Here are the 10 summer movies you must see from 'Men' to 'Nope' to 'Bullet Train'

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

Summer is when the movie industry makes its money.

Or it was, pre-pandemic. And maybe it will be again. There are certainly enough big-name sequels and prequels and whatnot coming up between now and September to make that a possibility.

You never know. There’s usually a sleeper big hit to go along with what looks like a sure-fire smash that tanks. Predicting which films will fit those descriptions is a fool’s errand (though one that pays awfully well, if you run a movie studio).

These are the 10 movies I’m most looking forward to this summer. I think. It changes depending on the day. You’ll note some big ones are left out. Yes, “Top Gun: Maverick” comes out (finally) on May 27. Yes, “Jurassic World Dominion” comes out June 10. Go see them. I’m sure I will.

But I want to see these 10 more.

What movies are coming out this summer 2022?

‘Men’

A cheat, because I’ve seen it. But I’ll see anything Jessie Buckley is in. She’s maybe my favorite actor right now, and she is great at interpreting bizarre material (“I’m Thinking of Ending Things”). Here she plays a woman who rents a country house after the death of her husband and encounters Rory Kinnear playing a busload of characters. Weird. Scary. Gross. Worth it.

In theaters May 20.

"The Bob's Burgers Movie" (May 27, theaters): Based on the animated TV series, the comedy features the Belcher family – Bob (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin, from left), Linda (John Roberts), Louise (Kristen Schaal), Gene (Eugene Mirman) and Tina Belcher (Dan Mintz) – trying to keep their restaurant in business after an enormous sinkhole develops, blocking the entrance.

‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’

One of the greatest TV shows in the last 25 years, a lovingly bleak depiction of family life, gets the big-screen treatment. Love it. Everyone who provides a voice is great, but H. Jon Benjamin as Bob — the greatest dad on TV — is a genius. Plot? Who cares? I’m in.

In theaters May 27.

‘Crimes of the Future’

Nobody does body horror like David Cronenberg, which is either a compliment or a complaint, depending on your point of view. I think he’s usually, but not always, great. Here he gathers Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart for what the trailer makes look like a mind-bending, stomach-churning film set in the near future in which humans alter their bodies. And man, do they. Could go either way, but it's worth the chance.

In theaters June 3.

Chris Evans voices the title character of "Lightyear."
Chris Evans voices the title character of "Lightyear."

‘Lightyear’

Chris Evans voices Buzz Lightyear. But not the Buzz we know from all the “Toy Story” movies, who of course was voiced by Tim Allen. Buzz is a toy — and Evans plays the character in the movie the toy is based on. It’s a cool concept, and when it comes to “Toy Story” movies, Pixar’s aim is true.

In theaters June 17.

‘Elvis’

Everyone’s talking about Tom Hanks playing Col. Tom Parker, Elvis’ manager, who steered his career in questionable directions. Which, sure. Hanks is a huge star. But can Austin Butler cut it as the King? And can Baz Luhrmann restrain himself from turning it into a parody? It’s now or never. (I’ll show myself out.)

In theaters June 24.

‘The Black Phone’

Ethan Hawke is always worth watching. But as a child killer whose latest abductee receives phone calls from previous victims while he’s in captivity? Sure. I’d watch him in just about anything.

In theaters June 24.

The Avengers' resident thunder god (Chris Hemsworth) is on a quest to find inner peace when a new threat arises in Marvel's "Thor: Love and Thunder."
The Avengers' resident thunder god (Chris Hemsworth) is on a quest to find inner peace when a new threat arises in Marvel's "Thor: Love and Thunder."

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

OK, I tried to avoid the most obvious blockbusters here, but come on. If Taika Waititi is directing, it’s worth watching. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor wants to bow out of the superhero game, but Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher — an all-time great name — gets in the way. And Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster takes up Mjollnir, the God of Thunder’s hammer.

In theaters July 8.

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’

Lots of buzz surrounding director Olivia Newman’s adaptation of Delia Owens’ bestseller. Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Kya, who raised herself in the south in the 1950s and becomes a suspect in a murder case.

In theaters July 15.

‘Nope’

I don’t know what Jordan Peele’s latest horror film is about, despite whatever the trailer offers (not much) and this unhelpful description: “The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.” You make “Get Out” and “Us” and you get the benefit of all the doubts. He’s the most inventive horror director currently working. Cannot wait.

In theaters July 22.

Brad Pitt stars as an assassin on board a high-speed Japanese transport full of fellow killers in the action comedy "Bullet Train."
Brad Pitt stars as an assassin on board a high-speed Japanese transport full of fellow killers in the action comedy "Bullet Train."

‘Bullet Train’

Brad Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry and Joey King are only three of the five assassins on a bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka. That can’t be good. For the people on the train, that is. For audiences, it’s pretty swell. The cast also includes Sandra Bullock, Michael Shannon and Bad Bunny, of all people. Sounds like a summer movie to me.

In theaters Aug. 5.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Summer movies of 2022: 'Thor,' 'Nope,' 'Lightyear,' 'Bullet Train'