10 new movies we can't wait to watch this summer from 'Barbie' to "The Blackening"

Summer movies used to mean big-name blockbusters every weekend, seemingly one after the other.

The pandemic messed with that kind of scheduling and the industry is still working out the kinks after having its distribution model turned on its head. But there are still a lot of big movies this summer worth looking forward to — and some small ones, too.

These are the 10 movies coming out this summer that I’m most excited about, for various reasons. Yes, the live-action “Little Mermaid” will get a lot of attention, as will whatever installment of the never-ending “Mission Impossible” franchise we’re on. I’m sure I’ll watch them.

But there’s something quirky or compelling enough about the 10 films below that make them stand out. (For one thing, only three are parts of a franchise.) They may not turn out to be great. But they do look interesting.

‘Fast X’

Man, the “Fast and the Furious” movies are relentless. This is, duh, the 10th one (see title), and they keep adding big stars — this time Jason Momoa is the bad guy; Brie Larson, Rita Moreno and Cardi B also sign on to a cast that already includes, in addition to Vin Diesel, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez and Ludacris, among so many others. Momoa’s villain targets Diesel’s family, which happens a lot in these things. The drama stuff is usually ridiculous. The stunts are ridiculously fun.

How to watch: In theaters May 19.

‘You Hurt My Feelings’

I’ve liked Nicole Holofcener’s movies since her first, “Walking and Talking,” in 1996. Here she reunites with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (they last worked together on the excellent “Enough Said” in 2013). Louis-Dreyfus plays a happily married writer who accidentally overhears her husband (Tobias Menzies) saying what he really thinks about her latest book. Holofcener excels at making the seemingly mundane meaningful, in finding the genuine drama in everyday life. This should be no exception.

How to watch: In theaters May 26.

‘Past Lives’

Every year certain films come out of festivals with white-hot word-of-mouth. This year it was "Past Lives," written and directed by Celine Song. If a small film can have big buzz, it’s usually a good sign. Sometimes it’s a much ado about not much. In this movie Greta Lee and Teo Yoo play old friends who shared a childhood in South Korea. Her family moved to the U.S. and now, two decades later, they see each other in New York. From what I've seen, seems like the real deal.

How to watch: In theaters June 2.

‘Flamin’ Hot’

There’s more to the story of how Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were invented than meets the eye. Eva Longoria directs Richard Montañez’s version of events: That when he was working as a janitor at Frito-Lay’s Rancho Cucamonga plant he invented the wildly popular flavor. That’s been disputed, including by the Los Angeles Times, who investigated Montañez’s claims (he rose to become a marketing icon). Jesse Garcia plays Montañez in the movie. It looks good. Can’t wait for the inevitable documentary.

How to watch: Streaming on Hulu and Disney+ June 9.

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‘Asteroid City’

You either like Wes Anderson’s movies — “twee” is a good description of his aesthetic — or you don’t. I tend to love them, so I’m totally down with the idea of his latest: A Junior Stargazer convention gets interrupted by real-life alien visitation. Except Bill Murray, an Anderson staple, who got COVID-19 before filming, the movie stars everyone. Seriously. Just think of someone — Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Steve Carell, Hong Chau, Margot Robbie — and they’re in there. Bring it on.

How to watch: In theaters June 16.

‘The Blackening’

Tim Story’s horror comedy plays with the trope that in scary movies Black characters are often the first to go. It has the tagline of the year: “We can’t all die first.” Seven friends with a knowledge of horror movies spend a weekend at, yes, a cabin in the woods. Soon they learn they are trapped with a killer. Love love love the idea. Maybe the sequel will be a science-fiction movie about the “Star Trek” characters wearing red shirts.

How to watch: In theaters June 16.

‘The Flash’

The film had a lot of delays and production problems, and star Ezra Miller has been the subject of various accusations and has been arrested twice. In an apology they said they were undergoing treatment for "complex mental health issues." Coupled with the off-screen drama, D.C. films have largely been regarded as poor cousins to their Marvel counterparts. Yet, how could a comic-book geek not feel a thrill when seeing Michael Keaton in one of the trailers speak these two iconic words: “I’m Batman.” Sold.

How to watch: In theaters June 16.

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‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’

The title ain’t much, the last one wasn’t good and Harrison Ford is getting a little long in the tooth for this kind of thing. But c’mon! It’s Indiana Jones! Chasing after yet another artifact while fending off bad guys! Plus, Mads Mikkelsen is THE bad guy, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge steps in as Indy’s goddaughter. And if this drives more people to the TV version of “Hannibal” and the stone-cold brilliant “Fleabag,” all the better.

How to watch: In theaters June 30.

‘Barbie’

Despite all the stills from the set and the trailer, we still don’t know much about what Greta Gerwig’s film will be about. Margot Robbie stars as Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, and we know they look great in character. Is it more than a meme-able joke? Seems like, but we won’t know till it come out — which, in a quirk of scheduling, is the same day as “Oppenheimer.” Seems dumb, but no one has ever asked me to run a studio.

How to watch: In theaters July 21.

‘Oppenheimer’

Christopher Nolan co-wrote and directs the long-buzzed-about biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” though Oppenheimer would doubtless blanch at that. Cillian Murphy plays Oppenheimer, and the rest of the cast is nuts: Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Gary Oldman (as Harry S. Truman!) and on and on. Nolan is maybe the most interesting big-swing filmmaker working, so this is well worth a shot.

How to watch: In theaters July 21.

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Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New movies 2023: Best summer releases from 'Fast X' to ‘Oppenheimer’