The Lion King
The 2019 summer motion-picture show time of year ( that is , May through August ) is right around the niche , so we ’re counting down the must - see films of the skeletal frame . 2019 got off to a realtively dull start , with several movies either disappointing critically and/or fight to take off at the box business office . Fortunately , thing embark on to pick up near the last of February , get withHow to Train Your Dragon : The Hidden Worldand especiallyCaptain Marvel , followed by a handful of hits likeUsandShazam ! . And of class , April will end with a monolithic fringe thanks to the liberation of Marvel Studios’Avengers : Endgame .
Things should n’t slow down much when the proper summertime movie season gets underway , either . Indeed , there are even more superhero tentpoles , some major live - military action Disney remaking , anticipated animated sequels , and a number of exciting - looking horror picture show on the immediate horizon . Of naturally , for those who need a break from music genre fare and dealership , there are some every bit intriguing indie offerings , biopics , and even a Modern Quentin Tarantino flick to look forward to . ( And before anyone asks : Endgamewas onour 2019 Winter / Spring preview , which is why it ’s not listed here . )
Related : Every Avengers : Endgame Trailer , TV Spot & Clip
20. Detective Pikachu (May 10)
Plot Summary : In a world where humans and Pokémon unrecorded side by side , would - be Pokémon flight simulator Tim Goodman joins forces with a offence - solving Pikachu to locate his father , a famous police detective who ’s cryptically gone missing .
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The Breakdown : Warner Bros. ' live - action at law Pokémon flick has gone from being a mild curiosity to one of this summer ’s more anticipated ( and unique - looking ) offerings in recent months . The general world seems to be onboard for Ryan Reynolds’Who Framed Roger Rabbit - style adventure by this point , with its merchandising suggesting thatDetective Pikachuis a playful , family - well-disposed romp that has just enough outlandishness to live up to lover of all things Poke - interrelate . Nostalgia has also played an important purpose in building hype for the film , but so far it looks like the strategy should n’t muff up in WB ’s face like a Psyduck with a cephalalgia .
19. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (May 17)
Plot Summary : John Wick finds himself on the run after pop a phallus of the international assassin ’s order , with hit men and women everywhere hoping to collect the $ 14 million bounty on his head .
The Breakdown : Five year in andJohn Wickhas evolved from a one - off Keanu Reeves action movie to an international franchise with an ever acquire fanbase . The fact thatJohn Wick : Chapter 3 - Parabellumis releasing in the summer ( rather than the fall or winter , like its harbinger ) is a testament to just how popular the serial have become since it quetch off . By the aspect of things , series director Chad Stahelski may’ve been saving the in force for last too , with the marketing hyping some really awe - inspiring hardening pieces , action sequences , and stunt to occur inParabellumproper … assuming thisisthe lastJohn Wickfilm , anyway .
18. Aladdin (May 24)
Plot Summary : A street urchin named Aladdin is granted three wishes by a wizardly Genie , after he acquires a magical lamp sought by the scheming Jafar .
The Breakdown : Guy Ritchie’sAladdinis easy the most controversial live - action retelling of a Disney animated classic yet , thanks to everything from the design ofWill Smith ’s rapping blue Genieto the remake ’s problematical cast , white extras being dress in brownface , and everything in between . At the same time , the originalAladdinis still one of the Mouse House ’s biggest ( and most beloved ) hitting of all sentence , and the odds are good that motion-picture fan will change by reversal out in large number to see this one on the bounteous screen door . Whether they ’ll actuallylikewhat they see , well , that ’s something we ’re all curious to learn the solvent to .
17. Brightburn (May 24)
Plot Summary : A small - townsfolk couple acquire an exotic baby after their seedpod clang - lands on globe , only for the child to grow up and become a crack - powered manslayer .
The Breakdown : fundamentally a repugnance motion picture re - imagining of the Superman mythology , Brightburnhas attracted interest since before it had a claim , thanks to James Gunn ’s involution behind the scenes . The motion-picture show ’s selling has drawn heavily on the iconography ofMan of Steelespecially , leaving many to wonder whetherBrightburnwill finger more like a dark superhero motion-picture show or just another evil child thriller ( albeit , with a superhero twist ) . Horror and/or thriller - flavored superhero offerings likeGlassandHellboyhave struggled to really link up with either critic or general audience this year , so it ’ll be interesting to see how this one fare by comparison .
16. Booksmart (May 24)
Plot Summary : Two best friends , on the eventide of their high-pitched shoal commencement exercise , attempt to bone up four days of misbehavior into one wild Nox .
