Summer is here, and with it, the blockbuster season. Studios are releasing their biggest hits, hoping to draw crowds as people look for ways to escape the heat or entertain kids out of school.
There’s a lot to look forward to this year. For 80s fans, you have a reboot of Masters of the Universe. For families, you can see Minions and Monsters or The Magic Faraway Tree. There are even a few pro shoots of musicals coming out.
In this post, you’ll find our picks for the best 2026 summer movies. It’s got a little something for everyone, so you’re sure to find a must-watch film on this list.
June
Masters of the Universe
June 5, Theaters
What’s it about? The Sword of Power leads Prince Adam back to Eternia, a world shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor. Joining forces with Teela and Man-At-Arms, Adam must embrace his true destiny as He-Man – the most powerful man in the universe.
80s kids, are you ready to see this live-action adaptation of your favorite Saturday morning cartoon? It’s got a stacked cast, from Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man to Jared Leto as Skeletor. It’s a great pick to see with adults and kids alike.
Disclosure Day
June 12, Theaters
What’s it about? As a massive government conspiracy unravels, a targeted whistleblower races against time to bring about the extraordinary event that will change human history forever: the day of ultimate alien disclosure.
Steven Spielberg is back. He’s returning to the world of aliens with a haunting new sci-fi movie. The trailers are deliciously vague, so we can’t wait to see the full film.
Toy Story 5
June 19, Theaters
What’s it about? Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head-to-head with a new threat to playtime.
What threat is the gang facing this time? Technology. It looks like Jessie is taking the lead this time, which should be an interesting shakeup from following Woody or Buzz.
The Invite
June 26, Theaters
What’s it about? A dinner party spirals into unexpected places when a couple invites their enigmatic neighbors over. Have they reignited the spark in their troubled marriage – or lit the match that burns it all down?
Olivia Wilde directs and stars in this comedy-thriller. The trailer doesn’t give much away, leaving you guessing how this whole dinner will play out. The rest of the cast includes Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz.
Supergirl
June 26, Theaters
What’s it about? When an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Supergirl reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion for an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.
After making an appearance in last year’s Superman, Supergirl is getting her own feature-length film. It’s an interesting move for the DC universe, so we’ll see how it pans out. If nothing else, Krypto is pretty cute.
July
Minions and Monsters
July 1, Theaters
What’s it about? The Minions band together to save the day after unleashing monsters upon an unsuspecting world.
Apparently, minions alone aren’t enough for the franchise anymore. Now, they’re introducing monsters into the plot. It looks like quite the ride, but a good option for families who need to entertain kids this summer.
Young Washington
July 3, Theaters
What’s it about? Before he became the first president of the United States, young George Washington tests his honor, loyalty, and courage by fighting in the Revolutionary War. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into battle, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he’s becoming.
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, Angel Studios is releasing a biopic about George Washington’s early military career. The trailers look fantastic, and with an amazing cast including Andy Serkis and Ben Kingsley, it’s likely to be a hit.
Moana
July 10, Theaters
What’s it about? Leaving her island for the first time, young Moana embarks on an epic seafaring adventure to restore prosperity to her people.
A mere ten years after the original film debuted, Disney is releasing a live-action version of 2016’s Moana. Opinions online are very mixed, especially since the original came out fairly recently, and this movie doesn’t seem to add much to the story.
The Odyssey
July 17, Theaters
What’s it about? Odysseus, king of Ithaca, embarks on a perilous journey to return home after the Trojan War.
Christopher Nolan also returns this summer, this time adapting a classic Greek epic. The cast is stacked, but excitement cooled down after the first full-length trailer dropped. Now, people are much more on the fence about whether this movie will be good or not.
Hadestown
July 24, Theaters
What’s it about? A musical juxtaposition of the Orpheus/Eurydice and Hades/Persephone myths that examines the way real life can impact our quest for a perfect world.
Musical theater fans, rejoice! The Hadestown pro shoot is finally coming to theaters. It stars many of the original cast, and allows those who can’t afford to see the show itself a way to experience the story.
Motor City
July 24, Theaters
What’s it about? In the 1970s Detroit, John Miller falls for a local gangster’s girl and lands in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. With his life ruined, Miller hatches a plan for revenge.
Alan Ritchson has really come for the action-man role over the last few years. This new film is no exception, pitting him against gangsters in the 70s alongside actress Shaileen Woodley. It’s also interesting because it supposedly contains only five lines of dialog.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
July 31, Theaters
What’s it about? Peter Parker devotes his life to protecting New York City as a full-time Spider-Man. But as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he’s ever faced.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in action. We’re excited to see what the wall crawler’s up to after the events of No Way Home. We’ll also see a few older characters return, which should be interesting.
August
Tony
August, Theaters
What’s it about? Nineteen-year-old Anthony Bourdain stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that shapes the course of his life.
Anthony Bourdain was an amazing chef and TV host who introduced people to food around the world. This new biopic explores his early life and formative cooking years. It stars Dominic Sessa as Anthony and Antonio Banderas as his mentor.
The End of Oak Street
August 14, Theaters
What’s it about? A mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports a neighborhood to someplace unknown. The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings.
Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor star in this unique sci-fi thriller with strong 80s vibes. If you like movies like Jurassic Park or Stranger Things, this looks like the perfect movie for you. We just can’t wait to see how they ended up in this situation in the first place.
Six: The Musical Live!
August 14, Theaters
What’s it about? The six wives of Henry VIII step out of their husband’s shadow to claim the spotlight on their own terms in the Tony Award-winning musical “SIX.”
This is a great year to be a musical theater fan. Not only do we get to see Hadestown on screen, but SIX, too! It stars the original West End cast, which will be a treat to see and hear on the big screen.
Spa Weekend
August 21, Theaters
What’s it about? Three friends go on a spa weekend that descends into chaos when their trainwreck friend joins.
If you’re looking for a fun comedy to see with your girl friends this summer, try Spa Weekend. It looks like a great time, in the vein of movies like Bad Moms and Pitch Perfect. Plus, the cast is fantastic.
The Magic Faraway Tree
August 21, Theaters
What’s it about? A modern family relocates to the countryside, where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They are transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.
This film looks simple and enchanting, exactly what we need these days. It stars Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy as the parents in this magical family adventure. See it with your kids or just by yourself.
Coyote vs. Acme
August 28, Theaters
What’s it about? After Acme products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation.
This movie has been shelved several times before finally making its way to the big screen. It’s going to be full of laughs for Looney Tunes fans of all ages. The cast includes stars like John Cena, Will Forte, and Lana Candor.
The Dog Stars
August 28, Theaters
What’s it about? Survivors of a deadly pandemic traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape to find the origin of a mysterious radio transmission.
Based on the book of the same name, The Dog Stars looks like an insightful sci-fi action movie. It stars Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, with the legendary Ridley Scott directing. The initial trailer looks great, so we look forward to seeing more as we get closer to release.
Finding Emily
August 28, Theaters
What’s it about? When a lovesick musician is given the wrong number for his dream girl, he teams up with a driven psychology student to find her. Together, they spark a hilarious, campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way.
Does this movie look completely predictable? Yes. Does that mean it won’t be fun to watch? Absolutely not. It’s good to see more rom-coms being released, especially in the college age range.
Which of these movies are going on your summer watchlist? Tell us in the comments!
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