It sounds too good to be true – a summer filled with open movie theaters and wide-release blockbuster hits. But with vaccinations on the rise and COVID-19 case numbers dropping, perhaps a trip to the movies with a large bucket of movie theater popcorn is the best way to celebrate. So much has changed in the last year, and this return to near normalcy is a gift to both audiences and filmmakers who always intended for their movies to be viewed on the big screen. This summer is set to be full of the box office hits and adventure thrillers that movie theaters are made for In preparation for that not-so-far-away day, let’s take a look at the summer hits coming our way for the summer of 2021.
Wrath of Man, in theaters May 7th
Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham, Wrath of Man is an action-packed revenge story, sure to bring the booming shoot-outs and fast-paced car chase sequences back to a theater near you. Released on May 7thin theaters, Wrath of Man already has an audience score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Check out the trailer here!
Those Who Wish Me Dead, in theaters May 14th
Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie and Nicholas Hoult follows the unlikely pairing of a young boy and the smoke watcher who finds him running from a pair of assassins in the woods. Wondering how this drama/thriller could keep you on the edge of your seat even more? I forgot to mention— our heroes are surrounded by a blazing forest fire destroying everything in its path. You won’t want to miss it – watch the trailer here!
A Quiet Place Part II, in theaters May 28th
Initially planned for a 2020 release, A Quiet Place Part II will finally be arriving to theaters as a sequel to 2018’s A Quiet Place. Directed by John Krasinki and starring Emily Blunt, the sequel will explore the world outside of the Abbott Family home as the family is forced into the unknown following the events of the first film. Part II promises to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, sure to gather the same acclaim as the first film. Watch the trailer here!
Cruella, in theaters May 28th
Cruella is sure to be the Memorial Day weekend smash, as its Disney’s first live action feature film released to theaters since the pandemic began. If you have a soft spot for La La Land’s Emma Stone, or perhaps you just love a good villain origin story, Cruella is sure to be the film that gets you back to a movie theater. Set in 1970’s London and starring Emma Thompson opposite Emma Stone, Cruella brings the drama, the fashion, and the wickedness that makes a good movie great. Check out the trailer here!
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, in theaters June 4th
I have to be honest — I couldn’t even make it through the trailer without looking away once or twice. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is the third installment in The Conjuring series and according to the director Michael Chaves, will be the darkest of the three. Once again following the real lives of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators are asked to assist in the defense of a murderer’s claim of demonic possession. If the horror genre is your favorite, then this film certainly can’t be missed– find the trailer here!
In The Heights, in theaters June 18th
The highly anticipated cinematic adaption of Lin Manuel Miranda’s award winning musical In The Heights has the potential to be one of the summer’s biggest hits. Directed by Jon M. Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights promises music, color, and culture in a story that centers around Washington Heights. Set to originally release in the summer of 2020, In The Heights is sure to be a spectacular theater experience. Check out the trailer and sing along here!
F9, in theaters June 25th
The Fast Saga is back with the ninth installment of the series. Yes, you heard that right — it’s the NINTH movie. This time, it’s brother vs. brother as Dom (Vin Diesel) fights to protect his family. Fast cars, fast cars flying off a cliff, and more fast cars are sure to be the central theme in F9, the continuation of a beloved series that has spanned for than two decades. Check out the trailer here!
Summer of Soul, in theaters July 2nd
Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is the feature film debut for Questlove, Summer of Soul is a critically-acclaimed documentary about the Harlem Cultural Festival. Taking place the same summer as Woodstock, the Harlem Cultural Festival was largely unremembered until Questlove and his team brought it to life in this award winning documentary, coming to theaters in July. Check out the trailer right here!
Black Widow, in theaters July 9th
After ten years of MCU fan clamoring for a Black Widow movie, the time has finally arrived. Natasha Romanov gets her own story on the big screen, costarring Florence Pugh and David Harbour, set after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War. Black Widow, part origin story and part reckoning with the past, will follow Nat as she comes face to face with those who have haunted her for years. Check out the trailer here!
Space Jam: A New Legacy, in theaters July 16th
Twenty-five years after Michael Jordan’s run in with the Looney Tunes gang, Lebron James teams up with Bugs Bunny and friends to beat the Goon Squad in a game of basketball. Echoing the beloved first Space Jam along with new, modern twists, Space Jam: A New Legacy will be the perfect escape for basketball fans and families to enjoy all the antics of King James and the gang. Watch the trailer here!
The Green Knight, in theaters July 30th
A24 takes on fantasy and adventure in this tale of King Arthur’s nephew, a knight who leaves on a quest to defeat the Green Knight. Starring Dev Patel and directed by David Lowery, The Green Knight promises to be the perfect dose of simmering medieval drama and fantasy quests that you’ve been missing. Don’t forget to watch the trailer here!
The Suicide Squad Rebellion, in theaters August 6th
Rounding out this summer’s hits, Suicide Squad Rebellion comes to theaters this August and features the Suicide Squad saving the world. You heard that right – your favorite DC villains are now the heroes as they reunite to get out of prison by saving the world. Another movie starring Margot Robbie can only mean more Harley Quinn halloween costumes coming up this fall, so don’t miss out on your chance to be in on all the trends and check out the trailer here!
That’s our deep dive on the summer hits coming soon to a theater near you! If you’re like me, you can’t wait to head to the movies with friends and family to enjoy this fan favorite pre-pandemic activity in a safe, socially distanced way.