With Memorial Day weekend coming to an end, we have officially kicked off summer movie season with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in theaters and many, many more great films on the horizon. Here is a list of some of the summer films our team is looking forward to.

The Phoenician Scheme – In Select Theaters May 30th

Two years after Asteroid City, Wes Anderson returns with his twelfth feature film, The Phoenician Scheme, just in time for summer. Anderson is my favourite director, and I’m always excited to see what his brilliant mind will come up with next. Colorful and quirky, his movies never fail to amaze me. Yet beneath his distinctive tone and visual style lie deeper, more emotional themes such as isolation and loneliness, loss and grief, and family dysfunction, to name just a few. He consistently succeeds in making my heart feel both broken and incredibly full at the same time. Anderson is a wonderful storyteller with a uniquely whimsical vision; his films always invite us to explore the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in layers of charm and meticulous detail. I truly can’t wait to watch his new film—especially because it centers on a father-daughter relationship. – Mar

Ballerina – In Theaters June 6th

The world of John Wick is one of my favorite places to be. With a new entry to the iconic franchise starring Academy Award Nominee Ana de Armas, Ballerina is shaping up to be one of the most kick ass films of the summer. John Wick has almost always been for the girls with its stylized look, care for animals, and a man not afraid of his emotions, it’s thrilling to see the world continue with a new iconic woman but this time at its center. With Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard composing for the film, stunt coordinators and choreographers from the previous Wick films, and the return of many iconic characters, Ballerina effortlessly fits into the familiar world while allowing its titular character to find her own story to tell set between the events of the third and fourth John Wick films. – Kenzie

Materialists- In Theaters June 13th

Romance is back, as are iconic voiceover-narrated trailers. Celine Song’s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives is Materialists. Dakota Johnson is Lucy, a matchmaker who has just achieved her ninth wedding. While at said wedding, she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal) and reconnects with John (Chris Evans). Despite being the dating expert, she has struggled with love. This seems to be an updated look at what women want from relationships, which is very different from the rom-coms of the 2010s and before. Materialists looks like it’ll be the perfect breath of fresh air between summer blockbusters. I’m sure it will also affect our tear ducts, as anyone familiar with Song’s previous work knows. I’m also excited to see the next installment of Pascal’s great year. As a girl who loves love stories, I’m ready to see a film like Materialists from a woman who understands the nuances of human behavior as Song does. – Eva

28 Years Later – In Theaters June 20th

I have a very vivid memory of seeing 28 Days Later opening weekend with my dad in theaters. While not always a fan of zombie films, the first film in this trilogy exceeded all my expectations and reminded me of why the zombie genre can truly be so powerful for what it tells of the world at large. With Danny Boyle back in the director’s chair and Alex Garland writing, 28 Years Later seems to be back in good hands after a lackluster second entry. The film, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, has been highly marketed with quite disturbing trailers, posters, and a pulsing horrifying score. Another high selling point? Jack O’Connell’s next film post Sinners! – Kenzie

M3GAN 2.0 – In Theaters June 27th

M3GAN took the world by storm when the famous dancing AI doll started showing up everywhere.  She was spotted on the streets of New York City, halftime shows during football games, and even the top of the Empire State Building.  This genius marketing campaign helped the film’s box office numbers, making nearly 15 times its budget.  What also helped it make so much money was that it was a pretty entertaining film as well.  It was a campy horror romp of a film but there were aspects of it that were touching, especially when it came to the young girl played by Violet McGraw.  She connects with M3GAN and sees her as a friend in a time when she is experiencing great loss in her life.  M3GAN may take their friendship a little too seriously and a little too far at times, but that’s what makes the original so fun.  A goofy fun horror film like this needs a sequel if nothing for the vibes alone, and that is why I am eagerly awaiting for it. – Jessa

Jurassic World: Rebirth – In Theaters July 2nd

Jurassic World: Rebirth is a film I’m both excited and nervous about. Jurassic World: Dominion was an abysmal ending to that trilogy. This time, it appears the creators took the time to make a great film rather than just giving the audience nostalgia and dinosaurs and expecting us to settle for that. The aspect of the film I’m most excited about is our three lead stars, Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Jurassic World: Rebirth will be a pivotal film in their careers. The director, Gareth Edwards, and the writer, David Koepp, are very talented in their respective fields. Koepp wrote the original Jurassic Park screenplay, so hopefully, he knows the key to cracking this story again. Watching dinosaurs on the big screen never gets old. This combination of talent with a franchise premise like Jurassic Park/World is a perfect mix to drive up my anticipation for the movie. July 2nd can’t arrive soon enough! – Eva

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight – In Theaters July 11th

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight marks the directorial debut of Embeth Davidtz—best known for her role as Miss Honey in Matilda (1996)—and I’ve been eager to see it ever since its premiere at TIFF last year. Adapted from Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, the film follows 8-year-old Bobo’s (Lexi Venter) childhood on her family’s farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) in the aftermath of the country’s war for independence in 1980. I know how much this film and story mean to Davidtz—she’s even told me herself—and that makes me even more excited to watch it. You can always sense when a filmmaker is profoundly connected to the story they’re bringing to life, and I think that adds something deeply beautiful to the result. As she’s said: “[This story] resonated with me so powerfully because it touched on vital and painful aspects of my own childhood. Reading it, I felt that I was young again in a world where the inherent inequality around me was highlighted.”—I just know I will feel very emotional watching this one. – Mar

