2025 Summer Movie Preview: F1, Happy Gilmore 2, Superman and More (Exclusive)

01 of 35

Another Simple Favor

Reuniting Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick for a second campy murder mystery was “a dream come true,” director Paul Feig told PEOPLE at the film’s buzzy SXSW premiere. Like the duo’s martinis, the Italy-set sequel comes with a twist. On Prime Video May 1

02 of 35

Thunderbolts*

John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) in Thunderbolts — (Left-right:) Wyatt Russell, Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen and David Harbour in 'Thunderbolts*'.
Courtesy of Marvel Studios

This ragtag team of reformed superheroes — including Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, David Harbour’s Red Guardian and more — “has all the things you’ve loved in your favorite Marvel movies,” teases director Jake Schreier, “but takes a different route to get there.” Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as the acid-tongued Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. In theaters May 2

03 of 35

Friendship

Remember the 2009 bromance comedy I Love You, Man? Andrew DeYoung's A24 film Friendship is in a similar vein, and also stars Paul Rudd — but adds the distinct chaos of I Think You Should Leave creator Tim Robinson. In select theaters May 9, wide May 23

04 of 35

Final Destination Bloodlines

Death! It comes for us all. But for one of the most irreverently morbid cinematic universes, it tends to come a bit more creatively — and bloodily. The sixth Final Destination film (the last was way back in 2011) centers on a doomed family trying to thwart fate, and marks the last posthumous role of franchise star Tony Todd, who died off-screen in November. In theaters May 16

05 of 35

Hurry Up Tomorrow

A feature-length accompaniment to Abel Tesfaye a.k.a. The Weeknd’s sixth studio album released this January, Hurry Up Tomorrow stars the singer-turned-actor-writer alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Director and co-writer Trey Edward Shults helps bring Tesfaye’s semi-autobiographical vision of a tortured musician to stunning, unsettling life. In theaters May 16

06 of 35

Fountain of Youth

If Indiana Jones had kids with his same thirst for adventure, they’d resemble John Krasinski and Natalie Portman’s sibling duo, who search for the mythical spring in this globe-trotting thrill ride from director Guy Ritchie. On Apple TV+ May 23

07 of 35

Lilo & Stitch

Disney’s newest live-action reimagining takes fans back to the shores of Hawaii, where Lilo (newcomer Maia Kealoha) befriends everyone’s favorite alien-menace-turned-pet. Chris Sanders, who co-created the 1992 animated hit, returns as the voice of Stitch. Tia Carrere, who voiced Lilo’s sister Nani in the original, hands the reins to Sydney Elizebeth Agudong and joins as a new character. In theaters May 23

08 of 35

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Director Christopher McQuarrie promises a “more emotional” eighth Mission: Impossible as Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and his team (including Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell and Ving Rhames) race to save the world from an AI threat. “What you are seeing in the trailer doesn't scratch the surface of what Tom does in the movie.” In theaters May 23

09 of 35

Bring Her Back

Brothers Michael and Danny Philippou had audiences in the palm of their — severed, embalmed — hand with 2022’s Talk to Me. It turns out the directing duo (and co-writer Bill Hinzman) were just warming up. Bring Her Back, a tale about communing with spirits and cheating death, stars Sally Hawkins showcasing one of her specialties: heartbreaking vulnerability amid hair-raising horrors. In theaters May 30

10 of 35

Karate Kid: Legends

Not one but two senseis are returning to the big screen to inspire a new generation of karate enthusiasts. Original Mr. Miyagi student Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and 2010’s Karate Kid teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) join forces to train Li Fong (Ben Wang) to punch harder and jumpkick higher than they ever could. “It's a great film for anybody who loved the original franchise,” Wang tells PEOPLE. “There's some really fun twists in there as well.” In theaters May 30

11 of 35

The Phoenician Scheme

Director Wes Anderson brings his whimsical production design and symmetrical frames to another star-studded ensemble about an eccentric arms dealer (Benicio del Toro) who ropes his daughter, a nun (Mia Threapleton), into the family business. Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks and Michael Cera are just three of many scene-stealers here. In theaters May 30

