We’re rushing headlong into the Summer Movie Season, and our team are having a tough time sorting out their five most anticipated Summer movies.
Crazy as it seems, the Summer Movie Season is almost upon us. In a year that’s already been stacked with some mega/blockbuster releases, it’s crazy to think even more are on the near horizon. As such, we’ve tasked our contributors to break down the FIVE films they’re most looking forward to this Summer.
It’s not been an easy task, but hopefully our picks will single out some films to put on your radar if they weren’t already.
JORDAN
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – More than one of my most anticipated films of the Summer, Kingdom was among my most anticipated of the whole year; sitting right behind Dune: Part Two. I’m thrilled to see this franchise continue in a way that both honors the last three (incredible) films while diving into all new territory. That and it just looks gorgeous all around.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – It’s Furiosa! It’s insane how good Fury Road continues to be, and I’ll never forget walking out of the theater with my face hurting from smiling so much. No matter how many times I’ve watched them, the trailers for the upcoming prequel gets my blood pumping every single time.
A Quiet Place: Day One – As a long time professed horror-weenie, I’m always amazed when one makes my most anticipated list. That said, as the A Quiet Place franchise has veered away from horror and more into creature features, it’s easier for me to understand. The Day One spinoff/prequel looks to be a full-on alien invasion/monster movie; which is extremely my shit. Couple that with the always amazing Lupita Nyong’o and I will be seated.
Twisters – Twister is still among my favorite films, and quite possibly the most rewatchable movie around. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, and it feels like I’ve been waiting for a sequel my whole life. While other films have tried to replicate the natural disaster goodness, none have really nailed it. I’ve got my fingers crossed for Twisters, and at the least hope it turns out to be good, dumb, fun.
Alien: Romulus – I’m on the side of people who think Alien: Covenant was actually pretty damn good, and would love to see David’s story wrap up. That said, I’m always down for more Alien movies. Considering how amazing the Predator revival, Prey, turned out to be, I have high hopes for Romulus similarly knocking my socks off.
BECKY
Alien: Romulus – I’m one of those who has been disappointed by the latter entries in the Alien franchise (especially Alien: Covenant, sorry Jordan), and so I largely ignored the news about Alien: Romulus until I heard everyone raving about the trailer and saw it for myself. Good lord it so much like the original film I got chills. If the film plays out half as well as that first trailer, we are in for a treat.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – I have a confession: I have lived over three decades without ever seeing a Planet of the Apes film all the way through. That is about to change as Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has thoroughly grabbed my attention. I’m hoping its distance from the preceding trilogy will make it easier to jump into.
Despicable Me 4 – I’m a sucker for Illumination films, I admit it. I’m excited for Despicable Me 4 because, against all the odds, it looks like they’ve found a way to keep the story going without making it boring. I’m always ready for a good summer movie that will make me laugh and that’s what this looks like.
The Garfield Movie – Garfield has been one of my favorite things ever since I first learned how to read. Thus, while I’m still not 100% on board with Chris Pratt voicing my favorite lasagna-loving cat, I like what I see enough to go check this movie out. Hopefully this movie turns out to be good popcorn fun.
I Saw the TV Glow – My favorite kind of horror movies are the ones that make me squirm and question reality. By everything I’ve seen, I Saw the TV Glow ticks off all the right boxes and I am more than ready to see all the ways this film will screw me up in the head.
GARRETT
Alien: Romulus – Well, duh. Alien is my favorite film, and I am big fan of the franchise as a whole. Ridley Scott is a legend, but honestly its time for him to give up the reigns on this series – and the best way to do that is with a soft reboot. Love the retro-look and up-and-coming cast and director. I’m a little concerned about this treading on familiar waters, but that won’t dampen my excitement to see this film.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – Speaking of my favorite film franchises finding their footing in the 21st Century, I also happen to be a big fan of the original Planet of the Apes, some of the sequels, and of course the reboot trilogy. This new film feels like a bridge between the new and old, using the basis of the reboots to spin a remake of the original film. The quality of the reboot trilogy was top notch, and so I don’t expect anything less with this latest entry.
MaXXXine – One of the things I am fascinated by lately is what happens when you give filmmakers more creative opportunities outside of the genre they made a name for themselves in. Ti West created edgy, stylish horror films, and this new film brings that approach to a noir-thriller. It also seems to tap into our nostalgic obsession with a smothering aesthetic that will take the audience hostage. I feel like MaXXXine will be the modern equivalent of watching that forbidden blurry R-rated VHS tape that gave you unforgettable nightmares as a kid.
