The last time a movie free of any and all franchise trappings topped the summer box office was 2003. Little did anyone know then, Finding Nemo would be the last title not based on a pre-existing property to swim its way ahead of the Hollywood glut. Ever since, the terrain that once belonged to Jaws, E.T., Ghostbusters and Forrest Gump has been monopolized by sequels and rebooted pirates, superheroes, dinosaurs and Jedis.
Can an original movie dominate this years summer lineup for the first time in 15 years? Not if Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (June 22) has anything to say about it. Or Deadpool 2 (May 18). Or Mission: Impossible 27 Because Why Not? (July 27). Or Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (July 13). (Just kidding about that one. I think?)
As if often the case at the multiplex these days, the non-franchise offerings opening over the next four months put the more garish blockbusters to shame which, of course, isnt to say theres no promising big-budget fare. But keep a watchful eye on Under the Silver Lake, Sorry to Bother You, Eighth Grade, Hereditary, The Little Stranger and Crazy Rich Asians, all of which could be massive sleeper hits.
Whatever flavor you prefer for your summer entertainment, heres a variety of options, assembled according to sensibilities. (All release dates are subject to change.)
Clockwise from top left: "Life of the Party," "Book Club," "Under the Silver Lake," "Sorry to Bother You"
Clockwise from top left: "Ocean's 8," "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," "The Incredibles 2," "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
Clockwise from top left: "Hereditary," "Slender Man," "The Little Stranger," "The Darkest Minds"
Clockwise from top left: "Madeline's Madeline," "The Tale," "Eighth Grade," "Skate Kitchen," "The Miseducation of Cameron Post"
Clockwise from top left: "Crazy Rich Asians," "The Seagull," "Leave No Trace," "The Wife"
Clockwise from top left: "That Summer," "Won't You Be My Neighbor?," "RBG," "Three Identical Strangers," "The Gospel According to Andr," "Whitney"
Clockwise from top left: "Tully," "Blindspotting," "Damsel," "Christopher Robin"
Clockwise from top left: "Superfly," "Hotel Artemis," "The Bookshop," "Terminal," "Dog Days"
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