This summer, movie theaters across the country will be sharing tales of heroic space travel, strained parental/sibling relationships, deadly dinosaurs, talking dogs and soft animals that come to life. Meanwhile, favorite movies have come to DVD Blu-ray to enjoy at home featuring rebellious rabbits and cavemen. While we can’t officially endorse of these films (since we haven’t seen them yet) we are feeling pretty good about what we have listed. Plus, we have included a link to each film’s website so that you can learn more to make a more informed decision.
June
Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Date: June 8
About: Mister Rogers aired on PBS for over 30 years. This documentary shares the story of minister, puppeteer, writer and producer, Fred Rogers and what life was like in his television neighborhood.
Rating: NR
Learn More: focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor
Incredibles 2
Date: June 15
About: Finally arriving many years after the 2004 original film, “Incredibles 2” shares how Helen aka Elastigirl (voice of Holly Hunter) gets called back to superhero service in an attempt to bring “Supers” back while Bob (Craig T. Nelson) becomes a stay-at-home-dad watching over his moody teenager Violet (Sarah Vowell), super speedy son Dash (Huck Milner) and unpredictable Baby Jack Jack.
Rating: TBD
Learn More: movies.disney.com/incredibles-2
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Date: June 22
About: After four years since the Jurassic World theme park was destroyed by the dinosaurs that were on display there, no humans live on the island. However, when a dormant volcano begins to erupt, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) are brought back to help save the dinosaurs.
Rating: PG-13
Learn More: jurassicworld.com/films/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom
July
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Date: July 6
About: The latest film from Marvel Studies centers around Scott Lang aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) who can shrink himself down to ant size in mere seconds. On this journey, he is accompanied by “The Wasp” aka Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) hoping to find Hope’s mother (Michelle Pfeiffer), the original “Wasp.” The action adventure also stars Michael Douglas.
Rating: TBD
Learn More: marvel.com/movies/movie/245/ant-man_and_the_wasp
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Date: July 13
About: The third “Hotel Transylvania” story takes Dracula and his friends out of his resort home and onto aboard a luxury cruise ship for a vacation away from home. While Drac’s hoping to make a love connection while on board with ship’s female captain, it appears that she’s not as sweet as she appears to be and the vacation of a lifetime turns to a nightmare. Which is something you would think these guys would like.
Rating: PG
Learn More: sonypictures.com/movies/hoteltransylvania3summervacation
Eighth Grade
Date: July 13
Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school—the end of her thus far disastrous eighth grade year—before she begins high school.
Rating: TBD
Learn More: a24films.com/films/eighth-grade
Teen Titans Go! to the Movies
Date: July 27
About: There is a good chance that this movie is little more than an extended episode from the “Teen Titans Go!”TV series on Cartoon Network. Still, it might provide a good excuse to escape the heat and sit in an air-conditioned Theater. The Premise here is the Teen Titans want to figure out why nobody has made a superhero movie based on them. Hijinks ensure.
Rating: PG
Learn More: teentitansgo-movie.com
Rating: PG
August
Christopher Robin
Date: August 3
About: Perhaps the summer’s most unique movie, “Christopher Robin” (Ewan McGregor) is now all grown up without time for foolish ideas and stuffed animals. And that makes it ther perfect time for him to receive a visit from the bear stuffed with fluff and his friends.
Rating: PG
Learn More: movies.disney.com/christopher-robin
This Summer on DVD & Blu-Ray
Peter Rabbit
Date: Out now
About: While diehard fans of the original adventures of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter were not thrilled with this adaptation, the film was enjoyed by many kids. Considered an “irreverent and contemporary comedy with attitude,” “Peter Rabbit” stars Domhnall Gleeson as Mr. McGregor, Rose Byne as an animal lover next door and James Corden as the voice of Peter.
Rated: PG
Learn More: peterrabbit-movie.com
Black Panther
Date: May 15
About: Following right after Captain America: Civil War, Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T-Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But if the story ended there, it would be too simple. The movie also stars Lupita Nyong’o and Martin Freeman.
Rating: PG-13
Learn More: movies.disney.com/black-panther
Early Man
Date: Out Now
About: Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, “Early Man” tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.
Rating: NR
Learn More: earlymanmovie.com
A Wrinkle in Time
Date: June 5
About: Based on the book of the same name, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” had mixed reviews when it opened in theaters recently. Though who were familiar with the book tended to not care for the new treatment while those who were unfamiliar with the story, liked it. The film follows an ordinary girl’s epic adventure and brave journey to save her family, with the ultimate triumph of love.
Rating: PG
Learn More: movies.disney.com/a-wrinkle-in-time
I Can Only Imagine
Date: June 12
About: This faith-based movie is the story that was the inspiration for the popular MercyMe song by lead singer Bart Millard. The movie shares about Millard’s difficult childhood with his abusive father (played by Dennis Quaid) and how they two were able to reconcile before the father’s death. The inspiring story also stars J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Trace Adkins, Priscilla Shirer and Cloris Leachman.
Rating: PG
Learn More: icanonlyimagine.com
Check out free or affordable movie theaters across the United States:
- $1 Movies Regal Cinemas, United Artists, and Edwards Theaters will be participating in the Regal Summer Movie Express. Select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only $1.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00am. Find participating theaters at regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express
- Free or Cheap Summer Movies for Kids Movie theaters offering free or low-cost movies for kids at mrfreestuff.com/free-or-cheap-summer-movies-for-kids
- Drive-In Movie Theaters Did you know that there are still over 300 drive-in movie theaters in operation across the U.S.? Providing affordable tickets (you usually only pay per car not per person) and a variety of meals/snacks, drive-in movie will provide a uniquely fun and special experience for the entire family.
What movies are you looking forward to seeing this summer? Looking for other summer ideas?
Check out our summer guide available: HERE
Latest posts by Jeff Totey, Dad's Pop Life and Northwest Entertainment & Lifestyle Contributing Columnist (see all)
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