With only four more weeks of class and summer break just around the corner, students and staff alike may be wondering how they are going to spend their free time.
Many will take a trip to the theater and watch the newest blockbuster film as more movies are being released and going back to the theater is coming back after the pandemic.
Here is a list of all of the must-see films in theaters now and that are set to come out in the coming months:
In Theaters Now
Sony’s latest movie featuring one of Spider-man’s villains, Morbius, stars Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius and Matt Smith as Loxias Crown. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, the origin story follows Dr. Morbius as he makes a dangerous gamble to find a cure for the rare blood disorder that he suffers from.
Another film currently out is Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This sequel film from the 2020 original brings back the star-studded cast of Ben Schwartz (voice of Sonic, the titular character), James Marsden (playing Sonic’s long-suffering human friend), and Jim Carrey (as Doctor Robotnik).
Michael Bay (Transformers, 6 Underground) has made his return to the directing scene since the COVID-19 pandemic with Ambulance, a thriller action film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza Gonalez. The movie features the Brokeback Mountain and Aquaman actors robbing a bank and stealing an ambulance as a getaway vehicle.
Opening last weekend was the next film in the Wizarding World universe, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The David Yates directed film stars Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, Mads Mikkelsen, and others all returning with their roles from the previous films. Fans of the series have been awaiting this film since its announcement.
Coming up in April
The Bad Guys, a Pierre Perifel directed computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation will come out April 22. The film follows a cast of criminal animals (Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Marc Maron, and others) who, after being caught, pretend to reform themselves as model citizens.
Also releasing on April 22 is The Northman, an action-filled epic directed by Robert Eggers and starring Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, and Willem Dafoe. The film follows a young Viking prince, played by Skarsgård as he attempts to avenge his father’s murder.
For a fun action comedy starring Nicolas Cage as himself, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent opens on April 22. Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend the birthday party of a wealthy fan (played by Pedro Pascal). But things take an unexpected turn when the CIA recruits Cage for an unusual mission.
Coming up in May
The next film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to hit our screens on May 6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-man, The Evil Dead) brings back Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch, and will be introducing Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. The movie is set to bring forward a new era in the MCU.
For fans of the classics, Disney’s Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers will bring back those nostalgic memories while inviting a new generation of fans. With Akiva Schaffer directing, the movie stars John Mulaney and Andy Samberg as Chip and Dale and features a cast of supporting actors such as Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Keegan-Michael Key, and more. The film’s release date has been set for May 20.
Top Gun: Maverick is set to see theaters on May 27, more than 30 years after the original film was released. The film will see the return of Tom Cruise, last seen in Mission: Impossible Fallout in 2018, as Lt. Maverick as well as adding new cast members, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Miles Teller.
Coming up in June
Jurassic World Dominion, the much-anticipated final installment of the Jurassic series, will release on June 10. Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) returns to direct the last in the trilogy starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum are all reprising their original Jurassic Park roles, as confirmed in the trailer earlier in the year.
Disney’s Lightyear will tell the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, a beloved character from the Toy Story saga. Audiences will follow Buzz, voiced by Chris Evans, on an intergalactic space adventure alongside a cast filled with the likes of Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, and Peter Sohn. The film is directed by Angus MacLane (co-director of Finding Dory) and will release on June 17.
Following the success of other musical biopics, it’s no surprise to be seeing Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis grace our screens this June 24. With Austin Butler playing the titular role and Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, and Gary Clark Jr. supporting, the film is sure to be filled with the songs and sounds associated with The King.
Coming up in July
Despite not having a trailer out at the date of this paper, fans of Marvel are sure to be looking forward to Thor: Love and Thunder. Taika Waititi returns to direct with Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman and more filling the star-studded cast. On July 8, we’ll see our heroes return against Gorr the GOd Butcher, portrayed by Christian Bale as he joins the MCU.
Jordan Peele (Us, Get Out) has had recent success in the horror film industry and Nope, out on July 22, looks to join the ranks of that success. Starring Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, and Steven Yeun, the film follows residents of a town after they witness a mysterious and abnormal event. The last movie on our list is certainly a fun one. DC League of Super-Pets stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart as the adorable pets of superheroes Superman and Batman (John Krasinski and Keanu Reeves) who team up with a band of other super-powered pets in order to save the Justice League. Directed by Jared Stern, the film releases to theaters on July 29.
