40 of Summer's Most Anticipated Movies

Superhero flicks, offbeat comedies and a slew of Sundance standouts are hitting the big screen.


Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5)

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillen and Michael Rooker, along with the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, return as misfit superheroes in the Marvel sequel. James Gunn again directs the retro-minded follow-up, with additions Kurt Russell, Chris Sullivan and Elizabeth Debicki, and Sylvester Stallone cameo.

The Lovers (May 5)

Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival

Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival

Directed by Azazel Jacobs, the A24 dramedy stars Debra Winger and Tracy Letts as a long-married but dispassionate couple who are both seriously involved with other people. When their respective partners pressure them to fully commit, the two amicably resolve to call it quits — a move that ends up leading to their newfound affair.

Risk (May 5)

Courtesy of Praxis Films

Courtesy of Praxis Films

Neon releases the Showtime documentary from Laura Poitras, which has unprecendented access to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and those around him. The film has been in production for six years, and shooting filming continued through the presidential election — one that saw headlines hijacked when Assange's WikiLeaks dumped countless emails from the Democratic National Committee.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (May 12)

Photofest

Photofest

Charlie Hunnam stars as the titular monarch in Guy Ritchie’s gritty take on the medieval legend’s reign. The Warner Bros. reimagining also stars Jude Law, David Beckham and Djimon Hounsou.

Snatched (May 12)

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Goldie Hawn makes her first return to the big screen since 2002's The Banger Sisters as an uptight mother to Amy Schumer. However, their vacation to Ecuador goes awry. Jonathan Levine directs the Fox action-comedy, also featuring Ike Barinholtz, Randall Park and Wanda Sykes.

The Wall (May 12)

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions/Amazon Studios

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions/Amazon Studios

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena star as soldiers pinned down by an Iraqi sniper, and their fight becomes as much a battle of will and wits as it is of lethally accurate marksmanship. Doug Liman directs the psychological thriller released by Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions.

Alien: Covenant (May 19)

20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox

Ridley Scott once again returns to helm the franchise he began with 1979's Alien. It is described as a second chapter in an Alien prequel trilogy (following 2012’s Prometheus), with the colony ship Covenant discovering a paradise world on the far side of the galaxy, only to learn it's actually a dangerous world whose only inhabitant is the synthetic David. Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride and Carmen Ejogo star in the Fox film, with Prometheus' Michael Fassbender returning as the android David and Noomi Rapace appearing as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw.

Everything, Everything (May 19)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Warner Bros. adaptation of the YA novel stars Hunger Games breakout Amandla Stenberg as a teen who has a severe immunodeficiency disease that causes her to be allergic to practically everything, and has therefore spent 17 years hiding in her home — until she falls in love with the boy next door. Nick Robinson and Anika Noni Rose also star in Stella Meghie's romantic drama.

Baywatch (May 26)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Dwayne Johnson stars in the action-comedy inspired by the long-running TV show, playing a leader of an elite group of lifeguards who is forced to team up with a hotshot former Olympian (Zac Efron) to save the beloved bay. Seth Gordon directs Paramount's raunchy reboot, also featuring Priyanka Chopra, Alexandra Daddario and Hannibal Buress, plus a cameo by the series’ star, David Hasselhoff.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (May 26)

Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Studios

Johnny Depp is back as Captain Jack Sparrow in the fifth installment of the hit Disney franchise — this time, attempting to escape the haunts of a ghostly villain played by Javier Bardem and seeking out a legendary artifact that grants its possessor total control over the seas. Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg co-direct the fantasy film, also starring Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Kaya Scodelario and Brenton Thwaites, and featuring a cameo by Paul McCartney.

Wonder Woman (June 2)

DC Films

DC Films

Gal Gadot plays the titular heroine in the origin story of how Diana Prince, an Amazon princess, leaves her island home to become the DC warrior. Also starring Chris Pine and Robin Wright, the Warner Bros. title is helmed by Patty Jenkins, making her the first woman to direct a studio superhero film.

Captain Underpants (June 2)

DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation

Based on Dav Pilkey’s book series, the Dreamworks adaptation centers on two mischievous kids who hypnotize their mean high school principal and turn him into their kind-hearted, elastic-banded comic book creation. Kevin Hart, Nick Kroll, Ed Helms, Kristen Schaal, Jordan Peele and Thomas Middleditch lend their voices to the David Soren film.

The Mummy (June 9)

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Tom Cruise leads the Universal reboot of the zombie-filled adventure, also starring Russell Crowe, Courtney B. Vance, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis and Jake Johnson. Directed by Alex Kurtzman, the fantasy-action flick is set to launch a monster-filled cinematic universe (Javier Bardem is on board for a future Frankenstein film, while Johnny Depp has signed on for The Invisible Man).

