Summer movies aren't what they used to be. Remember when a "blockbuster" meant a shark or a guy in a cape and that was basically it? Those days are gone. This year, the movie releases this summer are leaning into a weird, wonderful mix of massive nostalgia and "I can't believe they actually made a sequel to that" energy. Honestly, if you told me five years ago we’d be watching Meryl Streep step back into the Prada offices while a live-action Moana sails nearby, I’d have called you crazy. But here we are.
The heat is coming, and so are the tickets.
The May Kickoff: Fashion, Fatalities, and a Very Famous Baby Yoda
Summer officially starts in May for Hollywood. It's the month where studios test the waters before the June deluge. On May 1, we’re getting The Devil Wears Prada 2. It has been nearly twenty years since Andy Sachs threw her phone in that fountain. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt are all back. The plot reportedly follows Miranda Priestly facing the end of traditional magazine publishing—which, let’s be real, is a horror story in itself.
A week later, on May 8, things get bloodier. Mortal Kombat II is dropping. After the 2021 reboot did decent numbers on streaming during the tail end of the pandemic, Warner Bros. is betting big on the big screen this time. Expect more fatalities and, hopefully, a bit more of the actual tournament.
Then there's the big one for the Star Wars crowd. May 22 brings The Mandalorian and Grogu. It’s the first time Star Wars has been in a theater since 2019. Jon Favreau is directing, and Pedro Pascal is back, though we’ll see how much of his face actually makes it onto the screen. It's a massive gamble to see if "Disney+ fatigue" is real or if people will still pay 20 bucks to see a puppet in IMAX.
June: Toys vs. Tech and the Return of the Wayans
If May is the appetizer, June is the ten-course meal. It is absolutely packed.
The Animation Heavyweights
Pixar is playing it safe but smart. Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19. The hook this time? Toys vs. Tech. Woody and Buzz are basically competing with iPads and gaming consoles for a child's attention. It feels a bit meta, considering the movie itself is competing with TikTok for our attention.
Why the Scary Movie 6 News is Wild
On June 12, we’re getting Scary Movie 6. This isn't just another cheap cash grab—the Wayans brothers are actually involved again for the first time in forever. Regina Hall and Anna Faris are reportedly returning to lead the chaos. In a world where "elevated horror" has become the norm, a movie that just makes fun of Hereditary and Midsommar feels oddly necessary.
- June 5: Masters of the Universe (directed by Travis Knight).
- June 26: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
That Supergirl flick is a big deal. Milly Alcock is playing Kara Zor-El, and James Gunn has promised this isn't a "girl Superman" story. It’s based on the Tom King comic, which is basically a gritty space western. It’s the second major pillar of the new DC Universe, and the pressure is on.
July: The Month of the Mythic Epic
July is usually for the loudest movies, and 2026 is no different. On July 10, Disney is releasing the live-action Moana. Yes, the original came out only ten years ago. Yes, Dwayne Johnson is still Maui. It’s a fast turnaround, but the box office potential is unavoidable.
The real "expert's pick" for July, though, is July 17. That’s when The Odyssey arrives. We’re talking a massive, mythic action epic directed by Christopher Nolan (who is famously obsessed with practical effects and IMAX). Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway playing Penelope. This isn't a sandals-and-togas snooze fest; it’s being pitched as a survival thriller.
And then, the web-slinger returns. July 31 is the current date for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Tom Holland is back in the suit, and the rumors about Sadie Sink joining the cast have the internet in a literal tailspin. After the multiversal madness of the last one, this is supposed to be a "street-level" story. Peter Parker is broke, living in New York, and just trying to pay rent. Relatable.
August: Sharks, Spies, and a Literal Cliffhanger
August used to be the "dumping ground" for movies studios didn't trust. Not anymore.
August 21 gives us Insidious: The Bleeding World. It’s the sixth entry in the franchise, and it’s bringing back the Lambert family. Horror in late summer is a tradition that usually prints money.
If you want something faster, Mutiny starring Jason Statham drops the same day. He plays a guy framed for his boss's murder, which is basically the plot of every third Statham movie, but we’re going to watch it anyway because the stunts are real.
The Reboot No One Expected
On August 28, we get the Cliffhanger reboot. Lily James is taking over the lead role (originally Sylvester Stallone's), playing a climber who has to save her father in the Dolomites. It sounds intense. Also on that day: Coyote vs. Acme. After years of being shelved and used as a tax write-off, this live-action/animation hybrid is finally supposed to see the light of day. Seeing Wile E. Coyote sue a corporation in court? That’s the kind of weirdness we need to end the summer.
Making the Most of the Movie Releases This Summer
Look, tickets are expensive. Snacks are more expensive. If you’re planning to hit the cinema, you have to be tactical.
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- Check the Premium Formats Early: For movies like The Odyssey or The Mandalorian and Grogu, standard screens don't cut it. Book IMAX or Dolby Cinema seats at least two weeks out.
- The "Second Weekend" Rule: If you hate crowds, avoid opening night. The "B-list" movies like Cut Off (the Kristen Wiig/Bill Hader comedy out July 17) usually have plenty of room by the second Friday.
- Stay for the Credits (Selectively): This is a heavy franchise year. Supergirl and Spider-Man will almost certainly have post-credit scenes that set up the 2027 slate. Toy Story 5? Probably safe to leave when the lights come up.
The landscape is shifting. We’re seeing a move away from "cinematic universes" and a return to "event movies." Whether it's a nostalgic trip to 2006 with the Prada crew or a 2,000-year-old Greek myth, the movie releases this summer are designed to get us off our couches. Grab some popcorn. It’s going to be a long, loud season at the multiplex.
Keep an eye on local theater memberships like AMC Stubs A-List or Regal Unlimited. With this many major releases hitting within a twelve-week window, those monthly subscriptions will likely pay for themselves by mid-June. Start mapping out your "must-see" list now so you aren't stuck in the front row for the year's biggest spectacles.