The Breakdown : Olivia Wilde ’s directorial debut made a grown spattering at SXSW in March , drawing rave review and comparisons to raunchy orgasm of years funniness classics likeSuperbad(only told from a female linear perspective ) . By the sound of it , Booksmarthas the potential to be this year’sBlockersand further cement its unseasoned whizz ( Last Man Standing ’s Kaitlyn Dever andLady Bird ’s Beanie Feldstein ) as talents on the rise . With this August’sGood Boysalso generating strong bombilation follow its SXSW launching , Summer 2019 promises to be a fairly honorable season for radius - rated comedies about misbehaving youth and their shenanigans in general .
15. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (May 31)
Plot Summary : The crypto - zoological bureau Monarch faces off with a number of god - similar fiend , including the infamous Godzilla , Mothra , Rodan , and Godzilla ’s ultimate nemesis , King Ghidorah .
The Breakdown : While we ’ve still got a year to go before Godzilla and King Kong throw down , this yr ’s MonsterVerse offering is shaping up to be pretty exciting in its own rightfulness . Directed by Michael Dougherty ( Krampus),Godzilla : King of the Monstersappears to fuse the grounded style of Gareth Edwards’Godzillareboot with the bright colors and more flakey ogre free-for-all have in Jordan Vogt - Roberts’Kong : Skull Island , to overall positive effect . It remain to be see if the level here is evenly up to snuff , but a elephantine monster movie that syncs well with tunes like " Claire de Lune " and"Over the Rainbow"is definitely doing something right .
14. Ma (May 31)
Plot Summary : A lonely fair sex befriend a group of teenager and lets them party at her house , only for the kids to agnise their host is not what she seems .
The Breakdown : Blumhouse has become known for producing inventive , original repugnance movies and/or thrillers in recent years ( The Gift , Get Out , Happy Death Day ) and that trend wait to continue with their latest project , Ma . The film reunites Octavia Spencer with herThe Helpdirector Tate Taylor , and promises to be one of the weirder , wilder charge rides of the summer , with Spencer extend the room . Some people are even wondering ifMais a direct rebutter to the Oscar - winner being character cast as a sassy , but nuturing sinister supporting type in the former part of her life history . Either way , this is one to keep an eye on out for .
13. Rocketman (May 31)
Plot Summary : The story of Elton John ’s life - from his days as a new melodic prognostication to his rise to superstardom - is told through the lens of a biopic - adjoin melodic fantasy .
The Breakdown : As far as Hollywood biopics about player go , Rocketmanlooks surprisingly originative . By the speech sound of it , manager Dexter Fletecher and virtuoso Taron Egerton ( who , yes , is doing his own singing ) are more concerned in making a picture that captures the spirit of Elton John ’s music than a Wikipedia - style docudrama about his life ( a laBohemian Rhapsody ) . They are n’t shying away from the player ’s legendarily debaucherous modus vivendi either , and may even wind up submit home an roentgen rating for their movement . Here ’s hoping that ’s the typeface , anyway , andRocketmanhews closer to something likeVelvet Goldminethan a non - comedic version ofWalk Hard .
12. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (June 7)
Plot Summary : Jean Grey start to develop incredible powers that transmute her into the life-threatening Dark Phoenix , forcing the X - Men to attempt and either save her … or ruin her .
The Breakdown : The end has come for the X - Men … that is , Fox’sX - Menmovies . Yes , it ’s been all but confirmed thatDark Phoenixwill dish out as a decision to the studio ’s pre - Disney run on the franchise , before the ten - Men are rebooted as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Prior to Disney ’s purchase of Fox , however , it sounded likeDark Phoenixwas design to kick - off a whole new trilogy . The film has since gone through reshoots ( presumably to change this ) , but it begs the interrogative : will the young translation wrap thing up in a satisfying way , or is director Simon Kinberg ( who also wroteX - Men : The Last Stand ) about to go 0 for 2 on adaptation of The Dark Phoenix Saga ?
11. Men in Black: International (June 14)
Plot Summary : A pair of Men in Black agent from the London branch team up to tackle their greatest terror yet : a mole within the MIB organization .
The Breakdown : Although it takes position in the same continuity as the originalMIBtrilogy , valet de chambre in Black : Internationalis distinctly specify to serve as impertinent start for the the laughable book - establish enfranchisement . It ’s a passably promising continuation too , betweenThor : Ragnarokcostars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson play the leash , and F. Gary Gray ( The Fate of the Furious ) calling the shots as manager . By the look of thing , Internationalisn’t essay to reinvent the ( MIB ) wheel so much as give the property a fresh coat of paint , conform to a seven year fracture between movie . If things do n’t ferment out , well , you lie with where the little red release is .
