20 must-see summer blockbusters and indie flicks await in 2022
From "Top Gun: Maverick" to the latest installment in the "Jurassic Park" franchise, these are the must-see movies this summer.
This summer movie season is all about catching up.
We’re reuniting with characters we know well – Doctor Strange, Maverick, Violet Crawley, Elvis and Lightyear — and we’re finally seeing films whose release dates have bounced all over the place.
If there’s one dominant theme this summer season, it’s that animation – a box-office boon these last few months – is staking a big claim and giving families much to choose from, besides the usual reboots, franchise entries and sequels.
There’s so much heading to theaters and streaming apps, we’ve come up with this guide to 20 of the most promising cinematic prospects. Bring on the popcorn! (Release dates, of course, are subject to change.)
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse’
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong
Release date: May 6 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Any film starring Benedict Cumberbatch gets us all fired up, and his return as the brilliant Dr. Stephen Strange – the ultimate magician – instills confidence that this sequel might match the success of the 2016 Marvel hit. In this add on to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Strange accidentally triggers a nasty bit of business from the multiverse. (Uh oh.)
What gives us pause is that original director/co-screenwriter Scott Dickerson dropped out, reportedly because he wanted to make it super scary, and that didn’t fly. Enter veteran director Sam Raimi, with a proven track record — OK, except for “Spider-Man 3.” That was horrible.
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
Stars: Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Dominic West, Hugh Dancy, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern
Release date: May 20 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Two words: Maggie Smith. The divine and wonderfully snide matriarch of the Crawley clan returns to outwit everyone else in this outing where half the fam heads to France (doesn’t that sound ducky right now?) while the other half stays home in this Simon Curtis-helmed movie. Expect “Abbey” devotees who might have been wary about returning to theaters to show up as if it was time for afternoon tea.
‘Men’
Stars: Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, Paapa Essiedu
Release date: May 20 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: The trailer to Alex Garland’s latest oddity freaked us out, but it also left us hankering for more clues. That vagueness is no surprise, given that the director of “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation” loves to mess with our minds. What we do know is that versatile Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”) plays a recovering trauma victim needing some R&R in the English countryside. She gets none of that from the moment she checks in. But is that stalker all in her mind? Cue the Vincent Price laugh.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Stars: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Jon Hamm
Release date: May 27 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Long delayed because — well, obviously — this sequel, directed by Joseph Kosinski, lands some 35 years after the original jetted off, took our breath away and made us want to check out some beach volleyball. The big question here is whether younger audiences will show up to see Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Iceman (Val Kilmer) tussle, while Maverick meets up with Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick’s copilot Goose, who was killed in the 1986 original.
To bone up on all those past grudges, turn to Netflix and watch the original.
‘Jurassic World Dominion’
Stars: Chris Pratt, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill
Release date: June 10 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Although the first two films in this three-pack reboot – box-office sensations that earned a collective critical meh – left us wondering when franchise extinction might come about, we’re holding out hope that Bay Area native Colin Trevorrow rights the wrongs and gets back into the spirit of the original series. This one sports a fun premise, as dinos venture out of the park. What makes it sound even more fun is that the old gang — Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum — are back together.
‘Lightyear’
Voices: Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi, James Brolin
Release date: June 17 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Some people were puzzled when it was announced that Chris Evans would be voicing Buzz Lightyear instead of Tim Allen in this animated flick directed by Angus MacLane (co-director of “Finding Dory”), but the casting makes perfect sense since we’re talking about the character rather than the toy Andy loved. From the initial footage I saw, “Lightyear” delivers on its promise of exciting sci-fi adventure. And if that doesn’t get you, Sox, the adorable robot cat, certainly will.
‘Official Competition’
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Oscar Martinez
Release date: June 17 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: In this comedic takedown of artistic pretension and out-of-control egos, two self-absorbed, self-important types (Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz) make a movie for dubious reasons. Directors Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn’s film has been making the rounds of the festival circuits and picking up kudos for all involved. The cast will get us in the theater.
‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’
Stars: Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Leslie Mann
Release date: June 17 on Apple TV+
Why we’re pumped: Writer/actor and director Cooper Raiff veers far away from the sophomore slump with this sorta rom-com about the relationship between an indecisive college grad (Raiff) and a single mom (Dakota Johnson) with a boyfriend and an autistic daughter. What makes “Cha Cha Real Smooth” so refreshing is that its bumbling, fumbling characters are hashing out real-life issues while trying to figure out what will make them happy. It’s a keeper.
‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’
Stars: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack
Release date: June 17 on Hulu
Why we’re pumped: While it might be tempting to rename this sexy two-character film, “How Nancy Stoke Got Her Groove Back” wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Emma Thompson’s Nancy has never had a groove, for one thing, and her search to find one leads her to hire a dreamy sex worker (Daryl McCormack). In a hotel room, she hopes to discover the joys of sex. Sophie Hyde’s delightfully sex-positive feature hits the right spot.
‘Spiderhead’
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, Jurnee Smollett
Release date: June 17 on Netflix
Why we’re pumped: Chris Hemsworth brings more muscle to Netflix’s action programming by following up his popular “Extraction” with the streamer’s adaptation of a George Saunders story directed by Kosinski. The R-rated, futuristic thriller grapples with the moral and ethical implications of having convicts reduce their sentences by becoming test subjects for a mood-changing drug. What could possibly go wrong? Or maybe we should say: What could possibly go right?
‘Elvis’
Stars: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge
Release date: June 24 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: The combo of razzle-dazzle filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge,” “The Great Gatsby”) and the acting range of Concord native Tom Hanks – here tapping into a dark side to portray Elvis Presley’s conniving manager, Colonel Tom Parker – gives us high hopes. The unknown factor is under-the-radar actor Austin Butler. He has some big blue suede shoes to fill playing the tragic icon. We’re rooting for him, though.
‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On’
Voices: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer-Camp, Isabella Rossellini, Lesley Stahl
Release date: June 24 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Enthusiastic screenings and early reviews suggest this could well be the family-friendly film that children, parents and even adults without children will all love. Dean Fleischer-Camp directs, and Jenny Slate voices the itty-bitty shell who becomes a sensation once a documentary filmmaker’s short about him goes viral.
‘Thor: Love and Thunder ’
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson
Release date: July 8 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Leave it to the mad comedic genius of filmmaker Taika Waititi to stir up trouble in the MCU. His irreverent humor – not always a favorite with fanboys/girls – is actually just the spark Marvel needs. In this latest adventure, Thor (the hilarious Chris Hemsworth) teams up with the Guardians of the Galaxy, while a new female Thor (a buff Natalie Portman) arrives in town. Who could resist any of that?
‘The Sea Beast ’
Voices: Zaris-Angel Hator, Karl Urban, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Release date: July 8 on Netflix
Why we’re pumped: Fantasy lovers rejoice. This seafaring, animated adventure from Chris Williams, the director of “Moana” and “Big Hero 6,” is prepared to make a big splash. Filled with gargantuan underwater creatures, a kid stowaway storyline and impressive animation, “The Sea Beast” will likely be on repeat rotation in households with kids.
‘The Gray Man’
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Billy Bob Thornton
Release date: July 15 in theaters, July 22 on Netflix
Why we’re pumped: With a budget that’s reportedly $200 million, this spy saga comes with an excellent pedigree. It’s based on the first book in Mark Greaney’s popular series and directed by Marvel cinematic golden boys Anthony and Joe Russo. Add in dreamboats Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans as the principals, and you have a guaranteed crowd pleaser as Gosling’s CIA agent discovers that he’s now target No. 1.
‘Where the Crawdads Sing’
Stars: Daisy Edgar Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson
Release date: July 15 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Adaptations of beloved novels sometimes lack that special something that made us adore the book. But we’re getting good vibes about this one, which is based on the best-selling novel by Delia Owens, mainly because it’s a pet project of co-producer and book lover Reese Witherspoon. The literary mystery, directed here by Olivia Newman, benefits from a great setting: North Carolina’s marshlands, where a murder investigation has community secrets rising from the muck of the past.
‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’
Voices: Michael Cera, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Samuel L. Jackson, Gabriel Iglesias
Release date: July 15 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Samuel L. Jackson is a cool cat in any movie, but in this animated samurai confection, he’s actually voicing a feline — an Obi-Wan Kenobi-type to a picked-on doggie (Michael Cera). What made us wag our tails about this movie, which is directed by Mark Koetsier, Rob Minkoff
and Chris Bailey, is its hilarious trailer, full of promise that it’ll be a family fave that will appeal to all.
‘Nope’
Stars: Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya, Steven Yeun, Barbie Ferreira
Release date: July 22 to theaters
Why we’re pumped: Jordan Peele pulls triple duty as writer, producer and director – just as he did with “Get Out” and “Us” – for a creepy thriller set on a Black-owned, horse training ranch in our Golden State. Neither the trailer nor the studio are spilling the tea about details. (We’re good with that, since trailers that tell all take all the fun out of a movie.)
‘Bullet Train’
Stars: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry
Release date: July 29 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: It’s an intriguing premise: Five assassins with various intentions and disguises board a non-stop train ride through Japan. Why are they all there? And who is the next target? Directed by David Leitch and based on the novel by Kotaro Isaka, this one looks to be the ultimate joy ride for thriller fans.
‘Easter Sunday’
Stars: Jo Koy, Lydia Gaston, Brandon Wardell
Release date: Aug. 5 in theaters
Why we’re pumped: Anchoring his first film comedy, funnyman Jo Koy dips into his life experiences, including his family Easter celebrations. Koy, who was a regular on “Chelsea Lately,” is a proven comedian and with the assist of Jay Chandrasekhar – who has directed some great TV episodes (“The Goldbergs,” “Fresh Off the Boat”) and irreverent “Super Troopers” films, “Easter Sunday” could become the comedy breakout of the summer.
More summer movies we’re excited about …
‘Firestarter’: After a rather listless 1984 adaptation of the Stephen King novel, director Keith Thomas takes a crack at this reboot about a fire-prone daughter and her antsy father (Zac Efron). (May 13 in theaters and on Peacock)
‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’: There’s a mystery that needs to be solved in this feature film offshoot of the popular animated TV series. (May 27, theaters)
‘Fire Island’: Break out the rainbow Speedos. This gay version of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” finds longing hearts connecting on the beach and during cocktail hour. Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang star. (June 3, Hulu)
‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’: San Francisco commands a starring role in the latest addition to the successful animated franchise. (July 1, theaters)
‘The Black Phone’: Ethan Hawke turns in a skin-crawling performance as a serial killer/kidnapper in Scott Derrickson’s claustrophobic horror freakout. (June 24, theaters)
‘House Party’: This remake of the 1990 comedy hit finds modern problems brewing when a teen hosts a house party while his parents are away. (July 28, HBO Max)
‘DC League of Super-Pets’: This kid-friendly animated fare finds animal superheroes, including Krypto the Super-Dog (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), coming to the rescue of their human counterparts. They had us at Keanu Reeves voicing Batman. (July 29, theaters)
‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’: A group of self-absorbed friends encounter a killer in this A24 black comedy with Pete Davidson. (Aug. 5, theaters)
‘Luck’: A down-on-her-luck girl enters a magical realm where a dragon (voiced by Jane Fonda) helps her chart a new course. (Aug. 5, Apple TV+)
‘Resurrection’: Get set for one of the most bizarre twists of the summer in this creepy horror/thriller starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth. (Aug. 5, theaters and streaming)
‘Beast’: Idris Elba plays a dad protecting his two daughters from an angry, bloodthirsty lion in South Africa. Is this Elba’s “Snakes on a Plane”? Well, in the trailer he does pull a “Rocky” on that big old cat. (Aug. 19, theaters)