Summer isn't here yet, but that doesn't mean we can't start looking forward to it. Amidst the blazing sun, the cool waves and that late afternoon breeze, there is another constant and that is, you guessed it, Summer Movies. No matter how good or bad they are, one thing about them is always certain. There will always be more next year.
However, in 2017, we have a year like no other. Before you roll your eyes and sigh, "You guys say that every year!" Know one thing, we do not. There is just something about this latest list that seems to stand out more than in recent years. As always, there's an eclectic mix. But this thatch of films really shimmies into uncharted territory.
How you ask? Well, have we ever seen a movie that tackles the inner emotions of an emoji? Has Captain Underpants ever been given the big screen treatment? What about the big screen pairing of Spider-Man and Iron Man in their own movie? Not to mention All Eyez on Me, the Tupac Shakur movie? Also mixed into this, we have some anticipated (even if familiar) horror in Annabelle 2. We've got the comedy/drama Rough Night which sees a night with a male stripper go very bad (did you see what I did there...Very bad things....as in we know this is just a thinly veiled remake of Very Bad Things....But no one is going to notice, right?). Then there's a film like It Comes At Night which can best be described as a thinking person's horror film.
So it is without further adieu that we give you all the summer movies you definitely don't want to miss. This list has been copiously aggregated. Know that we left no stone unturned in trying to bring you the creme dela creme of of 2017 Summer movies.
37 Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (May 4)
How good does it make you feel that there is going to be a new Guardians of the Galaxy movie this summer? Yup, you heard that right. Star-Lord, Gamora, Baby Groot, Drax and a bunch of other characters are returning for another installment of this popular franchise. Add to this that none other than Kurt Russell is joining the cast, and you have a film that is practically a license to print money. This new adventure goes even deeper in trying discover who Peter Quill's/Star-Lord's parents were. If this seems like unusual fare for a comic book movie that is precisely what makes Guardians of the Galaxy so special. Young people love it because of the bigger than life characters. Adults love it because it is a kids film with adult sensibilties. Big summer blockbusters don't come anymore readymade than Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
36 Lowriders (May 12)
This may not be the biggest film of the 2017 summer season, but it is probably the coolest. Lowriders examines a street artist who is caught up in his family's drama. His father is obsessed with lowrider culture. His brother is an ex-con. All of these things boil over in this hyper-realistic look at low rider life. With many people thinking that summer movies are nothing more than advertisements filled with popcorn, Lowriders seems destined to shatter this mold into oblivion. Okay, will this movie be the biggest release of the summer? Probably not. However, when it's all said and done, something tells us that people will still be talking about this film long after the 2017 summer season passes.
35 Snatched (May 12)
Gotta be honest, this film seems like it could be released any time and it would probably be okay. People still love Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer appears to be getting even more popular. The fact that this is a summer movie only makes this film's profile bigger. The story isn't anything we haven't really seen before. A girl (Schumer) gets dumped and then heads to paradise with her scared-of-life mom (Hawn). Something tells us that this simple storyline is going to bring the funny once we see it fully realized on the big screen. Both ladies are comic icons (okay, Schumer is on her way to being one), and this pairing could kick off a series of films in which we see them play against one another. Amy and Goldie Meet the Mummy, anyone?
34 King Arthur: the Legend of the Sword (May 12)
When young King Arthur's father is murdered, Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur's uncle, seizes the crown. Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, his life is turned upside down, and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy whether he likes it or not.
33 The Wall (May 12)
No, this film isn't a look at the structure President Trump keeps discussing that's going to separate the US from the world. It is actually a war film from none other than Doug Liman (Swingers, The Edge of Tomorrow). Something tells us that in his capable hands, this tale of an American sharpshooter in a standoff with an Iraqi sniper will be deftly handled. The fact that it is a contained film, even though it takes place out in the open winds of Iraq, is even more impressive. In fact, based on the trailer the film seems to have 3 characters. The American sniper, the Iraqi sniper and the American soldier in between them. And if I told you that the soldier in between them was John Cena, and that he could very well be nominated for an Academy Award, what would you say to that? Exactly, bring on the Summer 2017 movie season!
32 Alien: Covenant (May 19)
Prometheus may have made nearly half a billion dollars worldwide but it wasn't what we really expect from an Alien movie. Alien Covenant seems like that is the film that should have followed Alien: Ressurection. This film sees what happens when the crew of a colony ship finds a new world, and at the same time discovers a threat bigger than anything they can comprehend. With some of the characters from Prometheus returning for this fifth go round (namely Michael Fassbender), Alien: Covenant certainly looks like we won't have to wait until the final few moments of the film to see the freaking alien! This movie also seems to recall the dark, smokey look that the first Alien managed to achieve. For fans of this franchise (whether you loved or hated Prometheus), this summer flick cannot come soon enough!
