2025 has been a mixed bag for cinema at best–the highs of titles like Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning, Sinners, and most recently 28 Years Later rise among the Hurry Up Tomorrows of the year.
As we enter July, this year may turn into a truly good movie year in one fell swoop. The summer box office bonanza is picking up steam, and some of the biggest movies of not only the summer but of the entire year are finally here.
With that in mind, here are 10 new movies coming out in July that you should check out!
Jurassic World Rebirth (July 2, Theatrical)
The Jurassic franchise is back in colossal fashion with Jurassic World: Rebirth starring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Arriving three years after the disastrous Jurassic World: Dominion, Rebirth hopes to turn the franchise around with Gareth Edwards, director of the awe-inspiring Rogue One, at the helm. David Koepp, who penned the original Jurassic Park in 1993 along with this year’s underseen gem Black Bag, is a promising addition to the installment. It’s safe to say that loud dinosaurs and good-looking movie stars are never a bad time at the movies.
The Old Guard 2 (July 2, Netflix)
Five years after The Old Guard, Netflix and Charlize Theron are back for another action-packed adventure in The Old Guard 2. A notable cult classic franchise within the Netflix library, The Old Guard 2 sees Andy (Theron) struggling to live out her life after the fallout of the first film (which I’ll keep a secret so you can double feature these movies!) until an impending threat comes her way in which her group of immortal friends must fight to save the world. One additional note to pique your interest–Uma Thurman has joined this installment. It’s sure to be entertaining!
Superman (July 11, Theatrical)
One of two superhero movies releasing this month, Superman brings a lot to the table: David Corwensweat as the iconic Clark Kent, DC’s first movie release since the Joker: Folie à Deux debacle, and, most notably, the first DC film under the new Co-CEO James Gunn, who has a history of successful superhero movies with Marvel. It goes without saying that the expectations of him delivering a shiny directorial outing with Superman are sky-high. The trailers and marketing make it look like the perfect initial superhero movie of the summer, and with box office tracking at $135 million opening weekend, it’s sure to be the talk of the town.
Eddington (July 18, Theatrical)
Ari Aster, oh, Ari Aster. Eddington, his latest in a long line of collaborations with A24, premiered at Cannes to let’s just say not ideal reviews. But that shouldn’t stop you from being excited for it! This New Mexico-set modern-day Western follows the standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a sublimely stacked cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, this political thriller is sure to be divisive upon its release.
Smurfs (July 18, Theatrical)
The Smurfs are back–this time in a movie just titled Smurfs. Smurfette must lead the Smurfs on a mission to the real world to save Papa Smurf, who has been taken by evil wizards, oh no! The real selling point here, other than this being Paramount’s first foray into this franchise after Sony had created and produced the films since 2011, is the cast. Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, John Goodman, Kurt Russel, Sandra Oh… the list goes on and on. In a month that is significantly light on children’s-focused fare, there’s a good shot Smurfs becomes a huge hit at the box office and beyond.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18, Theatrical)
The cult classic I Know What You Did Last Summer was a staple horror film in 1997, and now it’s back for new blood! This time, led by Madelyn Cline of Outer Banks fame, the story remains the same as before: A stalker terrorizes a group of friends, using their knowledge of a gruesome incident from their past as motivation. There are few things in life more thrilling than a tried and true horror movie in the dead of summer, so count me in on this one!
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, Theatrical)
Superhero movie number two of July, Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps has all of the components to make it the most successful movie of the summer, with Pedro Pascal leading a well-known team of superheroes, a 1960s-inspired setting, and the potential return to form the MCU has been so dreadfully missing as of late. Bringing in the biggest villain since Thanos with Galactus and a fan-favorite in Silver Surfer, the baddie energy is at an all-time high with this film. Will it climb its way to $1 billion? It’s entirely possible. And could the MCU truly be back after this? My money is on yes.
Happy Gilmore 2 (July 25, Netflix)
In keeping with the trend of extending the lives of 1990s movie franchises, Netflix is giving us the legacy sequel we never knew we needed (or even wanted) in Happy Gilmore 2! Adam Sandler returns as the titular Happy Gilmore, this time living a life post-Tour Championship. Christopher McDonald returns as the iconic Shooter McGavin, alongside some new faces in Margaret Qualley and Bad Bunny. This movie is, at the very least, sure to be funny… right?
The Home (July 25, Theatrical)
The Home is likely a movie you haven’t heard of yet, so let me fill you in. Pete Davidson (Yes, the Pete Davidson) plays Max, a troubled man who starts working at a retirement home. He soon realizes that the forbidden fourth floor may contain some unsettling secrets about the facility, so naturally, he investigates. Horror and trauma and things transpire from there. At 97 minutes, it’s in the right zone to be a wild horror romp. This could also very well be a complete disaster. There’s only one way to find out when it releases on July 25th…
Together (July 30, Theatrical)
Neon promises to finish the month strong with Together, their new horror breakout from Sundance. Real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie star as fictional couple Tim and Millie in a sure-to-make-you-squirm story about the horrific evolution of a couple’s love (in more ways than one). With Neon themselves calling it “the most fucked up date movie,” I think it’s safe to say that Together will be one of the most-anticipated movies of July by many people.
List Courtesy of Ethan Simmie
Feature Image Credit to Wondros for AMC; Elvis for Odeon via YouTube
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