Off the Shelf Media

There’s nothing quite like walking outside of an ice-cold movie theater into a beautiful sunny evening with the taste of buttered popcorn and blue raspberry slushie still on your tongue. 

Summer was made for movies. And vice versa. 

Originating from the trend of major studios using the summer months as the prime time to market and release their biggest films of the year, the phrase “Summer Blockbuster” is more than a gimmick. In fact, some of the most influential film phenomena like “Barbenheimer” rose to prominence by capitalizing on the season. 

Whether it be because of the crisp air conditioning or slew of days off from work, folks tend to be more willing to flock to the theater in the summertime to spend their hard-earned dollars on the latest films. 

We’re breaking down our list of the top five most anticipated summer movies of 2025. 

But first, a few honorable mentions: 

• Ballerina – June 6, 2025
• Materialists – June 13, 2025
• How to Train Your Dragon – June 13, 2025
• Happy Gilmore 2 – July 25, 2025
• Freakier Friday – August 8, 2025

5. 28 Years Later – June 20, 2025

By no means am I a horror fan. So, for me, 28 Years Later is sitting pretty in the final slot. However, given the hype around the movie and excitement for the franchise, I couldn’t leave it off the list entirely.

The film is the third installment in a franchise that began with 28 Days Later (2002) starring Cillian Murphy. Based on the synopsis, it seems like a pretty standard zombie film, which is one of the most terrifying antagonists of all if you ask me. 

For that reason, I won’t be watching, but for you horror fans, I hope it exceeds expectations!   

4. The Naked Gun – August 1, 2025

The Naked Gun is an action comedy starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Though it’s not my favorite genre, one thing I love is when films remind you of a non-comedian actor’s ability to be funny. While Neeson has had his fair share of cameos and comedic appearances, he’s never one actor that I say, “Oh, isn’t he so funny!” 

This one is a reboot of The Naked Gun (1988) starring Leslie Nielsen. See what they did?

With a slogan of “The single most important Naked Gun movie since the other Naked Gun movies,” I’m pretty hopeful that this one will do right by its predecessor. 

3. Jurassic World: Rebirth – July 2, 2025

Jurassic Park (1993) is a cinematic treasure. That is exactly why studios won’t let sleeping dogs, or dinosaurs, lie. It’s also a guaranteed money maker. Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) made over $1 billion worldwide, and it’s not even a good movie. 

With that feedback in mind, I agree with much of the rest of the world that we don’t need another Jurassic Park spinoff. How many times can you ask me to believe these idiots are willing to keep messing with dinosaurs? However, I want to give this film the benefit of the doubt. Why? To be honest, I’m not really so sure myself. 

It may be because Universal Pictures put out a half-decent-looking trailer. Or it may be because I love Jonathan Bailey of Wicked: Part One (2024) and Bridgerton (2020 – ) fame. In either case, I won’t be rushing to see this movie at a midnight release, but positive reviews could convince me into the theater to see it this summer. 

2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps – July 25, 2025

While I am personally very excited for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I’m not encouraged by the feedback coming out of early previews that this will be an objectively good film. For obvious reasons, I initially wanted to put this one at four. 

Despite an allegedly leaked public test screening calling the film dull, lacking in character development, and overall underwhelming, I am still going to be heading to the theater to see this one shortly upon release. If Thunderbolts* (2025) taught us anything, it is that post-Avengers: Endgame (2019) Marvel does not care about spoilers, which I complain about in my Thunderbolts* review. 

Yet, what continues to excite me about this film is the opportunity for a tone shift, which Marvel seems to be taking. And it’s one the studio desperately needs. Not to mention, the core four cast of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm seems like a dynamic I won’t want to miss. 

1. Superman – July 11, 2025

I have never cared about Superman as a comic, film, or TV character. Despite Superman soaring in at the top of this list, I’m still not sure if I care about the character. But damn if I’m not beyond excited to see what James Gunn can do with control over DC Studios. 

In my review of Creature Commandos Season One (2024), I praise Gunn’s ability to develop characters the audience will care about and spark true emotion. If the trailer is any indicator, Superman is going to fulfill those needs with no issue. The music, the cinematography, the performances, THE DOG. 

I’ve always been a Marvel fan, and I can’t really ever say that the DC heroes struck me in the same way. What really sold me on this movie? The early clip of Krypto the Superdog helping Superman in a way any dog-lover knows all too well. 

What movies are you looking forward to seeing opening weekend this summer? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check out our list of top 5 books on our summer TBR list next.