Trap – Say what you will about M. Night Shyamalan, but his films are always an experience. Even if you kind of know what you are getting yourself into, his approach is so unique (for better or for worse) that when he does release a new film you feel like you are missing out if you don’t go see it. Trap feels like a throwback to early 00’s thriller films like Phone Booth or Inside Man, which I think is a perfect match for his Hitchcockian leanings.
Kinds of Kindness – Yorgos Lanthimos is on a tear lately, he has proven himself as one of the most creative, unique, and fun-to-watch directors working in the industry today. So of course when he releases a new film I want to see it. As Stanley Kubrick is probably my favorite director, Lanthimos is close in style, and yet his off-center quirkiness brings that aesthetic to a whole different level. This film (with a stacked cast BTW) looks like it will exude precisely that same creativity, but to what ends I am not sure – but that is exactly why it’s a must watch in my book.
DUSTIN
Inside Out 2 – It’s hard for me to not be excited for a Pixar film, and when it’s a follow up to a good film it’s even harder. Inside Out has all the qualities of a good Disney movie because so many different character types are easily introduced, and I feel like a kid being excited to see hints of new emotions, that were left out of the first film, will be here for the second. Plus it’s my birthday month and I’ll be in Disney World, and Disney is fantastic at getting you hyped up for new releases with shows within their lands.
Deadpool & Wolverine – I wasn’t too excited for this movie until I watched the trailer, and seeing not only the comedy but the nods to fandom was excellent. Seeing Wolverine in his iconic yellow suit was enough for me to get totally excited. This is potentially the starting point for the X-Men to get their big push into the MCU, and that alone is making all kinds of excited.
Borderlands – I didn’t want to add this movie at all until I watched the Fallout series. Get the pitchforks and torches out, I’m not a fan of either series, BUT the Fallout TV Show blew me away. It was simply incredible, and then taking that as a launching point into diving into the lore, I’ve quickly changed my mind. I’m hoping, really hoping, the Borderlands movie does the same thing and isn’t another Halo TV Series disaster. The video game industry really needs these winners.
Fly Me To The Moon – A fantastic cast that seems to intertwine even the minor roles of the film, and an interesting story to tell. I can see how this film is building up tension just from the early trailers, and the dynamic of not only the character, but the overall arcing story has me pulled in.
MaXXXiine – A24 always seems to nail it, and their specialty is thriller movies so I’m hype to see this one. I also love the 1980’s aesthetic of films, and when done right they really seem to transport you into a new world. The trailer showed off some phenomenal acting, and a basis for a fantastic story to be told. I feel like this one might be talked about for ages, if they don’t mess up the ending, hello Lisa Frankestein…..
JESS
Jeanne Du Barry – Coming in May with Maïwenn at the helm (she co-wrote, directs and stars in the film), this period drama is about a working class woman who wins over King Louis XV, played by Johnny Depp. Madame Du Barry is one of the most famous mistresses and historical figures in French history.
I am an absolute sucker for both French history and period dramas (and for Johnny Depp projects, let’s be real). Also, the promise of those 18th century costumes alone is probably enough to get my movie ticket money. If anyone took a vote to determine who wants to be first in line to see this, look no further, it’s me.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 – A total change of pace from my most anticipated film above, Chapter 1 has me very intrigued. The Strangers still haunts me to this day as one of my favorite horror/thriller films, and I feel like I haven’t seen anything genuinely discomforting (in that good, scary movie way) in quite a while.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, the basic premise is that masked strangers terrorize and torture young couples who spend a night in a remote location. I have high hopes for Chapter 1, though I am waiting to see how well it does without Liv Tyler who, in my view, largely carried the first film. (Love her.)
Inside Out 2 – Probably the most predictable of my most anticipated films, I am so ready for Pixar’s newest wonder. I have been looking forward to this one ever since the new character “Anxiety” was splashed all over social media. Too many people I know joked about relating to this character, including myself…
Jim Henson: Idea Man – Give me a good Disney doc any day. Ron Howard takes us inside the mind of the man, nay the legend, behind The Muppet Show, and countless other entertainments, in a new documentary coming to Disney+. The documentary will feature interviews of fans of Jim Henson’s work, interspersed with footage from Henson’s works, including certain footage that was previously lost. A long overdue tribute, I daresay.
Harold and the Purple Crayon – One of the most beloved children’s books, and one that I recently revisited with my son, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a long-awaited film adaptation. Many years after Spike Jonze was supposed to adapt the classic 1955 children’s book, and several delays with this iteration, the family fantasy film is finally, finally, making it to theaters. Starring Zachary Levi as Harold and Lil Rel Howery, it blends animation and live action. I’m ready!
That seems to only be scratching the surface of this year’s Summer offerings, but hopefully these put some films on your radar that may not have been before. Which Summer Movie are you most excited to watch this year?
