After final summer time, which was sadly slim on main blockbusters, the sweaty months of 2025 are refreshingly stacked with big-budget, recognizable franchises and titles. Go-the-popcorn stuff. I additionally threw in some smaller and unique movies simply to assist me sleep at night time.
Listed below are 10 motion pictures to catch in theaters this summer time.
Karate Child: Legends (Could 30)
For the reason that Eighties martial arts basic, there have been a variety of unhealthy “Karate Kid” motion pictures. You recognize, “Part II,” “Part III” and “The Next Karate Kid” with Hillary Swank. However Netflix’s “Cobra Kai,” which introduced again Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, was the proper nostalgia journey. Right here’s hoping the New York-set “Legends,” with Macchio and Jackie Chan, recaptures that magic.
Ballerina (June 6)
Marketed as “From the World of John Wick,” “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, is that this brutal-and-beautiful motion franchise’s go at a extra expansive cinematic universe. De Armas performs the dancer-assassin first launched in “Parabellum.” I’m excited as a result of there has by no means been a awful “John Wick” movie. I’m scared as a result of the final 4 have been directed by Chad Stahelski, whereas “Ballerina” belongs to Len Wiseman.
Materialists (June 13)
This romantic comedy is writer-director Celine Tune’s follow-up to Greatest Image-nominated “Past Lives,” one of many loveliest surprises of 2023. It stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. Johnson performs a really profitable NYC matchmaker who falls for a consumer. Tune’s film could possibly be 2025’s reply to “Hello, Dolly!”
Pixar’s Elio (June 20)
As soon as the King of All Animation, Pixar has hit a tough patch with unique motion pictures currently. No one would put “Elemental,” “Lightyear” or “Turning Red” on the listing of the studio’s high 10. “Elio” has a jolly setup, although. A younger outer area fanatic will get beamed up, and aliens suppose he’s Earth’s chief. Sounds a bit like “Galaxy Quest” for the under-12 set.
Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2)
Dinosaurs are my cinematic “I don’t know how to quit you!” This 32-year-old collection’ final entry, “Jurassic World Dominion,” was dumb as a bucket of bones. Oh, how I hated it. However I’ve been lacking our mates the T. rex and brachiosaurus. I’m hoping that director Gareth Edwards, who labored wonders with “Rogue One,” will make magic with Scarlett Johansson and “Wicked”’s Jonathan Bailey.
Superman (July 11)
It’s a fowl… It’s a airplane… It’s Warner Bros.’ try to reboot the DC Universe! James Gunn’s “Superman,” starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, seems to be brighter and lighter than the turgid Zack Snyder motion pictures with Henry Cavill. That’s the correct tack to take with Clark Kent nowadays. We’ll see if audiences welcome with open arms or are steely towards the Man of Metal.
The Unbelievable 4: First Steps (July 25)
Look, I’d just like the Marvel Cinematic Universe to name it quits. However it gained’t, so I’ve to search out the silver lining — or on this case, the Silver Surfer. The primary “Fantastic Four” movie underneath Disney resembles an episode of “The Jetsons.” It takes place within the Sixties, on a parallel earth, and encompasses a fairly prestigious forged: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The Bare Gun (August 1)
Right here comes that grasp of hilarity… Liam Neeson? What’s fairly bizarre is that Neeson’s identify is basically near the collection’ unique star Leslie Nielsen’s. However the similarities don’t finish there. Nielsen additionally bought his begin in dramas earlier than segueing into loopy comedies (keep in mind “Dracula’s Dead and Loving It”?). Maybe this detective noir send-up would be the begin of a brand new chapter for the “Taken” star, who I’ve by no means as soon as seen smile.
Weapons (August 8)
The horror follow-up from the director of “Barbarian” has an attractive plot: 17 youngsters from the identical faculty class in a small city mysteriously disappear in a single day. Just one stays. It has an excellent forged, too. Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich and Julia Garner, who was sensational on “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna.”
Highest 2 Lowest (August 22)
Spike Lee’s crime thriller starring Denzel Washington bought nice critiques out of the Cannes Movie Competition this month. Washington performs a music mogul caught up in a ransom plot, and he’s joined by ASAP Rocky and Jeffrey Wright. It’s Lee’s first movie since 2020’s shocking Vietnam flick “Da 5 Bloods.”