All Eyez on Me (June 16)

Morgan Creek Productions

Morgan Creek Productions

The long-gestating biopic of late rapper Tupac Shakur from Lionsgate's Summit stars newcomer Demetrius Shipp Jr. as the iconic 1990s rapper. Directed by Benny Boom, the film chronicles his rise to superstardom as a hip-hop artist, actor, poet and activist, as well as his imprisonment and controversial time at Death Row Records. Danai Gurira and Kat Graham also star.

Cars 3 (June 16)

Pixar

Pixar

Owen Wilson reprises his voice role as Lightning McQueen in Pixar’s automotive threequel. Brian Fee directs the animated film, which sees the spiffy red hot-rod attempting to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best racecar in the world.

Rough Night (June 16)

Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures

Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer and Zoe Kravitz join for the R-rated comedy about a bachelorette weekend that goes awry when a male stripper ends up dead in their Miami beach house. Lucia Aniello directs the Sony film, also featuring Ty Burrell and Dean Winters.

The Book of Henry (June 16)

Focus Features

Focus Features

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the drama stars Naomi Watts as a single mom whose genius son (Jaeden Lieberher) has plans to save his classmate (Maddie Ziegler) from a family secret. Sarah Silverman, Lee Pace and Dean Norris are also featured in the cast of the Focus release.

I, Daniel Blake (June 16)

IFC

IFC

IFC releases the topical Ken Loach film which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and has already made an impression at the U.K. box office. It stars Dave Johns as a middle-aged blue-collar worker attempting to navigate the precarious and bureaucratic minefield that is the British benefits system. He's repeatedly being told he is fit to work — and therefore ineligible for financial support — despite having recently suffered a heart attack and being advised by his doctor to stay home.

Transformers: The Last Knight (June 23)

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

Mark Wahlberg returns to star in the fifth installment of the Paramount action franchise, which sees Optimus Prime facing off against the villain Megatron. Michael Bay again directs the film, which also features Anthony Hopkins, Stanley Tucci, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro.

The Beguiled (June 23)

Focus Features

Focus Features

Sofia Coppola directs the adaptation of Thomas Cullinan's 1966 novel, starring Colin Farrell as a Union soldier who charms his way into a Confederate girls boarding school. Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman are also among the cast of the Focus release.

The Big Sick (June 23)

Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios

Kumail Nanjiani stars in the romantic dramedy based on his real-life romance with writer Emily V. Gordon, with whom he co-wrote the script. In addition to navigating their cultures' clashing, the couple also endured a life-changing twist when Emily contracted a mysterious illness. Zoe Kazan portrays Gordon onscreen, while Holly Hunter, Ray Romano, Anupam Kher, Bo Burnham and Aidy Bryant are also featured in the Lionsgate title, which made a splash at Sundance.

Baby Driver (June 28)

TriStar Pictures

TriStar Pictures

Edgar Wright’s action-crimer musical pic centers on a young and innocent getaway driver, Baby (Ansel Elgort), who gets caught up with a crime boss (Kevin Spacey) and his gang of criminals (Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez and Jamie Foxx, to name a few). Due to an accident, Baby has never-ending tinnitus, and must drown out the noise with constant music.

Despicable Me 3 (June 30)

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig reprise their voice roles in Universal's animated, minion-filled threequel, directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, and co-directed by Eric Guillon. Trey Parker — the co-creator of South Park and the Broadway hit The Book of Mormon — voices Gru's newest nemesis: a former child star who has grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ‘80s.

Amityville: The Awakening (June 30)

Dimension Films

Dimension Films

Bella Thorne and Jennifer Jason Leigh are among those in the 14th installment of the classic horror franchise. Directed by Franck Khalfoun, the latest entry from Dimension and Blumhouse follows a young girl who moves into a new home with her single mother and comatose young brother, who makes a miraculous recovery as other strange phenomena occurs.

The House (June 30)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell star in the Village Roadshow and New Line comedy as a married couple who lose their daughter's college fund. They then team up with their neighbors to start an illegal casino in the basement of their suburban house to earn back the cash. Jason Mantzoukas, Ryan Simpkins, Nick Kroll, Steve Zissis and Allison Tolman are also featured in Andrew J. Cohen's directorial debut, released by Warner Bros.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7)

Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios

Tom Holland steps into the suit of Peter Parker for the character's first solo film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jon Watts directs the Sony movie, also starring Zendaya, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, Donald Glover and Jon Favreau.

