IMDb's 2023 Summer Movie Guide

'Fast X' boasts a cast so swole, it includes four Oscars winners and new addition Jason Momoa as supervillain Dante, a character who calls back to 'Fast Five' and threatens to break up Dominic Toretto's family for good. Director Louis Letterier, who replaced Justin Lin after a dust-up with Vin Diesel, says the first chapter of the rumored three-part victory lap will utilize more of the practical stunts and effects that helped establish 'F&F' as an unbeatable franchise over 20 years ago. New footage was shot in March 2023, and we all think this means Gal Gadot's Gisele might cameo. The final installment is expected Summer 2025.

In theaters May 19

Writer-director Nicole Holofcener's latest might knock you out of orbit if you question what your partner really thinks about some of your life choices. Julia Louis-Dreyfus reunites with Holofcener (movie fans and critics still namecheck their 2013 dramedy 'Enough Said'). We hear Michaela Watkins is a scene-stealer—you might recognize her as Hoda Kotb from her stint on "SNL"—ditto David Cross and Amber Tamblyn, who play a couple counseled by Tobias Menzies. How fortunate is he to be on-screen married to JL-D?

Limited US release in theaters May 25

We wanna be where the people are, and the people are hyped for the live-action adaption of Disney's 1989 animated classic, 'The Little Mermaid.' Starring Halle Bailey as the adventurous Ariel, Melissa McCarthy as the iconic sea witch, Ursula, and with voice acting from Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina, we're thrilled to go under the sea with director Rob Marshall, who knows his way around a musical (see: 'Chicago' and 'Mary Poppins Returns').

In theaters May 26

Actor and stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco writes and stars in this comedy, drawing from his own life as the child of Italian immigrants. As Mansiscalco's father, Robert De Niro gets to ham it up and embarrass Maniscalco in front of his future in-laws (David Rasche and Kim Cattrall). Maniscalco and De Niro co-starred in Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman,' and it's clear from the trailers, the pair's chemistry and shared experience is destined to resonate with audiences.

In theaters May 26

Stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer turns his signature bit—about his real-life college exploits with Russian mobsters—into a fictional action comedy. Mark Hamill teams up with Kreischer, playing his estranged father, and the mash-up of reality with Hollywood action calls to mind last year's gonzo buddy film, 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.'

In theaters May 26

Gerard Butler continues his run as America's favorite Scottish action hero, this time reteaming with his 'Angel Has Fallen' and 'Greenland' director Ric Roman Waugh. In this action-thriller, Butler plays a CIA operative on the run from special forces in Afghanistan when a covert mission is compromised after an intelligence leak.

In theaters May 26

Fans can look forward to plunging deeper into the multiverse as writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return with a new story that takes Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) on a quest to save every universe of Spider-People from a new and formidable threat. Exciting new additions to the cast include Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Andy Samberg, and Brian Tyree Henry with Oscar Isaac reprising his role as Spider-Man 2099.

In theaters June 2

For her directorial debut, Celine Song didn't allow Teo Yoo and John Magaro, two points on the love triangle that shapes this story, to meet before their first day of shooting. This kind of slay is the sort of creative decision-making that is encouraged by every film fan's favorite studio, A24. If early reviews are on point, Greta Lee (recognize her from "Russian Doll" or "Inside Amy Schumer"?) might be up for a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Limited US release in theaters June 2

The summer spookies are here and 'The Boogeyman' is looking like it could be the horror movie of the season. Based on a story by Stephen King, the film features Sophie Thatcher ("Yellowjackets"), Chris Messina ("The Mindy Project"), Vivien Lyra Blair (young Princess Leia from "Obi-Wan Kenobi"), and David Dastmalchian ('The Suicide Squad,' 'The Dark Knight'). Director Rob Savage terrified us during the pandemic with his Zoom-based horror short "Host," and if the trailer is any indication, we won’t be sleeping much this summer.

In theaters June 2

Robert Englund's tragic turn as Victor Creel in Season 4 of "Stranger Things" was a tangible link to horror’s deep lore that spawned a new generation of fans. Essentially genre royalty, this new documentary grants access to the famously gregarious actor responsible for Freddy Krueger as well as a passel of his longtime collaborators.

