July’s movie lineup is all about the summer blockbuster theater experience.
It’s time to brush aside the streaming services and Google where the nearest drive-in theater is so you can load up the van. Summer is underway, and what would the hotter months be without at least one natural disaster drama, superhero romp, and update on those weird little minions?
In order of premiere date, here are our top picks for movies releasing in theaters this July:
1. Despicable Me 4 — In Theatres, July 3
If you’re asking why we need four Despicable Me movies, you’re asking all the wrong questions.
These family-pleasing films promise silly villain shenanigans, the loveable yellow Minions, and a star-studded cast of recognizable comedians playing ridiculous antagonists. There are worse ways to spend a day at the movies than with one of Steve Carell’s best post-The Office characters.
Film Synopsis: Gru, Lucy, and their girls — Margo, Edith, and Agnes — welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend, Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run.
Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Joey King, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan
Trailer:
2. MaXXXine — In Theaters, July 5
Horror fans are in for a real treat with the not-so-subtle continuation of the Pearl, X universe with Maxine Minx’s rise to fame in 1980s Hollywood.
Despite escaping the clutches of a near-death experience shooting her last porno, Maxine’s big break as a horror star is threatened when a killer begins to stalk and kill her fellow starlets under the cover of night.
Film Synopsis: In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.
Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon
Trailer:
3. Fly Me to the Moon — In Theaters, July 12
Fly Me to the Moon is the latest high-profile rom-com to enter the chat. It looks adorable with its cheery cast of comedically capable stars, a charming 1960s backdrop, and a lighthearted take on the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.
Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum play enemies to lovers tasked with getting America to the moon at all costs, even if it means faking the historic mission.
Film Synopsis: FLY ME TO THE MOON is a sharp, stylish comedy-drama set against the high-stakes backdrop of NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Brought in to fix NASA’s public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Johansson) wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis’s (Tatum) already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Jones is directed to stage a fake moon landing as back-up and the countdown truly begins…
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Ray Romano, Woody Harrelson
Trailer:
4. Twisters — In Theaters, July 19
The highly anticipated sequel to Twister, hilariously named Twisters, sees a new crew of storm chasers team up to investigate a new and deadly tornado phenomenon.
Rising stars Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones play the team’s leads. Powell comes on board as the reckless social media star who chases fame, while Edgar-Jones plays his reluctant adversary, haunted by the reality of being back in action.
When natural disaster movies boast a cast that is this good, you know cinema is really back!
Film Synopsis: Kate Carter, a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years, now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi, to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens, the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew; the more dangerous, the better.
As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler, and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Kiernan Shipka, Paul Scheer
Trailer:
5. Deadpool & Wolverine — In Theaters, July 26
It’s the superhero movie we didn’t believe would ever get made at this point.
Deadpool’s memorable introduction into Disney’s Marvel Studios catalog features a team-up between Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s newly resurrected Wolverine. The third movie promises to right the wrongs of the second Deadpool installment while being as mouthy and R-rated as ever.
Film Synopsis: Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy.
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Matthew Macfadyen
Trailer:
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What movies will you be watching this July? Share your picks in the comments below! And catch up with our June movie picks right here.
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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a writer from Canada. She credits her passion for TV and film to superheroes, workplace comedies, cheesy holiday movies, and coming-of-age stories.
