Your new summer movie checklist

Your+new+summer+movie+checklist

Collage by Sarosh Ismail

As someone who has seen a lot of movies and might just consider myself a movie connoisseur, I will be spending much of my summer catching up on the classics I haven’t seen yet. I compiled a list of new movies coming out this summer that I’m looking forward to watching. 

-“A Quiet Place II” in theaters May 28

I really enjoyed 2018’s “A Quiet Place,” though I did think it ended with a rather satisfying conclusion that doesn’t necessarily demand a sequel. The movie will star Emily Blunt and be directed by John Krasinski, so I hope the two can pull together enough chemistry to make an entertaining second movie. 

-“The Conjuring: Devil Made Me Do It” in theaters and on HBO Max June 4

“The Conjuring” has to be my favorite horror movie series. My favorite activity to do with my friends is to watch horror movies, and the ones we choose always seem to come from this series. I really found nothing special about “The Conjuring 2,” so we’ll see what happens with the third movie (which finally implemented a not-so-generic title.) The new movie will star Vera Farminga and Patrick Wilson as Ed and Lorraine Warren to continue solving paranormal investigations. 

-“In The Heights” in theaters and on HBO Max June 11

A movie version of Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical ode to the neighborhood he was raised in will excite the “Hamilton” fans of the world. As a theater kid who had an embarrassing “Hamilton” and Lin Manuel Miranda faze in middle school, I can tell my likings will make a comeback for Miranda’s first musical.

-“America: The Motion Picture” on Netflix June 30

As a huge fan of the new animated action TV show, “Invincible,” I can say I am very excited for something that seems at least a little similar. “America: The Motion Picture” will represent an animated retelling of America’s founding, with the addition of laser blasters, robots and Channing Tatum. I mean, I’m definitely not a fan of history, but I bet the wild imagery will hook me. 

-“The Tomorrow War” on Amazon Prime July 2

This new action blockbuster starring the “Guardian of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt will be set in a dystopian future where humans are being wiped out by aliens. I thought Pratt was decent in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, but I’m not sure I know what to expect with this action film. I’m very picky with what action films can hook me, but I hope this is one of them. 

-“Black Widow” in theaters and Disney+ July 9

We are finally getting a standalone film for MCU’s first female avenger. The movie will star Scarlett Johansen and, surprisingly, Florence Pugh. I’m a big fan of her work in “Midsommar” and “Little Women,” so I’m excited to see her expand her already broad horizons into the action side of film. 

-“The Forever Purge” in theaters July 9

I am obsessed with the entire Purge series, so I am excited to see another. I feel like the movies in the series have progressively gotten worse, so I hope “The Forever Purge,” in which I guess the purge lasts…forever, does not disappoint. 

-“Space Jam: A New Legacy” in theaters and HBO Max July 16

A new saga of basketball starring the Looney Tunes and Lebron James will excite “Space Jam” fans around the world. I haven’t seen the first movie, but I might have to soon, because the sequel looks like it would compliment my awful sense of humor. 

-“Free Guy” in theaters August 13

I am personally super excited to see Ryan Reynolds and Joe Keery next to each other on the screen in this movie. This fun-looking action-comedy will combine the themes of “Ready Player One” and “Zelda” with the comedy of “Night at the Museum,” as the movie is also directed by Shawn Levy. 

-“Respect” in theaters August 13

This Aretha Franklin biography is starring Jennifer Hudson, who was chosen to star in the movie by Franklin herself. I’m excited to see how this Oscar-winning actress portrays one of the greatest musicians of all time. 

-“Candyman” in theaters August 27

As one of the films that got pushed when the pandemic started, the “Candyman” film has been long awaited. The sequel to the 1992 classic horror film contains a script written by Jordan Peele that combats the topics of racism and gentrification in 2020. If you can’t tell by now, I’m a big fan of horror movies, and as someone who really liked the first “Candyman,” I’m very excited to enjoy the second.