Top 20 Summer Movies Ranked By Excitement, Part 1 — Top 10 From May-June
Summer movie season is officially here!
Whether it’s the Marvel Cinematic universe, a Pixar animated movie, or running from Dinosaurs, just about everything you’d want to see is hitting theaters this summer. This is Part 1 of my Top 20 Summer Movies Ranked by Excitement.
#10 Senior Year
In at Number 10 is Senior Year, Rebel Wilson’s new Comedy.
‘I had the hot boyfriend. And, all that was left was Prom Queen. **squash**’
A High School Cheerleader who spent the last 20 years in a coma, Rebel Wilson plays ‘Stephanie Conway’, a girl who wakes up a woman, whom life has passed by.
She finds out quickly that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
‘I didn’t have the heart to change it. Madonna’s now called ‘Lady Gaga’? (together) No.’
It looks like the 37 year old who never graduated, heads back to High School and back to the Cheer Squad.
But, Stephanie’s world of exclusivity and achievement has been replaced with one of inclusivity and acceptance… And, that weirds her the Eff out of her.
‘Is there a Cheer Captain? I am the Cheer Captain. I am the Cheer Captain. Do you love it? That is the most F’d up thing I’ve ever heard. Steph!’
Senior Year streamed on Netflix May 13th.
#9 Firestarter
In at Number 9 is Firestarter, a remake of the 1984 Horror classic, based off the Stephen King hit novel.
‘If you ever start to lose control, what do you do? It didn’t work. Charlie? They’re going to run tests on her the rest of her life. **explosion**’
Ryan Kiara Armstrong steps into the role of ‘Charlie McGee’ played by Drew Barrymore in the first film.
Zac Efron also joins the cast as Charlie’s Father, ‘Andy’ played by David Keith in the original.
Andy tries to teach Charlie to control her emerging powers, but growing up isn’t easy, especially for kids with super powers.
‘You’re special, Charlie. I’m not special! I’m a monster! **Screams** Charlie! **Screams**’
This remake comes from Horror super producer Jason Blum and Blumhouse Productions, which also did remakes of Fantasy Island and The Invisible Man recently.
The trailer for Firestarter FEELS like a similar film to those two successful reboots, and Ryan Kiara Anderson feels like she’s got an interesting take on the lead character of Charlie.
‘She may be capable of a nuclear explosion. Run, Charlie! …With the force of her mind! The whole world is going to hell!’
Firestarter hit theaters May 13.
#8 The Black Phone
In at Number 8 is The Black Phone, with Ethan Hawke playing a creepy child kidnapper with an even creepier windowless van.
‘Do you need some help? Would you hand me my hat? Are those black balloons in there? Would you like to see a magic trick?’
Mason Thames stars as the missing boy, ‘Finney James’, who gets kidnapped by ‘The Grabber’.
There are obvious similarities to Stephen King’s ‘It’; a missing boy from the suburbs, balloons floating through the air, and a creepy clown/magician surrounded by supernatural abilities.
‘**Phone click** It doesn’t work… Not since I was a kid… I’ll scratch your face. This face??!!’
Also, in the film is Madeleine McGraw as ‘Gwen Shaw’, Finney’s little Sister.
It looks like their sibling connection is so strong, she has dreams about her missing brother — hopefully leading to getting him back from ‘The Grabber’.
‘I had a dream about him. What happened in your dream? He was taken. Please let the dreams be real. There’s a combination. What’s the combination? I carved it in the wall.’
The Black Phone hits theaters June 24.
#7 Press Play
In at Number 7 is Press Play, a time travel love story, with ‘I Am Mother’s Clara Rugaard; as a woman trying to save her boyfriend’s life, with a mix tape.
‘You have this tangible thing, right there in front of you. **sighs** I’m from the future. Like ‘Hoverboard’ future? You’re going to die! **car crash**’
Press Play looks like a cross between ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ and ‘About Time’, where a young couple bonds over surfing and music.
