Summer Movie Season: A Preview of Blockbusters Until Labor Day

Get ready for an action-packed summer movie season, filled with thrilling releases from July to Labor Day. The excitement begins in July with the highly anticipated seventh installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series. Following that, prepare for an explosive clash between “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” as tweeted by Tom Cruise himself.

August brings even more excitement, including a fresh take on the beloved “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and the introduction of a new DC superhero, Blue Beetle.

In other news, Karen Allen is set for one last adventure as Marion Ravenwood in “Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny.” The Czech film festival in Karlovy Vary commences with a prestigious award for actor Russell Crowe. Additionally, a London prosecutor bravely speaks out against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, labeling him as a “sexual bully” who preys on men.

For a detailed month-by-month guide to this summer’s hottest releases, keep scrolling below. You’ll find more information and review links for May and June’s movie debuts.

July 7:

• “Insidious: The Red Door” (Sony, theaters): Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne return in the fifth installment of this chilling franchise.
• “Joy Ride” (Lionsgate, theaters): Director Adele Lim presents a raucous comedy about friends embarking on a trip to China to find someone’s birth mother, starring Ashley Park, Stephanie Hsu, Sherry Cola, and Sabrina Wu.
• “The Lesson” (Bleecker Street, theaters): This thrilling movie features a young novelist helping an acclaimed author, with Richard E. Grant delivering a standout performance.
• “Biosphere” (IFC, theaters and VOD): Mark Duplass and Sterling K. Brown take on the roles of the last two men alive in this captivating sci-fi drama.
• “Earth Mama” (A24, theaters): Savannah Leaf’s acclaimed debut film follows the journey of a single, pregnant woman with two foster kids as she strives to rebuild her family in the Bay Area.

July 14:

• “Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part I” (Paramount, theaters): Tom Cruise returns with death-defying stunts and the revival of Kittridge in this action-packed installment.
• “Theater Camp” (Searchlight, theaters): Ben Platt and Molly Gordon shine in this comedic satire of childhood musical theater, perfect for theater nerds and comedy fans.
• “The Miracle Club” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Lifetime friends in a small Dublin community dream of a trip to Lourdes, a town where miracles are said to happen, featuring an ensemble cast including Kathy Bates, Maggie Smith, and Agnes O’Casey.
• “20 Days in Mariupol” (in theaters in New York): This Pulitzer Prize-winning documentary by AP’s Mstyslav Chernov, in collaboration with PBS “Frontline,” chronicles the first weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as seen through the eyes of international journalists.
• “Afire” (Janus Films, theaters): German director Christian Petzold presents a gripping drama set in a Baltic Sea vacation home, exploring the escalating tensions between a writer, a photographer, and a mysterious guest played by Paula Beer.
• “They Cloned Tyrone” (Netflix): John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx team up for this thrilling mystery caper.

July 21:

• “Oppenheimer” (Universal, theaters): Christopher Nolan delves into the mind of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” portrayed by Cillian Murphy, leading up to the trinity test at Los Alamos.
• “Barbie” (Warner Bros., theaters): Margot Robbie takes on the role of the iconic doll in Greta Gerwig’s comedic exploration of Barbie’s perfect world, alongside Ryan Gosling as Ken.
• “Stephen Curry: Underrated” (Apple TV+): This documentary, directed by Peter Nicks, sheds light on the life and achievements of the four-time NBA champion.
• “The Beanie Bubble” (select theaters; Apple TV+ on July 28): Zach Galifianakis stars in this comedic drama as the mastermind behind Beanie Babies, featuring Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Snook, and Geraldine Viswanathan.

July 28:

• “Haunted Mansion” (Disney, theaters): Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, and Danny DeVito bring the beloved Disney ride to life in this fantastical adventure.
• “Talk to Me” (A24, theaters): Sophie Wilde and Joe Bird star in this horror film about a group of friends who summon spirits with unexpected consequences.
• “Happiness for Beginners” (Netflix, available from July 27): Ellie Kemper portrays a newly divorced woman seeking to shake up her life.
• “Sympathy for the Devil” (RLJE Films): Joel Kinnaman is forced to drive a mysterious gunman played by Nicolas Cage in this suspenseful thriller.
• “Kokomo City” (Magnolia): This eye-opening documentary follows the lives of four Black transgender sex workers, shedding light on their unique experiences.

