Whether it's family night, girls' night, or date night, this summer's movie releases are sure to please!
Pitch Perfect 2 (PG-13) May 15
Comedy. Your favorite Barden Bellas are back in this sequel to the 2012 smash hit! After a public humiliation, the Bellas seek to restore their reputation by entering an international competition that no American team has ever won before. With each other and their aca-sisterhood, plus some brotherly love from the Treblemakers, they set out to once again achieve a capella royalty status. Read our review.
Tomorrowland (PG) May 22
Sci-FiA jaded scientist (George Clooney) and an optimistic teen (Britt Robertson) embark on a perilous mission to discover the secrets of a mysterious other world in this epic science fiction movie. Read our review.
Aloha (PG-13) May 29
Romantic Comedy. This could be the sleeper hit of the summer with its all-star cast, including Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Alec Baldwin, Bill Murray, and John Krasinski.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3mf_ewjc7s
San Andreas (PG-13) May 29
Action/Thriller. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays a rescue helicopter pilot looking for his daughter in the aftermath of the deadliest earthquake in California. A natural disaster flick that will surely keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Spy (R) June 5
Action/Comedy. A desk-bound CIA analyst (Melissa McCarthy) volunteers to go undercover to try to prevent a global disaster. Rose Byrne, Jason Statham, Jude Law, and Morena Baccarin bring the international flair. Written and directed by Paul Feig (director of Bridesmaids and The Heat).
Love & Mercy (PG-13) June 5
Biography/Drama. Set against the iconic music of The Beach Boys, this movie gives us an intimate look at the life of Brian Wilson, the band's co-founder, singer, and songwriter. Starring John Cusack, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti.
Jurassic World (PG-13) June 12
Action/Adventure. More than 20 years after Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg brings us a new installment to thrill and terrify another generation of dinosaur fans, this one starring Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) and a T.rex that kills for sport. Although it has a PG-13, the buzz is that it is too violent and scary for younger kids.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (PG-13) June 12
Drama. Based on the 2012 YA novel of the same name, this indie film about friendship and first love won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qfmAllbYC8
Inside Out (PG) June 19
Animated Comedy. PIXAR brings us yet another fun and original story. When Riley's family moves from the midwest to San Francisco, she experiences a wide range of emotions. We get to listen in as Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) discuss and argue about the best way for her to adjust to her new life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIDYqBMFzfg
Big Game (PG-13) June 26
Action/Adventure. Big action. Big adventure. A young teen camping in the woods helps rescue the President of the United States (Samuel L. Jackson) when Air Force One is shot down near his campsite.
Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World (PG) June 26
Documentary. The heartwarming story about a 5-year-old cancer survivor's Make-a-Wish dream come true. For one day in 2013, the city of San Francisco transformed into Gotham so Miles Scott (whose cancer is currently in remission) could save a damsel in distress and fight villains in true Batman-fashion.
Ted 2 (R) June 26
Comedy. Ted was the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. Seth MacFarlane returns as writer, director, and voice of Ted, the walking, talking stuffed teddy bear. With his best friend John (Mark Wahlburg) by his side, Ted takes on the court system to prove he's a person so he and his wife Tami-Lynn can have a baby. Thunder buddies for life!
Max (PG) June 26
Adventure/Drama. A coming-of-age story about a young teen who finds friendship, comfort, and adventure with Max, the heroic military dog of his fallen brother, who was a US Marine on the front lines of the war in Afghanistan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EPPMCwD5bw
Magic Mike XXL (R) July 1
Comedy. Magic Mike (Channing Tatum) has retired from the stripper life and the remaining Kings of Tampa are just about ready to join him ... right after one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach with Mike sharing the spotlight. Is it hot in here?
Amy (R) July 10
Biography. Featuring extensive unseen footage and previously unheard tracks, this moving film tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse — in her own words. As a gifted jazz artist, she captured the world's attention, but her troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle saw her life tragically end at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning.
Minions (PG) July 10
Animated Comedy. This prequel to the popular Despicable Me series focuses on the antics of everyone's favorite yellow creatures during the 1960s as they seek out a despicable boss, about four decades before they worked for Gru. Turns out it's easier to find a boss than to keep one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eisKxhjBnZ0
Self/Less (PG-13) July 10
Sci-Fi Thriller. A wealthy man dying from cancer (Ben Kingsley) undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he start to uncover the mystery of the body's origin.
Ant-Man (TBD but most likely PG-13) July 17
Action/Sci-Fi. Marvel is at it again with a new super hero ... Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd. It doesn't matter if you're familiar with this hero or not. If you've got tweens, especially boys, you'll see this movie.
Trainwreck (R) July 17
Comedy. If you aren't familiar with the Amy Schumer's comedy (Inside Amy Schumer) and Judd Apatow's movies (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin), you should know in advance that this movie will likely have LOTS of curse words, sexual innuendos, and adult situations. Also, that it will be hilarious.
Paper Towns (TBD but most likely PG-13) July 24
Adventure/Romance. The same YA author (John Green), the same screenwriters (Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber), and even one of the stars (Nat Wolff) from The Fault in Our Stars ... if this movie can affect me even half as much as TFIOS did — and it looks like it could — it will be well worth it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGiHm5WMLk
Pixels (TBD) July 24
Animated Comedy. Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Peter Dinklage with a mullet. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and other arcade characters that I grew up on. Who cares what it's about? This movie is just too fun to pass up!
Vacation (TBD) July 29
Comedy. Following in his father's footsteps, a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) surprises his wife (Christina Applegate) and their two sons with a cross-country road trip to Walley World. I'll bet everything goes smoothly along the way.
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (PG-13) July 31
Action. Tom Cruise is back in the fifth movie of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Over-the-top stunts, ginormous explosions, and non-stop action keep the audience coming back every time.
Fantastic Four (PG-13) August 7
Action/Sci-Fi. Three Marvel movies in one summer! The Fantastic Four tells the adventures of four young scientists turned super heroes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rRoD28-WgU
Shaun the Sheep Movie (TBD) August 7
Animated Comedy. When a mix up with the Farmer, a caravan, and a very steep hill leads them all to the Big City, it's up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely home. This stop-motion family flick from the creators of Wallace & Gromit has lots of physical comedy and no spoken words.
Ricki and the Flash (TBD) August 7
Comedy/Drama. Meryl Streep is a hard-rocking guitarist. Rick Springfield is a band member in love with her. Kevin Kline is her ex-husband. From director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) and screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno). But I had you at "Meryl Streep is a hard-rocking guitarist," didn't I?
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (PG-13) August 14
Action/Comedy. This adaptation of the popular 60s show follows two super spies — one American and one Russian — who must work together to save the world from nuclear proliferation. Take your kids AND your parents (who likely watched the show in their younger days).
Underdogs (PG) August 14
Animated Comedy. Jake thought the bullying was over but when his rival, Ace, returns after seven years, the real battle begins. But he'll need a little help from some tiny friends.
Masterminds (TBD) August 19
Action Comedy. An armored truck driver manages to steal $17 million with the help of his work crush and a group of criminals, only to learn he's been double-crossed and set up to take the fall. Based on true events. Starring Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, and Jason Sudeikis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWDqXbtymgg
