This will be another summer of bold swings and big risks at the box office. Studios are testing new heroes and stories, while betting on audiences who crave both spectacle and substance. Chances are at least one of these films deserves a spot on your radar.

Swipe ahead and start planning your own watchlist.

Thunderbolts*

July 25

Marvel

Marvel’s Thunderbolts brings together a handful of reformed villains and questionable heroes for a mission that’s as shady as it is explosive. Familiar faces like Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes step into the spotlight in a film full of messy alliances and moral ambiguity the MCU rarely explores. The trailers suggest a grittier tone and Thunderbolts could be the franchise’s most refreshing risk in years.

Elio

June 13

Pixar

Pixar returns to original storytelling with Elio, a cosmic coming-of-age tale about an awkward boy who accidentally becomes Earth’s voice to the galaxy. As usual, expect dazzling visuals and funny dialogue. With recent Pixar sequels getting mixed reactions, Elio has a lot riding on it to remind audiences why the studio still leads animation’s emotional frontier.

Weapons

August 15

Universal Pictures

Zach Cregger, who terrified audiences with Barbarian, returns to the horror genre with a project so secretive that even his devoted fans know only whispers. Set in a small town plagued by unsettling occurrences, the film reportedly explores multiple storylines that collide in chilling ways. Expect minimal marketing, cryptic trailers and word-of-mouth to do the heavy lifting.

Superman

July 11

DC Studios

James Gunn’s Superman aims to do what DC’s troubled universe has failed to do for years — make a film that captures Superman’s original essence. This DCU movie follows Clark Kent’s early career as a reporter and a reluctant hero trying to balance power and humility. Casting choices and behind-the-scenes glimpses point to a lighter tone and character-first storytelling. After the unification of DC’s superhero productions, fans are eager for a Superman who saves the day and the franchise’s reputation at the same time.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

August 8

Marvel

The MCU’s long-awaited cinematic treatment of Fantastic 4 that fans have begged for. Details are tight but early hints suggest a faithful origin that embraces cosmic weirdness rather than running from it. Audiences will meet Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben in a story that mixes family dynamics with inter dimensional threats. Given the MCU’s habit of teasing future villains, expect seeds planted for larger sagas. If Marvel nails the casting chemistry, this team could become the studio’s next big anchor.

Highest 2 Lowest

June 20 | A24

Spike Lee reunites with Denzel Washington for a fifth time in this modern twist on Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low. Washington stars as David King, a powerful music mogul confronted with a harrowing ransom plot that forces him into a high-stakes moral dilemma. The film’s star-studded ensemble cast includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters and Wendell Pierce.

Materialists

July 18

Warner Bros. Pictures

Materialists focuses on a romantic triangle, set in Manhattan’s world of wealth and high status. Director Celine Song is known for pulling raw emotion out of restrained stories, so expect something more soulful than your average big city romance story. If you love smart relationship dramas, this might be summer’s hidden gem.

Eddington

August 1

Focus Features

This is the overlooked story of Sir Arthur Eddington, the British astronomer whose work confirmed Einstein’s radical ideas to the wider world. Part scientific drama, part quiet character study, it shines light Eddington’s mindset while experiencing war, wavering faith and the cosmos itself. Fans of thoughtful biopics will appreciate its slower pace and moral complexity.

The Life of Chuck

June 6

Warner Bros.

Stephen King’s The Life of Chuck is not your typical horror adaptation — it’s a strange, poetic look at a single man’s life story told backward in three parts. Mike Flanagan, who wrote and directed the screenplays for Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game, brings his knack for blending everyday fears with surreal visuals. This is a story that’s more haunting than horrifying, and it explores how one person’s quiet moments can ripple outward.

Smurfs

July 25

Paramount Pictures

The Smurfs get yet another big-screen adaptation, this time fully animated and with Rihanna voicing Smurfette and contributing original songs. This new Paramount and Nickelodeon collaboration takes fans on a brighter, zanier adventure as the village of blue people leaves their mushroom village for mischief in the bigger world. Kids will get slapstick laughs and catchy tunes; nostalgic adults may enjoy a few clever winks to the classic cartoon. If all goes well, this could become a fresh family favorite to revisit every summer.

F1

June 27

Apple

Named after the highest class of worldwide racing, F1 is a drama starring Brad Pitt as a veteran driver who comes out of retirement and Damson Idris as a young hotshot who becomes a teammate and rival. The movie was filmed during real Formula 1 events with support from actual teams. Pitt’s star power combined with raw, on-track footage could turn this into a new benchmark for sports cinema.