Movie Reviews Special: 2025 Summer Blockbuster Scorecard

Welcome to this month’s edition of Movie Reviews Special, which is focused squarely on the blockbusters of summer 2025. Or rather, it’s focused on keeping track of the blockbusters of summer 2025.

Each year, a whole heap of movies are released during the summer season, and despite best efforts and valiant attempts, it can be incredibly difficult to remain on top of them all. However, this is where Movie Reviews Special has got your back.

Below you will find the 2025 Summer Blockbuster Scorecard. All you need do is scroll down and you’ll find the ratings for all the major blockbusters from this summer, covering the big screen releases and streaming titles in one handy guide.

The Scorecard begins with the release of Thunderbolts* at the beginning of May 2025 and runs through all the major films of June, July, and August, concluding with The Toxic Avenger.

—

Thunderbolts* 

Director: Jake Schreier

Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…when Thunderbolts* zeroes in on the darkness that dwells within, specifically during the magnificent third act, the movie truly triumphs!”

—

Final Destination: Bloodlines

Directors: Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein

Cast: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Gabrielle Rose, and Tony Todd

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The death sequences are inventive; the kill count is high; and the laughs keep on coming.”

—

Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning 

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Cast: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Angela Bassett

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The Final Reckoning does pretty much what it promises to do, and if you want dramatic, tension-mounting blockbuster action (that is occasionally a bit nonsense), then you can have it in spades.”

—

Lilo & Stitch 

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Kaipo Dudoit, Courtney B. Vance, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, and Chris Sanders

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…take Lilo & Stitch for what it is and who is going to get the most enjoyment out of it (young audiences who didn’t grow up with the now 23-year-old original) and it’s fine. If you have little ‘uns in the house who are desperate to see it, treat them to a cinema trip, they will have a good time.”

—

Fear Street: Prom Queen 

Director: Matt Palmer

Cast: India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Lili Taylor, Chris Klein, and Ariana Greenblatt

Release: Received a Netflix streaming release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…Fear Street: Prom Queen is perfectly fine to watch, just don’t expect anything special. There is the sense this could and should be better, but it’s certainly not the worst thing.”

—

The Phoenician Scheme 

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Richard Ayoade, and Benedict Cumberbatch

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…The Phoenician Scheme won’t be for everyone, but those who adore Anderson’s work will get a lot out of this film. The comedy is high, the ridiculousness is even higher, and the whole thing is a visual wonder.”

—

Fountain of Youth 

Director: Guy Ritchie

Cast: John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, and Stanley Tucci

Release: Received an Apple TV+ streaming release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “It’s all been done before, and better, but if you like this sort of thing you may find it perfectly fine for what it is. The nuts and bolts are here, it’s just not entirely sure what to do with them.”

—

Karate Kid: Legends 

Director: Jonathan Entwistle

Cast: Ralph Macchio, Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Aramis Knight, and Ming-Na Wen

Release: Received a theatrical release in May.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Karate Kid: Legends isn’t a five-star picture, it’s three stars at most, but it’s a solid three-star offering, which benefits from a fab turn from Ben Wang, as well as enjoyable support from Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. If all you’re after is simple escapism, and a touch of nostalgia thrown in for good measure, you could do far worse than giving this movie your time.”

—

Clown in a Cornfield

Director: Eli Craig

Cast: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Vincent Muller, Will Sasso, and Kevin Durand

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Taking inspiration from various slashers of the past, and chucking in a touch of Scooby-Doo for good measure, Clown in a Cornfield plays like an adult episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark?. A ruddy good adult episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark?! 

—

Dangerous Animals

Director: Sean Byrne

Cast: Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Jai Courtney, and Rob Carlton

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “As with Clown in a Cornfield, Dangerous Animals is another winner. The film is a dark and twisted picture, and one which is confident in its approach and execution. There is a gritty realism to the elements of fantasy, and there are moments of beauty amongst the darkness. Dangerous Animals is one to watch.”

—

The Ritual

Director: David Midell

Cast: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, and Abigail Cowen

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Putting aside the terrible camera work and the repetitive story, there’s really nothing much to say about The Ritual. Stevens is good, Pacino less so, but the movie itself is as dull as ditchwater.”