12 of 35

Ballerina

Keanu Reeves hands over the action-star reins to Ana de Armas in this spin-off set between the events of the third and fourth John Wick installments. The actress trained with stunt teams daily for months to play Eve, a ballerina in Derek Kolstad's clandestine cinematic universe becoming as deadly as Reeves’ assassin — or deadlier? In theaters June 6

13 of 35

I Don't Understand You

Any vacationing couple would want their Italian getaway to be a rom-com. But what if instead it was a darkly chaotic slasher? Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells, planning to adopt a baby from Amanda Seyfried, are — twist! — the ones who end up the slashers in this comedy of errors. In theaters June 6

14 of 35

Straw

Although both are known for their bombastic comedy, Taraji P. Henson and director Tyler Perry have dramatic chops like the best of them, as this touching tale of a struggling single mother proves. Straw costars Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor and Sinbad. On Netflix June 6

15 of 35

The Life of Chuck

At the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, the buzz surrounding The Life of Chuck — particularly a seven-minute dance sequence courtesy of Tom Hiddleston — propelled it to a People's Choice Award. Starring a quartet of actors including Hiddleston portraying the titular everyman, it’s adapted by writer-director Mike Flanagan from a Stephen King novella and costars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan and Mark Hamill. In select theaters June 6, wide June 13

16 of 35

How to Train Your Dragon

DreamWorks’ 2010 animated hit about a Viking and his dragon Toothless gets an epic live-action retelling starring Mason Thames (also leading Black Phone 2 later this year), Nico Parker and — reprising his role as the impressively bearded village chief — Gerard Butler. In theaters June 13

17 of 35

Materialists

“A modern love story set in New York City,” as Past Lives writer-director Celine Song tells PEOPLE, Materialists features a love triangle between three of today’s hottest stars: Pascal, Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson. The latter was “inspired by the (brief) time I worked as a professional matchmaker,” reveals the filmmaker. An important bonus: “There’s lots of kissing.” In theaters June 13

18 of 35

28 Years Later

Twenty-eight days became weeks, and weeks became years since the Rage virus turned the world into a zombie-ridden wasteland. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Alfie Williams play a family fighting to survive, with Ralph Fiennes ripped and ready. In theaters June 20

19 of 35

Elio

Precocious space fanatic Elio’s dream of intergalactic adventure comes true when he’s beamed up and mistaken for Earth’s leader in the latest dazzler from Disney Pixar. It features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett and more. In theaters June 20

20 of 35

F1

Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in F1 — Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in 'F1'.
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/Apple Original Films

Brad Pitt plays a retired Formula 1 racer who gets back in the driver’s seat in a high-octane drama from Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski that brings the action from the skies down to the racetrack. Kosinski has said Pitt himself hit over 180 mph behind the wheel. F1 costars Javier Bardem, Damson Idris and Kerry Condon. In theaters June 27

21 of 35

M3GAN 2.0

The dancing doll/robot diva is on a “bigger, scarier, more action-packed” rampage, says star Allison Williams. “M3GAN herself fits that same description.” While the sequel’s trailer shows plenty of new iterations of M3GAN, she teases, “We don’t give it all away. In fact, you haven’t seen my favorite version of her yet.” In theaters June 27

22 of 35

Jurassic World Rebirth

Scarlett Johansson as skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett and Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis in JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH — Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in 'Jurassic World Rebirth'.
Jasin Boland/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey must infiltrate the original Jurassic Park facility on a remote island housing the franchise’s biggest dinos yet. Some of the beasts may have developed frightening mutations. What could go wrong? In theaters July 2

23 of 35

The Old Guard 2

Following the 2020 action hit adapted from the popular graphic novel series, Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne and their fellow warriors return for another round of beatings and bullets. Just because these superheroes can’t die doesn’t mean they feel no pain — ouch! On Netflix July 2

24 of 35

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding

Jermaine Harris, Tamela J. Mann, Cassi Davis, David Mann, and Tyler Perry in Madea's Destination Wedding — (Left-right:) Jermaine Harris, Tamela J. Mann, Cassi Davis, David Mann and Tyler Perry in 'Madea's Destination Wedding'.
Netflix

