Sunday Best: Summer Movie Season 2026

   It is now April, so it's time to look forward to one of my favorite seasons of the year: Summer movie season.

It used to be that Summer movie season would begin in June.  But then it became standard for the big movies to come out in May.  

I know as a cinephile I should be more interested in when the "important" movies come out just before the major awards.  But I think the movies of summer are pure cinema and tend to be the ones remembered long after people have forgotten the plot of whatever film won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Here is a list, with a few brief thoughts of my own, including on a scale of 1-5 stars my likelihood of seeing it in theaters (1 being “Not at all” 5 being “Cannot wait!”).


MAY 1

Devil Wears Prada 2

 

It always surprised me how much I enjoyed the original film.  I care nothing for fashion, so it is a testament to the film makers that they got me to care so much.  And the movie still holds up after so many years.  So I will definitely see this movie in theaters.  (*****)

Animal Farm

 

It is hard to overstate how thematically inverted this film looks.  First of all, the novel is a dark and serious allegory for Russian communism.  This movie looks like a children's film about the dangers of western capitalism.  I cannot understand the insanity of this move.  (*)

MAY 8

Sheep Detective

 

This has a unique idea set in a traditional British murder mystery.  It could be cute and enjoyable.  I love the cast (***)

Mortal Kombat II

 

The most recent Mortal Kombat was enjoyable, but became to gory/violent and they killed off the best character in the movie.  This one looks like an improvement with a fantastically cast Karl Urban as Johnny Cage.  If it wasn't for that, I probably would not be interested (***)

MAY 15
In the Grey

 

This looks like a typical heist movie, but nothing special about it yet (**)

Obsession

 

I am not into horror movies. (*)


MAY 22

The Mandalorian and Grogu

 

A lot of people have been dumping on this movie, but I am excited.  I know that Season 3 of the show was not the strongest, but with Jon Favreau (who was instrumental in the success of the first season) directing this one,  I think this could be a fantastic Star Wars movie.  (*****)

 

MAY 29

Pressure

 

A war movie about meteorology.  I get it, but it just isn't grabbing me.  (**)

The Breadwinner

 

Nate Bargatze has quickly become one of my favorite comedians, so I am going to give this movie a try.  From what I have seen, he does not have a lot of acting skill.  But neither did some of the greats like Adam Sandler in the beginning of their film careers.  I'm hoping the the funny outweighs everything else in this film.  (****)

JUNE 5

Masters of the Universe

 

The first trailer left me lukewarm.  But something about the most recent one has me excited.  I think it was the shot of Trapjaw, who looks the way I always imagined a live-action version of that character to look.  That one moment transported me to my grade-school self playing with my He-Man action figures.  I think they hooked me.   (****)

Scary Movie 6

I've liked some movies in the series, but I have the feeling this one is going to be awful.  The trailer was more vulgar than funny.  (*)

JUNE 12

Disclosure Day

 

I am always up to see a Spielberg movie.  Granted, he has not been up to the height of his powers in the last ten years or so.  But because this one has a lot more story influence from him, I'm hoping that it will be good.  (****)

JUNE 19
Toy Story 5

 

I like that this movie has something relevant to say, but not in a political way.  It is talking about technology and its affect on imagination.  For that reason, I think this is more interesting that many recent PIXAR films (****)

The Death of Robin Hood

 

The cast looks good, but I am so over the demythologizing of heroes from the Western cannon.  It has not been edgy or interesting for a long time.  (**)

JUNE 26
Supergirl

 

This is another movie that the online geek community has been bagging on.  I don't know that it will be great, but I think it looks enjoyable.  I especially love Jason Momoa's Lobo, which is perfect casting. (****)
 

JULY 1

Minions and Monsters

Whoever thought of the insanity of joining The Call of Cthulhu  to a Minions movie is either crazy or a genius.  Or both.  (***)

Young Washington

This could be an interesting historical drama.  But I might wait for streaming. (***)

JULY 10

Moana

 
I am not the biggest fan of the original, so I am not terribly excited for the live-action remake.   (**)



JULY 17

The Odyssey
 

Why does every Christopher Nolan movie seem like an event?  Right now, I think he is the only director that can get people hyped based on his name alone.  I was fortunate to see an early clip of the sacking of Troy and it looks amazing!     (*****)

JULY 24

Evil Dead: Burn

 

Not into horror movies. (*)

JULY 31

Spider-Man: Brand New Day 

Of the MCU franchises, I think this is one of the strongest.  Tom Holland's Spider-Man is the most like the one I pictured from the comics.  I like that this feels a little more "street-level" like Spider-Man: Homecoming.   (*****)

August 7
Fall 2

 

Didn't see the first one (*)

One Night Only

 

I'm not sure I can get my head around the premise about adultery being excusable for one night or something like that.  Anyway, I think this is a pass for me. (*)

AUGUST 14

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie

 

Not for me (*)

The End of Oak Street 

I need to see more before I get interested(**)

AUGUST 21
Spa Weekend

 

The movie has a pretty decent cast, but I need to see a trailer first.  (**)

AUGUST 28

Coyote vs. Acme

I more curious about this one than anything.  This was a movie that was shelved for years by Warner Bros, so it could be terrible.  But if it isn't, it would make the studio look very foolish.  I like the idea of Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation.  (**)

Cliffhanger

This seems like a pointless remake.  But I'll wait for a trailer before deciding. (**)

Thoughts?