If you’re not currently sipping strawberry daiquiris while stretched out on a sun lounger watching the world go by, then you’re doing the summer wrong. The sunshine season is here, it only happens once a year, and you should be taking advantage of it.
But don’t worry, there’s plenty of time left to book a couple of weeks off work to indulge in some summer fun. The summer is still in full swing, the fall/autumn is a way off yet, and you have weeks left to catch up on some much needed (and totally deserved) rest and relaxation.
And if you are planning on indulging in some summer fun, then make sure you find time for some movies too. Between all that sun tan lotion and barbecue food, you’re gonna need a few hours in the shade, and what’s a better way to spend some down time than with a movie?
Whether you fancy a trip to the cinema, or you simply want to do a bit of streaming from the comfort of your own sofa, there are plenty of movies available to keep you entertained. In fact, I have over 30 movie suggestions for you today, all of which are either recent(ish) releases or are titles which are currently on everyone’s radar.
The first of these suggestions is Barbie – a movie which needs little in the way of introduction. Released last Friday, Barbie is the current talk of the town, has already proved to be a gigantic hit with audiences, and is no less than a box office sensation.
Directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie is a fantasy comedy which is unlike anything else out at the moment. The film is causing various sellouts at cinemas (something not seen since Avengers: Endgame) and is on course to be one of the biggest hits of the year.
In my review of Barbie, I said: “With an exquisite set design, some fabulous costumes, a delightful soundtrack, and a heartfelt and emotionally impactful story, Barbie is a gem. The film could have easily been dished up as some low-rent, empty-headed, soulless rubbish, but what Gerwig brings to the screen is something with meaning, integrity, and a sense of purpose.”
If you’re after a film to watch at the cinema this summer, then Barbie should certainly factor pretty high. But why see one film at the cinema when you could see two or three?
If you’re after a double or triple bill, then I recommend you also book tickets for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part One and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Both are great movies, and both are worth a trip to the cinema.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part One is an action-packed thrill ride, complete with death-defying stunts, while Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a dazzling and imaginative adventure story, showcasing some of the best animation ever committed to screen. The two films also prove Hollywood isn’t completely creatively bankrupt, and are excellent examples of what fun can be had with the right characters, story, and visuals.
And if the above trio isn’t enough, then get yourself to your nearest cinema to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The family movie is filled with action, adventure, and plenty of laughs, and boasts an excellent story and quirky animation.
Stepping away from the cinema and if you’d much prefer to stay at home, there are a great number of titles now available on video-on-demand. Recommended movies include Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the Tom Hanks drama A Man Called Otto, and the utterly delightful Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
If horror is your thing then be sure to check out Evil Dead Rise, M3GAN, and Scream VI, as all of these titles are strong films. However, if drama is more your thing then The Whale, Air, Creed III and Till are what you should check out.
You should also add Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves to your summer watch list, because not only are these family-friendly films, they are also both excellent. Each movie offers up a mix of adventure, laughs, and colourful characters, and each is a joy to watch.
Sadly, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves was largely overlooked by audiences during its theatrical run, and as a result it didn’t do so great at the box office. But those who did watch it on the big screen loved it, and the critical reception was very positive.
In my review of the film, I said: “Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves provides plenty of entertainment, it delivers on everything it sets out to do, and it offers solid foundations for more to come.”
Sidestepping from video-on-demand and heading onto streaming platforms now, and while some of the streamers have been a bit hit-and-miss as of late they have offered up some great films. Top titles to check out on Netflix include Bank of Dave, They Cloned Tyrone, Extraction 2, The Pale Blue Eye, and Nimona.
You should also take a look at the music docu-film, Wham!, which charts the career of the ‘80s pop group of the same name. The film is informative stuff and offers a great little window to the past.
Meanwhile, if you subscribe to Apple TV+, then fling your eyeballs in the direction of Tetris and Emancipation. Both are engrossing dramas and both deserve more attention than they got upon release.
And if all the above movie suggestions aren’t quite enough, then why not revisit some stone-cold classics. This year Jurassic Park celebrates its 30th anniversary, as does The Fugitive and What’s Love Got To Do With It; while The Mask of Zorro has just clocked up 25 years; The Dark Knight is 15 years old; and Man of Steel and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox have both been around for ten years.
Sure, it’s great to watch new movies, but why not have fun with some old favourites? The above seven titles are widely available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital, and all are superb.
Right, that’s over 30 top movie suggestions for you so you have no excuses for what to watch. Whether you watch a few, or you watch them all, they will certainly keep you entertained over the summer.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about what movies to watch in 2023. For more movie posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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