Summer has always been a great time for new movies, and 2022 is no exception. Though many of us have avoided indoor theaters for a few years, more and more people are flocking to buy tickets, and it makes sense because this summer's releases are definitely going to make it hard to stay away! And if not, don't worry: A few of the most anticipated movies of the summer are headed straight to streaming.
From new additions to beloved franchises such as Jurassic World and the Marvel universe to adaptations of books including Persuasion and Where the Crawdads Sing, there's truly something for everyone to look forward to at the movies this summer.
If you're hoping to spend an afternoon (or 15) in the dark, munching on hot popcorn and enjoying a great movie, here are some to add to your calendar this summer — and the list even includes a few that your kids are going to be super excited about.
'Where the Crawdads Sing'
Delia Owens' best-selling book has been adapted for the big screen. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Taylor John Smith, Where the Crawdads Sing is about a woman who is abandoned by her family as a child and grows up alone in a marsh, only to be accused of the murder of a well-liked man in town. It hits theaters on July 15.
'Lightyear'
In the latest addition to the Toy Story universe, Chris Evans voices the real Buzz Lightyear — a Space Ranger who inspired the toy from the movies. It also commands an all-star voice cast, including Josh Brolin, Keke Palmer, and Taika Waititi. Lightyear is out on June 17.
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick has been delayed several times, but it actually came out (for real this time) on May 24. Tom reprises his role of Maverick, ending up back at Top Gun 30 years after the events of the original 1986 movie to train new fighter pilots.
'Jurassic World Dominion'
The final Jurassic World movie is finally here — well, on June 9 at least. This is a big deal for fans of the Jurassic Park franchise, because not only are Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprising their roles, but so are the stars from the original movies, including Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum.
'Elvis'
In Baz Luhrmann's take on the King, we'll get to see Austin Butler play a young Elvis Presley. This biopic tells the story of Elvis's life and career and also stars Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley. Elvis premieres on June 24.
'Thor: Love & Thunder'
Marvel fans, the next installment in Thor's story is almost here! Chris Hemsworth is back as the God of Thunder as he tries to move on after the events of Avengers: Endgame. And because this is a Marvel movie, of course we can expect to see some of our other favorite heroes (including Chris Pratt as Star-Lord). It hits theaters July 8.
'Nope'
Jordan Peele is at it again. In Nope, which stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun, people in a small town witness something strange happening, but it's not exactly clear exactly what — and the trailer itself has some seriously creepy vibes. The movie comes out July 22.
'Bullet Train'
Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, and Joey King star in Bullet Train, a dark comedy about five competing assassins who end up on a train together and realize that they all have something in common. The movie is an adaptation of a Japanese novel called Maria Beetle and hits theaters on August 5.
'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On'
Remember the viral YouTube videos where Jenny Slate voiced Marcel, a shell who wears shoes? More than 10 years later, it's getting the feature film treatment. Both adults who enjoyed the original videos when they were younger and kids who are new to Marcel are going to love this one. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On premieres on June 24.
'Father of the Bride'
Many of us fell in love with the Nancy Myers movie Father of the Bride when it was originally released in 1991, but now we're getting a more modern take, thanks to HBO Max. Starring Andy Garcia and Isabela Merced, the new version of the movie will be available to stream beginning June 16.
'Minions: The Rise of Gru'
Parents may not be as excited about this one as their kids are. The next movie in the Despicable Me franchise will be out this summer (July 1, to be exact). In Minions: The Rise of Gru, we see a young Gru trying to become evil and obtain villain status.
'Persuasion'
Netflix's adaptation of the beloved Jane Austen novel Persuasion arrives on July 15. This romance stars Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot, a woman who gets a second chance at love with a man she was once engaged to, the dashing Captain Wentworth, played by Henry Golding. Richard E. Grant also stars.
'Easter Sunday'
We don't have enough Easter movies, so this one is welcome. Easter Sunday stars comedian Jo Koy, who plays an actor visiting his Filipino family for Easter — and yes, it's based on his own experiences. Jimmy O. Yang and Tiffany Haddish also star in this flick that will be out on August 5.
'Fire Island'
Starring Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho, Joel Kim Booster, and Conrad Ricamora, Fire Island is about a group of queer friends who meet up in Fire Island Pines. It starts streaming on Hulu on June 3, and interestingly enough, it was inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
The Downton Abbey cast is back in another feature film! This time around, Violet Crawley finds out that she has inherited a villa in France. The Crawley family travels there for the summer, leading to surprising secrets being revealed. Downton Abbey: A New Era debuted in theaters on May 20.