Next Page : Zombies , Evil Dolls , Web - Slingers & The Rock
10. The Dead Don’t Die (June 14)
Plot Summary : living dead suddenly infest a small township , impart it to the local cops and resident physician to try and hold launch the day on their own .
The Breakdown : Nobody take a shit films quite like Jim Jarmusch , andThe Dead Do n’t Dieseems like yet another unforgettably off - beat and idiosyncratic picture show from theGhost Dog : The Way of the SamuraiandOnly Lovers Left Alivedirector . It also sport an all - star cast of histrion , let in several ( Bill Murray , Adam Driver , Chloë Sevigny , Tilda Swinton , and so on ) who have collaborated with Jarmusch to great results in the past . Of course , the filmmaker ’s projects tend to have pretty niche appealingness , and one imago that wo n’t change with his far-out zombie repugnance - comedy . Nevertheless , this has the potential difference to be one of this summertime ’s unspoilt indie offerings .
9. Toy Story 4 (June 21)
Plot Summary : The toys channelise out on a road trip dangerous undertaking that shows Woody just how with child the world can be for a toy - and leaves him questioning his very purpose .
The Breakdown : Continuing theToy Storymovies afterToy Story 3was always going to be a speculative suggestion , butToy Story 4ended up having to deal with even more challenge than expected during yield . However , despite all that , the film is look rather promise right now , with its trailer serving up a healthy blend of light-headed miniature - link up antic and steer of the poignant drama to come . Pixar sequels are typically a footprint down from their predecessors , but theToy Storyfollowups have establish to be the exception to that rule so far . Will that trend continue with the fourth ( and , for real this time , concluding ) entry ? Well , as the marketing ’s put it,“God Only Knows " .
8. Annabelle Comes Home (June 28)
Plot Summary : The Warrens invest Annabelle in their bedamn artifact room for safe - keeping , only for the possessed bird to wake up the evil liveliness that dwell within and point their ten - year onetime daughter , Judy .
The Breakdown : June is going to be a peculiar month for movies about toys " come to life " , between the sack ofAnnabelle Comes Home , Toy Story 4 , and another celluloid we ’ll get to later . That away , the latestConjuringspinoff has a playfulness premiss , and appear to put up all the leap panic attack and pallid - faced demons going " Boo ! " that audience now carry from ( and delight about ) this dealership . LongtimeConjuringwriter - manufacturer Gary Dauberman is cause his directorial debut here , so it ’ll be interesting to see how he compares to the better helmers that’ve work on this supernatural horror property so far ( specially , David F. Sandberg and serial publication architect James Wan ) .
7. Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2)
Plot Summary : Peter Parker essay to enjoy a reposeful summer vacation in Europe with his friends , but terminate up let to save the day when an enigmatic shape named Mysterio shows up .
The Breakdown : Marvel Cinematic Universe fan wo n’t have to wait long for their next repair afterAvengers : Endgame , what withSpider - piece : Far From Homearriving two months later . Ant - Man and the Waspsimilarly hit theatre a dyad calendar month afterAvengers : Infinity Warin 2018 , and put up a welcome change of pace from that monumental crossover . Far From Homeaims to do the same , but also serves as the first brick in the wall for Phase 4 and a teaser of the MCU ’s future to come . Fortunately , it seems that director Jon Watts and his cast have rebottled much of the same mettle and humor that they take toSpider - Man : Homecomingin the subsequence .
6. Midsommar (July 3)
Plot Summary : A young woman and her boyfriend attend a rarefied summertime festival in Sweden that quickly take aim a good turn for the horrifying .
The Breakdown : Ari Aster ’s feature introduction , Hereditary , was one of the most talked - about horror films of 2018 . Needless to say , cinephiles are rummy to see what he ’s fudge up for his sophomore feature article , Midsommar , especially pass on itsWicker Man - esque premise and backdrop . Much his like first motion picture used supernatural horror to examine generational injury , it appears that Aster ’s new offering explores grief and the process of terminate a relationship through a tale that involves bizarre cult and related to fierceness . Midsommarprobably wo n’t have much more luck get across over to the mainstream thanHereditarydid , but it certainly sounds challenging .
5. The Lion King (July 19)
Plot Summary : Lion cub crown prince Simba prepares to become king of the Pride Lands , incognizant that his uncle Scar is plot to seize the can for himself .
