With the school year coming to a close, summer break awaits wth some big hits coming to theaters. There are many options, but I am here to tell you what movies you should be checking out this summer!
For those who want a fun movie to watch with family and friends, I recommend Disney’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch, releasing on May 23, 2025. The film follows a young girl, Lilo, who encounters the most wanted extraterrestrial, Stitch. Through a lot of adventure, fun, and love, we see an unwavering bond develop between the two. Many have seen the original animated film, but this live-action remake looks pretty good. Though Disney has made some questionable decisions regarding their live-action remakes, I think this will be a good one.
On May 30, 2025, Karate Kid: Legends will be released. The film will introduce a new character, Li Fong, who Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han will train. The film seems to be offering a new story while offering the same usual formula, such as a tournament. The film looks really good. I would highly recommend checking this out if you want some action that will have some heartwarming, serious moments. It is unclear if this film will have any strong connections to Cobra Kai, but either way, you should definitely check it out!
The next big film, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, will be released in theaters on June 6, 2025. The film follows an assassin trained by the Ruska Roma organization who sets out to seek revenge for her father’s death. The film takes place between John Wick Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. I feel like this film isn’t talked about enough, despite it being part of a well-known series. I love the John Wick movies, and it seems like it’s going to be a blast. Some may say there are too many, but honestly, I’m all for it. Seeing a film take place in the same universe, while also being its own thing, feels fresh. I’m just happy they’re not “resurrecting” John Wick and are just expanding on different characters. I would love a prequel that explains John Wick’s origins.
Now, for fans of animation, we’ve got the upcoming Hulu film, Predator: Killer of Killers. The film is an anthology that will go through different predators encountering people of different periods, such as Samurai, Vikings, and WWII soldiers. The film will be in the style of Arcane, and it looks awesome. It will have the traditional Predator aspects while going through different times. As both a Predator and animation fan, the film looks super promising, especially being directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who directed both Prey and the upcoming Predator: Badlands. For the record, Prey was amazing and probably the best Predator movie since the original, so I have high hopes.
The biggest month for blockbuster movies is, for sure, July, with three bangers coming week after week after week. The first film is Jurassic World: Rebirth, releasing on July 2, 2025. The film follows a team of individuals who hope to extract dinosaur DNA that can offer lifesaving benefits to mankind. The only issue is, the DNA is in the dangerous original facility from the first Jurassic Park. The film looks like it will be taking a more horror tone rather than the traditional aspect. I am all for that. The Jurassic franchise is something that many have wanted to take a different turn. Many are looking forward to this film, and I can’t wait to watch it!
The next major film is none other than James Gunn’s Superman. It will be released on July 11, 2025. The film will follow Kal-El living the life of a hero and as Clark Kent. Through his double life, he will face his battles with villains such as Lex Luthor and Metamorpho. James Gunn is the legend who created the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. With that being said, I have so much excitement for this movie, and it’s my most anticipated movie of the year. The visuals look amazing, we’re getting a score, and the colors just pop like it’s a comic book. After hearing the film is going for a lighter tone, I am so happy. We’ll finally get a Superman that represents hope and is a proper rendition of the comic book icon.
The final big film of the summer goes to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, releasing on July 25, 2025. If you aren’t excited about this film, what is wrong with you?! The film looks, well, fantastic! Not only are we finally getting a really good adaptation of the Fantastic Four, but we are also finally getting Galactus on the big screen. The film will follow the Fantastic Four having to stop Galactus from consuming Earth. Ever since I was a kid, I remember seeing him in comics and TV shows, but to finally see him in the movies, it’s going to be awesome. The film also has a very cool retro aesthetic that I’m sure many will find appealing. More so, the movie will directly tie into Avengers: Doomsday, so if you’re a big Marvel fan or just looking for something to enjoy over the summer, this movie is definitely a great option.
I would cover August, but there aren’t many films to cover for the month. With that being said, these are the movies I will be watching over the summer, and you should too! We’ll revisit these films come the fall and see if they were worth the hype!