Our favorite tough-talking matriarch, Perry’s Madea is heading to the Bahamas for her grandniece’s last-minute nuptials. You can expect that family tensions are high and Madea’s tolerance for BS is low. On Netflix July 11

25 of 35

Superman

What made David Corenswet right for the epic Man of Steel reboot, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor? “He’s got all the charm and muscles a Superman needs,” says director James Gunn. “But he’s also a talented actor who could balance dramatic chops and humor.” Stealing the show is his canine companion Krypto, a super-dog based on Gunn’s own rascally pet. In theaters July 11

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Eddington

Midsommar director Ari Aster, his muse Joaquin Phoenix and A24. Is there a better — or more eerie — cinematic combination? Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler join the Beau Is Afraid filmmakers for a tale of neighbor pitted against neighbor set during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In theaters July 18

27 of 35

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Revisiting her iconic final-girl role from the 1997 slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer in a new sequel may have been “a lot of pressure” and "nerve-racking” for Jennifer Love Hewitt — but not as scary as trying to survive a killer with a meat hook. Freddie Prinze Jr. returns alongside newcomers Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders and more. In theaters July 18

28 of 35

Smurfs

Rihanna pulls double duty as Smurfette and songwriter in an adventurous animated reboot that will have audiences of all ages boogying in their seats. Voicing Papa Smurf and his brother are John Goodman and Nick Offerman, respectively. In theaters July 18

29 of 35

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in The Fantastic Four: First Steps — (Left-right:) Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'.
Courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios

Marvel’s squabbling but supportive First Family returns — with a cool new quartet of stars: Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing. Julia Garner plays a villainous Silver Surfer. In theaters July 25

30 of 35

Happy Gilmore 2

Cinema’s grumpiest golfer is back in the swing of things — with Bad Bunny costarring as his caddie. Returning from the 1996 original alongside co-writer-star Adam Sandler are Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Ben Stiller. Bonus: Travis Kelce and other athletes make cameos. On Netflix July 25

31 of 35

The Naked Gun

Lt. Frank Drebin’s legacy of puns and sight gags is secured in this reboot of the 1980s and ’90s comedy franchise. “No one can replace the late, great Leslie Nielsen,” says director Akiva Schaffer, but Liam Neeson brings his “particular set of skills” as the bumbling cop’s son. “Smart and kind” costar Pamela Anderson, he adds, is his “new favorite person. She’s gonna really surprise people with how hilarious she is.” In theaters Aug. 1

32 of 35

Together

At the Sundance Film Festival premiere of their new movie, Dave Franco and Alison Brie joked to PEOPLE that playing a couple under duress onscreen made them “more codependent than ever.” They pull double duty as producers and stars in this unsettling horror indie from Michael Shanks. In theaters Aug. 1

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Freakier Friday

Julia Butlers as Harper Coleman, Lindsay Lohan as Anna Coleman, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tess Coleman and Sophia Hammons as Lily Davies in Disney's FREAKIER FRIDAY. — (Left-right:) Julia Butlers, Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis and Sophia Hammons in 'Freakier Friday'.
Glen Wilson/Disney

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan return for twice the body-swapping freakiness in this highly anticipated reunion and “lovefest,” as director Nisha Ganatra calls it. “I’m also really excited for audiences to fall in love with newcomers Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons,” she says, “plus Manny Jacinto as the ultimate romantic leading man.” In theaters Aug. 8

34 of 35

Eden

As its trailer indicates, Eden is an ironic title for a tale of isolation, greed and violence — based on a true story. Ron Howard directs Jude Law, Sydney Sweeney, Daniel Brühl, Ana de Armas and Vanessa Kirby as European settlers fighting for control of a remote island in the Galápagos. In theaters Aug. 22

35 of 35

The Thursday Murder Club

Sir Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif, Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie, Richard Osman - Author, Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best, Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft & Chris Columbus in a production image for The Thursday Murder Club — (Left-right:) Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Richard Osman, Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie and Chris Columbus on the set of 'The Thursday Murder Club'.
Courtesy of Netflix

This summer’s fiercest amateur detectives might be long in the tooth, but when a suspicious murder rocks their retirement village, it turns out that’s their secret weapon. Septuagenarians Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie are on the case in a Chris Columbus-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced caper. On Netflix Summer 2025