From zombies to Pixar, Marvel reboots to Wes Anderson capers, here are the biggest, boldest, and most buzzworthy films of summer 2025

Summer is more than just a season—it's a cinematic mood. As the heat rises and days stretch long into golden evenings, the movies take center stage in our collective imagination. Theaters become havens of cool air and communal thrill-seeking, while streamers serve up couch-bound comforts for those opting to escape from home. And in 2025, the release calendar is overflowing with reasons to be excited.

This year, Hollywood is banking on a mix of surefire franchise hits and bold auteur swings. Whether it's a final curtain call for Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt or a subversive pandemic western from Ari Aster, the variety is staggering. Big-budget spectacles sit alongside deeply personal indies, each vying for a spot on your summer watchlist—and possibly your Letterboxd favorites.

In a season traditionally dominated by sequels and superheroes, 2025 offers more than the familiar. We’re getting unexpected returns, overdue revivals, and the kinds of high-concept originals that can only flourish in a summer slot. It’s a rare lineup that invites popcorn thrills and emotional catharsis in equal measure.

There’s also a refreshing generational handoff in motion—emerging stars sharing billing with icons, and visionary filmmakers pushing genres into new territory. If the box office has been shaky, the creativity on display feels anything but. For those tired of sameness, this year’s slate might surprise you.

So whether you're chasing explosions, laughter, heartbreak, or the return of long-lost favorites, this guide is your cinematic roadmap. From Cannes darlings to creature features, here's our curated list of Most Anticipated movies we can't wait to watch this summer. Let the countdown begin.

May

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (May 23, In Theaters)

Ethan Hunt returns for what’s billed as the franchise’s final mission. Expect death-defying stunts, globe-trotting espionage, and Tom Cruise going all-in to preserve the cinematic experience.

The Phoenician Scheme (May 30, In Theaters)

Wes Anderson’s intricately stylized new caper features Benicio del Toro in every frame, supported by Mia Threapleton, Riz Ahmed, and Michael Cera. It’s eccentric, meticulously designed, and unmistakably Anderson.

Lilo & Stitch (May 23, In Theaters)

Disney's beloved alien tale gets the live-action treatment, blending heartfelt family dynamics with stunning tropical visuals. A new generation meets Stitch—and longtime fans get a wave of nostalgia.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (May 23, Netflix)

The slasher series returns with a blood-soaked take on prom night, merging R.L. Stine teen-horror nostalgia with slick, modern execution. Expect screams, sequins, and sinister surprises.

Fountain of Youth (May 23, Apple TV+)

A high-concept sci-fi mystery about immortality, ambition, and sacrifice. Smart, stylish, and morally slippery—Apple TV+ continues its streak of polished, prestige genre entries.

Karate Kid: Legends (May 30, In Theaters)

The legacy continues. With old icons returning and new faces stepping into the dojo, this modern martial arts epic extends the Karate Kid universe into a new era of rivalries and redemption.

Tornado (May 30, In Theaters)

An epic natural disaster film for the climate change generation. Powered by next-gen effects and a grounded human story, Tornado promises cinematic turbulence and real-world resonance.

June

The Life of Chuck (June 6, In Theaters)

Stephen King’s reverse-chronological fable gets the Mike Flanagan treatment. Tom Hiddleston stars in one of the most emotionally philosophical King adaptations yet.

Predator: Killer of Killers (June 6, Hulu)

This animated anthology installment pits the galaxy’s fiercest hunter against a Viking, a ninja, and a WWII pilot. Stylish, violent, and a prelude to the live-action Badlands sequel.

Materialists (June 13, In Theaters)

Celine Song follows Past Lives with a sharp romantic triangle featuring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. Classy, star-studded, and a welcome return for the adult rom-com.

28 Years Later (June 20, In Theaters)

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return with a chilling sequel exploring humanity’s rage-fueled collapse. Expect lean thrills and sharp social commentary.

Elio (June 20, In Theaters)

Pixar’s vibrant new adventure follows a lonely boy mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to an alien civilization. Whimsical, heartfelt, and visually dazzling.

F1 (June 27, In Theaters)

Brad Pitt returns to the fast lane with Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) for a hyper-immersive racing drama that promises adrenaline and emotion.

Sorry, Baby (June 27, In Theaters)

Eva Victor’s debut, a Sundance darling acquired by A24, is a tonally unique blend of personal trauma, dark humor, and time-hopping storytelling.

Ballerina (June 6, In Theaters)

Ana de Armas steps into the John Wick universe with lethal grace in this spin-off thriller. Set between the third and fourth Wick chapters, Ballerina delivers balletic brutality, neon-soaked revenge, and a powerful new assassin with her own vendetta.

I Don’t Understand You (June 6, In Theaters)

A biting culture-clash comedy about a couple who travel to Europe for a romantic reset, only to find themselves spiraling into paranoia, miscommunication, and emotional chaos. Think White Lotus meets Before Midnight, with a darker edge.

Dangerous Animals (June 12, In Theaters)

A gripping psychological thriller about a woman who begins to suspect that the wildlife conservationist she's dating may not be the hero he seems. Tense, eerie, and tinged with environmental horror.

How to Train Your Dragon (June 13, In Theaters)

DreamWorks returns to the skies with a live-action reimagining of its beloved animated franchise. Hiccup and Toothless soar once more in a more grounded, visually immersive take that aims to recapture the wonder and emotion of the originals.

Echo Valley (June 13, In Theaters)

Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney star in a brooding drama about trauma, family secrets, and the cost of silence. Set on a secluded Pennsylvania horse farm, the film plays like a slow-burn thriller with emotional devastation at its core.