Patti Cake$ (July 7)

Courtesy of Sundance

Courtesy of Sundance

Fox Searchlight's suburban rapper comedy stars Aussie actress Danielle Macdonald as an aspiring rapper from New Jersey named Patricia “Killa P” Dombrowski. The feature directorial debut of music video helmer Geremy Jasper, also featuring Bridget Everett, sparked a bidding war at Sundance.

A Ghost Story (July 7)

A24

A24

David Lowery directs A24's poetic meditation on time, memory and spiritual connection, in which Casey Affleck is a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost who returns to his suburban home to console his bereft wife (Rooney Mara). However, he discovers that he's become unstuck in time and is forced to watch passively as the life he knew and the woman he loves slowly slip away. He then embarks on a cosmic journey through memory and history, confronting life’s ineffable questions and the enormity of existence.

War for the Planet of the Apes (July 14)

20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox

Andy Serkis return as the reluctant leader of the genetically-evolved apes in the follow-up to 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the 2014 sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Matt Reeves again directs the Fox film, also starring Judy Greer, Steve Zahn and Woody Harrelson.

Dunkirk (July 21)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

Christopher Nolan's WWII drama centers on the British military evacuation of the French city of Dunkirk in 1940, one of the biggest battles during the war. Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Cillian Murphy, Kenneth Branagh and Harry Styles are among the cast of the Warner Bros. film.

Girls Trip (July 21)

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish star in the Universal comedy about four lifelong friends who travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the film also features Kate Walsh, Kofi Siriboe and Larenz Tate.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (July 21)

STX Entertainment

STX Entertainment

Luc Besson’s passion-filled adaptation of the 1960s-era French comic book stars Dane DeHaan as the titular time-traveling hero. Cara Delevingne, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Clive Owen and Rihanna round out the cast of the sci-fi thriller, which jumped from EuropaCorp to STX as part of a multi-year deal.

Atomic Blonde (July 28)

Focus Features

Focus Features

Charlize Theron stars in the Focus action flick as an MI6 operative who is called in to Berlin five days before the Berlin Wall falls. She joins a colorful world where spies have gone rogue. Sofia Boutella, James McAvoy, John Goodman and Toby Jones are also featured in the David Leitch film.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (July 28)

Courtesy of Sundance

Courtesy of Sundance

Al Gore's documentary follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth comes a decade after the original, this time with a slightly more hopeful tone, though it does focus on some concerns about President Trump's stance on the environment.

The Emoji Movie (July 28)

Sony Pictures Animati

Sony Pictures Animati

The Sony animated comedy stars T.J. Miller as an emoji born with multiple expressions, who teams up with the notorious code-breaker (Ilana Glazer) on an adventure through a teenager's phone. Anthony Leondis directs the mobile-inspired film, also featuring James Corden, Patrick Stewart and Steven Wright in the voice cast.

The Dark Tower (Aug. 4)

Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures

The long-awaited Stephen King adaptation stars Idris Elba as a wandering knight who is the last hope of the fallen land of Mid-World. He is charged with finding the Dark Tower while battling his nemesis the Man in Black, played by Matthew McConaughey. Nikolaj Arcei is directing the Sony fantasy film.

Detroit (Aug. 4)

Annapurna Pictures

Annapurna Pictures

Kathryn Bigelow directs the Annapurna Pictures drama, which tells the gripping story of one of the darkest moments during the civil unrest that rocked Detroit in the summer of 1967. John Boyega, John Krasinski, Anthony Mackie, Will Poulter and Jacob Latimore are among the cast.

Ingrid Goes West (Aug. 4)

Neon

Neon

Neon's dark comedy stars Aubrey Plaza as the obsessive and unstable titular woman who secretly moves to Los Angeles to get close to Taylor Sloane, an Instagram "lifestyle guru" played by Elizabeth Olsen. After Ingrid adopts an identity for herself, she works to prove she’s BFF material for her Insta idol, until her facade is threatened by Taylor’s obnoxious brother Nicky (Billy Magnussen). Wyatt Russell, O'Shea Jackson Jr. and Pom Klementieff are also featured in the Matt Spicer film.

Wind River (Aug. 4)

Courtesy of Sundance

Courtesy of Sundance

Taylor Sheridan makes his feature directorial debut with the Weinstein Co. thriller, which stars Jeremy Renner as a Fish and Game Department employee who stumbles upon the body of a teenage girl frozen in the desolate wilderness. He is enlisted by a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) unfamiliar with the terrain to help find those responsible.

Annabelle: Creation (Aug. 11)

New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema

Miranda Otto is featured in the New Line sequel to the doll-centric 2014 hit. David Sandberg directs the spinoff of the Conjuring franchise, which follows a dollmaker and his wife who, 20 years after the tragic death of their little girl, welcome a nun and several orphans into their home, only to see them targeted by the possessed titular creation.