After a long, arduous week of classes, going to the movie theater with friends can be the perfect way to unwind. Not to mention, summer is blockbuster season. So, get ready for the release of some big name films starring the most well known actors. Whether you love action, comedy, or horror, we’ve comprised a list of 13 of the most buzz-worthy flicks of the summer!
1. Terminator Genisys (July 1)July kicks off with a reboot of the classic Terminator franchise. The movie will feature characters that fans are already familiar with, but with a twist. In this alternate version, John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance during the war against the machines, sends his lieutenant, Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), back in time to protect John Connor’s mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), from the machines that want to kill her. Where this version differs from the original is that when Kyle meets Sarah she already knows that her son is destined to be a leader in the war because the cyborg (Arnold Schwarzeneggar) that was supposed to kill her chooses to raise and train Sarah instead.
The first two films in the franchise, Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day, were directed by James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) and received the most positive feedback from film critics compared to the later films, which were not directed by Cameron. Luckily, the creator of the Terminator series has publicly given his stamp of approval for Terminator Genisys making this film a must-see for action film fans.
2. Magic Mike XXL (July 1)In the sequel to the 2012 comedy Magic Mike, Mike (Channing Tatum) is coaxed out of retirement when he and his fellow strippers decide to take a road trip down to Myrtle Beach to attend a stripper convention. Magic Mike XXL features new cast members like Jada Pinkett Smith and Elizabeth Banks. We hope this film is just as s-pec-tacular as the first!
3. Minions (July 10)Minions, the adorable little yellow creatures from the Despicable Me films, live to serve villains. After unsuccessful stints working for evil people like Napoleon and Dracula, the Minions begin to feel hopeless about finding a master. One day, three minions named Kevin, Stuart, and Bob set forth on a journey to find someone to serve and meet Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock), the world’s first female villain.
The promotion for this film, which is supposed to be a prequel to Despicable Me, has been impressive. From a fashion collection to Tic Tacs, Minion Mania isn’t set to slow down anytime soon.
4. Self/Less (July 10)Self/Less is a science fiction thriller about a dying man named Damian (Ben Kingsley), who has his consciousness transplanted into a healthy young man’s body (Ryan Reynolds) so that he may live longer. After the surgery, Damian learns more about the origins of his new body and becomes entangled in the mysteries surrounding a deadly organization.
5. Ant-Man (July 17)Marvel is ready to give another one of its comic book superheroes the film treatment with the release of Ant-Man. Paul Rudd stars as Scott Lang, a con man tasked with helping inventor Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) with protecting the secrets behind the Ant-Man suit which gives the wearer the ability to shrink in size, have superhuman strength, and communicate with insects.
Marvel is known for having all of their characters exist in the same universe and allowing crossover between their television shows and movies. Ant-Man is already set to appear in the upcoming 2016 film Captain America: Civil War, which also features superheroes from the Avengers team. Marvel fans should definitely mark both of these films on their calendars!
6. Trainwreck (July 17)Comedian and writer Amy Schumer has gotten a lot of buzz since her show Inside Amy Schumer began airing on Comedy Central in 2013. Schumer’s next project, Trainwreck, is about a magazine writer named Amy who chooses promiscuity over commitment in her relationships. When she has to write an article on a sports doctor, played by Bill Hader, Amy begins to have feelings for him and questions her lifestyle. The film also stars LeBron James as himself and several Saturday Night Live cast members. Judging from the positive feedback Trainwreck received during its debut at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, this movie is poised to become comedy’s biggest summer hit.
7. Pixels (July 24)Have you ever thought about what would happen if video game characters existed in real life? The writers behind the script for Pixels have! When aliens receive a message from Earth containing video games, the aliens interpret the gift as a declaration of war and they attack Earth using classic arcade game characters like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. The President (Kevin James) must call upon his childhood friends, who are video game experts, to help save the world.
8. Paper Towns (July 24)Paper Towns is the second book-to-movie adaptation for John Green, who also wrote The Fault in Our Stars. Quentin’s (Nat Wolff) mysterious neighbor and classmate, Margo (Cara Delevigne), climbs through his window one night and persuades him to go on an adventure with her around their town. After Margo disappears soon after, Quentin begins to find clues that Margo left and sets out to find her with the help of his friends. John Green was one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014 and has over two million subscribers on the YouTube channel he shares with his brother. You won’t want to miss this film in theaters.
9. Mission Impossible- Rogue Nation (July 31)In the next installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, members of the Impossible Missions Force are tasked with taking down the Syndicate, a terrorist group. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) assembles a team of operatives and joins forces with Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) who might secretly be a member of the Syndicate. Fun fact: Tom Cruise actually filmed a scene where he hangs off of a moving airplane without any special effects or stunt doubles! What other near impossible feats will the actors accomplish in the fifth Mission Impossible film? You’ll have to see for yourself!
10. Fantastic Four (August 7)The Fantastic Four reboot is finally hitting theaters in August! Fantastic Four is about a team of people who travel to an alternate universe and gain strange abilities as a result. The Fantastic Four use their powers to take down a villain named Doctor Doom. This reboot features a storyline different from the 2005 version and an all new cast comprised of Miles Teller as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Kate Mara as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
11. The Man from U.N.C.L.E (August 14)This film, which was directed by Guy Ritchie, is based off of a television series from the 1960s. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) must work together to infiltrate a criminal organization that possesses a bomb and poses a threat to America and Russia. Anyone who loves the 1960s and/or spy movies will probably enjoy this one.
12. Hitman: Agent 47 (August 21)Agent 47 (Rupert Friend) is a genetically modified assassin with super strength, speed, and intelligence. He targets a company hell-bent on using the secrets of his past to create an army of assassins with skills superior to Agent 47’s. This film is based off of the Hitman video game series.
13. Sinister 2 (August 21)Sinister 2 is going to be the biggest horror film of the summer! In the movie, a mother and her two sons move into a home and encounter an evil spirit named Bughuul. After the box office success of the first Sinister movie, this one will hopefully not disappoint.
Some of the most memorable movies of the year come out during the summer; so if you love films, be sure to catch one, some, or all of these blockbusters. Tip: to ensure you get a good seat, show up early to the theater and/or avoid seeing a film on opening night. May the box office odds be ever in your favor! Also, tell us which films are your favorites!