And, after the un-timely death of Harrison, played by Lewis Pullman, Laura must time travel — with the help of an old school mix tape — to save her boyfriend’s life.
‘Music transcends space and time, but I’ve always thought it was just a metaphor.’
This looks like a well executed Drama with a SciFi premise — where the focus is on the emotion and the journey, instead of the Science Fiction techno-babble.
Danny Glover also stars as ‘Cooper’, and looks to be the trusted older character with sage words of wisdom that will be completely ignored.
‘Most people only get one shot being with the person they love. You’ve been given two. I can’t just sit here and let him die! I have to try!’
Press Play hits theaters June 24.
#6 Hustle
In at Number 6 is Hustle, Adam Sandler’s latest film about a washed up scout, who’s discovered the latest Basketball Phenom.
‘I love this game. I live this game. There’s a thousand other guys waiting in the wings who are obsessed with this game.’
Utah Jazz Forward ‘Juancho’ Hernangomez plays ‘Bo Cruz’, a Basketball prospect that Stanley Sugarman discovers playing on the streets in Spain.
The talent is there, but Sugarman must ask him if he’s got the heart.
‘You got all the talent in the world, but are you obsessed? **Yells** You walk on the court, you have to think ‘I am the best guy out there’ **Hey**’
‘Hustle’ looks like a fast-paced, inspirational, anything-is-possible flick that transcends the world of Sports.
We don’t see much of Hernangomez’ acting in this trailer, but Adam Sandler’s ‘Sugarman’ looks like his best character in years.
‘So, let me ask, again. Do you love this game?’
Hustle streams on Netflix June 10.
#5 Jurassic World: Dominion
In at Number 5 is Jurassic World: Dominion, the third film in the Jurassic World trilogy, and the sixth overall film in the Jurassic Park franchise.
‘Ellie Sadler. Alan Grant. You didn’t come all this way just to catch up now, did you? You coming or what?’
The OG trio of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldbloom all return to the franchise, and not just in cameo roles!
Alan Grant, Ellie Sadler, and Ian Malcolm are all running for their lives alongside Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
‘We not only lack dominion over nature, we’re subordinate to it.’
Clearly, the Human clone-caused ecological disaster that was somehow CELEBRATED at the end of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom has had the predictable results since the last film ended.
Owen Grady and Claire Dearing return as well, not seeming to have learned their lessons, either.
‘**Roaring** That’s another plane, right? Not exactly. **smashing**’
Jurassic World: Dominion hits theaters June 10.
#4 Lightyear
In at Number 4 is Lightyear, Pixar’s LITERAL movie from within the movie of the original Toy Story.
‘Well, let’s go find out if there… **Wow!** We’ve got a breach in the perimeter. **dragged away** ‘
Captain America’s Chris Evans steps in as the voice of Buzz Lightyear. Buzz finds himself surrounded by a hopeful cast of characters, as Buzz and the entirety of Star Command tries to make its way home.
The dangers are everywhere, including those closest to Buzz.
‘Let’s get everyone home. Good Luck, Captain. We’re all counting on you. **ooo**’
I love everything Pixar, and expect them to give the highest level of animation out of any CGI studio. Lightyear looks like it balances that cutting edge animation with the look and feel of the original 1995 Toy Story.
I remember watching the original Toy Story in theaters, but never wondering more about the world of Buzz LIghtyear himself — that is until seeing the trailers for this film.
‘We’re being pursued by a **bang**, by just a massive robot. **shooting** Run!’
Lightyear hits theaters June 17.
#3 Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
In at Number 3 is Marcel The Shell With Shoes On.
‘What’s life like? It’s pretty much common knowledge that you need at least 20 shells to have a community.’
Saturday Night Live alum Jenny Slate’s short film series ‘Marcel The Shell’; gets adapted for the big screen, 12 years after first appearing on YouTube.
Marcel is voiced by Jenny Slate, an anthropomorphized shell living with his Grandma Connie. Grandma Connie is voiced by Isabella Rossellini.
