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HOT SUMMER MOVIES

While fewer films may be available this year, some vaccinated folks are eager to get out again.



 

Summer is right around the corner, and that can only mean one thing for excited moviegoers. Now is the time to get stoked for fresh films coming back to the theaters.

With folks vaccinated and COVID numbers declining, movie theaters are open again. Indications are that there may be a much bigger turnout than 2020 — the year that tanked box office numbers.

Theaters shut down for months and North American movie theater revenue sank to $2.2 billion from $11.4 billion the year before, according to global box office data compiled by Comscore.

It also was the year that forever changed our viewing habits, leaving our desire to watch movies on the big screen unfulfilled.

Hollywood production has been slowed, so there will be fewer releases initially. Production is beginning to ramp back up.

Production studios like HBO Max have made some big decisions, including the release all of its films on its platform at the same time as in theaters.

When “Godzilla vs. Kong” was offered online and in theaters, many viewers stayed in, but plenty went out. The turnout proved this much — some people still want the big-screen experience. For anyone who thought streaming was the only new reality, this film’s $33 million in opening weekend box office numbers showed otherwise.

 

“Godzilla vs. Kong” has earned the title of biggest moneymaker since COVID, earning an estimated $450 million in sales worldwide.

Then came the international release of the action-packed blockbuster “Fast & Furious 9,” breaking this year’s opening weekend record with more than $160 million. The movie is set for release in the U.S. June 25. Here are a few more summer movies worth consideration.

“A Quiet Place Part II”

When John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” surpassed $300 million at the box office back in 2018 the sequel was already being planned. The film, which became one of the highest gaining horror films in history, now brings back scary in a bigger way. In “A Quiet Place Part II” we rejoin Krasinski and Emily Blunt, who face terrors no longer just at home but creepiness that threatens the entire planet.

 

May 28

PG-13 | 1h 37min

“Cruella”

For many of us who fell in love with “101 Dalmations,” made famous in the Disney animated film from 1961, and then subsequent films to follow in later years, “Cruella” takes a close look at just how the villain became such a dog-hater. Starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson, the film hits theaters and premier access initially for $29.99 on Disney+.

May 28

PG-13 | 2h 14min

“In the Heights”

Before Lin-Manuel Miranda rose to Broadway fame and fortune by producing, writing, directing and starring in Tony-award-winning hit “Hamilton,” he wrote a little Broadway show called “In the Heights.” “In the Heights,” originally a Broadway musical in 2008, is set for a summer release. With all of the promise of a cast that might offer the gold standard of ‘triple threat’ set by classics like “Singing in the Rain,” “West Side Story,” and “American in Paris,” the film, set in Washington Heights, tells the story of dreamers who assert their dignity by telling the world they are not invisible. Opening simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, the Jon M. Chu film stars Anthony Ramos and Corey Hawkins.

 

June 11

PG-13 | 2h 23min

“F9”

There may not be a better way to plunge into summer movies than the latest from the Fast and Furious. It stars Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris and other familiar faces as they drive, and fly, cars much faster than you might ever see, and more furiously than you could imagine.

 

June 25

PG-13 | 2h 25min

“Black Widow”

Before Black Widow became an Avenger she made mistakes. Go back in time and see how she became such a badass in this film about Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and her life as it was between Civil War and Infinity War. In case you forgot, this is one of the films that had held out from going straight to streaming during the pandemic. Looks like the gamble might pay off with fewer action films in the theaters. It will be available in theaters and premier access on Disney + initially for $29.99. Also starring Florence Pugh and Rachel Weiss and directed by Cate Shortland.

July 9

 

PG-13 | 2h 13min

“Space Jam: A New Legacy”

For those who quarrel about who was the best basketball player ever to live, two names come to mind — Michael Jordan and LeBron James. If you are from Chicago it is Michael Jordan. Acting on the heels of Jordan, James produces and stars in the animated movie whose character gets woven into a sequel of sorts to the first “Space Jam” — which came out in 1996 — with all the Warner Bros. animated characters including Looney Tunes stars Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Yosemite Sam and friends. Also starring Zendaya and Don Cheadle the film includes various NBA and WNBA stars. It will be available in theaters and streaming on HBO Max simultaneously. Rumor has it Jordan will make an appearance.

July 16

“Hotel Transylvania: Transformania”

 

If spooky, animated family comedy is your thing, look no further than this sequel that brings back Drac and his monster pals, who get transformed into humans. Stripped of Drac’s powers, the team need to traverse the globe for a cure before it’s too late. It is directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska, and stars Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Brian Hull, Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher, Jim Gaffigan and Molly Shannon.

July 23

“Jungle Cruise”

Pair The Rock with Emily Blunt for a cute-looking film where a theme park takes cruisers through a jungle filled with dangerous elements including leopards and reptiles. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt and Paul Giamatti. Available in theaters and premier access on Disney + initially for $29.99.

July 30

PG-13 | 1h 30min

 

“Zola”

Comedy, animation and family movies not quite your thing? How about a movie about strippers tripping to strip and trap in Florida? Originally screened at Sundance in 2020 pre-pandemic and based on the real live tweets of @zolarmoon in 2015, the film is written and directed by Janicza Bravo, and set mostly in Florida. Starring Taylor Paige and Riley Keough, be prepared for graphic sexual scenes, and a strange turn of events as the duo become victims of trafficking and nearly insurmountable pain. The film somehow manages to take a horrific real-life story and still get a laugh at the lighter side, giving viewers a roller coaster ride, most could never imagine. Look for it to stream and screen in select theaters.

June 30

R | 1h 30min ¦

— Eric Raddatz is the founder and director of the Fort Myers Film Festival, the presentation editor at Florida Weekly, host of T. G. I. M. indie series in Fort Myers and regular contributor on NBC- 2, ABC- 7 and iHeart radio in South Florida.

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