While the official start of summer won't come until June 20 (laaaaaaame), Memorial Day Weekend marks what most non-scientists would call the beginning of the season. And along with fireworks, humidity and 900 bottles of insect repellent, summer also brings summer movie season. Traditionally, the summer means its time for big blockbuster popcorn flicks and 2025 certainly has no shortage of those.Mission: Impossiblepremiered in theaters this weekend and there are films in the Marvel, DC,Jurassic World,MadeaandJohn Wickfranchises all hitting big screens before Labor Day. (Fast & Furiousis taking the summer off though so don't be tricked into thinkingF1will starVin Diesellike I did). While 2024's summer slate seemed a bit quiet in comparison to the highs of "Barbenheimer" in 2023, the studios are looking to rake in plenty of cash before the beginning of September from both big budget tentpoles and smaller indie darlings. Along with the expensive action movies, this summer also boasts some Sundance and Cannes hits, the return of M3GAN andJude Lawwearing metal dentures. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 To help you determine which movies to see while you're sheltering in the refreshing AC of a multiplex, here is a 2025 summer movie preview with 16 films we think you might be interested in. While you're busy cleaning out your garage and washing all the winter grime off your car, you might as well do some "wax on/wax off"-ing at the theater as well. 15 years after the lastKarate Kidfilm (starringJaden SmithandJackie Chan),Legendsis bringing back Chan and inserting him into the world of the original film along with OG karate kidRalph Macchioand the latest titular martial artistBen Wang. The delightful crowd pleaser seamlessly ties the franchise together in a fun NYC-set adventure (although as a New Yorker, I will gripe and say it was filmed in Montreal). As theJohn Wickfranchise begins its expansion,Ana de Armaswill step in as the film franchise's first non-Keanu Reeveslead. The spinoff will take place between the main series' third and fourth entries and center on a ballerina/assassin from the Ruska Roma group helmed byAnjelica Huston. Those of you who remember de Armas' brief turn inNo Time to Diewill be excited to see the actress flex her action chops. Related:How R.L. Stine Writes a 'Goosebumps' Book (Exclusive) In a somewhat surprising upset, the 2024 TIFF People's Choice Award, which is traditionally seen as a harbinger of a Best Picture nomination among other awards, went toMike Flanagan'sThe Life of Chuck. Flanagan has earned himself a large fandom for strongsci-fi/horror adaptations includingThe Haunting of Hill House,Gerald's GameandDoctor Sleep. This latest adaptation of aStephen Kingnovella, starringTom HiddlestonandChiwetel Ejiofor, was held for summer and doesn't seem to be primed for an awards run, but its intriguing twisting of genres will excite King's legion of fans. The film also marks the big screen return ofFerris Beuller's Day OffstarMia Sara, who hasn't acted since 2013. For those unaware, the writer and director ofPast LivesCeline Songis married to the writer ofChallengersJustin Kuritzkes, both of which are tremendous movies focused on love triangles. Song's upcoming romantic comedy about a matchmaker is yet another love triangle film, this time starringDakota Johnson,Pedro PascalandChris Evans. A third summer in a row filled with unrequited longing? Count me in. While I would argue that theM3GANsequel should have been titledM2GAN,M3GAN 2.0is still one of 2025's most anticipated horror entries.Allison WilliamsandViolet McGrawreturn along with their creepy doll for what is certain to be a bloodier, campier, dancier sequel. Praying they release anarmy of the dollsto dance around New York again for promo. Based on the abysmal reviews for bothJurassic World: Fallen KingdomandJurassic World Dominion, it's a bit surprising that we're getting a fourthJurassic Worldfilm, but they all did make a staggering amount at the box office. This standalone sequel, however, features a new cast includingScarlett Johansson,Mahershala AliandJonathan Baileywearing the sexiest pair of glasses one could imagine.Rebirthhas also brought backDavid Koeppwho co-wroteJurassic Parkand was not involved in theJurassic Worlddisasters as well asRogue OnedirectorGareth Edwardsto helm the project, so perhaps we're moving in the right direction. Related:Bowen Yang and Lily Gladstone Keep Forgetting How 'Radical' Their New Movie Is (Exclusive) FromUpgradedandThe Idea of YoutoYou're Cordially InvitedtoPicture This, Prime Video has been turning out a healthy stream of actually funny comedies. They're