—

Predator: Killer of Killers

Directors: Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung

Cast: Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa Changchien, Rick Gonzalez, and Michael Biehn

Release: Received a Disney+ and Hulu streaming release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The anthology format can often be a tricky beast, but Trachtenberg and Wassung appear to have (mostly) mastered it. As such, the film offers short sharp bursts of adventure, while at the same time telling a story which has a larger, grander outlook.”

—

Ballerina

Director: Len Wiseman

Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “While Ballerina is unlikely to have everyone pirouetting into the cinema, those who do take a look will find it mostly quite agreeable. The story lacks originality, but the conveyor belt of action makes up for it, and then there is de Armas who is fab.”

—

How to Train Your Dragon

Director: Dean DeBlois

Cast: Mason Thomas, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Gerard Butler

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “If you’re completely new to How to Train Your Dragon, or you perhaps have little ‘uns who weren’t born when the original debuted in 2010, then this remake will find you well. The movie is entertaining, there’s no doubt about it, and it certainly hasn’t been flung together at a whim. However, it is mostly just a re-tread, and not much more.”

—

Deep Cover

Director: Tom Kingsley

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, Sean Bean, Paddy Considine, and Ian McShane

Release: Received an Amazon Prime Video streaming release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “There is definitely something here in the general premise, and Deep Cover isn’t without a few merits (the ‘intervention’ scene is amusing), but ultimately the film just doesn’t land as intended. Despite having three writers on the script, it needs another pass and possibly involvement from some improv comedians.”

—

28 Years Later

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Edvin Ryding, and Ralph Fiennes

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “28 Years Later is a great movie. The film provides plenty of thrills, some gruesome imagery, and a heartfelt story which places family and loved ones at the centre of the tale.”

—

Elio

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, and Adrian Molina

Cast: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, and Jameela Jamil

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Elio lacks the hook and adult appeal of the Toy Story films, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, etc, and it is unlikely to wow everyone, but it’s perfectly likeable stuff. Expect this one to provide family-friendly entertainment over the summer holidays.”

—

KPop Demon Hunters

Directors: Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang

Cast: Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Ken Jeong, Daniel Dae Kim, and Lee Byung-hun

Release: Received a Netflix streaming release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “With a dash of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a smattering of Charlie’s Angels, a good story, likeable characters, and one killer soundtrack, KPop Demon Hunters is a thoroughly enjoyable animated picture which bops, pops, and totally rocks. It’s cute, quirky, and action-packed, and quite simply it is a lot of fun.”

—

F1

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Brad Pitt, with a supporting cast which includes Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “F1 arrives with less of the pomp and circumstance of many of this year’s big summer films, and it certainly hasn’t had as many preview trailers or posters to promote it. As such, you may not be entirely aware of its existence. However, should you be up for a solid sports drama, then F1 is the movie. Sure, it goes to many of the places you might expect, but it does so with a lot of heart, and its eyes firmly on the finish line.”

—

M3GAN 2.0

Director: Gerard Johnstone

Cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Ivanna Sakhno

Release: Received a theatrical release in June.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Those who adored the original, or who want everything the trailer for M3GAN 2.0 is selling, may find themselves not getting the experience they hoped for. Those who want something a little different may find this sequel hitting the spot. Either way, M3GAN 2.0 is going to be one of this summer’s divisive offerings.”

—

Jurassic World: Rebirth

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…entertaining at times and young audiences will no doubt find it enjoyable. As for the rest of us, let’s just be thankful Jurassic World: Rebirth doesn’t contain clone girls, locusts, or scenes where Chris Pratt puts a dinosaur in a headlock.”

—

The Old Guard 2

Director: Victoria Mahoney

Cast: Charlize Theron, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Henry Golding, and Uma Thurman

Release: Received a Netflix streaming release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The story is dull, the pacing is dreadful, and whatever magic circled the first film has long since evaporated. Despite the best efforts of Theron, Thurman, et al, the whole thing feels completely devoid of energy and excitement, and is nothing more than a waste of time and money.”

—

Heads of State

Director: Ilya Naishuller

Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, and Paddy Considine

Release: Received an Amazon Prime Video streaming release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…a so-so actioner, which attempts to mine the cultural and personal differences between American and British leaders for the purpose of laughs. Unfortunately those laughs are few and far between.”