M3GAN 2.0 (June 27, In Theaters)

Your favorite fashion-forward, homicidal android is back and more intelligent—and unstable—than ever. This sequel expands the mythology with new AI threats and even more twisted tech-horror satire. She’s not just a doll. She’s an icon.

July

Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2, In Theaters)

Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) reboots the franchise with grounded spectacle and a new human cast. A hopeful return to the awe of Jurassic Park.

Superman (July 11, In Theaters)

James Gunn reinvents Superman with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in a brighter, more hopeful vision for DC’s cinematic universe.

Eddington (July 18, In Theaters)

Ari Aster’s COVID-era western stars Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in a psychological standoff for the ages. Genre-defying and politically charged.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, In Theaters)

Pedro Pascal headlines this latest MCU reboot alongside Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn. Can Marvel’s first family finally get it right?

Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25, Netflix)

Adam Sandler returns to one of his earliest roles—this time, older, wiser, and maybe a little calmer. A nostalgic sequel with a mellow twist.

The Old Guard 2 (July 2, Netflix)

Charlize Theron returns in the highly anticipated sequel to the immortal mercenary saga. Expect blood-soaked action, ancient grudges, and new adversaries as the team faces a global threat threatening to expose their secret.

Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (July 11, Disney+)

The undead musical franchise collides with another horror classic as vampires arrive in Seabrook. Expect high school drama, big dance numbers, and a fang-tastic new mythology that blends camp and charm.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18, In Theaters)

The slasher classic gets a modern revival, with a new cast of Gen Z stars haunted by a deadly mistake. Suspense, bloodshed, and nostalgia come together for a summer screamfest with a contemporary edge.

Smurfs (July 18, In Theaters)

A vibrant reboot of the iconic blue characters, blending new animation technology with timeless charm. Expect heartwarming lessons, mischievous magic, and a new Smurf tale for the next generation.

August

Naked Gun (August 1, In Theaters)

Liam Neeson tackles slapstick in this gag-a-second legacy sequel to the classic detective spoof. Yes, it looks ridiculous—and that’s the point.

Freakier Friday (August 8, In Theaters)

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back in this multigenerational body-swap comedy. Family chaos, cosmic confusion, and heartfelt lessons ensue.

Weapons (August 8, In Theaters)

Zach Cregger (Barbarian) crafts a sprawling, multi-narrative thriller about missing kids and community paranoia. Magnolia meets modern horror.

Highest 2 Lowest (August 22, In Theaters / September 5, Apple TV+)

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite for this remake of Kurosawa’s High and Low, a moral thriller wrapped in corporate drama.

Eden (August 22, In Theaters)

Ron Howard loosens up with this offbeat true story of madness on the Galápagos. Jude Law and Ana de Armas lead a cast of delightfully unhinged settlers.

Caught Stealing (August 29, In Theaters)

Austin Butler plays a disgraced ballplayer turned criminal in Darren Aronofsky’s stylish, gritty dive into ‘90s New York noir.

The Toxic Avenger (August 29, In Theaters)

Peter Dinklage stars in this gleeful remake of the Troma splatter classic. Crude, campy, and proudly off the rails.

The Bad Guys 2 (August 2, In Theaters)

The mischievous crew of reformed animal criminals is back for another animated heist full of laughs, twists, and slick visual flair. DreamWorks expands the universe with bigger action and deeper friendships.

Nobody 2 (August 15, In Theaters)

Bob Odenkirk returns as the mild-mannered suburban dad with a dark past. The sequel promises more brutal, tightly choreographed action—and deeper insight into this unlikely antihero’s world.

Americana (August 22, In Theaters)

A searing portrait of the American heartland in crisis. This Sundance breakout explores fractured identity and community with lyrical grit, centering on a family haunted by secrets and the violence of the past.

Relay (August 22, In Theaters)

A kinetic political thriller about the dark underbelly of global diplomacy, starring Riz Ahmed as a fixer navigating a crisis that spirals into international chaos. High tension and morally murky decisions await.

POPULAR ON THE CINEMA GROUP

As the curtains rise on another stacked summer season, one thing is abundantly clear: cinema is thriving in its chaos, ambition, and sheer variety. From intimate dramas to globe-trotting action, this summer’s slate is less about playing it safe and more about pushing boundaries—stylistically, emotionally, and commercially. Filmmakers are swinging for the fences, and audiences will be the ones catching the magic.

What stands out most is how many of these stories are born from bold artistic visions, not just algorithms or franchise blueprints. Sure, sequels and reboots continue to dominate, but they’re being infused with newfound creativity—from Ari Aster’s genre-bending discomfort to the pure spectacle of Jurassic World: Rebirth under Gareth Edwards’ hand. It’s a season where “the usual” feels anything but.

We’re also witnessing a passing of the torch. Veteran actors share the screen with rising stars. Indie darlings are stepping into blockbuster shoes. Films like Materialists, Sorry, Baby, and Weapons show just how layered and diverse modern storytelling has become, offering audiences substance alongside style.

And it’s not just what’s being made, but how it’s being received. Moviegoers are returning to theaters with a hunger for shared experiences—emotional, cathartic, thrilling. Whether you're streaming at home or catching an IMAX double feature, summer 2025 feels uniquely built to bring us together, through laughter, gasps, and maybe even a few tears.

In a world that often feels upside down, there’s something grounding about a great movie—and this summer, we have 21 reasons to remember why we fell in love with them in the first place. Here's to the popcorn, the previews, the art, and the escape. Let the summer of cinema begin.

Movies We Can’t Wait to See This Summer