Exclusively on Screambox June 6

The seventh live-action 'Transformers' adaptation promises to dodge tired retreads with an infusion of new talent (hello, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback) and a change of venue to Brooklyn, NY. With "SNL" alum Pete Davidson and Cristo Fernández ("Ted Lasso") on the call sheet, we have to wonder if comedic chops will overtake explosions as the power source for this new trilogy.

In theaters June 9

We have a few seasons to endure before ever-wily inventor, Willy Wonka, graces our screens again, and we could use a snack to tide us over. Enter 'Flamin' Hot,' a passion project from first-time director Eva Longoria that tracks the (perhaps apocryphal) tale of how "hot Cheetos," a spicy, finger-staining, endorphin rush in a bag came to be. The story of how Richard Montañez boldly pushed Frito-Lay to widen their lens and consider communities they’d previously ignored will inspire and cause cravings, so prepare accordingly.

Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu June 9

Director Julie Cohen earned an Emmy award and an Oscar nomination with 'RGB,' and her new project expands the conversation about gender identity she began with 'My Name Is Pauli Murray.' Cohen often co-directs with Betsy West, but she's gone solo here.

In theaters June 11

'The Flash' has been in various states of development since the late '80s, and the movie nearly came together in the mid-2000s while Christopher Nolan was resurrecting Batman at Warner Bros. It's been four years since 'It' director Andy Muschetti began work on the project, and its ascent to the big screen has been hampered by star Ezra Miller's mental health and legal issues, and the sometimes uncertain state of the DC Universe. Still, the tantalizing prospect of watching Michael Keaton don the cowl again has kept anticipation sky high.

In theaters June 16

Based on the epic Ramayana and directed by Om Raut, 'Adipurush' has been making headlines since its teaser dropped in October 2022. While the VFX were initially hotly-debated, which led to an increase in the already massive budget of the film, there is palpable excitement among the audience as the release date approaches. Shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, the film has a star-studded cast, including Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan.

Premieres at Tribeca Film Festival on June 13, in theaters in India on June 16

'Extraction' took home the title of Netflix's most-watched original at the time of its release in 2020, and Chris Hemsworth, the Russo Bros., and director Sam Hargrave are back to see if they can do it again. As Tyler Rake barely survived getting one target out, we're excited to see how crazy it gets as he attempts to extract the entire family of a ruthless Georgian gangster from a prison.

Streaming on Netflix June 16

The inventive animated worlds crafted by Disney and Pixar continue to floor us with each new release — from Monstropolis in 'Monsters Inc.' to Riley's Mind in 'Inside Out' to The Land of the Dead in 'Coco.' This summer, we'll take a trip to Element City, where Air, Earth, Water, and Fire coexist, but within the strict confines of their separate towns. We have a feeling opposites may attract, and can't wait to see the elements of nature spring to life through characters like Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis) and Wade Ripple (voiced by Mamoudou Athie).

In theaters June 16

The original version of this horror comedy hit the festival circuit back in 2018 and made some waves by roasting a longstanding genre trope and turning the spotlight on Dewayne Perkins, the "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" writer who wrote and starred in the short. Perkins is back for the feature to celebrate Juneteenth this year, with cast upgrades that include Yvonne Orji (we so miss "Insecure"), Sinqua Walls (who is having a year with "Nanny" and "White Men Can't Jump"), and one-time IMDb host Jay Pharoah.

In theaters June 16

Jennifer Lawrence returns to theaters in 2023 as 'The Hunger Games' reboot approaches with an R-rated sex comedy from Gene Stupnitsky, the director of 'Good Boys.' While there's debate whether the source material is legit (the story was inspired by a Craigslist ad posted by parents desperate for their college-bound son to rack up some life experience), Lawrence freely admits she signed up for the role after she and Stupnitsky drank martinis all night.

In theaters June 23

Get the car ready, we're headed to 'Asteroid City.' Join Wes Anderson and some usual suspects, like Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, and Bryan Cranston, in the desert for the Junior Stargazer convention. One thing is for certain, the 11th film from the director will be full of the Wes Anderson-isms we know and love: post-modernist aesthetics, dry humor, and an amazing cast. Did we mention Steve Carell makes his Wes Anderson film debut?

