While we might not get another “Barbenheimer” moment this summer, there’s no shortage of exciting new films coming to theaters and streaming platforms. From highly anticipated sequels to spine-chilling horror and heartwarming rom-coms, here are 18 must-see movies for your summer watchlist.

Bring Her Back (May 30)
If Danny and Michael Philippou’s Talk to Me left you with nightmares, their follow-up—a family drama starring Sally Hawkins—might push you over the edge. This surreal and shocking A24 horror film delivers hallucinatory imagery and mind-bending twists.

Mountainhead (May 31, HBO)
Jesse Armstrong’s first project post-Succession is a biting satire about a group of billionaires (Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef) retreating to a snowy lodge amid a global crisis. Expect razor-sharp wit and devastating one-liners.

Ballerina (June 6)
Ana de Armas stars as a ruthless assassin seeking vengeance in this John Wick spin-off. With high-octane action and Keanu Reeves joining the fray as a formidable opponent, prepare for an all-out bloodbath.

Echo Valley (June 13, Apple TV+)
Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney lead this psychological thriller about a grieving mother whose estranged daughter returns covered in blood. Directed by Michael Pearce (Beast) and written by Brad Inglesby (Mare of Easttown), expect tension and unexpected twists.

Materialists (June 13)
Dakota Johnson plays a New York matchmaker torn between Pedro Pascal’s mysterious billionaire and Chris Evans’ turbulent ex in Celine Song’s (Past Lives) sun-drenched romance. With stunning cinematography and a tear-jerking finale, this one’s a must-watch.

28 Years Later (June 20)
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite for this long-awaited sequel, plunging us back into a zombie-ravaged Britain. Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes star as survivors battling flesh-eating horrors, with a follow-up (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) already in the works.

F1 (June 27)
Brad Pitt stars as a daring race car driver in this adrenaline-fueled blockbuster from Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski. With a stellar cast including Damson Idris and Javier Bardem, this is pure summer spectacle.

Hot Milk (June 27)
Rebecca Lenkiewicz adapts Deborah Levy’s novel into a dreamy, introspective film about a troubled mother-daughter duo (Fiona Shaw and Emma Mackey) whose Spanish holiday takes a turn when a free-spirited woman (Vicky Krieps) enters their lives. A refreshing break from flashy reboots.

M3gan 2.0 (June 27)
The killer doll is back! Expect more chaos, dark humor, and terrifying AI antics in this highly anticipated sequel.

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M3GAN 2.0 (In Theaters July 2)
Our favorite killer robot—the one who eerily sings Sia’s Titanium and does deranged dances before taking out her enemies—is finally back in Gerard Johnstone and Akela Cooper’s sequel. The plot? The tech behind the original M3GAN has been stolen and used to create Amelia, a rogue military-grade weapon. The only solution? Allison Williams’ roboticist must revive her preppy android and give her some upgrades to take on this new threat. Perfect.

Jurassic World Rebirth (In Theaters July 2)
A fresh cast—Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Mahershala Ali—brings new energy to the seventh installment of this action-packed series. With Godzilla’s Gareth Edwards directing and Jurassic Park writer David Koepp on the script, this should be one wild ride.

The Old Guard 2 (On Netflix July 2)
Charlize Theron is back as the unstoppable, raven-haired warrior in Victoria Mahoney’s sequel to Gina Prince-Bythewood’s hit action film. Expect more high-flying stunts, sword fights, and machine guns. KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor return, joined by newcomers Uma Thurman and Henry Golding. When it comes to immortal warriors saving the world, the more, the better.

Superman (In Theaters July 11)
A fresh take on the Man of Steel arrives, with David Corenswet stepping into the cape (replacing Henry Cavill), alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Directed by James Gunn, this origin story promises to deliver Clark Kent at his heroic best.

Eddington (In Theaters July 18)
Ari Aster’s latest mind-bender plunges into the chaos of mid-2020, with Joaquin Phoenix as a power-hungry sheriff who ignores pandemic rules and clashes with the town’s mayor (Pedro Pascal) in a brutal election. Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Micheal Ward join the increasingly unhinged madness.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (In Theaters July 18)
Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Barry (Ryan Phillippe) are still dead—sorry!—but Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt return to face the hook-wielding killer once more. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s reboot introduces a new group of victims, played by rising stars like Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, and Jonah Hauer-King.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (In Theaters July 25)
Pedro Pascal stars as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing. With Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Matt Shakman’s retro-futuristic superhero film is packed with star power.

Freakier Friday (In Theaters August 8)
The long-awaited reunion is almost here—Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray, and the original cast are back for more body-swapping chaos.

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The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix, August 28)
Photo: Giles-Keyte
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie star in this adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, directed by Chris Columbus and written by Katy Brand. The story follows a group of retirees who dabble in amateur sleuthing—until they get tangled up in a real murder case. With a supporting cast including Naomi Ackie, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, and Richard E. Grant, this might just be the most quintessentially British film of the summer.

Caught Stealing (In Theaters August 29)
Sony Pictures Releasing
Darren Aronofsky’s latest film is a gritty crime thriller set in 1990s New York. Austin Butler plays a down-on-his-luck bartender who becomes a target after a mix-up with his punk rock neighbor (Matt Smith, sporting a mohawk). The movie also features Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Bad Bunny, Liev Schreiber, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, offering a glimpse into the city’s rough-and-tumble past.

Untitled Comedy (Coming Soon)
A fresh cast—including Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) and Julia Butters (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)—joins director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) for a wild, nostalgia-packed comedy filled with over-the-top antics.

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