Indoor movie theaters are slowly starting to open back up. Drive-Ins are having a huge moment. And streaming services are pushing-out more content than ever before. When major studios delayed and cancelled releases for blockbuster summer flicks earlier this year, many wondered if there would actually be a Summer Movie Season.
Frankly, we’re in it right now and, as long as most of the titles hold their spots, it’s really looking pretty good.
Things basically kick-off this weekend with the trio of Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix), Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island” (VOD) and Kenneth Branagh’s “Artemis Fowl” (Disney+). These are three big releases, with the latter two originally intended for major theatrical releases (though Netflix probably would’ve wanted “Bloods” in a few locations as well).
Next Friday, June 19th, Universal is releasing the horror film “You Should Have Left” with Kevin Bacon and Amanda Seyfried on Video on Demand. Going up against it is the thriller “7500” on Amazon Prime Video starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
On the 26th, there’s the Will Ferrell/Rachel McAdams comedy “Eurovision” on Netflix and Jon Stewart’s political comedy “Irresistible” with Steve Carell & Rose Byrne on VOD. And the latest addition to this group: the LONG-delayed “My Spy”. STX was originally supposed to open the Dave Bautista action comedy in theaters multiple times. But now: it’s set for Prime Video.
The indie “The Truth” with Ethan Hawke (VOD July 3rd) has been on my must-see list for a while. AND the filming of the “Hamilton” Broadway musical with the original cast will drop on Disney+ in time for Independence Day.
July 10th sees another digital triple-header. First, there’s Charlize Theron in the Netflix action film “The Old Guard”. Andy Samberg’s “Palm Springs” will be on Hulu. And the highly-anticipated Tom Hanks drama “Greyhound” will be one of the major new draws for AppleTV+. And as of now, the Russell Crowe action/thriller “Unhinged” will open in theaters that day.
On the 17th, the original spot for “Tenet”, there’s “Secret Society of the Second-Born Royals” for families on Disney+. July 24th will (possibly) give us “Mulan” – along with a bunch of content from “San Diego Comic-Con at Home”.
WB has now placed “Tenet” in the July 31st slot. That’s followed by the eagerly awaited “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” on August 7th. That same day, Sony’s latest Seth Rogen movie “An American Pickle” will be available on HBO Max.
“The Personal History of David Copperfield” may arrive on August 14th (“Wonder Woman 1984” has unfortunately moved to Fall – Oct. 2). Gerard Butler thriller “Greenland” and “Bill and Ted Face the Music” are currently scheduled for the 14th as well. Confirmed for the 21st: the all-star “The One and Only Ivan” on Disney+. We may even get “The New Mutants” on the 28th. And Labor Day weekend could be a noisy one for “A Quiet Place: Part II” at the box office. Plus, the new “Phineas and Ferb” film is expected on Disney+ before summer ends.
Whether you realize it or not, the Summer Movie Season is here. And I think it’s gonna be a great one!