In theaters June 23

Sallah is back but Marion is MIA as Indiana Jones returns for his fifth and final adventure before the character most likely says farewell to the audiences who have loved him for more than 40 years. We're not yet sure what the Dial of Destiny actually does, but we also remember going to the theater to see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' with only a vague idea of what to expect. All signs point to director James Mangold treating Indy with the same love and reverence as he did Wolverine for 'Logan.'

In theaters June 30

Lana Condor is getting into animation after 'To All the Boys' made her a household name. She'll lend her voice to 'Coyote v. Acme' this year as well. What we love about 'Ruby Gillman' is the fact that "South Park" vet Pam Brady co-wrote its screenplay.

In theaters June 30

Scenes featuring coarse language, dodgy international travel scenarios, and a K-pop montage made the 'Joy Ride' trailer pop online. Early reviews from SXSW say the writing and acting is so smart, the hijnks are wonderfully stupid – it's the kind of thing you want from an R-rated comedy. Adele Lim makes her directorial debut, after working her way through TV writers rooms and eventually breaking out with 'Crazy Rich Asians.' Her co-writers, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, are seasoned "Family Guy" vets, so you can imagine just how far the envelope will be pushed.

In theaters July 7

It's been 10 years since we flipped out in The Further with the Lambert family, and 'The Red Door' picks up where 'Insidious: Chapter 2' left off before the horror franchise headed into prequel and spin-off territory. Just like Leigh Whannel before him, Patrick Wilson has found time to direct and act in the movie. And don't fret: Lin Shaye will find a way to appear (even if in spirit form) as psychic Elise Rainier.

In theaters July 7

This off-kilter dystopian buddy movie has been building buzz ever since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. Directed by the producer of 'Humpday', 'The One I Love', and 'Spin Me Round,' the film's early reviews suggest audiences can expect the same combination of heartwarming and demented we've come to expect from a movie starring Mark Duplass. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cringe. You've been warned.

In theaters July 7

Tom Cruise returns for *checks notes* the seventh installment of the 'Mission: Impossible' series, which probably should be renamed 'Mission: Possible' as Ethan Hunt and his team of spies have been taking down the baddies for more than 27 years now. 'Dead Reckoning Part One' also marks the third (and soon to be fourth) for director Christopher McQuarrie, who has written and directed the series since 'Rogue Nation' back in 2015.

In theaters July 12

This mockumentary from real-life best friends Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, and Nick Lieberman got a standing ovation when it premiered at Sundance in January, and it's easy to understand why. With a stellar cast (Patti Harrison, Ayo Edebiri, Owen Thiele) and a wholesome plot, 'Theater Camp' is ready-made to become the feel-good movie of the year. Favorite performance goes to Jimmy Tatro as Troy, the delinquent son of iconic camp founder Joan Rubinsky (Amy Sedaris).

In theaters July 14

Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris, and John Boyega are on a mission to unwrap a sinister conspiracy in 'They Cloned Tyrone.' This genre-bending thriller brings together sci-fi and true crime themes with call backs to '70s blaxploitation films. Directed by Juel Taylor, the film premieres at the American Black Film Festival on June 14 before making it's Netflix debut.

Streaming on Netflix July 21

There are far too many reasons to list why Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' is one of the most anticipated titles of the summer, the year, and quite possibly the century (kidding), but we're going to attempt to name a couple. We learned from the trailer there will be multiple Barbies and Kens in addition to Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, including Issa Rae, Ritu Arya, and Simu Liu. Will Ferrell plays a Mattel exec, and it looks like Barbie and Ken are taking a trip to the 'Real World.' Come on Barbie, let's go party!

In theaters July 21

Most modern movie-goers weren't even born when theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer led the charge in creating the first weapon of mass destruction. This summer, director Christopher Nolan will unleash the paranoid, high-stakes world of war into theaters with his biopic starring Cillian Murphy and a whole host of A-list talent. But it's not just the film genre that marks a Nolan first, 'Oppenheimer' will also feature black-and-white IMAX film, which Kodak invented especially for this summer blockbuster.

