We have reached May, and while the weather is slowly improving, there is another exciting prospect on the horizon. The longer days signal the arrival of the summer blockbuster season in cinemas. Traditionally, film enthusiasts have always balanced enjoying the sunshine with spending time in a dark room, eating popcorn, and watching spectacular action sequences in multi-million-dollar movies.
Star Wars and Superheroes Lead the Way
We are just weeks away from the first Star Wars film since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22) features Sigourney Weaver alongside Pedro Pascal. June brings a double dose of superhero action with Masters of the Universe (June 5) and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26). Disney also has several sure-fire hits, including the live-action remake of Moana (July 10) with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demi-god Maui.
From spider webs to swords and sandals and sci-fi, here are the five blockbuster movies you should not miss this summer.
5. Scary Movie
The sixth instalment in this horror parody franchise, which has grossed nearly $900 million globally, arrives 13 years after the last one. It marks the return of original creators the Wayans family for the first time in 25 years. The movie, simply titled Scary Movie, also welcomes back stars Anna Faris and Regina Hall, along with Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Lochlyn Munro, and Dave Sheridan. Faris's Cindy Campbell reunites with old friends when the same masked killer from the 2000 original resurfaces, forcing them to face monsters and supernatural threats. With the full crew back, the signs are promising for a return to classic spoof form. Scary Movie hits cinemas on June 5.
4. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Tom Holland returns for his seventh outing as Spider-Man and fourth solo movie since 2016's Captain America: Civil War. This time, he is entirely alone, four years after the events of No Way Home when Doctor Strange's spell erased him from the lives of those he loves, including girlfriend MJ (Zendaya). As he devotes himself to protecting New York City, the pressures of crime-fighting spark surprising mutations, forcing Peter to seek help from Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) while a powerful new threat emerges. Holland has delivered a consistently endearing performance over the past decade, and even in a world saturated with comic book adaptations, this film explores uncharted territory. Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases on July 31.
3. Toy Story 5
The Disney film to be most excited about this summer is Pixar's continuation of its 30-year-old franchise, starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear. This time, a high-tech tablet called Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee) threatens the toys' peaceful existence under Bonnie's care. Jessie (Joan Cusack) is in charge since Woody left to help lost toys. Other returning characters include Bullseye, Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), Mr. Potato Head (Jeff Bergman), Forky (Tony Hale), and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). One of the most reliable movie series, Toy Story 5 tackles the existential problem that nobody plays with toys anymore, according to director Andrew Stanton. It also features an army of 50 Buzz Lightyear units stuck in demo mode, called the Multi-Buzz, which provides hilarious entertainment. Toy Story 5 comes out on June 19.
2. Disclosure Day
Steven Spielberg, the king of summer blockbusters who invented them with Jaws in 1975, returns with an original alien-focused sci-fi. The filmmaker behind E.T. has generated buzz with the trailer for Disclosure Day and its mysterious sounds, as well as a cast including Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Josh O'Connor, and Colman Domingo. The movie revolves around a central premise: If you found out we were not alone, and someone proved it to you, would that frighten you? Spielberg's last film, The Fabelmans, received seven Oscar nominations. The fact that this is an original stand-alone idea makes it even more thrilling. Disclosure Day is scheduled for June 10 in the UK and June 12 in the US.
1. The Odyssey
The only filmmaker likely to surpass Spielberg's hype is Sir Christopher Nolan with The Odyssey. Tackling one of the biggest stories in human culture and a bedrock of Ancient Greek mythology, the Oppenheimer director is bringing sirens, gods, whirlpools, monsters, and a cyclops to the screen, likely using practical in-camera effects. He has assembled a star-studded cast: Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, plus Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal, and Mia Goth. While the latest trailer provoked some concern with American accents and modern language, trust in Nolan to deliver a movie that wows classicists and casual fans alike. It will be fascinating to see how he spent a rumoured $250 million budget. The Odyssey hits cinemas on July 17.