back with another one ahead of the July 4th weekend withHeads of State.Idris Elbaplays the Prime Minister of the UK whileJohn Cenaplays the POTUS. When terrorists attempt to assassinate the pair, a rollicking action flick ensues. What better way to celebrate American independence than with a movie about a US President wielding a machine gun? After a few fits and starts over at Warner Bros.' DC wing, they're relaunching the DC Universe this summer with a Superman film written and directed byJames Gunn(who will be helming the DCU moving forward).David Corenswetwill be taking on the mantle withRachel Brosnahanstepping into the role of Lois Lane andNicholas Houltas Lex Luthor. As the MCU continues to struggle under its own massive weight (Thunderbolts*notwithstanding), it will be interesting to see what a brand-spanking-new superhero franchise looks like. The reviews coming out of the Cannes Film Festival have covered the gamut from raves to pans, butAri Asterhas never made a safe movie.Eddingtonfollows upHereditary,MidsommarandBeau Is Afraidwith a COVID-focused western starring Pedro Pascal,Joaquin Phoenix,Austin ButlerandEmma Stone. Are we ready for a COVID movie? I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out. Related:Andrew Burnap Didn't Think He Had a Chance of Landing His 'Snow White' Role (Exclusive) This really is the summer of Pedro Pascal. In addition toMaterialistsandEddington, he'll also be helming the brand new iteration of the Fantastic Four alongsideVanessa Kirby,Joseph QuinnandEbon Moss-Bachrach.First Stepswill kick off Phase Six of the MCU and lead in to twoAvengersmovies coming in 2026 and 2027. After the success ofThunderbolts*, fans are optimistic that the MCU will be able to wrap up The Multiverse Saga neatly, butCaptain America: Brave New Worldalso came out this year. All eyes will be onFirst Stepsto see what direction the franchise is headed. One of Sundance 2025's biggest hits is this romantic comedy starringMolly GordonandLogan Lermanas a couple whose weekend plans go awry. Both Gordon and Lerman are consistently great in everything they touch (if you need evidence watch Lerman in the latest Haim music video), andGeraldine ViswanathanandJohn Reynoldsalso pop up here with great one liners. When I think about slapstick comedy, I don't necessarily think aboutLiam Neeson, but that's who will be helming the upcomingNaked Gunsequel, playing the son ofLeslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin. I'm endlessly curious about this one and based on the trailer, it looks like the tone is finely calibrated.Pamela AndersonandPaul Walter Hauserare also in the cast, so this could sneakily be the funniest movie of the summer. Between a trio of delightful Netflix rom-coms, aMean Girlscameo andmy personal campaign for anSNLreturn, we are living in theLindsay Lohanrenaissance. Her first non-Netflix starring role since 2013 will be in theFreakyFridaysequel. Oscar winnerJamie Lee CurtisandRiverdalestarChad Michael Murraywill also be returning. This is destined to be a magnificent romp. After a string of movies includingHillbilly Elegy,Solo: AStar WarsStoryand theDa Vinci Codetrilogy, many critics skippedRon Howard's latest filmEdenat the Toronto Film Festival in 2024, writing it off sight unseen as a flop. In one of the year's strongest, most entertaining and delightfully dark films, however, Howard turns in his best work this century. Based on true events that happened on a remote island in the Galapagos,Edenfollows three groups of rival settlers who go to increasingly deadly lengths to secure ownership of the rocky wilderness. Think of it asSurvivormeetsSuccessionwithJude Law, Vanessa Kirby,Felix Kammerer,Sydney SweeneyandDaniel Brühlall starring. It'sAna de Armasas a scheming baroness who steals the show though. Don't sleep on this one. While most films from the Cannes Film Festival may never make their way to a cineplex near you,Spike Lee's upcoming crime thriller starringDenzel Washingtonis set to hit theaters in August before its Apple TV+ debut on Sept. 5. The movie is loosely based on a Japanese film from 1963 and also starsJeffrey Wright,ASAP RockyandIce Spiceamong others. There are plenty of rom-coms, but what about a divorce-com? In the modern adaptation ofDanny DeVito's 1989 cult classicThe War of the Roses,Benedict CumberbatchandOlivia Colmanplay a seemingly perfect couple who descend into madness when they decide to divorce. A number of very funny actors have smaller roles in the comedy, which will hopefully having audiences begging for more entertaining divorces. 16 Must-See Movies Premiering in Summer 2025first appeared on Parade on May 25, 2025