In theaters July 21

It might feel like we just got a movie adaptation of Disney's iconic theme park attraction, but a quick look at the calendar reveals that film released, gulp, 20 years ago. There are a lot of reasons to look forward to this spectral spectacle. The all-star cast features some of the most beloved actors in Hollywood (Rosario Dawson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Levy, Owen Wilson, LaKeith Stanfield), while the trailer suggests we'll get the perfect amount of ride-based Easter eggs. But you want to know the best part? Director Justin Simien is a former Disneyland cast member. With all that behind-the-scenes knowledge, you know 'Haunted Mansion' is in good hands.

In theaters July 28

A24 returns to the realms of horror with a supernatural story from first-time feature film directors Michael and Danny Philippou. While the trailer might suggest the classic pale-skin-and-black-veined ghost flick that was so popular in the 2010s, 'Talk to Me' quickly reveals there's something much more devastating happening to the teens reaching out to the afterlife. Prepare to be gut-punched by Sophie Wilde's performance as Mia, a young woman who touches that embalmed hand at just the wrong time in her life …

In theaters July 28

Superstars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt are coming together on the big screen for the first time with Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.' The rom-com has all the makings of a classic KJo film, and for that alone there is intense anticipation around it. With Johar behind the camera, it's safe to say that we're in for a beautiful, vibrant, and dreamy ride!

In theaters in India on July 28

'The Meg' was one of those scripts that languished in development for nearly two decades before the movie earned more than a half billion dollars at the worldwide box office in 2018. While we wait for the official synopsis to drop, we know the sequel ups the ante by introducing multiple megalodons and an array of sea and land creatures who want to eat Jason Statham. Director Ben Wheatley, who specializes in surrealist tales, is probably the person responsible for Statham using a sword to fight a shark in the footage that delighted CinemaCon audiences in April.

In theaters Aug. 4

Everybody from John Cena and Jackie Chan to Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogan signed on to be part of the newest addition to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe, and it's easy to see why. Co-directors Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears were two of the creative minds behind 2021's Oscar-nominated 'The Mitchells vs the Machines.' We can't really tell what to expect from this 21st century update to such a unique '80s invention, but all that talent in one place has us yelling, "Cowabunga!"

In theaters Aug. 4

After a pretty eclectic run of sci-fi and supernatural horror features, we were kind of surprised to see Neill Blomkamp's name pop up as the director of the sports drama 'Gran Turismo.' Tangentially based on the video game, the story is inspired by British teen Jann Mardenborough, who went from playing racing games to competing on the pro-racing circuit. David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou round out the cast.

In theaters Aug. 11

Bram Stoker’s seminal 'Dracula' has seen its fair amount of film adaptations over the years, but even the biggest goths may have forgotten about the book's single chapter that details the Transylvanian monster's passage from the Carpathian mountains to London. 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter' plans to jog our memories with this film that seems to take its inspiration from shows like "The Terror" and Ridley Scott's 'Alien.' Director André Øvredal's impeccable genre track record ('Troll Hunter,' 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe') has us excited to watch this cast of characters meet their doom.

In theaters Aug. 11

Based on the New York Times bestselling LGBTQ+ rom-com novel, 'Red, White & Royal Blue' follows the swoony, rivals-to-boyfriends story between the First Son of the US and the Prince of England. Tony Award-winning playwright Matthew López makes his directorial debut and Taylor Zakhar Perez ('The Kissing Booth 2') and Nicholas Galitzine ('Cinderella') star.

Streaming on Prime Video Aug. 11

Even with an impending reset under new DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, 2023's DC Universe films are no lame ducks. "Cobra Kai" star Xolo Maridueña steps into the role of Jaime Reyes, the third incarnation of Blue Beetle, in this hotly anticipated take on a lesser-known but beloved hero. The film also boasts an impressive milestone in representation, featuring the first Latino superhero to get a feature film, and having a star, writer, and director who are all Latino, too.

In theaters Aug. 18

Let's just get this out of the way: 'Strays' is not a family film. We only point that out so fans of raunchy humor can laugh out loud in the theaters guilt-free and not have to pretend they "didn’t get that joke." Director Josh Greenbaum ('Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar') leads a pack of comedic powerhouses, including Jamie Foxx, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Will Forte, Harvey Guillén, and more.

In theaters Aug. 18