It's crazy to think we're already almost a third of the way through the year, but April is coming to a close. With May looming, that also means the summer movie season is coming. Last year I did one of these previews and I had a lot of fun looking at everything on the horizon, so I decided to do it again here. Note that some of these movies will have their release dates change, I'm just going off of what I can find. Some of these may not end up coming out at all in the summer, and there will 100% be a handful of breakout hits that I just didn't have on my radar. There's also a lot more in May and June than in July since we have a clearer idea of what's coming out in the next month or two. All this to say, here is how the summer movie calendar is currently looking.
May 1st - The Devil Wears Prada 2
Admittedly I'm not the biggest fan of The Devil Wears Prada, but there's no denying it's icon status. Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and the godlike Meryl Streep are all returning, making this not just an exciting follow up to the original, but a very fun way to kick off the summer movie season.
May 1st - Hokum
If you haven't seen it, I'd highly urge you to check out Damian McCarthy's last film Oddity, a strange but terrifying supernatural horror. Now McCarthy is back and teaming up with Adam Scott, a witchy horror movie that looks like it could be the spooky highlight of May. The buzz I've seen surrounding the film is solid, not as good as I maybe would have liked to see but still definitely enough to put this near the top of my watch list.
May 1st - Deep Water
This is probably going to be a bit of a stinker, but I'm a sucker for shark movies so I had to put it on here. Director Renny Harlin is fresh off of delivering the new critically panned Strangers trilogy, but maybe a cast with Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley will help make this at least an okay time at the movies.
May 8th - Mortal Kombat 2
I have never actually played a Mortal Kombat game, and the 2021 was mostly disappointing in my opinion, but I'm still kind of looking forward to this one. My excitement almost entirely hinges on Karl Urban joining the cast, but the trailers do look pretty fun too. Not one I'm expecting much out of but I think this could be a fun time.
May 8th - The Sheep Detectives
Sometimes all a movie needs to do to get me excited is a silly premise, and The Sheep Detectives delivers on that front. Based on the 2005 novel 'Three Bags Full', this follows a flock of sheep who are all obsessed with the mystery novels their shepherd reads to them, only to need to use everything they've learned from them to solve his murder. There's no denying how goofy this looks, but it also has the potential to be a ton of fun.
May 15th - Obsession
Obsession was one of the breakout Midnight Madness hits from TIFF last year, and now it's finally hitting theatres. This is the latest from Curry Barker, whose Milk and Serial was a low budget horror delight, and Obsession looks like it could catapult him into the horror mainstream. The premise here is fantastic, and everything I've heard from people who saw it at TIFF was amazing. Easily one of my most anticipated of May.
May 15th - Is God Is
Even after seeing the trailer I don't fully have a grasp on this one. Based on the stage play of the same name, the film follows two twins who are ordered to kill their abusive father. This is the feature debut of the story's original playwright Alesha Harris, and the cast includes household names like Sterling K. Brown and Janelle Monae. I really don't know what to make of this one, but I'm definitely intrigued.
May 15th - In the Grey
Before making this list I didn't even know this movie existed, and at first glance I wrote it off as what looked to be the latest forgettable Prime Video action comedy. But no, this is not just a theatrical movie but the latest from Guy Ritchie. There aren't many filmmakers that feel as hit or miss as Ritchie, but hopefully a stacked cast with Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Eiza Gonzalez, and Rosamund Pike could help make this a memorable one.
May 22nd - The Mandalorian and Grogu
It feels like a lot of people aren't overly excited for this one, and I honestly get it. It's been seven years since the last Star Wars movie, the shows have been very hit or miss, and while The Mandalorian is popular this is still a theatrical follow up to a TV show. At first I didn't think the movie looked very good, but the past couple of trailers have really won me over. The tone looks like a lot of fun and there seems to be an emphasis on practical effects with a lot of the creatures. Maybe I'm just a biased Star Wars fan, but I'm very excited for this.
May 22nd - Passenger
The trailers for this one leave a lot of questions, but I have a feeling it could be a strong summer horror. The premise lends itself well to something creepy, and the director behind the film is André Øvredal whose filmography includes The Autopsy of Jane Doe and The Last Voyage of the Demeter. Maybe this winds up being a dud, but it looks like it could be a good one.