The Breakdown : The Lion Kingis one of Disney ’s most beloved title of all time , so it ’s little admiration that motion-picture fan are anticipate the " alive - activity " remake with a mix of curiosity , excitement , and trepidation . On the one hand , The Lion Kinglooks like a visual feast and has the making of a fun " live - activity " escapade , withThe Jungle Bookdirector Jon Favreau at the helm . On the other script , the motion-picture show is n’t precisely promising anything Modern , and there are many who prefer the vibrant colors of the original 2D animated classic to the toned - down pragmatism of the retelling . That being say : it’sThe Lion King , so of course of action ( alotof ) citizenry are going to watch it .
4. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (July 26)
Plot Summary : A former western TV show star and his intrust stunt twice navigate the changing metre in Los Angeles and Hollywood , circa 1969 .
The Breakdown : Originally trust to be a cinema about the Manson slaying , Quentin Tarantino’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodis really a quality piece that takes place against the backdrop of the sixties . The moving-picture show has also been described as a return to the dash and format of the author - conductor ’s breakout work onPulp Fiction- something the merchandising musical accompaniment , with its emphasis on various participant ( both fictional and ground on real multitude , like Sharon Tate ) as they move in and out of one another ’s lives . All in all , this one should provide a welcome severance from the summer blockbuster slating , and may even prove to be Tarantino ’s best project in year .
3. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (August 2)
Plot Summary : Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw are forced to team up and break a cyber - genetically enhanced external terrorist from bring havoc .
The Breakdown : Just when you conceive theFast & Furiousmovies could n’t get any more ridiculous thanThe Fate of the Furious … here comesHobbs & Shaw . The first spinoff in the shockingly durable and evolvable property looks like an over the top sketch escapade show bring to life in live - action , but in the very best way possible . Of of course , it helps to have Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham chair the way and bickering like the marital twosome that their characters should be , all while tucker out up speculative guys and saving the world as though it ’s just another Tuesday . Throw in Idris Elba as"Black Superman"and you ’ve got what fathom like consummate popcorn entertainment .
2. Artemis Fowl (August 9)
Plot Summary : male child wiz Artemis Fowl - a descendant of a long telephone circuit of criminal mastermind - engages in a battle with a secret , potent race of fairy who may be tied to his founding father ’s disappearing .
The Breakdown : Disney ’s taking yet another stab at plunge a new enfranchisement establish on popular author material , this time in the material body ofArtemis Fowl . They ’ve recruited Sir Kenneth Branagh ( who also helm the studio ’s live - actionCinderella ) to call the shots on the task , and so far the results seem promising enough . At the same time , the movie is arrive well after the original books ' prime during the 2000s , and the Mouse House ’s live - action movie making approach has n’t worked so well on non - remaking of late ( see : A Wrinkle in Time , The Nutcracker and the Four Realms , etc . ) . Will Branagh and Disney ultimately crack the code together ?
1. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (August 9)
Plot Summary : A group of stripling in a small American town read a orphic book of account full of scarey stories , and thereafter find themselves being haunted by the stories ' ghouls and monsters .
The Breakdown : Guillermo del Toro and director André Øvredal ( The Autopsy of Jane Doe ) joined personnel to accommodate the famousScary Stories to Tell in the Darkbooks for the big sieve - and so far , the consequence look as freaky and creepy as you would expect , based on the creatives involved . While this summer is n’t hurt for horror movies destine for adults , it dainty to see that adolescent will have something sufficiently spooky to determine out too . fingerbreadth pass over , theScary Storiesadaptation will mange to walk the line between being chilling fun and sodding nightmare fuel the style the original taradiddle collection by Alvin Schwartz did .
Honorable Mentions
Long Shot(May 3 ) - A political rom - com star Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen ? This one ’s sustain pretty strong buzz at the import , following its premiere at SXSW .
Tolkien(May 10 ) - This J.R.R. Tolkien biopic reckon visually impressive so far - but will it prove anywhere virtually as memorable as the account that the author actually wrote ?
The Secret Life of Pets 2(June 7 ) - Illumination ’s sequel seems a bit thin when it comes to plot , but predict to cede more than its average share of pet - related misdeed .
Child ’s Play(June 21 ) - Longtime fan remain wary of this remake ’s technophobic twirl on the ' 80s slasher classic - but hey , Mark Hamill as Chucky sounds creepy so far .
The Kitchen(August 9 ) - Melissa McCarthy , Tiffany Haddish , and Elizabeth Moss as mob wife - turn rabble boss ? This comic Holy Scripture adaptation definitely has voltage .
NEXT : Lion King Will Be Disney ’s Biggest 2019 Movie , Not Endgame
