth/Rebirth opens in theaters Aug. 18, with a Shudder streaming release to follow.
42. Blue Beetle
The Flash isn't the only DC movie hitting this summer. Director Angel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings) and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (Miss Bala) offer an exciting origin story with Blue Beetle. Filmed for IMAX, this summer movie promises huge spectacle.
Xolo Maridueña stars as Mexican teenager Jaime Reyes, whose life in Palmera City is turned upside down when he fatefully forms a symbiotic relationship with the Scarab, extraterrestrial biotech that gives him an armored suit and mind-blowing superpowers. But he'll need more than that to outmatch the forces of evil that will stop at nothing to claim the Scarab for themselves. Lucky for Jaime, he's got a family he can depend on, not to mention an uncle who's not afraid to speak truth to superpower, declaring in the action-packed and eyebrow-raising trailer, "Batman is a fascist."
Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Guillén, and George Lopez
How to watch: Blue Beetle opens in theaters Aug. 18.
43. Back on the Strip
Magic Mike's Last Dance isn't the only male stripper comedy strutting its stuff in 2023.
Director Chris Spencer and co-writer Eric Daniel are rounding up a squad of Black hunks to reveal the story of The Chocolate Chips, who were once the hottest show on the Las Vegas Strip. It's been years since they took to the stage, but an aspiring magician (Spence Moore II) could be the key to getting this band back together for a reunion that'll rock Sin City.
Wesley Snipes leads a cast stacked with stars, sex appeal, and scandalous silliness.
Starring: Spence Moore II, Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Gary Owen, Faizon Love, Bill Bellamy, Wesley Snipes, Raigan Harris, and Kevin Hart
How to watch: Back on the Strip opens in theaters Aug. 18.
44. Landscape With Invisible Hand
One of our favorites out of Sundance 2023, Landscape With Invisible Hand comes from Thoroughbreds writer/director Cory Finley.
This coming-of-age drama has a soft sci-fi edge, centering on an American teen (Asante Blackk) who is growing up on an Earth that's been non-violently conquered by a smug alien race dubbed the Vuvv. What this means for our harried hero is constantly having to make decisions about his values in the face of extraterrestrial influence and all-too-human greed.
Finley adapts M.T. Anderson's novel with a steady infusion of spacey spectacle, a wry sense of humor, and an excellent cast. The result is a film I declared in my Sundance review to be "fantastic, fun, and thrillingly fucked up."*
Starring: Asante Blackk, Tiffany Haddish, Kylie Rogers, Michael Gandolfini, Josh Hamilton, and Brooklynn MacKinzie
How to watch: Landscape With Invisible Hand opens in theaters Aug. 18.
45. White Bird: A Wonder Story
Remember The Wonder? In 2017, the movie adaptation of R.J. Palacio's coming-of-age novel charmed audiences. Now, the spinoff graphic novel Palacio created has become an unusual sequel. In the first film, Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) was a bully whose actions got him expelled from school. To put him on the right path, his grandmother (Helen Mirren) shares her experiences as a young Jewish girl growing up in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
Screenwriter Mark Bomback (Outlaw King) and director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland) team up for a war drama that battles for the power of kindness. Be warned, the trailer alone might make you tear up.
Starring: Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, Gillian Anderson, and Helen Mirren
How to watch: White Bird: A Wonder Story opens in limited release Aug. 18, expanding to wide Aug. 25.
46. The Equalizer 3
Director Antoine Fuqua teams up with Denzel Washington for their third installment of the Equalizer film series. Based on the '80s television series of the same name (as opposed to the Queen Latifah–fronted reboot), this action-thriller will follow Robert McCall, a retired U.S. Marine and former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, who will step in to save the day for victims with no one else to turn to.
This is the fifth collaboration between Fuqua and Washington. So if you liked the first two Equalizer movies, The Magnificent Seven (2016), or Training Day, it seems a safe bet you'll thrill over The Equalizer 3.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Sonia Ammar, Remo Girone, Andrea Dodero, and Gaia Scodellaro
How to watch: The Equalizer 3 opens in theaters Sept. 1.
47. Perpetrator
Writer/director Jennifer Reeder has made uniquely harrowing scary cinema with her contribution to V/H/S/94 and her scorchingly original horror musical, Knives and Skin. For her latest, she's exploring a coming-of-age tale that promises terror and twisted turns.
Perpetrator centers on reckless teen Jonny Baptiste (Kiah McKirnan), who is sent to live with her estranged (and strange) Aunt Hildie (Alicia Silverstone). On Jonny's 18th birthday, she inherits a family legacy, a metamorphosis called Forevering. When girls start to go missing from her school, Jonny's change makes her feel empowered to track down whoever is responsible.
You had us at Jennifer Reeder. Alicia Silverstone as a spooky aunt is gravy.
Starring: Kiah McKirnan, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Lowell, Melanie Liburd, and Ireon Roach
How to watch: Perpetrator premieres exclusively on Shudder Sept. 1.
48. Bottoms
Bottoms dropped at SXSW 2023 and fast became one of our favorites out of the fest.
In writer/director Emma Seligman's follow-up to the superbly stressful comedy Shiva Baby, she reteams with stunner Rachel Sennott for a film that had the audience at Austin's Paramount Theater roaring with laughter. Sennott and Ayo Edebiri tackle teen comedy as a pair of high school besties who are hilariously terrible at impressing their cheerleader crushes. That is, until they start a fight club in the name of female empowerment.
Digging boldly into a parody of teen sex comedy tropes, this trio creates a movie that is rousingly outrageous. As I wrote in my review, "Hitting hard with a potent combination of humor, angst, and raunchiness, Bottoms is not only riotously entertaining but also sure to establish itself as a queer, chaotic landmark among its iconic predecessors."*
Starring: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Marshawn Lynch, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, Nicholas Galitzine, Ruby Cruz, Dagmara Dominczyk, Miles Fowler, and Punkie Johnson
How to watch: Bottoms opens in theaters this summer.
49. Nimona
At long last, the Nimona movie is coming! Based on ND Stevenson's sensational graphic novel, this animated adventure follows notorious ex-knight Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed), who has an ax to grind and a shapeshifting sidekick named Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), who is as impulsive as she is powerful. Together they will attempt to topple a nefarious regime in a futuristic yet medieval realm, while Ballister battles his broken heart over his former love-now-enemy Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang).
When 20th Century Fox got gobbled up by Disney, we'd feared this funky tale of found family and queer romance would be lost in the shuffle. But Nimona has survived by finding a new distributor in Netflix. Thank goodness. Now we can giddily anticipate what directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (of the undersung Spies in Disguise) will showcase in a rollicking fantasy film/animated whiz-bang as stuffed with stars as it should be!
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman
How to watch: Nimona will premiere exclusively on Netflix this summer.
50. Problemista
Another knockout from SXSW is A24's Problemista, which comes from Los Espookys co-creator Julio Torres, who makes his directorial debut here while co-starring opposite the one and only Tilda Swinton.
As I wrote when recovering from the world-famous fest, "Set in a magical yet grungy New York City, Problemista follows a Salvadoran immigrant and aspiring toymaker (Torres) whose desperate need for a green card sponsor leads him to aid an eccentric art critic (Swinton) on a confounding quest. Amid overpriced salads and outrageous outbursts (often about FileMaker Pro), a chaotic but charming friendship blossoms, leading to a climax that is trippy and terrific."*
Trust us, you'll want to mark your calendar for this one as soon as its release date is announced.
Starring: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, and Greta Lee
How to watch: Problemista opens in theaters this summer.
* Denotes a blurb that appeared in a previous Mashable list.
via Tech News Flow
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