31 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (May 19)
Greg Heffley is back at his mischievous best in Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4. Greg tells his parents he wants to go on a road trip for his grandma's 90th birthday. Wow, that seems like a totally different Greg then we've seen in the other books and movies, right? Wrong! Greg really wants to take this trip so that he can attend a gamer convention that's close to where the party is. Okay, with what seems like a new cast inhabiting this film, this is probably the 2017 summer film that will make you feel the oldest. First off, Alicia Silverstone and Tom Everett Scott are the parents. Doesn't it seem like only a few weeks ago they were in a bunch of teen films? Also, the fact that Greg himself (originally played by Zachary Gordon) is now being played by newcomer Jason Drucker, signals that we're no longer as young as we used to be.
30 Everything, Everything (May 19)
It would be easy to write this film off as some rip-off a The Fault in Our Stars. However, at a time in this country when everything seems racially charged, it's nice to see a movie that doesn't seem to be thinking at all about that. This movie follows a girl named Maddy who falls for a guy named Olly. Their relationship is perfect except Maddy is allergic to everything and has apparently never been outside. How's that for counter movie programming? Ultimately, amidst a summer filled with eclectic releases, Everything, Everything might just be the most important of the bunch.
29 Baywatch (May 26)
In Baywatch, Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) and a brash new recruit (Zac Efron) uncover a criminal plot that threatens the future of the bay. This new take on the classic TV show arrives with an R rating, and promises to have plenty of nudity, both male and female, along with some blazing hot action and some great music. This is pure popcorn fodder, a perfect excuse to escape the heat for two hours and settle in for some free air conditioning and a few well-placed quips from The Rock. What more could you want in a summer movie? Baywatch is sure to deliver.
28 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (May 26)
Thrust into an all-new adventure, in Pirates 5, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil's Triangle. Jack's only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.
27 Wonder Woman (June 2)
Gal Gadot and Chris Pine could probably team up to shoot a movie scripted on toilet paper and audiences would flock to it. That this is a superhero film centering on one bad ass lady only makes the prospects of Wonder Woman that much more enticing. This new version sees Wonder Woman (Gadot) make the acquaintance of Steve Trevor (Pine) when he crashes on her island. She soon learns about a battle beyond her shores and Wonder Woman takes it upon herself to get involved in a very big way. Featuring women kicking ass, uber special effects, and lot of eye candy in all directions, Wonder Woman seems poised to make a pretty big splash. Add to this that Gadot's Wonder Woman also hangs out with Connie Nielsen, Lisa Loven Kongsli and Robin Wright and that makes this film worth the price of admission alone.
26 Captain Underpants (June 2)
The 2017 Summer movie season needs a film like Captain Underpants. Who doesn't love a story about some scrappy kids who hypnotize their mean elementary school principal and rebrand him as the comic book hero of the film's title. Add to this that we've got Jordan Peele, Kevin Hart and Ed Helms on board and this film suddenly gets even more interesting. Look, the reality of life tis that it goes fast. We often don't have time to enjoy everything we'd like to. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie reminds us that we need to enjoy the world around us. We need to respect this life we have because we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time.
25 The Mummy (June 9)
The world didn't seem to be clamoring for a reboot of a Brendan Fraser vehicle. However, with Tom Cruise and the lovely Sofia Boutella in the main roles, that has piqued our interest in a big way. The story is fairly pedestrian, An ancient princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence blah, blah, blah. As I said, you've seen this story before. So what makes it one of the summer films to see in 2017? Well, Tom Cruise is still a box office juggernaut. Whether you love him or hate him, you know that he puts everything he has into every movie he makes. Quite simply, the guy isn't going to make a crummy movie. Add to this that the effects scream big budget, tentpole, popcorn flick and that also seems to bode well for this film. Lastly, director Alex Kurtzman is moving up from producing films like The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to the coveted spot of director here. Also, he's apparently going to be making a Venom movie (based on the Todd McFarlane property). So its safe to say if you want big budget thrills this summer...The Mummy should deliver.