—

Superman

Director: James Gunn

Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…what Superman does is deliver an enjoyable summer blockbuster that doesn’t mess up the character or depress the heck out of anyone. It’s a fun, highly enjoyable Super-adventure picture, with a cute dog, and for the most part it soars.”

—

Smurfs

Director: Chris Miller

Cast: Rihanna, James Corden, John Goodman, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Octavia Spencer, Kurt Russell, Hannah Waddingham, and Dan Levy

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Smurfs aims for a young audience, keeps things simple and straightforward, and is fairly likeable for what it is. Clocking in at a mere 92 minutes, Smurfs is also bum-friendly and should keep little ‘uns in their seats.”

—

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Cast: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Freddie Prinze Jr.

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “I Know What You Did Last Summer is very disappointing. It attempts to recapture the magic of the original, but fails; attempts to walk a similar path to 2022’s Scream, but fails; and attempts to entertain, but fails.”

—

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Director: Matt Shakman

Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, and Ralph Ineson

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The stakes are presented as high and certainly feel high, and the emotional investment is felt throughout. It would seem fairly lazy to call this film fantastic, but hey, sometimes you’ve gotta say what you see.”

__

Bring Her Back

Directors: Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou

Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Sally Hawkins, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton

Release: Received a theatrical release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “This is easily one of the best horrors this year, and a must-watch if you want something dark at this stage of the summer blockbuster season.”

—

War of the Worlds (2025)

Director: Rich Lee

Cast: Ice Cube, Eva Longoria, and Clark Gregg

Release: Received an Amazon Prime Video streaming release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Creatively bankrupt twaddle, more interested in selling audiences on the benefits of a Prime membership than telling a good story. Utter rubbish.”

__

The Naked Gun

Director: Akiva Schaffer

Cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “…it’s all madcap stuff, with jokes coming thick and fast. For the most part, this is a return to the style of humour we got in the original films, with all the slapstick sequences, sight gags, and one-liners all present and correct.”

__

The Pickup

Director: Tim Story

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, and Eva Longoria

Release: Received an Amazon Prime Video streaming release in July.

It’s A Stampede! said: “As action entertainment goes, The Pickup is OK and at times enjoyable enough. Let’s not go crazy and think this is anything amazing, because it’s not, but at around 90(ish) minutes it sort of hits the spot.”

—

Freakier Friday 

Director: Nisha Ganatra

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Julia Butters, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Ryan Malgarini

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Freakier Friday plugs the gap in the summer blockbuster schedule, by bringing the laughs AND by being suitable for the tween crowd. It keeps its eye on what made the original film a success, offers more of the same, and allows Curtis and Lohan to have an absolute ball.”

—

Weapons

Director: Zach Cregger

Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Weapons is an impressive horror. It manages to frighten using very simple techniques, while the mystery is teased and twisted across the movie’s two hour runtime. The end result is a picture which keeps interest levels high, and nails continually bitten.”

—

Nobody 2

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, Christopher Lloyd, RZA, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, and Colin Salmon

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The pace drops a little in places, and the concept lacks some of the freshness which made the original stand out, but there’s nothing particularly bad about what is on offer. Nobody 2 is a likeable action romp, which serves up enough entertainment to hold your interest between mouthfuls of popcorn.” 

__

The Roses

Director: Jay Roach

Cast: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, and Andy Samberg

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “Your enjoyment of The Roses may come down to how much you want to see a couple go through a break up, but there is fun to be had. Not amazing, but yeah, it’s alright.”

__

The Toxic Avenger

Director: Macon Blair

Cast: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Elijah Wood, Luisa Guerreiro, Julia Davis, and Kevin Bacon

Release: Received a theatrical release in August.

It’s A Stampede! said: “The Toxic Avenger is more mainstream than previous Troma movies, but it’s still niche. If your idea of a great time at the cinema is watching something like Return of the Killer Tomatoes, then this latest take on Toxie will suit you fine.”

__

Summer Blockbuster Scorecard

OK, so those are all the movies in release order. Now let’s convert them into their respective scores highest to lowest, to showcase the hits and misses of Summer 2025.

—

__

Thank you for taking the time to read this Movie Reviews Special on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.