May 22nd - I Love Boosters
It has been 8 years since Boots Riley's breakout hit Sorry to Bother You, but he is finally back in theatres this may with I Love Boosters. This has an absolutely stacked cast with Keke Palmer, Lakeith Stanfield, Demi Moore, and Will Poulter to name a few, and looks to have that same wild style that put Riley on the map. Can't wait for this one.
May 29th - Backrooms
I will be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about Backrooms. I've seen bits and pieces on the internet but genuinely never gravitated towards it. Despite that, I'm still stoked to see this. Kane Parsons is the youngest director in A24 history, and is making his feature debut with a cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor and one of my favourite actors working today Renate Reinsve. I definitely need to educate myself a bit before seeing it, but this looks fantastic.
May 29th - Pressure
Probably won't even end up seeing this, but a war movie with Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, and Andrew Scott feels like it needs to be mentioned. Very clearly looking to hit the dad market but may have some stiff competition with our next film.
May 29th - The Breadwinner
While Pressure will take some dads to the movies, The Breadwinner may be the real draw of the weekend. This is such a strange movie, one with a plot wildly outdated to the point where I'm shocked it isn't from the 80s. I'm not overly familiar with Nate Bargatze but it seems like he's a big draw, so much so that tickets have been on sale for this one for about a month already and it doesn't release until the end of May. This could be an absolute stinker, but part of me thinks it could be weirdly good, we'll have to wait and see.
May 29th - Tuner
Here we have another under the radar pick that I heard great things about from TIFF. The vibes are kind of similar to Baby Driver as the film follows a piano tuner with a hearing condition who learns that his skill in piano tuning can also be applied to safecracking. Leo Woodall takes the lead with Dustin Hoffman and Havana Rose Liu in supporting roles, but perhaps most interesting here is the director Daniel Roher who recently won Best Documentary at the 2023 Oscars for Navalny.
June 5th - Masters of the Universe
I never grew up watching Masters of the Universe, but this looks like it could have the same 80s fantasy nostalgia factor that Dungeons & Dragons had a few years ago. It looks insanely goofy but also a ton of fun, and I love the idea of seeing Nicholas Galitzine leading a film like this. If it doesn't work this might be painful, but if it captures the right tone this could be an absolute blast.
June 5th - Power Ballad
One of my favourite under appreciated filmmakers is John Carney. Once and Sing Street are among my all time favourites and I've never seen a film of his I didn't like. Power Ballad sees Paul Rudd as a washed up wedding singer who meets a member of a boy band (played by Nick Jonas) who reignites his career. The reviews thus far aren't anything mind blowing but are still good, and until proven otherwise I will continue putting my trust with John Carney.
June 5th - Carolina Caroline
Now we have a movie I've actually seen already. Carolina Caroline was actually one of my favourite films from TIFF last year, and I'm thrilled people can finally see it. It's a Bonnie & Clyde type story starring Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving in some of their best work, and is directed by Adam Rehmeier whose previous works Dinner in America and Snack Shack are both underrated comedies. This is an easy recommend from me, hard to see anyone not having a good time with this one.
June 12th - Disclosure Day
Steven Spielberg is back to the alien movies for the first time since 2005. Admittedly I'm not sure how I feel about the trailers for Disclosure Day, but it would be foolish to write off a new Spielberg movie. The screenplay comes from Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, and the cast includes Colin Firth, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, and Josh O'Connor in a role that will hopefully catapult him to stardom.
June 12th - Scary Movie
I'm not the biggest Scary Movie fan, but seeing the gang back here does bring some nostalgia. It's been years since the franchise's last entry and we are arguably in a new golden age of horror, so there is plenty to spoof with this new film. My expectations are low but I'm hoping this is fun.
June 19th - Toy Story 5
I am of the belief that Toy Story 4 should not have happened, even though it wound up being good. Toy Story 5 similarly could be great, but I can't help but feel that each subsequent film in the series cheapens what I'd consider an all time great trilogy. The premise here does sound fun though as the gang is put up against the rise of screens, so maybe this one will be a hit.
June 19th - The Death of Robin Hood
I wish I was more excited for this but it's hard to have faith in a gritty looking Robin Hood movie in 2026. I love Hugh Jackman but his recent track record leaves quite a bit to be desired, although this is directed by Michael Sarnoski who has recently made A Quiet Place Day One and Pig. The cast also includes Jodie Comer and Bill Skarsgard, this just feels like the kind of movie we'd get excited about in the mid-2000s.