24 It Comes at Night (June 9)
It Comes at Night seems more in line with independent films and the fall release schedule. However, that is also what makes it such a juicy release for the 2017 summer season. This interesting horror, mystery looks at what happens when the world is being terrorized by an unknown force. A man is holing up with his family and suddenly has to decide between protecting them and saving others. At first glance this might seem like an elongated version of The Twilight Zone but with Joel Edgerton and Riley Keough headlining this thriller, It Comes At Night could turn out to be the sleeper hit of the summer.
23 Cars 3 (June 16)
Lightning McQueen is back in Cars 3 and after all this time he's become the Doc Hudson of the group. Okay, that isn't the story exactly but its kind of like that. Basically, Lightning McQueen is determined to show a bunch of newbies that he's still got the speed when there's a need. The first Cars movie was a truly special film. Directed by John Lasseter, it really looked at how we can sometimes get so busy that we let life pass us by. Cars 2 made the mistake of trying to be some sort of action/espionage film centered around Mater. The reality with this film, with all the Pixar films, is that their movies are based on heart. When they lack that, when they go astray from that overall theme, they ultimately lose what makes them special. Something tells us that Cars 3 has revved things up to the right place, and that puts the 2017 Summer movie season in first place.
22 Rough Night (June 16)
The trailer for this film looks like a cross between any Seth Rogen movie and Weekend at Bernies. However, it features a female cast and a comedic turn by Scarlett Johansson. And it looks pretty darn great. Basically, Scarlett and some gal pals hit Miami for the weekend. Everything is going great until they accidentally kill a male stripper. No, this movie doesn't take the dark comedy turn of Very Bad Things, but it appears to come dangerously close. Filled with comic hijinks, sight gags and plenty of jokes about the male anatomy, Rough Night accidentally seems to rise above its 10 cent title. The Summer 2017 movie season would be lost without a film of this nature. (P.S.: Yes, we know it's just a remake of 1998's Very Bad Things, but it's been swimming around in the three dollar bin at Big Lots for so long, I guess the director didn't think anyone would notice. Here's to seeing Rough Night in that same bin a few years from now!)
21 All Eyez on Me (June 16)
What makes All Eyez on Me more than some big budget biopic? Well, the fact that Benny Boom seems to have told this story in an almost sacred manner has a lot to do with it. People love, revere and still think that Tupac Shakur might be alive. Well, one look at this film seems to bolster that claim as that is how convincingly Demetrius Shipp, Jr. seems to have pulled off this iconic character. This film looks rugged, raw, and real and that is more than enough to interest fans, cineastes, and others in between. To some they feel that Tupac was a prophet. Others see him as a political martyr. Some simply see him as a grand performer. Whatever your take is, All Eyez on Me seems poised to be 2017's Straight Outta Compton.
20 Transformers: The Last Knight (June 23)
The logline for Transformers 5 is that humans and Transformers are at war. Also, Optimus Prime is gone and it seems like the key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past... in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. There is something different about this Transformers movie. The other films seemed bent on putting as much destruction on screen as humanly possible. A big knock on Michael Bay is that his films are long on spectacle but short on story. Well, that really doesn't look like the case here. Michael Bay seems intent on telling a visually stunning, yet epic story. It is doing everything it can to merge characterization into its visually pleasing, cinematic soufflé. And for the 2017 summer movie season, the whole season will be richer because of it.
19 The Bad Batch (June 23)
The cast of The Bad Batch features Keanu Reeves, Diego Luna, Jim Carrey, Jason Mamoa and cannibals. Oh, and get this, it's also a love story set in Texas. Ana Lily Amirpour really wowed people with her genre bending tale, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. That movie was so unique that it was bound to get boatloads of attention and make her next film even bigger. The interesting thing is that, even with a cast of big name actors, The Bad Batch is probably not going to be vying for the top of the box office during the Summer 2017 movie season. At the same time, if nothing else, The Bad Batch might just be the most interesting film of 2017. And considering how interesting the 2017 summer films are that is really saying something.
18 Baby Driver (June 28)
The title, Baby Driver, might be enough to dismiss it. However, if this film plays as strongly as it's trailer and description, it just might be The Italian Job of 2017. This film follows Baby (Ansel Elgort). He takes a job working for a crime boss and soon realizes that what they want him to do is impossible. This cast also features Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal, Kevin Spacey and the lovely Lily James. With solid direction from Edgar Wright (hey, he did amazing action work with Hot Fuzz, right?) this film seems like a pulse pounding action fest that is sure to electrify the screen. With well composed visuals, incredible chase scenes, and a bevy of solid thespians in cahoots, Baby Driver will be 2017's thinking man's, summer action film.