‘We like to watch ’60 Minutes’ because Leslie Stahl is fearless. Nana, make the noise… **Tick Tick**’
It looks like Marcel The Shell goes on a cross country journey to find and save his family in this stop motion animated feature film.
Every other Summer movie on my list looks to be in the ‘bigger is better’ category, while Marcel does the exact opposite. It’s fascinating to see such a small movie directly compete with all of the big Summer Blockbusters.
‘How long has it been since you’ve seen you’re family? A space in my heart gets bigger and bigger every day. Dean, do you know how long? It’s two years. Two years? Oh, that’s nice to know!’
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On hits theaters June 24.
Honorable Mention — Along For The Ride
‘My whole life was about school. It’s the Summer before college, and I want to change that.’
Along For The Ride features Emma Pasarow as Auden, a young woman on the brink of college, enjoying a summer off and a romantic fling before the real studying starts.
Andie McDowell and Dermot Mulroney play Auden’s parents in this coming of age Netflix Drama. Written and Directed by Sofia Alvarez, Along For The Ride streamed on Netflix May 6.
Honorable Mention — Sneakerella
‘If you put enough of myself into a design, it’s gonna hit. Once I slip on that sneaker, it’s my story.’
Sneakerella stars Chosen Jacobs as ‘El’, a modern day, gender bend on the classic Cinderella tle. El is an up and coming sneakerhead who custom designs shoes and dreams of working his way up in the clothing industry.
NBA veteran John Salley stars alongside Kolton Stewart and Lexi Underwood. Sneakerella streamed on May 13 on Disney+.
Honorable Mention — Men
‘Husband went upstairs to our balcony, and let himself go. You must wonder why you drove him to it. I didn’t drive him to it.’
Academy Award Nominee Jessie Buckley returns to the big screen in Writer/Director Alex Garland’s new Drama/SciFi/Horror flick ‘Men’ Mourning her husband’s death, Harper goes on vacation to the English countryside for some R&R, but something doesn’t seem right.
Rory Kinnear and Gayle Raskin also star in this creepy and isolating look at a woman’s fight against the patriarchy. Men is in theaters May 20.
#2 Top Gun: Maverick
In at Number 2 is Top Gun: Maverick, the high-flying sequel bringing back Maverick, Ice Man, and even Goose’s son, 37 years in the making.
‘Everyone here is the best there is. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell. You are NOT my first choice. You are here at the request of Admiral Kazansky, aka ‘Iceman’.
Tom Cruise returns as Maverick, still flying fighter jets and thumbing his nose at authority.
This time, he replaces Tom Skeritt as the head of Top Gun to teach a new generation of pilots the best dog fighting skills in the world.
‘**Zoom** What the hell? Good morning, aviators. This is your Captain speaking.’
Miles Teller joins the cast as Goose’s son, along with Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, and Jon Hamm.
Manny Jacinto, India Everett, Jay Ellis, and Lyliana Wray also joining the cast as the next generation of pilots
‘You think up there, you’re dead. My Dad believed in you. I won’t make the same mistake.’
Top Gun: Maverick hits theaters May 27.
#1 Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
In at Number 1 is Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, the sequel to the 2016 original Doctor Strange.
‘Your desecration of reality will not go unpunished.’
Fresh off his appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Benedict Cumberbatch returns as the Sorcerer Supreme in the first true Horror film in the MCU.
Joining him is fellow Avenger Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, now fully emerged as the ‘Scarlet Witch’.
‘Wanda. Well, I knew sooner or later you’d show up. I made some mistakes. I’m not here to talk about Westview.’
Sam Raimi steps in to Direct this film; as the Multiverse fully opens up, after being hinted at in the last two Spider-Man movies.
Patrick Stewart even is credited as what can only be assumed to be Professor Xavier, coming over from the Fox X-Men universe. But, the obvious enemy in this flick is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s ‘Mordo’, disillusioned with his beliefs after the end of the first film.
‘I hope you understand, the greatest threat to our universe is you. Things just out of hand.’
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness hit theaters May 6.