June 23rd - Hungry
I thought about not including this but I can't help it. This is a horror movie based on Hungry-Hungry Hippos, I can only assume it'll be awful, but I can't help but be looking forward to something so dumb.
June 26th - Supergirl
Milly Alcock's Supergirl was a delightful surprise at the end of last year's Superman, and now she gets her own movie. I don't know enough about her story to know what this will be like narratively, but the tone looks very fun and Craig Gillespie is in the director's chair, a filmmaker I admire quite a bit. At the very least this brings Krypto back into the fray, and that dog is way too cute to not be excited about.
June 26th - The Invite
The Invite is the latest directorial effort from Olivia Wilde. While her sophomore effort Don't Worry Darling was an absolute mess, Booksmart remains a seminal coming of age movie and everything I've heard about The Invite makes it seem like a return to form. Wilde also stars in the film alongside Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton, an interesting cast that only heightens my excitement. If the buzz from Sundance is any indication, this is going to be a hit.
June 26th - Jackass 5
I have little to no information surrounding this, but the fifth Jackass movie is allegedly coming out in June. It wasn't until Jackass Forever that I started getting into the series, but now I can't help but look forward to seeing this band of idiots again. Not sure if this will actually hit its release date, but fingers crossed. EDIT: the trailer just dropped, strap in folks.
July 1st - Minions & Monsters
I know this is a controversial take to make as a grown adult, but I don't hate the minions. Some of the movies definitely suck, but I had a great time with Minions: The Rise of Gru and now the little yellow dudes are allegedly diving into the early days of cinema? I don't know what to tell you, I think the minions are fun and I honestly think this movie looks like a good time and will die on that hill.
July 10th - Moana
*gagging sound effects* Some of the live action Disney remakes have been okay, but what are we doing here? It hasn't even been 10 years since the first Moana was released, and we just had a sequel to it in 2024. There is no world in which we need a live action adaptation at all let alone so soon, and this feels like perhaps the most blatant cash grab Disney has attempted. The trailer has moments that look to capture the magic of the original, but the choice to keep Dwayne Johnson as Maui is a big mistake, as in the trailers he looks less like a Polynesian demigod and more like an SNL parody. This will make a ton of movie, but I truly hate that it's happening.
July 17th - The Odyssey
This is pretty clearly THE movie of the summer. Just three years after his Best Picture and Best Director winning opus Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is back to telling epic tales with The Odyssey. Arguably the greatest filmmaker of our time taking on one of the most iconic stories of all time is a recipe for box office and critical success, and I can only assume how epic this will feel on the biggest of screens. Obviously can't wait for this one.
July 24th - Evil Dead Burn
I love the Evil Dead movies, and the last film Evil Dead Rise was a welcome return for the gore filled franchise. From what I've seen so far, Evil Dead Burn looks like it falls more mean spirited, perhaps something closer to the 2013 film. Sébastien Vaniček takes over the director's chair after his wild debut Infested, a film that while lacking in the possession department still showcases the type of style that fits perfectly in this series. This is the only big horror movie on the July calendar at the moment so it's one I will be eagerly anticipating.
July 31st - Spider-Man: Brand New Day
After years of Marvel pumping out movies at a wild rate, it will be over a year between entries when Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases. This serves as a much anticipated follow up to No Way Home, which delivered a big ending that I've been eager to see followed up. The first three films in Tom Holland's Spider-Man series were directed by Jon Watts, but now Destin Daniel Cretton is stepping in behind the camera after successfully bringing us Shang-Chi. There are elements of the trailer (namely the CGI) that give me pause, but I'm still very excited for this.
July 31st - I Want Your Sex
I Want Your Sex is the latest from iconic New Queer Cinema filmmaker Gregg Araki. It has been over a decade since his last film, and the hype surrounding this one from Sundance suggest another cult classic in the making. This stars Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman in a fascinating sexual power dynamic as he becomes both her assistant and muse. The ensemble is stacked with Mason Gooding, Daveed Diggs, Charli xcx, and Chase Sui Wonders, and the narrative echoes similar ideas to Babygirl. Definitely an interesting one to look out for in July.
August 7th - Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
Another interesting new film from a fascinating director is Jane Schoenbrun's Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Schoenbrun's sophomore feature I Saw the TV Glow is one of the decades most fascinating films, and at worst one of the most visually hypnotizing. Here Schoenbrun brings a story of a queer filmmaker hired to direct the latest in a long running slasher franchise, who becomes obsessed with hiring the actress from the original film. The cast is headlined by Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, with a supporting cast rounded out by Eva Victor and Jasmine Savoy Brown. While it will certainly be a strange one, this has the potential to be one of the summer's best. At worst, it looks to be another visual feast from Schoenbrun.
August 7th - Ice Cream Man
Love him or hate him, Eli Roth is a major figure in the horror genre. While I'm not overly fond of most of his work, he does have some hits like Thanksgiving. That being said, he followed it up with Borderlands which currently sits at a painful 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. I don't know if this has any relation to the 1995 film of the same name, but regardless I'm going to assume this isn't one of the summer's best.
August 7th - Fall 2
Speaking of movies that probably won't be big hits, next we have Fall 2. The first Fall movie is pretty dumb, but I did have a decent bit of fun with it. The best part of the movie though was Grace Caroline Curry in the lead role, and she is nowhere to be seen amidst the cast list. Throw in a new directing duo with a very spotty track record, and you have something that feels destined to fail.
August 14th - The End of Oak Street
If you know me, you know that despite now being an adult I am still deeply obsessed with dinosaurs. A dinosaur movie directed by It Follows and Under the Silver Lake filmmaker David Robert Mitchell sounds all the way up my alley. This movie looks super weird but in the best way, and with Anne Hathaway leading the film alongside Ewan McGregor, we get to see two of the best playing in this strange prehistoric playground. Can't wait for this one.
August 14th - Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie
Obviously I don't care about the new Paw Patrol movie, but it has dinosaurs so I'm legally required to mention it. It'll be at least the second best dinosaur movie to come out August 14th.
August 14th - Rivals of the Amziah King
Some thought that Rivals of the Amziah King could be a contender in this past awards season after premiering at South by Southwest last March. The distribution company held back though and we're just getting it now after its debut over a year ago. The reviews thus far are pretty fantastic, with many praising the performances from Matthew McConaughey and Angelina Lookingglass. We'll see if this ends up being the Oscar contender some thought it might be, but at the very least it promises to be a great movie.
August 21st - Insidious: Out of the Further
I falsely assumed the previous Insidious film would be the last one, but now just three years later the series is back again. I've never heard of the director, and while the last film brought back Patrick Wilson and Ty Simpkins (with Wilson also directing), the only key figure on the cast list here is Lin Shaye. This feels like a very obvious cash grab, I'll be surpirsed if it's any good.
August 21st - Mutiny
Mutiny is the latest Jason Statham action movie. It feels like he has fully taken the random action movie crown from Liam Neeson, and I doubt we'll be able to tell this apart from all the other movies of this ilk Statham has done recently.
August 28th - The Dog Stars
At 88 years old Ridley Scott is back with a post apocalyptic sci-fi film based on the novel of the same name. I haven't seen too much from the film, but the cast includes Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, and Guy Pearce to name a few. Scott is pushing 90 so I'm trying to taper my expectations with each new film of his, but he's one of the greats so I'm hoping for the best here.
August 28th - Coyote vs Acme
Now we have a movie that almost never got to see the light of day. Back in 2023 it was announced that the film was finished by would not be released, with Warner Bros. preferring to take a tax loss of roughly $30 million rather than spend the money to release the film. The studio rejected many bids from other studios, some more than doubling the reported tax break, but eventually in early 2025 it was sold to Ketchup Entertainment. This movie has had a crazy road to its release, so I'm glad we'll finally get to see it after so many years. The idea that it was almost just deleted from existence is terrifying, so go support this one when it comes out.
August 28th - Cliffhanger
I haven't seen the original Cliffhanger and I don't have much hope in this making me a fan, but this new imagining stars Lily James and Nell Tiger Free, and is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra who has his fair share of solid movies on the resume. I wouldn't go in expecting much but maybe this will be fun.
August 28th - Idiots
Last but not least we have a movie that just looks like a ton of fun. Directed by Macon Blair who gave us the new Toxic Avenger on the same weekend last year, this one follows two people who have hit rock bottom as they transport a rich teen to rehab. The films stars O'Shea Jackson Jr, Dave Franco, Mason Thames, Kiernan Shipka, and Peter Dinklage, so at the very least I'm looking forward to this cast. It also has solid reviews out of Sundance, so I think this will be a fun close to the summer.
So there we have it. I hope this has put some movies on your radar that might not have been there otherwise, or at least reminded you of some of exciting things coming to theatres in the next few months. See you at the movies!
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