Toy Story, Jackass, The Odyssey: 15 of the best summer films
Toy Story 5, The Odyssey, and Moana are among the big films being released this summer
Our own Eve Hewson joins a cast that includes Emily Blunt and Colin Firth in the latest from filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg. The plot — the less you know about going in, the better — centres on a meteorologist and cybersecurity expert who investigate a government cover-up of sci-fi proportions. The great John Williams — who collaborated with Spielberg on several films including and returns to score.
Toys meet tech — and are unimpressed at the latest existential threat to their playtime — in a joyful new adventure from animation giants Pixar. Andrew Stanton directs and co-writes the film, in which cowgirl Jessie takes the reins. Shy youngster Bonnie, who took in Andy’s toys when he went to college, gets her first tablet, sparking panic among Buzz, Woody and co. What unfolds is a powerful and complex tale themed around friendship and tech.
Director Craig Gillespie joins forces with Australian actress Milly Alcock, cast as the superhero character. She plays Kara Zor-EI/Supergirl as she travels across the galaxy on a quest for revenge. Matthias Schoenaerts and Jason Momoa go along for the ride.
Some of the most outrageous stunt people and pranksters we’ve ever seen on screen are getting the band back together for one final movie. The notorious Johnny Knoxville, Chris Pontius and Steve-O lead an adventurous cast of daredevils as they take on a new series of crazy schemes in celebration of 25 years of eccentric stunts that you should not try at home.
Originally supporting characters in in 2010, the Minions have become bona fide movie stars in their own right. Their latest adventure — destined to be one of 2026’s biggest box-office hits — introduces us to Irene, an orange blobby monster with multitudes of bulging eyes. After unleashing her into a world where she immediately starts to cause havoc, can the Minions save the day? Longstanding director Pierre Coffin returns to helm.
Disney continues its pattern of making live-action adaptations of some of its most beloved animated films with this new take on its 2016 hit. Australian actress Catherine Laga’aia has been cast as the young character as she embarks on a challenging adventure. Dwayne Johnson reprises the character of Maui he voiced in the original film — complete with live-action curls and tattoos.
Horror is always a popular cinema audience draw in summer, and the latest movie in the series is likely to put bums on seats following Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin’s The standalone horror centres around the aftermath of a family bereavement as a family gathers in a secluded house. You know that won’t end well. Sébastien Vaniček directs a cast led by Souheila Yacoub
July has proven to be a good release month for top British filmmaker Christopher Nolan, following the critical and commercial success of and a Best Actor Oscar for Cillian Murphy. He’ll be hoping lightning strikes again in what is one of the year’s most-anticipated films. Adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek epic tome, the action centres on Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he embarks on a perilous journey to return home following the Trojan War. The big-name cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Anne Hathaway.
It’s set to be a busy screen summer for Tom Holland as, following he returns to play cinema’s favourite web-slinger. The latest instalment in Holland’s likeable run sees Peter Parker trying to manage the pressure that comes with protecting New York City full-time. But his existence comes under threat as a strange and dangerous new pattern of crimes emerges.
Comedy tends to play well with audiences during August holidays and the team returns with their latest blend of comedy, farce and crime caper. This time around, the Troopers are aiming to save an engagement that spirals into chaos, while trying to break a dangerous new drugs ring in advance of the wedding day.
An impressive cast including Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor have boarded this science fiction survival tale from David Robert Mitchell, who previously brought us the acclaimed It revolves around a family that struggles to navigate their new surroundings after a cosmic event transports their suburban neighbourhood to someplace unknown.
Summer isn’t complete without a slice of Jason Statham badass action and the British actor returns with his latest. He plays Cole Reed, a former British Special Forces member and police officer who now works privately. Accused of murdering a wealthy friend, Reed goes on the hunt for the killer as he attempts to clear his name. French filmmaker Jean-François Richet is at the helm.
Some of cinema’s most popular funny women — Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau and Anna Faris — join forces in this comedy set around, you guessed it, a spa holiday. It tells the story of three friends who head off for some badly needed pampering and downtime, only for their chaotic friend to show up unexpectedly. It’s from directing and writing duo, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore.
Two New Yorkers search for love in a romantic comedy with an unusual premise. For Will Gluck’s film is set in a world where sex is legal for only one night of the year. An impressive cast, including Monica Barbaro, Callum Turner and Maya Hawke, has jumped on board for this late-summer release.
Top filmmaker Ridley Scott has assembled a cast that includes Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce for his post-apocalyptic feature. The film is set in the aftermath of a devastating flu pandemic that has almost eradicated humanity, as survivors fight for a better life. The story is adapted from the 2012 novel by Peter Heller.