Superman – In Theaters July 11th

After his success with making nearly unknown comic book characters some of the most lucrative films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and revamping the mostly hated Suicide Squad film from 2016, James Gunn was tapped by Warner Bros. Discovery to be the CEO and Co-Chairman of DC Studios.  The first film to be released in this new slate of the DC Universe, also being directed by Gunn, is Superman.  I am familiar with the classic Superman story but do not know the details of his true origins.  I do not even feel a strong connection to the character where I would actively want to seek out new media focusing on him.  The main reason I am excited for this project is solely due to Gunn.  The fact that this is his passion project but also can bring so much heart to characters that were basically nonexistent to general Marvel fans makes me want to actively seek this film out.  I am drawn to filmmakers who are passionate about the work that they are putting out, no matter what genre it falls into. – Jessa

Eddington – In Theaters July 18th

A new Ari Aster film with mixed reviews after its Cannes premiere? I’m all in. I’ve always loved Aster’s work (I was on the edge of my seat for all 179 minutes of Beau Is Afraid and didn’t feel bored for a single moment). I’m a big fan of filmmakers who stay true to their vision and craft, even when the result ends up being divisive. Give me hot takes on heavy, controversial subjects (like COVID, in this case), give me weird, give me bold—I’ll be front row and center. Eddington is no exception. Those lucky enough to catch it at Cannes are completely divided. Is it good? Bad? Incoherent? Incredible? I guess we’ll have to watch it to find out—and I truly can’t wait. July 18 can’t come fast enough – Mar

The Fantastic Four: First Steps – In Theaters July 25th

Competing in the same month as Superman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Marvel’s next entry to try to save their slowly depleting franchise.  Thunderbolt*  helped to kind of jump start the heart of the MCU, but they need a really big hit to become relevant again.  As a Marvel fan, I am always intrigued by fun storytelling even if I am unfamiliar with the characters or their powers.  Superheroes are humans and they deserve to have human stories told that have the backdrop of being extraordinary beings.  One aspect of this film that makes me excited is the director of WandaVision is back in the MCU, after how much success the television show had.  There was something so unique about what WandaVision was and it is in part thanks to director Matt Shakman.  I am also interested in the film being set in the 1960s and giving off those vibes in fun and playful ways instead of just being set in the present day the way the last two iterations of these characters have been.  The creatives behind this project did not want to focus on an origin story, which I also find to be a good sign for the film.  It will add a refreshing spin on this found family and also some mystery as I have no idea what direction they are going in.  I need something fun from this franchise, and I have a feeling it’s coming this July. – Jessa

Freakier Friday – In Theaters August 8th

As a young millennial raised by Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, you know I am going to be seated in the theater on day one for Freakier Friday.  While not technically a Disney Channel Original Movie, the original has the nostalgic feeling that comes with those types of films from the early 2000s.  While the conception of this film was stemmed from the trend of creating sequels and remakes to classic stories that do not really need another installment, I am looking forward to seeing the on-screen chemistry shared between Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Their mother-daughter relationship was the heart and soul of the original that it makes me so happy they are reuniting in their same roles.  Now that Lohan’s character is a mother and Curtis will be a grandmother, I am looking forward to seeing if there is any major changes in their dynamic that will drive a different narrative for this film.  While I am not sure if it will be the best film of the year, I know it will bring joy to those that need a fun film like this to escape to during the summer heat. – Jessa

Weapons – In Theaters August 8th

Barbarian was not only a critical success (to most) but regarded as a ‘must see blind’ experience. Zach Cregger became the kind of filmmaker you needed to see what he was doing next yet somehow know as little as possible. So much to the point that when his next screenplay hit the market, there was an active bidding war before it landed at New Line Cinema, where not only Cregger got quite a pay day but final cut (over a horror movie, babe this is excellent!). Weapons has a teaser trailer, a logline, the works, but it’s best to assume to go into this one as blind as possible. The film stars Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Josh Brolin. While I’m avoiding knowing anything other than the footage shown at CinemaCon, I will be seated opening day. – Kenzie

Splitsville – In Theaters August 22nd

To me, it is a Dakota Johnson summer! Following the release of Materialists on June 13, she’s set to return with Splitsville this August—and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. Described by many as the funniest film of the year so far, Splitsville promises sharp wit, and plenty of laughs. The film explores modern love and the messy, hilarious realities of open relationships—something I think we don’t see tackled often enough. With such a talented cast and filmmakers behind it, Splitsville looks like it’s truly shaping up to be one of the most entertaining comedies of 2025. Count me in for this one! – Mar

Caught Stealing – In Theaters August 29th

Austin Butler is becoming one of the most thrilling actors to watch with an incredible range of directors he’s working with from Baz Luhrmann, Ari Aster, Denis Villeneuve, Quentin Tarantino, and with Darren Aronofsky on Caught Stealing. Aronofsky, pre-The Whale and AI film announcement was my favorite working director… him returning to a gritty world felt like the most thrilling film of the summer. On top of that the film stars, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Bad Bunny, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and Matt Smith. Adapted from a novel of the same name, Caught Stealing seems like a return to form for Aronofsky and another thrilling performance from Butler. – Kenzie

The Roses – In Theaters August 29th

If Materialists is bringing back romance, The Roses is bringing back divorce! This trailer has been stuck in my head since I first saw it in the theater, and it never fails to get a laugh from me. It’s a modern remake of the 1989 film The War of the Roses, which was directed by Danny Devito and was based on the book from 1981 by Warren Adler. Theo is a stay-at-home father as Ivy’s career is taking off, which creates tension between the two, and their picture-perfect family facade begins to crash. The film’s insanely great cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, two of the best actors working today. They are both hilarious, charming, and inherently loveable. Also, every location in the trailer is beautiful, from the sea to their house. I want to live wherever they are. I’m particularly interested in Tony McNamara’s script. He and Colman have already worked together on The Favourite, and the off-kilter humor in Poor Things and The Great are good indicators of how funny the film will be. The Roses has a late August release date, so we must be vigilant and show the film the support it deserves! – Eva