August 4:

• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (Paramount, theaters): Seth Rogen and John Cena lend their voices to this animated movie, injecting humor and excitement into the beloved franchise.
• “Shortcomings” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Randall Park directs this adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel, exploring the lives of Asian American friends in the Bay Area.
• “Meg 2: The Trench” (Warner Bros., theaters): Jason Statham returns to battle sharks in this thrilling sequel.
• “Passages” (Mubi): This thought-provoking drama follows the complicated relationship of a long-term couple, with Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw, and Adèle Exarchopoulos delivering powerful performances.
• “A Compassionate Spy” (Magnolia): Steve James directs this documentary, exploring the story of the youngest physicist on the Manhattan Project who shared information with the Soviets.
• “Dreamin’ Wild” (Roadside Attractions): Casey Affleck stars in this film about the musical journey of duo Donnie and Joe Emerson.
• “Problemista” (A24, theaters): Julio Torres showcases his talent as an aspiring toy designer in this surreal comedy featuring Tilda Swinton.

August 11:

• “Gran Turismo” (Sony, theaters): David Harbour and Orlando Bloom lead this thrilling video game adaptation, where a gamer gets a chance to drive a professional course.
• “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” (Universal, theaters): Drawing inspiration from a chapter of “Dracula,” this supernatural horror film takes audiences on a chilling journey.
• “Heart of Stone” (Netflix): Gal Gadot stars in this action-packed thriller about an intelligence operative, accompanied by Jamie Dornan.
• “The Eternal Memory” (MTV Documentary Films): This poignant documentary explores the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on a marriage.
• “The Pod Generation” (Vertical, theaters): Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor showcase their talents in this sci-fi comedy, offering a fresh perspective on a new path to parenthood.
• “Jules” (Bleecker Street, theaters): Ben Kingsley takes the lead in this film about a UFO crash in rural Pennsylvania, adding a touch of mystery and wonder.

August 18:

• “Blue Beetle” (Warner Bros., theaters): Xolo Maridueña dons the suit of DC superhero Jaime Reyes, exploring his origin story in this thrilling adventure.
• “Strays” (Universal, theaters): Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx lend their voices to this R-rated comedy, offering a unique take on the world of talking dogs.
• “birth/rebirth” (IFC, theaters): A horror film that delves into the supernatural, exploring the resurrection of a little girl through the collaboration of a woman and a morgue technician.
• “White Bird” (Lionsgate, theaters): Helen Mirren shares a captivating story set in Nazi-occupied France, as she narrates her experiences to her grandson expelled from school for bullying.
• “Landscape with Invisible Hand” (MGM, theaters): In a world dominated by aliens, a group of teenagers devises a creative moneymaking scheme in this imaginative film.
• “The Hill” (Briarcliff Entertainment): Dennis Quaid stars in this baseball drama, based on the true story of Rickey Hill.

August 25:

• “They Listen” (Sony, theaters): John Cho and Katherine Waterston lead this mysterious horror film, produced by Blumhouse.
• “Golda” (Bleecker Street): Helen Mirren delivers a powerful performance as Golda Meir, the Prime Minister of Israel during the Yom Kippur War, in this gripping drama.
• “Bottoms” (MGM, theaters): Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri headline this parody of teen sex comedies, as two unpopular teenage girls start a fight club to impress the cheerleaders they hope to connect with.
• “The Dive” (RLJE Films): This suspenseful movie tells the story of two sisters on a diving adventure, where one gets injured and finds herself trapped underwater.
• “Scrapper” (Kino Lorber, theaters): Harris Dickinson portrays a estranged father who reconnects with his 12-year-old daughter, played by Lola Campbell, in this heartfelt London-based drama.
• “Fremont” (Music Box Films, theaters): Anaita Wali Zada takes the lead in this engaging documentary about a former army translator relocating to Fremont, California, and working in a fortune cookie factory. The film also stars Jeremy Allen White from “The Bear.”

September 1:

• “The Equalizer 3” (Sony, theaters): Denzel Washington returns as the retired assassin Robert McCall, whose peaceful retirement is disrupted by complex circumstances in Southern Italy.

These are just some of the thrilling movies you can look forward to during the summer movie season. Get ready for an incredible cinematic experience until Labor Day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about summer movie season

More about summer movie season

• Mission: Impossible – Official Website
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem – Official Trailer
• Blue Beetle – DC Comics
• Czech Film Festival in Karlovy Vary
• IMDb – Upcoming Movie Releases
• Rotten Tomatoes – Movie Reviews
• Film Festivals Around the World
• Mission: Impossible Movie Series – IMDb
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Official Website
• DC Comics Official Website